UN pledge to fight violence against women

A written declaration may not seem such a breakthrough, but the document is an important instrument for activists at a time when violence against women -- or rather the struggle to put an end to it in all its forms -- remains a deeply controversial issue in many countries and earlier gains are under threat in many parts of the globe because of poverty, conflict, political upheaval or religious extremism.

Drafting a text that the world nations could agree on was a tough proposition, so tough in fact that last year the gathering had ended without having achieved this goal. Many aspects of the debate, including reproductive health, sexual freedom and sexual orientation, remain highly divisive topics.

This time, after two weeks of wrangling, an accord was reached at a vast gathering attended by government representatives and some 6,000 NGOs. What makes it significant is that it was approved not just by liberal Western nations, but it also got the backing of Muslim countries as well as conservative Catholic states. They reaffirmed their commitment to end violence against women and agreed that no "custom, tradition or religious consideration" can be used to justify it.

As is often the case at such gatherings, the Vatican argued over sections on women's reproductive rights. It is unlikely to become more progressive on that front under the leadership of newly elected Pope Francis. A few other countries, including Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, Nigeria and Honduras also maintained reservations about some aspects of the text, but in the end they did not block its adoption.

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood launched a virulent challenge during the debate, arguing that defending women's rights to work and to travel freely would lead to the "complete disintegration of society" and adopting the text would be "the final step in the intellectual and cultural invasion of Muslim countries." Their strident call was not heeded, but the Muslim Brotherhood's approach will do little to reassure women in Egypt, who took an active part in the uprising that led to the downfall of Hosni Mubarak, that their rights are secure under the country's new rulers.

That most Muslim states in the end adopted the declaration undermines extreme interpretations of Islam, often built on a foundation of patriarchal customs that have little to do with religion. It also reaffirms the universality of women's rights.

With up to 40 percent of women globally experiencing violence in their lifetime, a figure that goes up to 70 percent in some nations, it was important that their basic rights to a life without coercion, rape and domestic abuse were reaffirmed at a gathering that involved 131 countries.

Every day brings new evidence of the diversity of crimes committed against young girls and women: a new gang rape reported in India, widespread gender-based violence in post-Saddam Iraq, the common practice of underage and forced marriages in South Asia and parts of Africa, not to mention domestic abuse, which occurs everywhere.

Between a declaration of intent and its implementation across societies, the gap remains wide. We see it in Turkey, where legislation to protect women has improved but societal perceptions are slow to change. The same applies to many other countries around the world.

But the emergence of a global consensus that cuts across cultures and religions will give activists new instruments with which to fight for a more equal world, one where gender-based discrimination and violence are actively combated. "Violence against women is a heinous human rights violation, global menace, a public health threat and a moral outrage," UN General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon said in a statement released after the declaration was adopted. "No matter where she lives, no matter what her culture, no matter what her society, every woman and girl is entitled to live free of fear."