A/HRC/RES/32/19 women and girls, taking into consideration the impact of violence on their families and communities, 1. Stresses that “violence against women” means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women and girls of any age, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life, and notes the economic and social harm caused by such violence; 2. Strongly condemns all acts of violence against women and girls, including against indigenous women and girls, whether these acts are perpetrated by the State, private persons or non-State actors, and calls for the elimination of all forms of sexual and genderbased violence, including where perpetrated or condoned by the State, as described in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women; 3. Underscores that violence against women and girls, including indigenous women and girls, whether committed in the public or private sphere, is a matter of grave public concern and that States have the primary responsibility for protecting and promoting the human rights of women and girls, and in this respect strongly urges States to take measures, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, to ensure that indigenous women and children enjoy full protection and guarantees against all forms of violence and discrimination in policy and in practice; 4. Continues to express particular concern at the systemic and structural discrimination and violence faced by women human rights defenders of all ages, including indigenous women and girl human rights defenders, and calls upon States to exercise due diligence in preventing violations and abuses against all human rights defenders, including through practical steps, to prevent threats, harassment and violence, and in combating impunity by ensuring that those responsible for violations and abuses, including genderbased violence and threats, committed by State or non-State actors, including online, are promptly brought to justice through impartial investigations; 5. Expresses concern that violence in the private sphere, including domestic violence, is the most prevalent and least visible form of violence against all women and girls, and that its consequences are long-lasting and profound, and affect many areas in the lives of victims and their communities; 6. Recognizes the critical role of women and girls, including indigenous women and girls, as agents of change, and in this regard urges States to engage and consult with indigenous women and girls as active and equal participants in the planning, design and implementation of legislation, policies and programmes; 7. Calls upon States to take effective action to prevent violence against women and girls, including indigenous women and girls, by: (a) Developing, reviewing and strengthening inclusive policies, including by allocating adequate resources to address the historical, structural and underlying causes and risk factors of violence against women and girls, including indigenous women and girls, and ensuring that laws and policies are harmonized to address widespread violence against women and are in compliance with their international human rights obligations; (b) Abolishing practices and legislation that discriminate against women and girls, including indigenous women and girls; eliminating prejudices, harmful practices and gender stereotypes; and raising awareness of the unacceptability of violence against women and girls; (c) Taking measures to empower women by, inter alia, strengthening their economic autonomy and ensuring their full and equal participation in society, and in 4