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The rights of women in armed conflict: a guide
Thursday, 22 September 2005, 8:33 pm
Press Release: Amnesty International
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The rights of women in armed conflict: an activists'
guide
Amnesty International has published a guide on using
the law to press governments to implement their obligations
toward women in armed conflict. The guide is aimed at those
with influence over public services, such as lawyers,
teachers and police officers, as well as human rights
campaigners and groups. It is part of a toolkit for
activists in Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against
Women campaign.
Countless women have been subjected to
crimes of violence in times of armed conflict. Violence
against women in war is widespread and often
systematic.
States have a duty to ensure women's right to
freedom from violence no matter what the context -- war or
peace, the home or the street -- and regardless of the
identity of the perpetrator -- parent, partner, combatant or
soldier. Over the past ten years, international law in
various areas has addressed the worldwide phenomenon of
violence against women.
The problem is that those with
power to secure a transformation in women's lives are not
taking action. Given the gap between standards on women's
rights and the reality on the ground, ensuring the law is
respected and implemented requires the hard work of
advocates for women's human rights. This guide shows how the
law can be used as a tool to challenge and inspire
governments to make rights a reality for
women.
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