Violence against women is an obstacle to the
achievement of the objectives of equality, development
and peace. It both violates and impairs or
nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human
rights and fundamental freedoms. In all societies, to
a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are subjected
to physical, sexual and psychological abuse
that cuts across lines of income, class and culture.
The low social and economic status of women can
be both a cause and a consequence of this violence.1
Violence against women throughout their life cycle
is a manifestation of the historically unequal power
relations between women and men. It is perpetuated
by traditional and customary practices that
accord women lower status in the family, workplace,
community and society, and it is exacerbated
by social pressures. These include the shame
surrounding and hence difficulty of denouncing
certain acts against women; women’s lack of access
to legal information, aid or protection; a dearth
of laws that effectively prohibit violence against
women; inadequate efforts on the part of publi