The most comprehensive compilation of information on the status of
women in the world.

Latest items for LRW-PRACTICE-2

Sept. 22, 2023, 8:51 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights worked with the Ministry of Interior to increase the number of female police officers and to improve police response to rape allegations" (18).
Sept. 12, 2023, 11:48 a.m.
Countries: China
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"A UN study from [2013] involving 1,000 men in a county in central China found that half of the men interviewed reported using physical or sexual violence against a female partner during a lifetime. Activists say victims' repeated complaints are often not taken seriously by police until it is too late, with the issue often regarded as a private family matter in the country's conservative culture" (para 19-20).
Aug. 31, 2023, 10 a.m.
Countries: Afghanistan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"The EVAW law, decreed by then-President Hamid Karzai in 2009 and reconfirmed by President Ashraf Ghani in 2018, makes 22 acts of abuse toward women criminal offenses, including rape, battery, forced marriage, preventing women from acquiring property, and prohibiting a woman or girl from going to school or work" (para 6). "Despite the gains since 2009, full implementation of the EVAW law remains elusive, with all actors involved—including police, prosecutors, and judges—often deterring women from filing complaints and pressing them to seek meditation within their family instead. Family pressure, financial dependence, stigma associated with filing a complaint, and fear of reprisals, including losing their children, have also deterred women from...more
Aug. 24, 2023, 1:08 a.m.
Countries: Cape Verde
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[The country adopted] the regulatory framework of the Gender Based Violence Law, in 2015" (1). "[T]he national plan to combat sexual violence against children and adolescents for the period 2017–2019, [was adopted] in 2016" (2). "[D]ata on court cases collected by the Superior Council of Magistrates are not disaggregated by victim or perpetrator characteristics, such as sex or other variables, which does not enable an analysis of cases of gender-based discrimination or violence" (3). "[The state developed] the national gender equality plan for the period 2015–2018, the national plan to combat gender-based violence and the national gender equality plan for the period 2019–2021" (3).
Aug. 24, 2023, 12:44 a.m.
Countries: Cape Verde
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[S]helters for women who are victims of gender-based violence are [not] fully operational throughout the State party [or have sufficient resources.] [W]omen who are victims of gender-based violence [do not] have effective access to medical treatment, psychological counselling, legal assistance and protection orders... [T]he inter-institutional support network to victims of gender-based violence (SOL network) and the victim support centres are [not] available in all 22 municipalities [to] provide psychological, legal and social support in one place" (6).
Aug. 24, 2023, 12:43 a.m.
Countries: Cape Verde
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[There is an] absence of gender-based violence police officers in the islands of Brava, Fogo, Maio and Boa Vista and the delays in the judicial response in Praia and São Vicente, despite the fact that specific gender-based violence prosecutors were designated" (5-6). "[S]helters and other immediate measures to protect victims and survivors of gender-based violence [are absent], with only one shelter in the island of Fogo and one in Praia having been established recently... [T]he free emergency helpline for victims of gender-based violence (8001818), whose functions have been absorbed into the free police emergency helpline (132), which limits calls to two minutes [has been discontinued]" (6).
Aug. 8, 2023, 8:30 p.m.
Countries: Bulgaria
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[There is] lack of specialized State victim support services, including shelters for victims of gender-based violence, despite the high incidence in the State party of gender-based violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, which remains largely underreported owing to social stigma and victims’ lack of trust in the law enforcement authorities" (6).
Aug. 8, 2023, 12:20 p.m.
Countries: Senegal
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

Despite the efforts made by the State in this area, difficulties in access to the law and justice remain an undeniable reality because a large part of the female population cannot afford the cost of services provided by court officials (deposits, bailiffs’ fees, lawyers’ fees). (5). "Article 34-2 of Organic Act No. 2017-09 of 17 January 2017 on the Supreme Court states: 'The petitioner of a cassation appeal shall be required to submit a deposit to cover the payment of fixed stamp and registration duties. Failure to do so shall result in the petitioner being barred and, consequently, forfeiting the appeal. Except in cases provided for in other laws, legal...more
July 30, 2023, 5:34 a.m.
Countries: Ukraine
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[U]N special envoy on sexual violence, said she has verified more than 100 cases of rape against Ukrainians during the eight-month war - but the true figure is almost certain to be higher." (Parag. 2) Eventhough is not textually said we can infered that there's an existing taboo against reporting sexual assault as they are almost certain that the figure is higher that the reported one. (MD - CODER COMMENT) "It's very difficult to have reliable statistics during an active conflict, and the numbers will never reflect reality, because sexual violence is a silent crime' that is largely underreported, she said." (Parag. 10) Eventhough is not textually said we can...more
July 25, 2023, 10:44 a.m.
Countries: Cambodia
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, MARR-PRACTICE-1

"13 reparation projects have been implemented throughout the State party to formally acknowledge victims, establish collective memories and restore the dignity of victims, including victims of rape in the context of forced marriage" (4). Maritial rape occurs within forced marriage which is also present in the state (MV- coder comment).
July 12, 2023, 10:34 p.m.
Countries: Russia
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[U]N special envoy on sexual violence, said she has verified more than 100 cases of rape against Ukrainians during the eight-month war - but the true figure is almost certain to be higher." (Parag. 2) Eventhough is not textually said we can infered that there's an existing taboo against reporting sexual assault as they are almost certain that the figure is higher that the reported one. (MD - CODER COMMENT) "It's very difficult to have reliable statistics during an active conflict, and the numbers will never reflect reality, because sexual violence is a silent crime' that is largely underreported, she said." (Parag. 10) Eventhough is not textually said we can...more
July 10, 2023, 9:26 p.m.
Countries: Maldives
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"In terms of provision of systematic resourcing and training of government staff and officials on the international and national gender equality commitments of the Maldives, the MOGFSS, the FPA, the HRCM, Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Health (MOH) and the AGO have each lead, often through the support of the United Nations, trainings on the DVPA, the GE Act, the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act, the Sexual Offenses Act, the use of sectoral case management protocol under the DVPA, and the requirements under the CEDAW, as well as the complementarity of the principles of gender equality and Islam." (10-11). "In the case of refusing sex with one’s husband, small...more
June 27, 2023, 11:15 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[A]lthough sex crimes are rarely reported owing to cultural norms, authorities generally enforced the law" (27).
June 20, 2023, 9:30 p.m.
Countries: Nicaragua
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"In 2012, the national police issued Administrative Order No. 014-2012, through which it approved and put into effect a handbook of police investigation procedures for criminal offences and misdemeanours. The handbook describes the procedures for the specialized handling and investigation of domestic and sexual violence offences against women, children and adolescents, and forms part of the ongoing training provided at police stations. At the national level, 153 units for victims of domestic and sexual violence have been set up, with infrastructure to provide specialized support in all of the country’s municipalities." (9). "Special Police Units for Women had been operating in Nicaragua since 1996 to support women, children and adolescents...more
May 22, 2023, 10:49 a.m.
Countries: China
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"A man called Dong Zhimin had bought the woman for 5,000 yuan ($727.26) and had kept her chained up in a room without sun, electricity, and running water since 2017, the Jiangsu Xuzhou Intermediate People's Court said in a statement on Friday. Dong was jailed for nine years on Thursday for abuse and illegal imprisonment, the court said. " (Para.3-4). "The woman, who suffered from schizophrenia, had been sold twice before ending up with Dong. She had eight children during her time with Dong from 1999-2020, the court said" (Para.5).
May 12, 2023, 8:43 a.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Specialist courts are being set up to boost the number and speed of rape cases going to trial. Dedicated courtrooms will be established in three crown courts which deal with a higher than average case load of sex offences" (Para. 1-2). "In the courts, police, prosecutors and all staff will receive trauma training as part of a package of 'enhanced specialist sexual violence support'" (Para.3). "The pilot scheme comes at a time when victims face waiting years for justice. It begins in October at Leeds, Newcastle and Snaresbrook Crown Court in London" (Para. 4-5). "Rape victims will be able to give pre-recorded video evidence, including cross-examination, to spare them the...more
April 19, 2023, 5:18 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, LRCM-PRACTICE-2

"Kereen Odate, Acting Director at the Center for Women’s Development at Medgar Evers College in New York, says black women are reluctant to discuss sexual and domestic abuse for fear of 'vilifying the black man.'" (para 27). "Odate says there has always been something of an unexplored history of sexually dysfunctional behavior in the black community that dates back to slavery. For example, Odate cites mating practices that forced black male slaves to have intercourse with female slaves as the origin of shame that keeps black communities silence about domestic and sexual abuse to this very day. 'You were raped,' Odate says, 'but you weren’t raped because it was for...more
April 1, 2023, 9:26 p.m.
Countries: Uzbekistan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[I]n 2017, the legislation adopted included:...the Natural and Legal Persons’ Petitions Act (new version) of 11 September 2017... "(3)(NF - CODER COMMENT - The law stipulates that women should not be rejected from voicing their concers. This also prohibits government officials from refusing to provide hotlines, conferences, or other forms of communication to citizens. Under this law, the government cannot shut down hotlines). "...and in 2019 the legislation adopted included: the Protection of Victims, Witnesses and Other Participants in Criminal Proceedings Act of 14 January 2019…"(4)(NF - CODER COMMENT - This act protects not only the victim(s), but also their family, witnesses, prosecutors/defenders, and others invovled in the case). "Uzbekistan...more
March 31, 2023, 2:31 p.m.
Countries: Egypt
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"[W]hile victims of human trafficking have access to gender-based violence shelters for medical and social assistance, there is only one dedicated shelter for women and children who are victims of human trafficking" (8).
March 18, 2023, 10:20 p.m.
Countries: Ethiopia
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"One-stop service centres [established by the Government] provides victims of sexual violence, mainly victims of rape a package of services consisting of medical and psychological treatment, legal support and shelter... The Centre has contributed to improve one of the factors for underreporting and low success in prosecution of GBV crimes" (5).
March 8, 2023, 1:43 p.m.
Countries: Montenegro
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"There are no crisis centres for sexual violence survivors in Montenegro nor protocols on the conduct of institutions in such cases" (12).
March 4, 2023, 7:01 a.m.
Countries: Egypt
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-1, LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Sexual assault, however, remains a huge issue for women in Egypt, especially since many survivors do not come forward about the assault or report the perpetrator to the police. Many victims are silenced due to societal pressure combined with guilt, shame, embarrassment, and fear of retribution" (Para. 11).
Feb. 27, 2023, 1:02 p.m.
Countries: South Korea
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Many young Korean men, however, have declared themselves victims of women’s activism. President Yoon rose to power last year by leveraging this resentment. He echoed the dog whistle of men’s rights advocates, declaring that structural sexism no longer exists in South Korea and vowing tougher punishment for false reports of sexual assault." (para 14)(NF -CODER COMMENT- Though this can be perceived as a good thing, it can also make it harder for victims to feel that they are believed and supported during a criminal investigation. Also, it can be easier for violators to state that the victim is simply lying or making it up).
Feb. 24, 2023, 12:54 p.m.
Countries: Nepal
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"For women’s facilitated access to the concerned authorities and the court, 17 district-level and 84 community-level service centres are in operation to deliver services to the victims and survivors of GBV, rape and other sexual offences. Likewise, hospital-based ‘One-Stop Crisis Management Centers (OCMCs)’ are providing integrated health services to GBV victims and survivors in 20 districts." (9)."The GoN has established Child Help Line in 14 districts through the Central Child Welfare Board (CCWB) to address the issues of violence against girl child." (9). "It is mobilizing GBV Elimination Fund and Emergency Child Rescue Fund in all districts to provide immediate funds for rescue, medical support, legal aid , counselling and...more
Feb. 18, 2023, 10:34 a.m.
Countries: Nepal
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Activists and lawyers say the law stands as a barrier to justice for rape survivors and that it helps perpetrators to evade punishment. Smriti Singh, Amnesty International’s south Asia deputy regional director, said the stigma, shame, intimidation and trauma associated with rape stopped many people from coming forward." (Para.7). "Smriti Singh, Amnesty International’s south Asia deputy regional director, said the stigma, shame, intimidation and trauma associated with rape stopped many people from coming forward.'This case has brought attention to how grossly inadequate and ineffective the provision [for rape survivors] is at this point,' she said.'The one-year limitation is really outdated and harmful. It does not factor in the stigma that...more
Feb. 18, 2023, 10:25 a.m.
Countries: China
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, TRAFF-PRACTICE-2

"In January, Chinese social media similarly erupted after a woman was found chained in a shack in eastern Jiangsu Province, and the authorities later acknowledged she was the victim of human trafficking. But officials also detained or censored some who pressed for more information. Last year, the tennis player Peng Shuai disappeared from public view after accusing a high-ranking former Chinese leader of coercing her into sex" (Para.6).
Feb. 18, 2023, 10:18 a.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Figures published last year showed the proportion of rape complainants dropping out of cases had risen from 25% to 43% over a five-year period to December 2020. Edwards said one of the reasons women were dropping out were because of intrusive information collection" (Para.6). "The report says: 'Data minimisation is key' and any personal data obtained relating to a victim must be adequate, relevant and not excessive. Forms requesting information from third parties should make clear whether the requests are voluntary or mandatory and explain that the information sought might end up being disclosed to the defendant, it says. The ICO’s report was welcomed by victims’ rights campaigners, who said...more
Feb. 8, 2023, 12:39 p.m.
Countries: Turkey
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"In July 2022, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, urged the government of Turkey to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the convention and said that relying solely on domestic legislation was not enough considering the preventive and protective measures in place are not strong in Turkey". (para 9)(NF - CODER COMMENT - The lack of protective measures for women can lead to potentially worsening situations for them. If they choose to come forward, they may be putting themselves in greater danger). "In a report published by Human Rights Watch in May 2022, the international watchdog examined the failure of the state 'to adequately...more
Feb. 6, 2023, 12:07 p.m.
Countries: Kyrgyzstan
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2, DV-PRACTICE-2

"The Committee [on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women] recommends that the State party…encourage reporting of gender-based violence to law enforcement bodies,...[s]trengthen victim support services and protection, including round-the-clock hotlines, adequate shelter, medical treatment, psychosocial counselling and economic support throughout the State party [and intensify] awareness-raising among the general public on the criminal nature of all forms of gender-based violence, including domestic and sexual violence, and the need for women to be able to report such cases to law enforcement authorities without fear of reprisals, stigmatization or revictimization" (6).
Feb. 5, 2023, 8 p.m.
Countries: New Zealand
Variables: LRW-PRACTICE-2

"Another claim we often hear is that the New Zealand model is the best legal approach to protecting the safety, rights and health of people who sell sex – do you agree with this claim? No. Not even slightly. Not at all. There’s no safety in prostitution and especially not when buyers and pimps are decriminalised so you can’t make complaints because the police will do nothing. Prostitution involves the sale of human rights that are supposed to be inalienable – the right to not endure torture or sexual harassment, abuse, violence and rape; the right to free expression and to fair and favourable work conditions. All of these are...more