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Parallel and Plural Legal Systems
Parallel and Plural Legal Systems

When States delegate legal authority to traditional, customary or religious systems they bestow on them a range of powers which are not always subject to rights standards and norms nor to state oversight.

When States delegate legal authority to traditional, customary or religious systems they bestow on them a range of powers which are not always subject to rights standards and norms nor to state oversight. These systems, usually known as parallel or plural systems, can have jurisdiction over marriages, family law issues, dispute resolution and informal systems of community justice. These issues are often at the heart of women’s experiences of male violence.

The discussion was led by Zarizana Aziz is a law, gender and human rights specialist affiliated with the Due Diligence Project, and Satang Nabaneh is a Research Professor of Law and Director of Programs at the Human Rights Centre at the University of Dayton.

Torture and Violence Against Women
Torture and Violence Against Women

It has taken very many years to include women’s experiences of violence in work against torture and to think of torture as an appropriate term for women’s experiences of violence.

Session slides - Cristina’s Presentation
Nicole’s Presentation

It has taken very many years to include women’s experiences of violence in work against torture and to think of torture as an appropriate term for women’s experiences of violence. In recent years there has been progress on both fronts. How does thinking about connections between torture (and it’s legal regulation) strengthen our work against violence against women?

This discussion was led by Cristina Sevilla, a practicing lawyer based in the Philippines, and the OMCT (World Organisation against Torture). Our second speaker was Nicole Buerli, Senior Human Rights Advisor for Asia, OMCT.

Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence
Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence

Session slides - TFGBV.pptx

There is growing global recognition of abuse in cyber space and the many harms it brings women and girls. The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2023 took as its theme the subject of technology and women.

There are efforts in some jurisdictions to introduce legislative measures. But what would a good law look like? To what extent can we consider common approaches?

This discussion was led by Nighat Dad, a practicing lawyer based in Pakistan who participated in CSW. Nighat was joined by Tsitsi Matekaire ( Global Lead, End Sexual Exploitation at Equality Now).

Webinar Recordings

IFLN Reports

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Litigating Police Perpetrated Violence Against Women
Litigating Police Perpetrated Violence Against Women

Webinar Notes - 13.12.2022

In all jurisdictions the police are expected to play a key frontline role in protecting women from male violence and investigating crimes with a view to prosecuting perpetrators of violence against women. Yet there is growing evidence that significant numbers of police officers are abusers themselves - both in their official roles and in their off-duty lives. This webinar raised the discussion as to why this might be, with international case studies.

Thinking, Framing and Litigation Around Psychological Violence
Thinking, Framing and Litigation Around Psychological Violence

Webinar Notes - 13.10.2022

Traditional ways of thinking about intimate partner violence do not capture the ways in which victim-survivors respond to the violence that they were experiencing from their partners, but also the very neglectful and harmful responses from agencies and other people from which they were seeking help. We look at an entrapment framework which was developed to make this aspect of victim survivors' experiences visible.

Links & Further Reading