Systemic injustices and discriminatory social norms are the root causes of violence against women, which continues to be a major human rights violation on a global scale. The World Health Organization estimates that one in three women worldwide may experience physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. The international legal community has passed numerous significant treaties throughout the years, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform for Action. These frameworks jointly mandate member states to avert, penalize and rectify gender-based violence via legal, legislative and social reform. Despite these worldwide initiatives, implementation on the ground is inconsistent and often inadequate. Violence significantly impacts women’s physical and emotional health, restricts their autonomy and impedes their full participation in society. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed substantial shortcomings in protective measures and escalated instances of gender-based violence, especially in home settings. This article acknowledges the pandemic’s impact while emphasizing the enduring importance and limitations of international law in addressing violence against women. The research underscores that global legal progress must yield tangible safety and equality for women, as demonstrated by an examination of legislative frameworks, international resolutions and prevalence statistics. It also promotes governmental, legal and social strategies to improve execution and ensure that global commitments produce substantial change.
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