Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Its Causes and Consequences, Rashida Manjoo, A/HRC/14/22 (23 April 2010)

The thematic report focuses on the topic of reparations to women who have been subjected to violence, whether in the backdrop of peace or post-conflict. It cites the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women pursuant to which the State is duty-bound to prevent, investigate, punish and provide compensation for all acts of violence wherever they occur. In order to provide adequate reparations, the State also has the obligation to enable women to access criminal and civil remedies and to establish protection, support and rehabilitation services for survivors. The report also examines conceptual challenges that prevail when placing the question of gender-sensitive reparations on national and international agendas. It likewise analyzes procedural and substantive considerations in reparations initiatives in relation to violence in conflict, post-conflict and authoritarian settings. It looks at discriminatory practices against certain groups of women, as well as underscores recent landmark cases in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.