Background: Nature of “harmful practices” against women, and international and regional legal and policy frameworks

“Harmful practices” are the result of gender inequality and discriminatory social, cultural, and religious norms, as well as traditions, which relate to women’s position in the family, community and society and to control over women’s freedom, including their sexuality. While some cultural norms and practices empower women and promote women’s human rights, many are also often used to justify violence against women. Women are engaged as perpetrators in the commission of “harmful practices”.

Related Subject(s): Drugs Crime and Terrorism