Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women

This handbook from the Division for the Advancement of Women in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat (DAW/DESA) provides policymakers and other stakeholders with guidance on creating and strengthening policies against violence against women and girls (VAWG). Based on the work on an expert group convened in 2009 by DAW/DESA, it outlines a legal framework to protect women, hold perpetrators accountable, and support survivors of violence. It provides country-specific examples of successful legislation from throughout the world.

The document is intended to help move national governments forward in the adoption of legislation on VAWG: "The adoption and enforcement of national laws to address and punish all forms of violence against women and girls, in line with international human rights standards, is one of the five key outcomes which the Secretary-General’s campaign “UNiTE to End Violence against Women” aims to achieve in all countries by 2015." The website below includes a video discussion series and a powerpoint presentation on the topic in addition to links to the document.