ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the historical developments of ‘soft law’ normative standards on violence against women as reflected in the United Nations system, including in the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. It specifically looks at developments linked to domestic violence that is experienced by women at the hands of current or past partners or spouses. Additionally, the chapter highlights the applicable legally binding standards that currently exist within the established regional human rights frameworks, including in the Inter-American, the African and the European systems, as well as interpretative standards emanating from ground-breaking jurisprudence in domestic violence cases.
