Recognizing the Interdependence of Rights in the Anti-Discrimination Context through the World Conference Against Racism

This article presents a background paper for the 2001 World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) illustrating the need to integrate gender issues into considerations of racial discrimination. The authors identify that gender equality and racial equality are interdependent rights, and are thus inseparable (within context of antidiscrimination law). By providing examples of how women face additional barriers where racial inequality and gender inequality intersect, the authors call on States' representatives to incorporate gender perspectives into all policies and programs. The authors conclude with recommendations for changes in reporting methodologies and information gathering to address this need.