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violence against women in all its forms, a commitment by States in respect of their responsibilities,
and a commitment by the international community at large to the elimination of violence against
women,
Solemnly proclaims the following Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women and urges
that every effort be made so that it becomes generally known and respected:
Article 1
For the purposes of this Declaration, the term "violence against women" means any act of genderbased violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or
suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life.
Article 2
Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to, the following:
( a ) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual
abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital
mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related
to exploitation;
( b ) Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including
rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and
elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;
( c ) Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it
occurs.
Article 3
Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. These rights include, inter
alia :
( a ) The right to life;
( b ) The right to equality;
( c ) The right to liberty and security of person;
( d ) The right to equal protection under the law;
( e ) The right to be free from all forms of discrimination;
( f ) The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health;
( g ) The right to just and favourable conditions of work;
( h ) The right not to be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment.
Article 4
States should condemn violence against women and should not invoke any custom, tradition or
religious consideration to avoid their obligations with respect to its elimination. States should pursue
by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating violence against women and, to this
end, should: