Is CEDAW an Effective Tool in Preventing Femicide?

Abstract

Gender based violence is perceived as the most pervasive human rights violation. Examples of gender-based violence range from physical abuse to femicide. Femicide is recognised as an extreme form of gender-based violence that can be “found in all societies where there are unequal gender relations”. The endemic nature of this form of violence is an affront to women’s human rights. The aim of this paper is to determine what role international human rights law can play in preventing femicide. Using Turkey as a case study, this paper demonstrates that the patriarchal bias that permeates in society and the domestic legal system limits the ability of CEDAW to eliminate femicide. The ongoing practice of honour killings in Turkey and the operation of the defence of ‘self-provocation’ enable the continuation of the practice of femicide (section 2.2). CEDAW, and the work of the CEDAW Committee are ineffective in preventing femicide in Turkey primarily due to its weak enforcement (section 2.3) and provides recommendations for a more effective response to femicide (section 2.4).