Watch HERE some of the participants speak of the greatest challenges to eliminate violence against women and girls, and how to overcome them
United Nations, March 7.─ Despite shrinking budgets and often-conservative political agendas, Governments throughout the world were making significant strides in expanding multisectoral approaches to eliminate violence against women, characterized by a range of integrated services to prevent abuse and support survivors, speakers said today as the Commission on the Status of Women continued its general debate.
Those efforts, many delegates said, included improvements to legislation and police procedure, better mental health care, the creation of shelters — staffed by a diverse set of experts — 24-hour hotlines, and importantly, stronger punishment for perpetrators. Given the magnitude of the problem, collaboration across sectors was vital for maximizing expertise and resources. It also was critical to involve, throughout the process, civil society actors working at the frontlines, especially to tackle domestic abuse.
On that point, Rossana Hermoza, Vice-Minister for Women Equality and Non-discrimination in the Ministry of Women's Affairs of Paraguay, said that in her country, a registry for victims of domestic violence interacted with the national police, as well as the ministries of women, health and justice, to process data on the incidence of violence. A free, 24-hour "SOS" hotline also had been set up to ensure a rapid response to any complaint of abuse, while a residence for victims provided comprehensive psychological, legal, health and social assistance.
In a similar vein, Sheila Roseau, Executive Director of the Directorate of Gender Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda, said her Government's integrated, multi-agency approach linked the judicial, health and social services sectors, as well as the community, in responding to gender crimes ...
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