Statement by India at the 35^th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) on Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with SR on Violence against Women. [Geneva, 12 June 2017]

Mr. President,

We thank both the SRs for their presentations. The report of SR on violence against women contains a thematic analysis based on victim-centred approach to women’s human rights and aimed at avoiding further victimization of women with focus on providing shelters and protection order.

2. We believe that ending violence against women can be achieved by guaranteeing implementation of non-discriminatory policies and action plans with a view to ensure absolute gender equality. The Constitution of India guarantees equality of status of women and lays down a firm foundation for all affirmative actions in favour of women. Drawing inspiration from judicial pronouncements and law commission recommendations, India passed several legislations in addition to the existing penal laws with a view to ending violence against women and to ensure gender based equality and to guaranteed fundamental freedoms of women.

3. To cite a few, India enacted Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in 2005 which provides civil remedies and access to justice for women being victims of domestic violence and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act in 2013 which is extremely wide in its coverage providing protection wo women of all sages and status.

4. India agrees with the SR in advocating the importance of shelters and protection as necessary complementary measures that could be used cumulatively to combat violence against women but given the temporary relief these measures provide we call for a preventive approach in safeguarding the women’s human rights and reiterate our commitment to a policy of zero tolerance to combat violence against women.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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