Human Rights of Women and Children Under International Law - An Introduction

This paper examines the status of women and children under international law. The author argues that despite broad ratification of human rights treaties aimed at improving the status of women and children, these groups still suffer severe violations of basic human rights. The paper analyses the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and concludes that women and children have lagged behind in the enjoyment of international human rights. The paper proceeds to present selected proposals on women's and children's rights in the post-2015 development agenda. Finally, the paper highlights the human rights-centered approach taken in four articles focused on women's and children's rights. The author asserts that a major flaw in the MDG framework was the lack of a human rights- centered approach, which is a necessary component moving forward in the post-2015 development agenda.