The Economic Empowerment of Women - The United Nations Human Rights Council Expert Working Group on Discrimination against Women

This report highlights the findings of the UN Human Rights Council Expert Working Group on Discrimination against Women by looking at women’s economic and social life in the context of their lifecycle and how it changes from childhood, to adult life, and finally in older age. While equality seems to be achieved between girls and boys in primary education, this equality is not seen through all levels of education or into adulthood. The author presents evidence to suggest that working women have less job security and receive lower pay. For those women who experienced economic disadvantage during adulthood, old age is often characterized by poverty. Ultimately, the author argues that in order to achieve the Working Group’s goals, women need to be empowered to take part in economic and financial decision-making processes.