The aim of this submission is to focus particularly on the obligation of the state party to prevent and punish all forms of violence against women, as set out in the Committee’s General Recommendation 19. This briefing presents a number of cases that highlight: abuses committed against women directly by state agents, that have not been adequately investigated; abuses committed by non-state actors which the state has failed to prevent or punish with due diligence, including violence in the community and domestic violence; and, harassment of women human rights defenders working to defend the rights of women and children.
