At the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Lutheran World Federation expressed concern about the number of countries where legal systems can be used to inflict domestic violence against women and children.
Participants of a three-day workshop perform an activity as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence organized by The Lutheran World Federation, the Mukwege Foundation and UNIGE Egalité, . Photo: LWF/L. Gillabert
Strengthening legal standards to protect the most vulnerable
(LWI) - In a statement issued to the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
expressed concern over the potential use of the notion of parental alienation to perpetuate gender-based violence against women and children. Responding to a Custody and Parental alienation report by the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, LWF implored judicial systems across different countries to investigate the potential history of domestic violence including child sexual abuse in such cases.
The special rapporteur's report highlighted that some judicial systems question the legitimacy of domestic violence cases once defendants bring up ‘parental alienation’ as a factor.
"Survivors of gender-based violence look to legal systems for protection. But if their means of protection is systematically abused, it is the role of governments to strengthen legal standards and judicial systems” says Sikhonzile Ndlovu, LWF Advocacy Officer for Gender Justice, who is coordinating LWF's engagement at the 53rd HRC.
