Culture exceptions 'threaten women's rights'

The theme of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women conference this year is preventing violence against women.

Some countries, like Egypt, Russia and the Vatican state, are fighting to change international agreements to make allowances for culture and tradition and are pushing the agenda at the UN.

Women’s groups say if these delegates make exceptions for culture and tradition it will reverse those hard-fought gains.

Al Jazeera’s Kristen Saloomey reports from the UN headquarters in New York.