Gender-based violence continues to pose a major roadblock to women’s human rights, peace and development in the Asia Pacific region. In recent years, many forms of violence against women have increased in the UNESCAP region. In some countries, one out of every two women is subjected to domestic violence in the form of sexual, emotional and physical violence. Dowry-related violence, rape and marital rape, female genital mutilation, forced prostitution, feticide, infanticide, honour killings, sati (widow-burning), acid-throwing crimes and trafficking in women continue to ruin the lives of women in the region. Legal mechanisms and national policies on violence against women continue to fail to protect women from violence due to lack of implementation, the prevailing social attitude that violence against women is a private domestic issue, and deeply rooted patriarchal values and norms.

The United Nations has played a lead role in setting international standards on violence against women by promoting recognition of women’s human rights and calling for their protection from violence, and in recent years, the importance of involving men in achieving gender equality has been highlighted within the United Nations system, international and civil society organizations. There has been a growing recognition that addressing the role of men is crucial in changing unequal power relations. Involving men in movements to end violence against women focusing on men’s roles and responsibilities, and on men as part of the solution to combat violence against women is crucial in order to change power dynamics between women and men that render women vulnerable to violence and abuse.