A multifaceted approach is required. Examples include reform of family codes to foster equality in marriage and inheritance and legislation that criminalises domestic violence. However, they often face challenges of visibility and authority in effectively pursuing coherent approaches to advancing gender equality across policy areas and tiers of government. The responsibility of government agencies for appropriately addressing issues of gender inequality and mainstreaming gender into policies and programmes was formalised in the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.