A/HRC/33/62 of 58). While the proportion of women is larger at the local level, it is nevertheless clear that, statistically, women are underrepresented in politics. The number of female secretaries and undersecretaries of State is increasing; 7 more women are thereby gaining the experience and skills required for higher political office. All political parties should consider increasing the number of women on electoral lists and working to address the hidden barriers limiting the number of women standing for election. The Special Rapporteur reminds the Government that article 4 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women permits temporary special measures to redress imbalances, and that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has twice recommended temporary special measures to increase the representation of women in decision-making positions, especially in politics, the judiciary and the foreign and diplomatic service (see CEDAW/C/KHM/CO/4-5, para. 29 and CEDAW/C/KHM/CO/3, para. 14). 23. During the mission of the Special Rapporteur in March 2016, violence against women emerged as a topical issue.8 Although government ministries suggested that domestic violence had decreased, no official statistical information confirmed this, even though all stakeholders agreed that it remains a problem. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women made several recommendations in this regard following its consideration in 2013 of the State’s fourth and fifth periodic reports (see CEDAW/C/KHM/CO/4-5). In particular, the Committee recommended that the Government intensify efforts to train judicial officers and law enforcement officials on the law on the prevention of domestic violence to ensure effective prosecution of cases of violence against women rather than the hitherto systematic use of mediation. The Special Rapporteur reiterates that recommendation. In too many instances, cases of violence against women, including rape and domestic violence, are resolved exclusively through informal justice systems at the local level. While the law on the prevention of domestic violence only permits mediation in cases that are not criminal, the Government acknowledges that mediation is commonly used, resulting in many victims of domestic violence returning to live with an alleged perpetrator who has not been criminally investigated or prosecuted. Mediation and informal mechanisms can result in the retraumatization and degradation of the victim, who may then find herself still living with the perpetrator. Further physical and mental violence is possible. Safe houses offering protection and recovery are needed to offer a safe escape option for victims of domestic violence. 24. Eradicating violence against women, which continues to be a pervasive human rights violation in Cambodia, requires a multi-sectoral response. A revision of the current law on the prevention of domestic violence and victim protection is of the utmost importance to ensure conformity with international standards. Women who have suffered sexual and gender-based violence and wish to bring the alleged perpetrators to justice face many barriers. As a result of the general lack of gender sensitivity of law enforcement and judiciary personnel when dealing with victims of sexual assaults and crimes, a culture of silence prevails; very few cases actually reach the courts. Strengthening judicial mechanisms that protect victims’ rights, ensuring the fair prosecution of alleged perpetrators, and developing gender-sensitivity training for law enforcement officers and the judiciary are crucial steps in addressing these issues. While the Government is undoubtedly aware of the problem and is to be commended for developing a crossministerial response, urgent work is required to de-stigmatize domestic violence and to encourage reporting of all violence. Law enforcement officials must also be trained in 7 8 8 Royal Government of Cambodia, End Country Report (see footnote 1). Target 5.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals is on eliminating violence against women and girls in public and private; see also A/HRC/26/16, paras. 118.62, 118.63 and 118.65.