respect local and cultural practices that are in line with IHL. Relying on these links and on local practices can help to promote awareness of and adherence to IHL principles among local groups and communities. Durham cautions that, although traditional practices and IHL legal norms are largely compatible, it is important not to assume perfect alignment. There are areas in which legal norms and cultural practices clash. Violence against women, for example, is frequently legitimised by arguments from culture, and yet is prohibited in IHL and other international law. In such cases, it is important to ensure that IHL is not negatively affected. Notes References Citations Sources Pictet, Jean (1985). Development and Principles of International Humanitarian Law. Dordrecht: Martinus Nijhoff. . Further reading External links Customary IHL Database, an updated version of customary international humanitarian law study by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), originally published by Cambridge University Press. "Rules of war (in a nutshell)" — short video (4:43 in length) from the ICRC Treaties, States Parties and Commentaries database from the ICRC Official website of the Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project, an initiative of the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Research Guide: International Humanitarian Law, from the Peace Palace Library Human rights instruments