Bringing perpetrators of violence against women to account must be a priority for all government's and other actors in positions of power and influence.

These are the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour on the occasion of the 8th Session of the Human Rights Council Meeting on Human Rights of Women in Geneva this week.

However, Arbour said the focus on violence against women in conflict must not result in losing sight of other forms of violence against women, which are everyday occurrences in the lives of countless victims.

She adds these crimes are rape, sexual assault, female genital mutilation, crimes committed in the name of honour, domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

Abour said as the Human Rights Council has affirmed its commitment to advancing women's rights and gender equality, the task now is to translate that commitment into concrete steps and priorities to give real effect to women's rights and dignity.