"Gender Comment": Why Does the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Need a General Comment on Women?

The author of this article discusses considerations of equality in the provision of economic, social and cultural rights and analyzes the particular role of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in securing these rights for women. The article begins with a review of General Comments by the Committee, including a discussion of the status of these comments under international law. The second half of the article focuses on how women's human rights issues are addressed within the broader UN system. The author argues that the full provision of women's rights demands an examination of the specific structural barriers which prevent women from achieving their rights. In conclusion, the author discusses the need for the modification of gender stereotypes through instruments like General Comments. [Descriptors: Applying Human Rights Law - International, Social and Economic Rights, International]