From the Editor
Sexual and gender-based violence is a pervasive global health and rights problem rooted deeply in social beliefs about the role of women and the low status of women and girls compared to men and boys. Most commonly, men are the perpetrators of such acts of violence, which can be physical, sexual or psychological. When the aggressor is someone the women or girl knows intimately, such violence is referred to as intimate partner violence or domestic violence. Globally, at least one in three women has experienced some form of gender-based abuse during her life time. In their individual life women faces divorce, physical torture, psychological trauma and humiliation in the society because of domestic violence.The international community has recognised (CEDAW) that violence against women is a violation of womens human rights, their physical integrity and their sexual and reproductive life. It is also acknowledged that promotion of womens right is a means to ensure sustainable development.
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) 1978 is the most comprehensive international agreement for imposing legally binding duties, eliminating discrimination against women and ensuring equality between women and men.It offers a means of holding governments accountable for structural and systemic discrimination against women.
