Expresses deep concern at the persistence of various forms of violence and crimes against women in all parts of the world, especially all forms of commercial sexual exploitation as well as economic exploitation, including trafficking in women and children, female infanticide, crimes committed in the name of honour, crimes committed in the name of passion, racially motivated crimes, the abduction and sale of children, dowry-related violence and deaths, acid attacks and harmful traditional or customary practices, such as female genital mutilation and early and forced marriages; stresses the need to treat all forms of violence against women and girls of all ages as a criminal offence punishable by law; urges Member States to strengthen awareness and preventive measures for the elimination of all forms of violence against women; expresses its appreciation of the work being done by non-governmental organizations; calls upon States to fulfil their obligations under the relevant human rights instruments and to implement the Beijing Platform for Action as well as the outcome document of the 23rd special session; encourages States parties to include in their reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and other relevant treaty bodies sex-disaggregated data and information on measures taken or initiated to eliminate all forms of violence against women; invites the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, to further devote equal attention to all forms of violence against women.

Adopted without vote, 77th plenary meeting

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