Canada Takes a Major Step in Advancing Women’s Rights

New York, USA, March 21, 2025: Canada’s decision to sign the Belém do Pará Convention marks a significant commitment to combating gender-based violence and strengthening protections for women’s rights. Equality Now joins other human rights organizations in welcoming this advance, which demonstrates the Canadian government’s long-standing resolve to uphold, protect, and promote gender equality, both domestically and across the Americas. 

As a comprehensive international human rights instrument, the Convention affirms the fundamental right of women and girls to live free from violence and discrimination. A statement by Canada’s government states, “Through the convention, Canada will continue its efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and prevent gender-related homicides at home and internationally. 

“Amid increased attacks on human rights defenders and growing global uncertainty, Canadian leadership in promoting and protecting human rights as a core element of Canada’s feminist foreign policy is more important than ever.”

What is the Belém do Pará Convention? 

The Belém do Pará Convention, also known as the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women, is a pioneering legally binding instrument. Adopted in 1994, it explicitly recognizes violence and discrimination against women as a violation of human rights and as a systemic problem. 

The Convention defines violence against women as any act or conduct, based on gender, that causes death or physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, whether it occurs in public or private, including within the family. 

Crucially, for countries that have ratified the Convention, it establishes clear obligations and measures for how States are required to act in preventing, investigating, punishing, and addressing violence against women. These standards play a key role in helping shape national laws on prevention and prosecution, and provide a powerful tool for civil society organizations and policymakers.

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