Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

158 PRACTITIONERS GUIDE No. 12
question, to allow for the efficient initiation of proceedings after
the victim has reached the age of majority”. 419
Ensure women’s awareness of their legal rights
All States must ensure that women who have been subjected to
violence are aware of their rights and the remedies that are
available to them if those rights have been violated. The
General Assembly has called on States to make available
“relevant information on rights, remedies and victim support
services and on how to obtain them, in addition to information
about their role and opportunities for participating in criminal
proceedings”. 420
The Istanbul Convention also requires that: “Parties shall take
the necessary legislative or other measures to ensure that
victims receive adequate and timely information on available
support services and legal measures in a language they
understand”. 421
In addition, the CEDAW Committee has said that to improve
women’s access to justice, States must ensure “access to
Internet and other information and communication
technologies”. 422
Effective training of all those coming into contact with
women subjected to gender-based violence
The CEDAW Committee has emphasized that: “Gendersensitive
training of judicial and law enforcement officers and
other public officials is essential for the effective
implementation of the Convention”. 423 A number of regional
treaties set out specific measures for the education and training
419
Istanbul Convention, above note 378, Article 58.
420
Updated Model Strategies and Practical Measures, above note 380,
paragraph 18(a).
421
Istanbul Convention, above note 378, Article 19.
422
CEDAW General Recommendation No 33, above note 383,
paragraph 17(d).
423
CEDAW General Recommendation No 19, above note 376,
paragraph 24(b).