Resolution A/HRC/29/L.16/Rev.1: Accelerating Efforts to Eliminate all Forms of Violence Against Women
The resolution on is an annual resolution led by Canada at the UN Human Rights Council. This year, for the first time, it focused on eliminating domestic violence.
This is the first ever UN resolution to use the terms intimate partner violence and comprehensive sexuality education.
Through this resolution, adopted by consensus, and co-sponsored by 87 countries at the time of adoption, the Council expresses grave concern over the prevalence of domestic violence, including intimate partner violence. It reiterates that States must eliminate harmful practices that women and girls are subjected to and cannot invoke custom, tradition, or religion to avoid doing so.
The Council calls upon States to penalise acts of domestic violence, including marital rape, partner violence, so-called “honour” crimes, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation. It also asks States to eliminate legislation and practices that discriminate against women and girls, ensure access to justice and remedies for domestic violence, train public officials, and empower women in the realm of decision-making, education, decent work, social services, financial resources, property and inheritance.
The Council calls for women’s access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services, and the promotion and protection of their reproductive rights and the right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality. It also urges States to support civil society initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and addressing domestic violence, including those undertaken by women’s organizations and women human rights defenders.