Wellesley Centers for Women | Compilation of Gender Equality & Domestic Violence Laws from around the World

Compilation of Gender Equality & Domestic Violence Laws from around the World

Ongoing

tinyglobe Rangita de Silva-de Alwis, SJD, the Senior Advisor on International Programs at the Wellesley Centers for Women, has conducted research and has provided technical assistance to global partners on gender equality laws and domestic violence laws from around the world. Available for download are a number of materials from the compilation (in English translation). These laws will serve as a rich resource for gender-based law reform initiatives.

Australia
- Amended Sex Discrimination Act of 1984
Bangladesh
- Proposed Domestic Violence Act, Draft
Belgium
- Law against Discrimination, Gender Discrimination, and also on balance of sexes in legislature
Bhutan
- Labor and Unemployment Act (2007)
Bulgaria
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Domestic Violence Law
Cambodia
- Law on The Prevention of Domestic Violence and The Protection of Victims
- Law on Suppression of the Kidnapping, Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Persons, 1996
- Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation, 2007
Canada
- Human Rights Act which proscribes Discrimination
China
- Revised Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests
Denmark
- Act on Gender Equality
England
- Amended Sex Discrimination Act of 1975
Hong Kong
- Domestic Violence Ordinance
Iceland
- Act on the Equal Status and Equal Rights of Women and Men
India
- The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
- The Suppression of Immoral Traffic in Women and Girls Act, 1956
- Act No. 43 of 2005 on Domestic Violence
- 2006 Notification Domestic Violence Rules
Indonesia
- Law Regarding the Elimination of Violence in the Household, 2004
Ireland
- Equal Status Act, 2000
Israel
- Prevention of Sexual Harassment Law, 1998
Japan
- The Basic Law for a Gender-equal Society (Law no. 78 of 1999)
- Law for the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims
Korea
- Prevention of Domestic Violence and Victim Protection Act
- Special Act for the Punishment of Domestic Violence
Laos
- On the Promulgation of the Law on Development and Protection of Women (2004)
- On the Implementation of the Law on Development and Protection of Women (2006)
Malaysia
- Women and Girls Protection Act (1973)
- Domestic Violence Act 1994 (ACT 521)
- Code of Practice on the Prevention and Eradication of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (1999)
- Anti-Trafficking in Persons Bill (2007)
Nepal
- Labor Acts (1992)
- Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act (2008)
Netherlands
- The Equal Treatment Act
Pakistan
- The Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill, 2005
- The Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill, 2006
Philippines
- Act No 9208 Anti-Trafficking Persons Act
- Act No. 9262 Defining violence against women and their children
- Act No. 7877 on Sexual Harassment
Republic of Tajikistan
- Draft Law of the Republic of Tajikistan On State Guarantees of Equal Rights for Men and Women and Equal Opportunities for their Implementation
Singapore
- Women's Charter, Chapter 353
South Africa
- Government Gazette
- Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act
South Korea
- Equal Employment Act (1987)
Sri Lanka
- Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, 2005
Sweden
- Act on Equality between Women and Me: This Act is prescribed in order to promote substantive gender equality, eliminate gender discrimination, uphold human dignity, and improve and establish education resources and environment of gender equality.
Taiwan
- The Equal Opportunities Act (Equality between Women and Men)
- Domestic Violence Prevention Act (1998)
Thailand
- Measures in Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking in Women and Children Act (1997)
- Labor Protection Act (1998)
- Act on Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence (2007)
Vietnam
- Law on Gender Equality
- Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control
Zimbabwe
- Prevention of Discrimination Act (Act no. 19 of 1998)