Asia-Pacific Conference on the Promotion of Gender-Responsive Judicial Systems: Strengthening Formal Justice Systems’ Responses to Violence Against Women and Girls

May 23, 2022 | Asian Development Bank
Online
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Join us for an interactive conference convening justice sector actors and other stakeholders to discuss approaches to strengthening the formal justice systems’ responses to violence against women and girls (VAWG) in the Asia and the Pacific region. The conference will identify common gaps and barriers, good and promising practices and successful outcomes, as well as increase regional knowledge sharing on better handling and adjudication of VAWG cases. Participants will comprise judges, prosecutors, lawyers, government officials, civil society organizations, academia, development partners and other interested parties.

Globally, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical, sexual, psychological and other forms of violence. In the Asia and the Pacific region, the prevalence of violence against women and girls is also high, with women and girls in the Pacific Island countries facing some of the highest rates of violence globally. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated VAWG and they are facing even higher rates of violence. This harsh reality persists despite laws to protect women and girls against violence. For example, survivors face harmful gender discrimination, bias and stereotyping, social stigma, and inadequate institutional mechanisms to provide them with adequate protection under the formal justice system. Furthermore, they face other access to justice issues such as low literacy; limited awareness or knowledge of women’s and girls’ rights, cultural and social norms that excuse violence against women or discourage survivors from pursuing formal justice remedies; lack of support from family members and community leaders; and insufficient support services. Evidence and experience suggest that laws alone are not enough to eliminate VAWG and capacity of formal justice sector personnel and stakeholders responsible for handling and adjudicating VAWG cases need to be strengthened, as well as institutional mechanisms to deal effectively and efficiently with VAWG cases. Additionally, complementary tools for increasing legal literacy and access to justice need to be utilized.