Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development, Commitments

"Take effective measures, including through the enactment and enforcement of laws, and implement policies to combat and eliminate all forms of discrimination, exploitation, abuse and violence against women and girl children, in accordance with relevant international instruments and declarations . . ." (Commitment 5 (h))

Each year since the World Summit for Social Development, the UN General Assembly has considered its implementation and adopted a resolution.

Copenhagen + 5 (2000)

Resolution adopted by the General Assembly, Further Initiatives for Social Development

"Ensure continued and intensified action to combat all forms of gender-based violence, and recognize that violence against women, whether in private or public life, both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms." (Commitment 4, para 61)

"Strengthen national efforts, including with assistance from the international community, to promote the empowerment of women, inter alia, by:...f) Eliminating all forms of violence against women, in the domestic as well as in the public sphere;..." (Commitment 5, para. 80(f))