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Women’s rights are the rights that women have or should have by virtue of being human beings. They include civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to life, liberty, security, education, health, work, participation, and dignity. Women’s rights are based on the principle of non-discrimination, which means that women should enjoy the same rights as men without any distinction based on sex or gender.

However, not all countries have the same legal frameworks to protect and promote women’s rights, and many women and girls still face discrimination, violence, and oppression because of their gender. In this blog post, I will give you an overview of some of the key laws and conventions that aim to protect women’s rights at the global and regional levels, as well as some of the challenges and gaps that remain.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. It proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and that everyone is entitled to the full range of human rights without distinction of any kind. The UDHR is considered the foundation of international human rights law and has inspired many other treaties and declarations.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations in 1979. It defines discrimination against women as any distinction, exclusion, or restriction based on sex that impairs or nullifies the recognition, enjoyment, or exercise of human rights by women. CEDAW also provides a comprehensive framework for States to take measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all fields of life.

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women

The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (DEVAW) was adopted by the United Nations in 1993. It recognizes violence against women as a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, and as a violation of human rights that threatens the health, security, and dignity of women. DEVAW also calls for States to prevent, investigate, punish, and provide redress for violence against women.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) was adopted by the United Nations in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women. It sets out a comprehensive agenda for advancing women’s rights and empowerment in 12 critical areas of concern: poverty; education; health; violence; armed conflict; economy; power; decision-making; institutional mechanisms; human rights; media; environment; and the girl child.

The Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence

The Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) was adopted by the Council of Europe in 2011. It is the first legally binding instrument that establishes a comprehensive framework for preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The Istanbul Convention defines violence against women as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination based on sex or gender. It also obliges States to adopt a range of measures to prevent violence; protect victims; prosecute perpetrators; provide services; support NGOs; collect data; cooperate internationally; and monitor progress.

The Challenges and Gaps in Protecting Women’s Rights

Despite the existence of these laws and conventions, many challenges and gaps remain in protecting women’s rights around the world. Some of them are:

• Lack of ratification or implementation: Not all States have ratified or implemented the international or regional instruments that protect women’s rights. Even when States ratify these instruments, they may not fully comply with their obligations or incorporate them into their national laws or policies.
• Lack of awareness or access: Many women and girls are not aware of their rights or do not have access to information or resources to claim them. Many also face barriers such as stigma, shame, fear, poverty, illiteracy, language, culture, religion, or disability that prevent them from accessing their rights.
• Lack of accountability or enforcement: Many States do not have effective mechanisms to monitor or enforce their compliance with their obligations under international or regional instruments. Many also do not have adequate sanctions or remedies for perpetrators or victims of violence or discrimination.
• Lack of participation or representation: Many women and girls are not involved or consulted in the design, implementation, or evaluation of laws, policies, or programs that affect their rights. Many also face discrimination or harassment in political, public, or professional spheres that limit their opportunities and potential.

What Can We Do to Protect and Promote Women’s Rights?

There are many actions that we can take to protect and promote women’s rights, both individually and collectively. Some of them are:

• Educate ourselves and others: We can learn more about women’s rights and the laws and conventions that protect them. We can also share this knowledge with our families, friends, colleagues, and communities. We can also raise awareness and challenge stereotypes, myths, or prejudices that undermine women’s rights.
• Support and join movements: We can support and join movements that advocate for women’s rights and gender equality, such as feminist movements, human rights movements, or social justice movements. We can also participate in campaigns, events, or activities that celebrate or promote women’s rights, such as International Women’s Day, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, or Women’s History Month.
• Speak up and take action: We can speak up and take action when we witness or experience violations of women’s rights. We can report violence or discrimination to the authorities or relevant organizations. We can also seek help or support if we are victims or survivors of violence or discrimination. We can also demand accountability and justice from the perpetrators or the State.
• Donate or volunteer: We can donate or volunteer for organizations that work to protect and promote women’s rights, such as NGOs, charities, or networks. We can also support women-led or women-focused initiatives that empower women and girls in various fields, such as education, health, work, leadership, or entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

Women’s rights are human rights, and they are essential for achieving gender equality and social justice. There are many laws and conventions that aim to protect and promote women’s rights at the global and regional levels, but there are also many challenges and gaps that remain. We can all play a role in protecting and promoting women’s rights by educating ourselves and others; supporting and joining movements; speaking up and taking action; and donating or volunteering. Together, we can make a difference for women and girls around the world.

gender equality human rights legal frameworks violence against women women rights

Ghazala Siddique