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

70 PRACTITIONERS GUIDE No. 12
The UN General Assembly has called on States to adopt all
appropriate measures to:
Modify social and cultural patterns of conduct of men
and women to promote the development of respectful
relations;
Eliminate prejudices, harmful customs and other
practices based on the idea of the inferiority or
superiority of either of the sexes;
Promote gender equality and human rights; and
Raise awareness of the unacceptability of violence
against women at all levels, including through schools,
educational programmes, teachers, parents, religious
leaders, youth organizations and teaching materials. 186
Promoting freedom from gender-based violence:
“Necessary and achievable”
The CEDAW Committee has said that:
“Developing a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the
challenging task of promoting families, communities and States
that are free of violence against women is necessary and
achievable. Equality, partnership between women and men and
respect for human dignity must permeate all stages of the
socialization process. Educational systems should promote selfrespect,
mutual respect, and cooperation between women and
men.” 187
The State should take effective measures to eradicate genderbased
discrimination and violence.
The requirement of States to implement women’s right to
physical and mental integrity, right to life, and freedom from
torture and ill-treatment, requires that States:
186
General Assembly resolution 67/144 (2013), paragraph 18(d) and
(k).
187
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Report of the Fourth
World Conference on Women, UN Doc A/CONF.177/20 Rev.1 (1995),
paragraph 119.