The use of human rights framework in policy

development in eliminating Violence Against Women

questions and solutions

Mirela ARQIMANDRITI Albania

Vienna, November 25, 2013

• Violence against women is a crime against

humanity and that legislation must demonstrate the severity of this crime.

• Violence against women is a hidden crime, as the statistics are collected by NGOs and are not taken into consideration.

INSTRUMENTS AGAINST VW

In Albania

• The Law for measures against violence in the family relationships (2008).

• The Gender Equality Law (2007).

• The Strategy for Gender Equality(2007 for the first time).

• CEDAW ratification (1993, 2003, first state report 2008)

• The Istanbul Convention (since May 2011, ratified by Albania in 2012, opened for signatures …still pending to enter into force…)

CEDAW and CoE Convention

• CEDAW framework – The convention, general recommendations and case law

• Istanbul convention: first legally binding instrument that aims at zero tolerance of such violence

Governments are oblige to change the laws , introduce practical measures and allocate resources

QUESTIONS RAISED

• Are all NGOs aware of how they can put the CEDAW and Istanbul Convention into practice?

• How can the information available for women be better used.

• Is the information accurate and updated?

• Are all the practitioners of the Law against DV aware how they can react in a case of DV?

• Are protocols in place for every DV law practitioner?

NO

QUESTIONS RAISED

• Another issue raised is that of funding

• State institution & NGO sector

• NGOs in remote areas are not existing and when they existing they are under-funded and have less visibility.

• Are there enough money to train the police officers and the lawyers on matters of: – violence against women?

– reproductive rights?

– Discrimination?

The training not only informs but also includes the work on hypothetical or real cases.

QUESTIONS RAISED

• Is every woman aware of their rights, laws and other instrument in place for her safety?

• The platform of action of Bejing assures the right of information to every woman.

• NO

Solutions proposed

NGO sector • In every country at least one NGO for 100.000 habitants

should be established and be prepared and focused, as well as have adequate funds for:

• Awareness raising activities • How to work with CEDAW and Istanbul convention • The NGOs should receive adequate funds for VAW; The

fund for NGOs in every country should be raised either by state or donors

• Information about the cases solved using the CEDAW • The Istanbul Convention should enter into force as soon as

possible

Solutions proposed

STATE • Every state should fund women’s NGO in collaboration with

donors. • Every state should have a special agency, a coordination

unit against VAW, and not one directory for everything. • Every state should have the 24 hours Hotline in place,

covered by specialized police officers and social workers. • The CEDAW and Istanbul Convention should be well known

from the state special unit, who have to give an accurate report on the phenomena.

• A report should be prepared against VAW (rape, beating, stalking etc) by the state units ( ministry, directories of equal chances) every two years.

Solutions proposed

DONORS • The donors should allocate money against VAW and require

NGOs be accountable • The work started in one country should not been left

without creating a critical mass of people who are aware of the phenomena and can use means to fight against.

• The donors should have e standard programme against VAW and not every year the calls changes the thematic.

• Organize training programs for NGOs on International instruments.

• Donors should have a unit in every country to deal with and measure the VAW

AWARE, AUTHENTIC, AWESOME

• Let’s create space for women and girls to be aware of their rights

• Empowered to live authentic lives and

• An awesome force to make a positive difference in the lives of others

FINALLY

Boys and men

• Engage men and boys against VAW

• 30 % of men and boys in our organizations and every activity, in every state organizm which deal with women’s rights.

• The Gender Alliance for Development Centre (GADC) is an Albanian non-profit organization operating all over Albania.

• GADC is a voice for Albanian women and a force for change.

• GADC works to empower women and to create an equal and just future for low-income girls and women to get out of poverty and exclusion all over Albania.

www.gadc.org.al

GADC's main thematic areas of expertise lie in:

• Ensuring women’s economical empowerment;

Women’s Entrepreneurship

• Empower citizens to monitor local gender agenda

• Building peace and ending gender-based violence

• Advancing women’s rights in rural areas

• Expanding women’s participation in politics and decision making

THANK YOU!