Due Diligence Framework: State accountability framework for eliminating violence against women

This report discusses the ‘due diligence’ principle and state obligation to eliminate violence against women. The ‘due diligence’ principle is now generally accepted to include an obligation of the State to prevent, protect against, prosecute, punish and provide redress for acts of violence against women (“5P’s”).

The report is divided into five sections:

• Section I sets out the definition, evolution and situational context of the due diligence principle and the definition and understanding of VAW as used here. It also briefly describes the DDP and the purpose and layout of this report.
• Section II outlines the methodology of the report and its various inputs.
• Section III introduces the Due Diligence Framework and lays out the report’s findings. Trends are identified, good practices illustrated,and recommendations made. These are organized according to five applicable areas: prevention, protection, prosecution, punishment and provision of redress. In this report, these five areas are also referred to as the ‘5P’s’.
• Conclusion
• Annex 1: Due Diligence Guidelines for State compliance for each of the ‘P’s’, as an outcome of the findings in Chapter 3.
• Annex 2: Questionnaire