place enormous value and importance on virginity and purity of women. Women and girls who are raped face stigmatisation once it becomes known.” (A/HRC/37/CRP.2, paras. 164-177) Example “Entrenched traditional patriarchal attitudes and violence against women … persist. The state has imposed blatantly discriminatory restrictions on women in an attempt to maintain the gender stereotype of the pure and innocent … woman. Sexual and genderbased violence against women is prevalent throughout all areas of society.” (A/HRC/25/CRP.1, para. 351) CEDAW general recommendation No. 30 (2013) notes that “conflicts exacerbate existing gender inequalities, placing women at a heightened risk of various forms of genderbased violence by both State and non-State actors.”46 It also states that the barriers women face in accessing justice prior to a conflict are exacerbated during the conflict, and often persist during the post-conflict period.47 “[The] society remains male dominated, with gender-based discrimination widespread. In addition to entrenched discriminatory norms within [the] culture and stereotypes on women’s role in family and society, the enforcement of laws itself displays discrimination.” (A/HRC/17/44, para. 33). Experience has shown that this is particularly the case when States have neglected to take measures during peacetime to: “[The] daily existence of women and girls is governed by clan and family dictates, duties and responsibilities as a wife, mother and daughter. A woman’s status in this patriarchal society is largely determined by marriage, the ‘bride wealth’ her family obtains upon her marriage and her ability to reproduce within that union. […] Women are vulnerable when a husband dies. Inheritance and distribution of property is determined by the husband’s relatives and in many instances, especially where a woman does not have sons, she will not inherit from her deceased husband’s estate. […] Women in polygamous unions face further difficulties when a husband dies, more so if they are from a different ethnic community to their husband and extended family. Not only do they run the risk of losing property and being disinherited, but also losing custody and/or access to their children should they choose to leave the husband’s family. […] In cases involving rape, tradition and custom often dictate that the perpetrator, if known, marry the victim as compensation to the family or provide compensation if the victim is married. Traditional and cultural norms • Overcome power imbalances and inequalities based on gender roles and discrimination against women and girls; • Ensure a conducive environment where women and girls have access and nondiscriminatory exercise of their human rights, including in relation to employment, education, health (e.g. sexual and reproductive health and rights), access to land and natural resources and freedom of expression, association and assembly, and can freely develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles and prejudices; • Ensure accountability for violations of women’s human rights, including GBV. CEDAW general recommendation No. 30 (2013), para. 34. For further guidance, see Aisling Swaine and Catherine O’Rourke, Guidebook on CEDAW General Recommendation No. 30 and the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security (New York, UN Women, 2015). 46 CEDAW general recommendation No. 30 (2013), para. 74. 47 39