International Intersectionality: A Theoretical and Pragmatic Exploration of Women's International Human Rights Violations

The author argues that the current United Nations (UN) and nongovernmental organizations systems do not allow for a human rights analysis which accounts for multiple forms of human rights abuses. The author uses "qualified universalism" to propose a new framework to reconceptualize human rights and restructure UN institutions and NGOs. The author begins by describing the development of the global women's human rights movement and feminist critiques of the international human rights movement. Then, the author briefly details the right to nondiscrimination which prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. Next, the author describes the application of intersectionality to specific women's human rights issues. After examining the structure and practice of UN institutions and NGOs, the author concludes with short-and long-term recommendations to incorporate intersectionality within the UN system.