[Taken from www.thecommonwealth.org]

A group of ministers, lawmakers, police officers, experts and campaigners have urged Commonwealth countries to use tried-and-tested measures to bring an end to gender-based violence.

In their discussions at an online event hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat on 4 May 2024, the group set forth a set of concrete measures to better protect women and girls in the 56 Commonwealth countries, home to 2.5 billion people.

Targeted measures

The specific measures include abolishing discriminatory gender laws, setting up specialised police stations, increasing funding for support services, and using education to combat misogynistic attitudes.

Globally, one in three countries lack protections against sexual harassment and violence in the workplace. The group called on all countries to ratify the International Labour Organization’s convention on workplace violence and harassment.

Currently, less than a third of Commonwealth countries have ratified the convention,



which requires states to develop laws prohibiting workplace violence and provide support to victims.

Their proposals will be included in the Commonwealth Women’s Forum report, which will be presented to leaders at their upcoming biennial meeting in Samoa to guide their decision-making on tackling gender-based violence.

‘A horrifying reality’

Addressing the event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, called violence against women and girls as a “horrifying reality”.

She Continued

“Gender-based violence is not inevitable, yet despite the progress we have made in laws, policies, and programmes, it continues to affect one in three women in their lifetime. This violence is pernicious and devastating, and we must intensify our efforts to end it.

“Through the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, we are bringing together people from all walks of life to identify and implement practical actions which each of us can take to make our homes, workplaces, and c

📌 Countries urged to use tried-and-tested measures to tackle GBV (Karahal)
🏢 Commonwealth Businesswomen's Network
📍 Karahal