Domestic Violence Legislation and its Implementation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
XVI
While this paper has been written from a legal perspective, there is much to learn for all
gender advocates. Lawyers and judicial offi cials can learn about the international legal framework
to which their countries have committed, and about their obligations. Judges and court offi cials in
particular will benefi t from this discourse as they are part of the state party and are duty-bearers
by themselves. Moreover, gender advocates in governments and civil society, law makers and
law drafters can use this analysis of existing domestic violence legislation, based on international
standards, for further improvements.
The papers also provide a tool for gender advocates as shared good practices offer practical
solutions to the challenges we all face in dealing with domestic violence. Communities still grapple
with the notion that domestic violence is a “private matter”, something which should be resolved
within the confi nes of the homes. The second paper shows that when the home ceases to be a
sanctuary, there are many ways out.
These papers make neither prescriptions nor solutions, but present resource material
for stakeholders to draw from and build upon to address the most pervasive of human rights
violations, violence against women.