Women's Rights

This article argues that human rights law has been the most accessible and receptive area of international law for women because it explicitly acknowledges the challenges faced in women's lives, albeit in a limited fashion. The author sets out the three categories of treaties pertaining to women: protective, corrective and non-discriminatory. Next, she discusses non-discrimination treaties - first, treaties in general and, second, women-specific instruments. Finally, the author turns to the inadequacies of general human rights law for women due to (a) marginalization and (b) cultural relativism. She concludes that women's human rights are still not afforded the same importance or prominence as the human rights of men. Although women have achieved some recognition in the international system for the protection of human rights, international law does not essentially provide an adequate response to the situation of women globally.