UN Official Calls for Victim-Oriented Anti-Violence Law

Bangkok, Thailand:

In her exclusive interview with NDTV, UN Women’s Regional Program Manager for Ending Violence Against Women, Melissa Alvarado, emphasized the importance of a victim-centered approach when drafting laws and regulations to combat violence against women. Ms. Alvarado emphasized that survivors’ voices must play a central role in creating policies aimed at stopping gender-based violence.

“Survivors may not be experts on the broader legalities of violence, but they are experts on their own experiences,” Ms. Alvarado said. “We must listen carefully to them and shape our laws and practices based on their lived experiences.”

He also highlighted the need for a robust feedback loop to evaluate the effectiveness of laws and policies. According to Ms. Alvarado, the input of survivors is vital to refining and improving legal frameworks aimed at protecting women from violence.

Identifying Women at Risk

Ms. Alvarado underlined the importance of identifying at-risk women before they become victims of violence. She noted that many victims are unable to access existing support systems, such as helplines and health centres, due to fear, stigma or lack of awareness. “Laws and regulations should be designed not only for those who report violence, but also for those who do not.” He emphasized the need for preventive measures that will reach vulnerable women before the situation worsens.

Ms. Alvarado explained that the main focus should be on preventing severe forms of violence, including domestic abuse leading to murder or rape. He argued that early detection of high-risk situations is essential to prevent these tragic outcomes.

According to UN data, there are 1,583 legal measures against violence against women in 193 countries.

The Impact of Conflicts and Crises on Women

Ms. Alvarado also spoke about the increased vulnerability of women in conflict zones or times of crisis, noting that women are often disproportionately affected by violence in such situations. She emphasized the importance of integrating women’s voices into crisis planning and response efforts, as well as creating social protection systems that specifically address the risks women face in times of crisis.

“As we prepare for the next climate disaster or other emergency, we must ensure that we include women, women’s rights organizations, disability rights groups, and LGBTQ+ activists in crisis preparedness and planning,” Ms. Alvarado said.

UN Women data shows that 70% of women in conflict, war and humanitarian crises have experienced gender-based violence.

Combating Workplace Violence

Ms. Alvarado also called on businesses to adopt a “zero tolerance” policy towards violence against women in the workplace. She argued that companies play an important role in creating safe environments for both female employees and customers.

In addition to enforcing zero-tolerance policies, Ms. Alvarado suggested that companies train their employees to recognize signs of violence and offer support to customers who may be experiencing abuse.