Women's Human Rights Resources Database

This database lists hundreds of resources -- articles, documents and links -- related to international women's rights law and Canadian women's rights law. Annotations describe the content of each resource. Users can search by keyword and author as well as browse by women's rights topic. Full-text documents or links to full-text documents are provided where available.
Search Results for content type Document categorized with Key Treaties and Texts
African Charter on Human and People's Rights
The African Charter on Human and People's Rights (the "Banjul Charter") was adopted at the 18th Assembly of Heads of State and Governments at the Organization for African Unity (OAU) June 21 1981 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Charter entered into force October 21 1986. While all the provisions of the Banjul Charter apply equally to men and women, of particular interest to WHRR users is Article 18(3) that provides "the state shall ensure the elimination of every discrimination and also ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child as stipulated in international declarations and conventions".

 

American Convention on Human Rights
Entered into force on July 18, 1978, this is the regional human rights instrument for the Americas. Article 1 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex while a limited number of provisions relate specifically to women including those that prohibit the death penalty against pregnant women, and those the prohibit trafficking in women. [Descriptors: Key Texts, International - Latin America, International - North America]

 

Amici Curiae Brief Respecting the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in the United States
This legal brief was prepared for the United States Supreme Court by the International Women's Human Rights Law Clinic of the City University of New York and the Center for Constitutional Rights. The brief was prepared on behalf of international law scholars and human rights experts and concerns the United States' Congress power to enact the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) as fundamental to fulfilling the United States' commitments under international law. Three main international law arguments are advanced. First, "the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires the United States to provide protection from gender-based violence from both private persons and public officials." Second, "the emergence in customary international law of a clear norm recognizing women's right to live free of gender-based violence" provides additional support for Congressional action. Third, "it is well settled and fundamental to the [United States] constitutional system that, whenever possible, domestic law should be interpreted so as to enable the [United States] to fulfill its international obligations." Professor Cathy Albisa was lead attorney in the case, Professor Rhonda Copelon, Director of the International Human Rights Law Clinic, co-authored it, while Jenny Green and Peter Weiss represented the Center for Constitutional Rights.

 

Chapman, Audrey R , Human Rights are Women's Rights , Amnesty International
Amnesty International (AI) believes that governments are obliged not only to stop and prevent violations of women's human rights, but are also required to promote and protect those rights. AI campaigns for governments to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (the Women's Convention) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This publication discusses women and war, women activists, women at risk, and suggests fifteen steps to protect women's human rights. AI urges governments who are seriously committed to ending discrimination and violence against women (in both the private and public spheres) to adopt and fund comprehensive policies for widespread education and the raising of global consciousness on all women's human rights issues. When governments knowingly tolerate abuses such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation or trafficking in sexual slaves the gap between what is public and what is private narrows.

 

Justice for Victims: Ensuring Effective Enforcement Abroad of Court Decisions Concerning Reparations, Memorandum to the Hague Conference on Private International Law , Amnesty International
While reparation awards may be made in cases of human rights violations, these decisions are frequently not enforceable and the victims are left unable to collect their award. This memorandum by Amnesty International (AI) outlines the fundamental principles that AI believes are essential to ensure victims of violations of human rights, international criminal law or international humanitarian law obtain reparations. It also identifies some of the concerns that Amnesty International has with the text of the draft Convention on International Jurisdiction and the Effects of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters. [This memo is not about women's rights in particular.]

 

ASIL Guide to Electronic Resources for International Law
This research guide was prepared by Marci Hoffman, currently the International and Foreign Law Librarian at E.B. Williams Law Library, Georgetown University Law Centre. It focuses on English-language resources available in electronic format (including CD-ROMs and on the internet). It is a useful resource both for developing a research plan and also for locating both primary and secondary sources. It includes in-text links to the sources referred to in the commentary, in addition to a list of other relevant sites and quick links.

 

Reflections towards a post-2015 development agenda : An AWID in-depth analysis of the post-2015 High Level Panel Report and recommendations moving forward , Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
This paper criticizes the post-2015 High Level Panel (HLP) report, arguing that it insufficiently addresses poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality around the world by over-emphasizing the role of the private sector. Concerned with the narrow visions of womens and girls' empowerment and gender equality in the report, AWID calls for a 1 structural transformation and the political will for change. AWID argues that there are shortcomings in the HLP report: failure to centralize women's rights and gender equality in every goal and outcome of the post-2015 agenda, failure to address multiple and intersecting inequalities, and failure to mention the need for financial economic justice and gender equality. The article concludes with eight recommendations that AWID argues decision-makers involved in the post-2015 and sustainable development goals process should consider as the agenda unfolds.

 

Bringing Equality Home Implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
This booklet surveys the ways in which the Women's Convention has been used in national courts and by women's rights advocates to enforce the human rights of women. It's main objective, however, is not to document the past but to promote an increased use of the Women's Convention in domestic advocacy. To that end, this booklet outlines the various ways in which the Convention can have an impact on national laws and policies, the procedures for filing a report with the Committee that oversees the Convention, as well as a list of contacts and bibliographic references.

 

Canadian Cases Referring to International Human Rights Law in the Charter Era (1982-), Appendix 9 in INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW: USE IN CANADIAN CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS LITIGATION
This Appendix is a list of 205 cases decided in Canadian Courts that make reference to international human rights law in the post-Charter (1982) era.

 

Charter of the Organization of African Unity
The heads of African states and governments agreed to this Charter in 1963. It establishes the Organization of African Unity, an organization to promote the unity and solidarity of African states, to coordinate their efforts to improve the lives of African peoples, to defend their sovereignty territorial integrity and independence, to eradicate colonialism and to promote international cooperation. [This is a regional instrument of Africa.]

 

Civil and Political Rights
Women's Human Rights advocates are critical of the dichotomy between civil and political rights on the one hand and economic and social rights on the other because it goes against the principle of the indivisibility of all rights. The division of rights into two categories affects women all the more. This document outlines the tendency to separate rights, and provides information and links on the major human rights mechanisms and key facts and figures. Finally, a list of links are provided to other useful women's rights resources.

 

Valencia-Weber, Gloria, Zuni, Catherine P. , General Comment 16 (2005): Equal Right of Men and Women to the Enjoyment of all Economic, Social and Cultural Rights , Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The equality of men and women in the enjoyment of all human rights is enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). This General Comment issued by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights discusses the equality protection offered by the Covenant. First, the General Comment outlines the conceptual framework (equality, non-discrimination, temporary special measures). Second, it discusses states parties' obligations regarding men and women's equal right to the enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights. Finally, the General Comment addresses the steps that are necessary to implement the equality provisions encompassed in the ICESCR, and the matter of violations.

 

General Comment 9: The Domestic Application of the Covenant , Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
In this General Comment, dated December 3, 1998, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights addresses States Parties' obligations to give effect to the rights recognized in the Covenant. The Committee emphasizes that modifications to the domestic legal order may be necessary to fulfil treaty obligations. Although the Covenant does not expressly require judicial remedies, the Committee notes that a failure to provide such remedies must be justified. General Comment 9 also addresses the means of implementation into the domestic legal order; the desirability of direct incorporation; the role of legal remedies such as administrative procedures; and the treatment of the Covenant in domestic courts.

 

Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment - Article 22
The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 19 1984 and entered into force on June 26 1987. Article 22, CAT, gives private individuals or their representatives the right to lodge a complaint with the Torture Committee, provided the State has recognized the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of individuals. In order to see how women's issues can be brought within the scope of Article 22, CAT, and CAT more generally, WHRR users might wish to review the Torture Hand Book contained in the section on Violence Against Women.

 

Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms or the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) applies to member states of the Council of Europe who have ratified the treaty. The ECHR was adopted by the Council of Europe on November 11 1950 and entered into force September 3 1953. The Convention has been amended on four times in 1970, 1971, 1990 and 1998. The ECHR is the main human rights instrument at the European level and applies equally to men and women. Article 14 sets out the general right to non-discrimination on various grounds, including sex.

 

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
The "Genocide Convention" was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948 and entered into force January 12, 1951. The Convention establishes a definition for the crime of genocide and attributes direct and individual criminal responsibility to those who participate in its commission. Latterly, acts that directly target women (such as mass rape in Rwanda and Bosnia) have been considered by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to consitute part of a genocidal policy. This requires the requisite intent (mens rea) and an attempt to destroy in whole or in part a national, ethnic racial or religious group.

 

Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
The Refugee Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 22, 1954 and entered into force on December 14, 1954. The Refugee Convetion is the primary international document that defines who is a refugee and that sets out their rights for asylum protection. [Descriptors: Migration - Refugees and Immigration, International]

 

European Social Charter , Council of Europe
The European Social Charter, a regional legal instrument, entered into force in 1965. It enumerates social rights such as the right to work, the right to safe and healthy working conditions, the right of children and young persons to protection, the right of employed women to protection, the right to protection of health, and the right to Social Security. State parties to this Charter must submit a report every two years on the implementation of these rights to a committee of experts who reviews the reports.

 

Table of States Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women , Division for the Advancement of Women
This section of the Division for the Advancement of Women website provides a table of the States who have signed or ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (the "Women's Convention"). As of March 2005, 180 countries - over ninety percent of the members of the United Nations - are party to the Women's Convention.

 

Draft Charter of Fundamental Rights Of the European Union
This draft Charter was put forward in July 2000. It includes equality provisions, basic civil and political rights, labour and solidarity rights, citizenship rights, and social and economic rights. The provisions of this Charter would apply to institutions and bodies of the European Union and to member states when they are applying Union law. [This is a proposed regional instrument of Europe.]

 

Human Rights and the Legal Statuts of Women in the Asian and Pacific Region , Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
This study, prepared by Ms Savitri Goonesekere, presents a basic overview of gender equality at law and the use of international standards to promote equality in the Asian and Pacific regions. The study is divided into four parts: Introduction; The Reception of the General Normative Standards on Gender Equality in International Law in National Constitutions and International Monitoring; Limitation of Constitutional Approaches and the Relevance of Substantive and Domestic Law; and The pecial Problem of Women and Violence.

 

Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights
This report contains the steps taken to implement General Assembly Resolution 52/118 (Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights). The Report includes a description of the plan of action to strengthen the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). It also comments on the role of treaty bodies in identifying possibilities for technical assistance, and focuses on the links between human rights and other activities undertaken by the United Nations system and the need for human rights treaty bodies to complement each other in their work.

 

Bado Mapambano - Kenyan Women Demand Their Rights: The 1997 FIDA(K) Annual Report on the Legal Status of Kenyan Women , Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya
Covering the period from March 1997 to July 1998, this report on the legal status of Kenyan women examines issues of political participation, constitutional and law reform process including incorporation of international law into domestic law, violence against women, freedom from torture, rights to liberty, life, security, and security of property, and gender equality and affirmative action. The report frequently invokes the Kenyan government's commitments under international law and discusses the government's failure to submit its scheduled report to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. The report concludes with recommendations to enhance the status of women's human rights in Kenya.

 

First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 16, 1966 and entered into force on March 23, 1976. It establishes an individual complaints procedure for victims of violations of Covenant-protected rights. Communications can only be considered by the Human Rights Committee if the state concerned is a party to the First Optional Protocol. [Descriptors: Key Texts, International]

 

General Comment 3: Implementation at the National Level (Article 2) , Human Rights Committee
Dated July 31, 1981, this brief General Comment by the Human Rights Committee (HRC) calls attention to States Parties' commitments to ensure the enjoyment of Covenant rights to all individuals under their jurisdiction. The Committee stresses the importance of training administrative and judicial authorities to be aware of obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

 

General Comment 4: Article 3 , Human Rights Committee
Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires States Parties to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights provided for in the Covenant. The Human Rights Committee (HRC) indicates here that the full domestic implementation of these rights is not possible by protective laws alone but requires affirmative action designed to ensure the positive enjoyment of rights.

 

Scared at School: Sexual Violence against Girls in South African Schools , Human Rights Watch
This report documents and describes the high incidences of rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment committed against South African schoolgirls by teachers and male schoolmates. While South African girls formally enjoy equal access to education, the sexual violence they encounter in schools impedes this access and violates their right to education. The report finds the gender-based discrimination persists because school officials, for the most part, do not take the situation seriously and sufficient coordination between the schools, police and courts does not exist. The report argues that sexual violence against girls in schools is so widespread that it should be viewed as a systemic problem and demands a national plan of action in light of South Africa’s international legal obligations.

 

Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women , Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
This is the first and only multilateral human rights treaty that focuses exclusively on violence against women. It was adopted in 1994. The Convention sets out the definition and scope of application, the rights protected, the duties of States, and the Inter-American mechanisms of protection. The Convention affirms "that violence against women pervades every sector of society regardless of class, race or ethnic group, income, culture, level of education, age or religion and strikes at its very foundations." The Convention provides a broad definition of violence, which includes acts that occur in the private or public sphere. The Convention recognizes that women may be particularly vulnerable to violence due to their race or ethnic background. Article 6 provides that the right to be free from violence includes the right to be free from all forms of discrimination. [Descriptors: Race and Gender, Key Texts, Violence Against Women, International - Latin America, International - North America]

 

International Bill of Human Rights, Fact Sheet No. 2
The International Bill of Human Rights consists of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) along with its two Optional Protocols. Human Rights fact sheets are prepared by the United Nations Centre for Human Rights in Geneva and are intended to assist a wide audience in understanding specific human rights issues.

 

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
The Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 18, 1990 and entered into force on July 1, 2003. The purpose of the Convention is to protect the rights of migrant workers who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse due to their uncertain status in the country in which they are working. Although women are not mentioned specifically within the Convention, the Convention does recognize the principles within the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The Convention establishes a set of binding international standards that concern the treatment, welfare and basic rights of all migrants, both documented and undocumented, in addition to the obligations and responsibilities to which the States that send and receive migrants must adhere. [Descriptors: Key Treaties and Texts, Migration - Labour Migration, International]

 

Convention (No. 169) Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries , International Labour Organization
This Convention was one of the first international documents to specifically identify the rights of Indigenous persons. The Convention generally states that the full range of human rights should be provided to Indigenous persons and Article 3 states that these provisions should apply equally to males and females. The Convention emphasizes key elements in the range of protections for Indigenous rights including social, economic and cultural rights and rights of self-determination. Article 20 addresses the right of women to have equal opportunities in employment and protection from sexual harassment.

 

Final Report on Women's Equality and Nationality in International Law , International Law Association Committee on Feminism and International Law
This is the final report on equality and nationality produced by the International Law Association (ILA) Committee on Feminism and International Law (Christine Chinkin, Chair; Karen Knop, Rapporteur). The report presents a comprehensive analysis of women and nationality issues, placing current developments in historical context. Included are issues of the nationality of married women, the ability to pass nationality to one's children, naturalization procedures, and issues such as the rights of non-nationals, the right of one spouse to acquire the nationality of the other, and the right to dual nationality. The report discusses domestic and international jurisprudence on nationality discrimination and makes reference to relevant international and regional treaties, especially the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The report concludes with a set of recommendations.

 

Malaysian Women and the Law: Rights, Discrimination, and Reform
This publication reports the findings and recommendations of four seminars held in Malaysia over 1995 and 1996. The book provides information and recommendations on the legal rights of women in Malaysia, the main laws and procedures which discriminate against women, and the difficulties faced by women in the Syariah Court system. Also included is a summary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women highlighting the reservations of the Malaysian government. It is pointed out that as a signatory to this international treaty, the government is legally bound to put the provisions in this convention into practice.

 

The Citizenship Case: Attorney General of the Republic of Botswana v. Unity Dow: Court Documents, Judgements, Cases and Materials , Metlhaetsile Women's Information Centre
This publication is a collection of the decisions and supporting documentation from the 1992 case of Unity Dow v. Botswana, where discriminatory provisions of the Citizenship Act of 1984 were successfully challenged. It includes the notices of motion/appeal, the affidavits, the heads of arguments and all six judgements written in the case, which detail equality and citizenship arguments based on the Constitution of Botswana and international human rights instruments and decisions. Section I contains the High Court Documents, Section II contains the Court of Appeal Documents, and Section III contains an annotated bibliography and table of cases.

 

Miller, Alice , The Optional Protocol to the Women's Convention
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (OP-CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly on October 6, 1999 and entered into force December 21, 2000. The Optional Protocol provides for two procedures: 1) a communications procedures that allows women to submit claims of violations of rights potected under the Convention to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and 2) an inquiry procedure enabling the Committee to initiate inquiries into situations of grave or systematic violations of women's rights. [Descriptors: Applying Human Rights Law - International, CEDAW Convention, Key Texts, International]

 

National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights: Fact Sheet No. 19
This fact sheet emphasizes that the role of national governments in the realization of human rights is particularly important. It states: "at the national level, rights can be best protected through adequate legislation, an independent judiciary, the enactment and enforcement of individual safeguards and remedies, and the establishment of democratic institutions. In addition, the most effective education and information campaigns are likely to be those which are designed and carried out at the national or local level and which take the local cultural and traditional context into account." The fact sheet further discusses the role of official national infrastructures for the protection and promotions of human rights. [This document does not focus specifically on women's human rights.]

 

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography was adopted by the UN General Assembly on May 25 2000 and entered into force on June 18 2002. The aim of the Protocol is to erradicate these practices and foster international cooperation in brining the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. The preamble of the protocol identifies the girlchild as a group both particularly vulnerable to, and disproportionately affected by, sexual exploitation. Other provisions of the protocol address jurisdictional issues, the compensation of victims, special consideration for the interest of the child in legal proceedings, public awareness campaigns and international cooperation in investigations, information exchange and extradition.

 

Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights , Organization of American States
This regional instrument of the Americas begins by recognizing the relationship between economic, social and cultural rights, and civil and political rights. The Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights provides for labour and solidarity rights, the rights to social security and health rights, the rights to food and education, the right to the benefits of culture, family rights, and rights of children, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The Protocol states that family care should be provided so that women can exercise a real opportunity to work and identifies maternity leave as an important element of social welfare.

 

Hernández-Truyol, Berta E. , Violence in the Americas - A Regional Analysis Including a Review of the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women , Organization of American States
This comprehensive report scrutinizes the effectiveness of strategies currently being employed by Organization of American States (OAS) members in the domestic implementation of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women. The report focuses on national policies, social, economic and institutional barriers, and the relative impact of measures taken. Specific areas covered by the report include institutional violence against women; confronting legal, social and cultural conditions that perpetuate violence against women; legislative and administrative frameworks; the obligation of due diligence; access to justice and specialized services for victims: protection of particularly vulnerable groups; trafficking; research and evaluation methods; and international cooperation. The report concludes by stating that while the existence of the Convention has contributed to a growing recognition of the seriousness of the problem, little documented impact on women's conditions has materialized. As a result, the report warns that the legitimate need for patience and perseverance should not be utilized as a guise for complacency. [Descriptors: Key Treaties and Texts, Violence Against Women, International - Latin America, International - North America]

 

Protocol No. 12 to the [European] Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
On 26 June 2000, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights which provides for a general prohibition of discrimination. The Protocol will be opened for signature by Member States in Rome on 4 November 2000. Its entry into force requires 10 ratifications. The original non-discrimination provision of the European Convention (Article 14) is of a limited nature because it only prohibits discrimination in the enjoyment of one of the other rights guaranteed by the Convention. The new Protocol removes this limitation and guarantees that no-one shall be discriminated against on any ground by any public authority.

 

Randall, Melanie , Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the involvement of children in armed conflict was adopted by the UN General Assembly on May 25, 2000 and entered into force on February 12, 2002. The protocol recognizes the heavy burden armed conflict places on children. In particular, it condemns the recruitment of children for combat and calls on states to take all steps possible to bring an end to the practice.

 

Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
At the Rome Conference in July 1998, 160 nations voted to establish a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) to try individuals for the most serious offences of global concern. The crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC include genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002. The ICC Statute is important because it explicitly provides for the prosecution of gender crimes such as rape and sexual violence under the umbrella of "crimes against humanity." WHRR Users may also be interested in the ICC website more generally which includes other documents about the ICC and the website of the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice that is available through the "links" division of the Women and Armed Conflict section.

 

Scully, Judith A.M. , Montréal Principles on Women's Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Montreal Principles, drafted at a meeting of international legal experts, set out the requirements needed to fulfill women's economic, social and cultural rights obligations. The text begins with a discussion of the connections between civil and political and economic, social and cultural rights and the particular implications for women in poverty. The particular elements of women's economic, social and cultural rights are identified with reference to the sources of these rights in international legal instruments. The document also outlines the principles of equality and non-discrimination and barriers to these principles. The articles outlines the role of states in protecting the economic and social rights of women and the implementation of mechanisms and remedies to enforce women's rights.

 

Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty
The Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 15, 1989 and entered into force July 11, 1991. The objective of the Second Optional Protocol is to erradicate the death penalty in states that are party to the text. Where a state has also ratified the First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, the jurisdiction of First Optional Protocol can be extended to the provisions of the Second Optional Protocol on abolishing the death penalty. This occurs unless the State Party concerned made a statement to the contrary at the moment of ratification or accession (Article 5). [Descriptors: Key Texts, International]

 

Statement of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the Need for a Gender Perspective in the Text of the Arms Trade Treaty (2012) , UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
This statement from by the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (the Committee) begins by establishing that gender-based violence against women is a form of discrimination that can seriously inhibit womens ability to enjoy rights and freedoms. The Committee encourages international efforts to establish a legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the United Nations, as the arms trade is directly linked to gender-based violence against women and proliferation of arms and ammunition perpetuates the violence and abuse women are subjected to during times of conflict. The Committee emphasizes that the main focus of the ATT should be to prevent human suffering caused by the arms trade, especially among vulnerable groups such as women and children.

 

Coomaraswamy, Radhika , Preventing Conflict Transforming Justice Securing the Peace: A Global Study on the Implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 , UN Women
This report was based on the findings of a comprehensive review of the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) in the fifteen-year period since its adoption. The report acknowledges that the context of global change in peace and security poses major dilemmas for the pillars of resolution 1325: prevention, participation, peacebuilding and recovery. The report recognizes there have been a number of successes in implementation over the period, but they are largely measured in ‘firsts’ rather than becoming standard practice. The report sets out guiding principles that focus on the vitality of women to the peace and security agenda in order to establish a roadmap for implementing the normative framework set out by resolution 1325. The report concludes with a call to action for the United Nations to lead the world in halting the militarization and militarism that has resulted in an ever-increasing cycle of conflict.

 

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Global Concern , UNICEF
This brochure is data collected by UNICEF on the topic of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) as a human rights issue that affects women and girls worldwide. It is intended to provide the increased data needed to measure the progress of the international community, who has made a commitment to take steps to eradicate this problem. The brochure reports an overall decline in the prevalence of FGM/C over the last three decades, though the pace of decline has been uneven amongst countries. The prevalence of FGM/C varies greatly, with the largest number of incidents reported in African nations. The brochure maintains that current progress is insufficient to keep up with population growth, and FGM/C will rise significantly in the next 15 years if trends do not change.

 

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action , United Nations
The Declaration and Platform for Action (PFA) is the outcome document from the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995. The PFA comprehensively identifies the rights of women and asks governments to commit to protecting these rights. It identifies 12 critical areas of concern and sets out strategic objectives and actions.

 

United Nations Charter
The Charter of the United Nations (also known as the UN Charter) was signed at San Francisco, June 26, 1945 and entered into force October 24, 1945. The Charter is the cornerstone of the United Nations Organization, affirming faith in fundamental human rights, justice and peace. In the human rights context, the Charter also provides the basis for Charter-based (such as the Commission on Human Rights) and Treaty-based (such as the Human Rights Committe) human rights bodies.

 

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