Earlier this month, we joined governments, civil society, and other international actors in Chile in the Conference of States Parties of the Convention this week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Belém do Pará Convention. The groundbreaking treaty was the world’s first to recognize violence against women as a systemic issue and to define the duties of States in terms of prevention, support, and punishment. 

The Convention spurred the adoption of new laws across much of the region. These include laws that specifically target domestic violence, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. It also spurred the establishment of institutions responsible for the implementation of policies aimed at combating violence against women. This includes the creation of Ministries of Women and Ministries of Equity, with designated budget allocations for programs against gender-based violence.

As part of the events, my colleague, Bárbara Jiménez-Santiago, Regional Representative, Latin America and the Caribbean, presented the Declaration of the Regional Follow-Up Articulation to the Belém do Pará Convention highlighting the challenges and outstanding issues for the adequate implementation of the Convention. We will continue to work to ensure that States advance—and do not regress—in the fight against all forms of violence affecting women and girls in all their diversity.

Learn more about the Belém do Pará Convention, or read more about our participation in the recent celebrations including how we will continue to hold governments accountable to realizing the full potential of the Convention. 

June 16 marked the Day of the African Child, a day to celebrate the children across Africa and renew commitments to addressing the challenges they face. With girls being disproportionately represented in the almost 46 million school-going children out of school across Eastern and Southern Africa, our work across the continent addresses some of the specific barriers girls face. 

Those best placed to address gender inequality are often the people most profoundly affected and who understand and appreciate the cultural context in which it exists. That’s why collaboration with a diverse community of women and partner organizations from around the world is key to our approach.

These countries and regions, each grappling with their own histories of conflict, provide unique perspectives on navigating complex legal landscapes in the pursuit of justice for survivors of sexual violence in conflict.

Read interviews with our legal experts Jean-Paul Murunga and Sandra Ramirez.