U.N. Conference Addresses Violence Against Women

Activists at a U.N. crime conference are demanding countries adopt a broader definition of what constitutes violence against women, including female genital mutilation and sexual harassment.

The debate at the 10-day conference crosses cultural lines - a factor that has bedeviled past international gatherings on everything from human rights to controlling population growth.

But women’s rights activists say they’re optimistic a draft resolution urging a universal effort to curb violence against women will be adopted by representatives from the 124 countries.

“This is a problem that requires urgent attention worldwide,” said Susan Christie of the Canadian delegation, which sponsored the resolution with Turkey.

Much of the conference has focused on organized crime and its increasing ability to cross borders. But police cooperation, terrorism and corruption also have warranted attention.

The draft resolution also tackles the issue of cultural standards, warning countries not to use them as a pretext for violence.

Activists say that admonition allows them to address issues such as sexual harassment and female genital mutilation, a custom in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Delegates want wife battering, sexual abuse and harassment to be considered crimes by all nations, and they also want to address the issue of so-called dowry deaths.

With alarming frequency, brides in India are killed if the groom’s family is unhappy with the dowry. Anita Anand, an Indian journalist, said a dowry death occurs every 102 minutes in India.