The legal protection of women's rights to be free from violence is crucial in demonstrating the commitment by the government and country, the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) said today.

WAO's Jaclyn Kee said this will help eradicate violence against women and ensure gender equality and their full participation in every facet of society.

"We urge the government to ensure non-discrimination against women as obliged under the Federal Constitution and as ratified under the Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1995," she said in a statement in conjunction with International Women's Day today.

International Women's Day is celebrated worldwide every March 8, commemorated by the United Nations, in recognition of the struggles and victories of the women's movement for equality, justice, peace and development.

Kee said violence against women arose from society's structured gender inequality where men are proferred dominance and superiority over women, and where it is exerted through force and violence.