The increasing recognition of gender-based violence against women as a human rights violation coupled with the growing use by States of "culture", "traditions", and religion as excuses in order not to fulfill their human rights obligations have made the UN an important arena for our Campaign.
During the 16th session of the Human Rights Council, we organized a panel on Cultures, Traditions and VAW: Human Rights Challenges in collaboration with the International Women’s Rights Action Watch- Asia Pacific (IWRAW-AP), the Partners for Law in Development –India and the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID). We also launched our publication "Control and Sexuality" on zina laws to draw attention to how zina has become part of the legal system in some Muslim contexts to 'justify' human rights violations against women and sexual minorities.