What Are Economic and Social Rights?

This paper begins by outlining the development of international human rights law and particularly focuses on the extent to which economic and social rights were marginalized within this historical process. The article specifically examines the inclusion of women's concerns within the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The author argues that the male bias within the Covenant carries significant implications for the capacity of the human rights system to protect women's rights. The final section of the paper raises issues involving the monitoring and measurement of economic and social rights. The author concludes by arguing for a more active role for civil society in advocating for the implementation of economic and social rights.