While numerous international conventions and declarations recognize gender violence as a human rights issue, that recognition has yet to be fully translated into national policy. A case in point is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which provides a comprehensive framework for addressing gender violence. Thirty countries have yet to sign it; one third of those which signed have lodged substantive reservations; and 24 countries have specifically lodged reservations against Article 16–a core provision that guarantees equality between men and women in marriage and family life.

In order for policy-makers to address gender violence seriously, they must draw up and monitor a well-defined and substantive national gender policy. Violence against women and girls must be understood as a development issue that requires public policy debate and action. Given a specific policy framework, it normally follows that a national strategy is developed to achieve the stated goals. Such a strategy should include catalytic interventions on behalf of gender equality.

Gender violence is a bona fide development concern, not just a "women’s issue" to be addressed mostly by women’s NGOs. Governments and institutions therefore need to commit their own financial resources to combatting the problem, instead of relying solely on external donor sources. Strategies to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment will be critical to the success of any national development plans. Government institutions and NGOs must work together to change hearts and minds, reform laws, and build up support services such as shelters, hotlines, and crisis centres.

Legal reform and legislative initiatives. One strategy for change is to urge the legislative sector to institute reforms that will underscore the seriousness of acts of violence against women and girls. In particular, it is urgent that nations establish the criminality of such abuse, both to prosecute cases and to convict and punish perpetrators.

Many aspects of the legal system are inimical to the interests of women victims of violence, and advocacy is critical to changing them. Some countries, unfortunately, have still done little or nothing to change. Even where legislation on gender violence is on the books, the actual prosecution of perpetrators is far from straight-forward.

There are some areas for legal reform that are worth highlighting. Court systems and procedures can be a major hindrance to prosecution. Often the forms of evidence that are required for submission and the process of testifying make it very difficult for women, particularly when they involve husbands and male family members they depend on. Changes in systems and procedures, less politically sensitive, are one place to start the process of reform.

It is important to recognize the legislative momentum generated on gender-based violence, particularly after ICPD and Beijing. However, the enforcement of laws against gender violence remains very inadequate. The key enforcers of the law, including judges, lawyers and police officers, have yet to fully accept violence against women as a criminal act.

For gender violence to emerge from its veil of secrecy, law enforcement officials at all levels must assume a more visible and active role by taking the appropriate preventive as well as protective measures.