Women's Rights
Specific Instruments
  General Instruments
  Articles
  Websites
  Selected Case Law
  Case Law Websites
  Reports
  Books
  Periodicals
  Human Rigths Actors
States parties to the ICCPR are obliged to take all steps necessary, including the prohibition of discrimination on the ground of sex, to put an end to norms, actions and policies, in both the public and private sectors, which impair the equal enjoyment of rights by women. But the status of women is deeply embedded in tradition, history and culture, including religious attitudes, which are often called upon to justify violations of women's rights to equality before the law and to equal enjoyment of all human rights. Women are particularly vulnerable in times of internal or international armed conflicts. Even in times of peace, they may suffer specific violations such as gender-based violence, trafficking, and sex discrimination.
     
Specific Instruments
Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Date of adoption: 7/11/1967 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict
Date of adoption: 14/12/1974 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women
Date of adoption: 20/12/1993 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Date of adoption: 2/11/2000 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Date of adoption: 17/10/1995 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
Equal Remuneration Convention
Date of adoption: 29/6/1951 Entry into force: 23/5/1953
System of protection: Universal
Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen (1791)
Date of adoption: 9/1791 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Other
Inter-american Convention on the Nationality of Women
Date of adoption: 26/12/1933 Entry into force: 29/8/1934
System of protection: Organization of American States
Inter-American Convention on the Granting of Political Rights to Women
Date of adoption: 2/5/1948 Entry into force: 29/12/1954
System of protection: Organization of American States
Inter-American Convention on the Granting of Civil Rights to Women
Date of adoption: 2/5/1948 Entry into force: 17/3/1949
System of protection: Organization of American States
Convention on the Nationality of Married Women
Date of adoption: 29/1/1957 Entry into force: 11/8/1958
System of protection: Universal
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others
Date of adoption: 2/12/1949 Entry into force: 25/7/1951
System of protection: Universal
Protocol No. 7 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Date of adoption: 22/11/1984 Entry into force: 1/11/1988
System of protection: Council of Europe
Additional Protocol to the European Social Charter
Date of adoption: 5/5/1988 Entry into force: 4/9/1992
System of protection: Council of Europe
Convention on the Political Rights of Women
Date of adoption: 20/12/1952 Entry into force: 7/7/1954
System of protection: Universal
Inter-american Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Convention of Belem do Para)
Date of adoption: 9/6/1994 Entry into force: 5/3/1995
System of protection: Organization of American States
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Date of adoption: 6/10/1999 Entry into force: 22/12/2000
System of protection: Universal
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
Date of adoption: 10/7/2003 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Organization of African Unity
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Date of adoption: 18/12/1979 Entry into force: 3/9/1981
System of protection: Universal
     
General Instruments
The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam
Date of adoption: 5/8/1990 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Organization of the Islamic Conference
Proclamation of Teheran
Date of adoption: 13/5/1968 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Date of adoption: 25/6/1993 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
European Social Charter
Date of adoption: 18/10/1961 Entry into force: 26/2/1965
System of protection: Council of Europe
European Social Charter (revised)
Date of adoption: 3/5/1996 Entry into force: 1/7/1999
System of protection: Council of Europe
American Convention on Human Rights (Pact of San Jose, Costa Rica)
Date of adoption: 22/11/1969 Entry into force: 18/7/1978
System of protection: Organization of American States
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Date of adoption: 16/12/1966 Entry into force: 23/3/1976
System of protection: Universal
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
Date of adoption: 16/12/1966 Entry into force: 3/1/1976
System of protection: Universal
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Date of adoption: 10/12/1948 Entry into force: -
System of protection: Universal
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter)
Date of adoption: 27/6/1981 Entry into force: 21/10/1986
System of protection: Organization of African Unity
     
Articles
Trafficking of women into the European Union
Diane JOHNSON
Latest update: 30/12/2002 First published: 1999
Reference: (1999) Vol 5 New England Journal of international and comparative law
This article examines the situations where a woman is trafficked into an EU Member State (MS) from a third world country.
Overcoming traditional gender stereotypes in the European Union: the European Court of Justices ruling in Hellmut Marschall v Land Nordrhein Westfalen
Michelle ROZOF
Latest update: 30/12/2002 First published: 1998
Reference: Volume 12 / Fall 1998 / Number 3 Emory International Law Review
This Comment discusses the recent trend of affirmative action in the European Union in light of the Marschall case
Interpretation and Eradication: National and International Responses to Female Circumcision
Barrett BREITUNG
Latest update: 30/12/2002 First published: 1996
Reference: Volume 10 / Fall 1996 / Number 2 Emory International Law Review
National responses to practice of FGM
Human Rights of Women in Iran: The Universalist Approach and the Relativist Response
Kristen MILLER
Latest update: 30/12/2002 First published: 1996
Reference: Volume 10 / Fall 1996 / Number 2 Emory International Law Review
Universality of human rights - Treatment of women in Iran
"The Personal is Political," or Why Women's Rights are Indeed Human Rights: An African Perspective on International Feminism
Joseph OLOKA ONYANGO - Sylvia TAMALE
Latest update: 29/12/2002 First published: 1995
Reference: (1995) Human Rights Quarterly 691-731
An African Perspective on International Feminism
Women, War, and Rape: Challenges Facing The International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Niarchos CATHERINE
Latest update: 09/08/2002 First published: 11/1995
Reference: (1995) Nov Human Rights Quarterly 649
This article explores the uncertain status of rape under international humanitarian law in conception and enforcement is traced from a feminist perspective
El principio de igualdad de trato y la prohibición de discriminación por razón de sexo a la luz de la jurisprudencia del T.J.C.E.
Amaya UBEDA DE TORRES
Latest update: 08/07/2002 First published: 8/7/2002
Reference: HRNi
The Principle of Discrimination in the Case Law of the Court of Justice of the European Union
     
Languages: Arabic English French Spanish
Country reports and the latest news releases, information on AI latest campaigns and appeals for action to help protect human rights. Section "Library": Research available by country / region / theme. Links to hundreds of human rights websites.
Languages: English
Database / search engine of on-line gender resources - Policy documents, sectoral reports, guidelines, good practice cases, bibliographies, background papers, research reports, tools - Gender country profiles - Gender experts and consultants.
Languages: Arabic Chinese English French Portuguese Russian Spanish
The official site of Human Rights Watch - an independent NGO. News releases - Current events - Publications - Info by country - Campaigns - Issues -Reports - Links... Search engine. A very informative site.
Languages: English
An online database of gender information and materials organised in broad categories and types of material. Each document is summarised; key documents have a long summary including findings and recommendations.
Languages: English French
Notion - Actions - Legislations - International Instruments.
Languages: Chinese English
The official site of an international non-governmental organization. Publications - Research reports - Reports on human rights conditions in China, Tibet, Hong Kong - Campaigns - Activities - News - Useful links...
Languages: English
Official and practical information on the application of the UN Women's convention and other treaties.
Languages: English French Spanish
A web project developed by an international coalition of women's organizations. Defines key women's rights issues, providing introductions, facts, and relevant web links - HR Systems - Nice "Research tool" section has direct multiple search engines.
Languages: English
Powerful search engine providing quality articles, books (references with summaries), documents, or links, organized by topic and type of material.
Languages: English French
A joint UN project to create a core Internet space on global women's issues - Information on all UN initatives concerning the advancement and protection of women's rights - Documents and Databases - Women of the World - News - On-Line Forums.
Languages: English
Excellent links to specialist resources on gender mainstreaming and equality. Online articles about different gender issues.
Languages: English
The primary goal of this site is to compile news articles and commentaries that address issues of human rights from news sources throughout the world. People and organizations (human rights actors) - Discussions - links to web sites.
Languages: English
Library offers a limited number of Statements, Resolutions, International agreements, Legislation, Reports, Articles, Speeches, CATW Coalition Reports and Links.
     
Selected Case Law
Schuler-Zgraggen v. Switzerland
Date: 24/6/1993
Decision-making body: European Court of Human Rights
Legal reference: ECHR, 26 June 1993, A-263. n° 17/1992/362/436.
Dispute about social security - Social assistance - Applicability of Article 6 - No violation - Difference in treatment based on sex - Only very strong considerations could justify the differentiation - Violation of Article 14.
Open Door and Dublin Well Woman v. Ireland
Date: 29/10/1992
Decision-making body: European Court of Human Rights
Legal reference: ECHR, 29 October 1992, 246-A. n° 64/1991/316/387-388.
Ireland - Legal prohibition of abortion - Prohibition to spread information about the possibility of abortion practiced abroad - Information available elsewhere - Disproportionate interference - Violation of Article 10.
Marckx v. Belgium
Date: 13/6/1979
Decision-making body: European Court of Human Rights
Legal reference: ECHR, 13 June 1979, A-231, n° 00006833/74.
Single mother of a natural daughter - Affiliation has to be established by official recognition - Family bonds - Inheritance: limited patrimonial rights - Discrimination compared to a legitimate family - Violation of Arts. 8, 14, Art. 1 Prot. 1.
Graciela Ato del Avellanal v. Peru
Date: 31/10/1988
Decision-making body: Human Rights Committee
Legal reference: CCPR/C/34/D/202/1986
Legal prohibition against women representing matrimonial assets before the courts - Equality before the law - Discrimination on the basis of sex - Violation of Articles 3, 14(1) and 26.
S.W.M. Broeks v. the Netherlands
Date: 9/4/1987
Decision-making body: Human Rights Committee
Legal reference: CCPR/C/29/D/172/1984
Obligations were imposed in a discriminatory manner against married women wishing to receive unemployment benefits - Absence of similar obligation for married men - Equality before the law - Violation of Article 26.
F. H. Zwaan-de Vries v. the Netherlands
Date: 9/4/1987
Decision-making body: Human Rights Committee
Legal reference: CCPR/C/29/D/182/1984
Social benefits were given to married men but refused to married women - Discrimination based on sex - Violation of Article 26 (equality before the law).
Sandra Lovelace v. Canada
Date: 30/7/1981
Decision-making body: Human Rights Committee
Legal reference: CCPR/C/13/D/24/1977
Loss of membership status of a woman belonging to an indigenous minority following marriage to a non-indigenous man - Legislation found to be discriminatory on the basis of sex - Violation of Article 27.
Mauritian Women Case
Date: 9/4/1981
Decision-making body: Human Rights Committee
Legal reference: CCPR/C/12/D/35/1978
Legislation regarding immigration and deportation forcing foreign men married to Mauritian nationals to apply for residence permits - Discrimination based on sex - Violation of the duty to protect the 'family'.
     
Case Law Websites
Commonwealth Human Rights Case Law Database (The)
Languages: English
Allows you to browse or search for summaries of recent human rights decisions from national courts in Commonwealth jurisdictions.
Council of Europe - Human Rights Web
Languages: English French
Search the case-law of the European Convention on Human Rights control bodies.
International Human Rights Law Database (The)
Languages: English
A resource for those seeking summaries and commentaries on international human rights case law, the database allows searches by text, 47 subjects, 81 states, 9 treaties, 9 decisionmaking bodies, and date. A powerful and quick database.
Legislationline
Languages: English
Compiles international texts and domestic legislation in the OSCE region dealing with the rule of law and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Accessible by topic, country, or through the search engine.
Repertorio de Jurisprudencia del Sistema Interamericano de Derechos Humanos
Languages: Spanish
Directory of the case law of the Inter-American Court 1980 - 1997.
     
Reports
Report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Systematic rape, sexual slavery and slavery-like practices during armed conflicts
Haut-Commissaire aux droits de l'homme de l'ONU / UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Date: 18/7/2002
Reference: Distr. GENERAL, E/CN.4/Sub.2/2002/28, 18 July 2002
Source: United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
The present report refers to new developments in the field of the activities of human rights mechanisms and of international and humanitarian law on the issue of systematic rape, sexual slavery and slavery-like practices in situations of armed conflict.
Women's Human Rights
Human Rights Watch Date: 2002
Reference: World Report 2000
Source: Human Rights Watch
Annual Report by Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Developments - Women's Status In The Family - Labor Rights - Trafficking - Women in Conflict and Refugees - Violence Against Women - The Role of the International Community: United Nations; Unites States; European Union; Council of Europe; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Stamp out torture
Amnesty International Date: 26/2/2001
Reference: ACT /2001
Source: Amnesty International
6 AI reports on torture: Launch Report - Children's Report - Stopping the Torture Trade Report - Women's Report - Crimes of hate, conspiracy of silence torture and ill-treatment based on sexual identity - Racism and the administration of justice
For the Record 2001: The United Nations Human Rights System
Human Rights Internet Date: 2001
Reference: Human Rights Internet, 2001
Source: Human Rights Internet
FTR is an electronic annual report that provides summaries of relevant human rights information generated within the UN system. An important reference tool for those active in national and international social justice movements, the report also aids in simplifying the human rights work of the UN for the uninitiated, members of national legislative assemblies, journalists, students, teachers and the general public. Produced with the support of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade since 1997, the report is organized thematically as well as by country and covers all relevant UN documentation over a full calendar year. These include: State reports prepared for the six human rights treaty bodies and the concluding observations of the experts who review those reports; documentation, resolutions and decisions by various UN system bodies.
Discrimination against Women: The Convention and the Committee
HCDH / OHCHR Date: inconnue
Reference: Fact Sheet No.22
Source: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The human rights Fact Sheet Series is published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.
Harmful Traditional Practices Affecting
HCDH / OHCHR Date: inconnue
Reference: Fact Sheet No. 23
Source: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The human rights Fact Sheet Series is published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.
     
Books
Droits sociaux et droit européen : bilan et prospective de la protection normative
J.-F. Flauss Ed. - Jean-François FLAUSS
Reference: Bruxelles, Droit & Justice, Bruylant, 2002
Languages: French
In the Council of Europe and in the European Union, social rights are the object of a growing protection, both in quality and quantity. Questions raised : problems of coexistence and reciprocal influences - unicity of the standards of protection
Women's Rights and Human Rights: International Historical Perspectives
Patricia Grimshaw, Katie Holmes, Marilyn Lake Ed.
Reference: New York, Palgrave, 2001
Languages: English
The major publication from the IFRWH conference held in Melbourne, Australia in 1998. History of development of women’s rights in different countries : USA, Russia, Europe etc. Right to work – Suffrage - Social Citizenship…
Human Rights of Women: National and International Perspectives
Rebecca J. Cook Ed.
Reference: Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 1994
Languages: English
Extensive coverage of the theme and interdisciplinary approach. Problems of implementation of women's rights - Public/private dichotomy at the core of public international law – International, regional and national approaches – Guarantees.
     
Periodicals
Cardozo Women's Law Journal (CWLJ)
Reference: New York,
Contact: gladow@aol.com. http://www.cardozo.yu.edu/cwlj/index.html
Languages: English
CWLJ publishes articles that address a broad-range of gender based topics and reflect diverse views on the legal topics that shape the lives of men and women.
Human Rights Tribune
Reference: Ottawa, Human Rights Internet
Contact: hri@hri.ca http://www.hri.ca/cftribune/
Languages: English
A tri-yearly publication of HRI (Human Rights Internet). Addresses all areas of human rights from a non-governmental perspective world-wide. Articles about important events - NGO reports - Analysis of the work of human rights organizations.
Revue trimestrielle des droits de l'homme
Reference: Bruxelles, Nemesis
Contact: vf@lambert.be http://www.revtrdrh.be
Languages: French
Specialized periodical. Articles on doctrine - Commentaries on the decisions of various courts - Extracts of new decisions - Bibliographies - News: conferences... Special issues.
     
Human Rights Actors
Casa de la Mujer ()
http://www.ondaslibres.org Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
Organization for the defence and development of women in Bolivia.
Centres d'information sur les Droits des Femmes (CIDF)
http://www.infofemmes.com Type:Network
A network of Information Centres for Women's Rights that aim at increasing the value of a woman's position in the society, favouring women's autonomy in legal, professional, economic, social and family spheres.
Committe on the Administration of Justice (CAJ)
http://www.caj.org.uk/ Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
CAJ seeks to secure the highest standards in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland by ensuring that the government complies with its responsibilities in international human rights law.
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (Australia) (HREOC)
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/ Type:National Human Rights Institution
A national independent statutory government body. Conducts inquiries into alleged discrimination on the grounds of race, colour or ethnic origin, racial vilification, sex, sexual harassment, marital status, pregnancy, or disability. HR education.
Human Rights and Human Diversity Initiative (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) ()
http://www.unl.edu/HumanR/index.html Type:Research / Education
Goal: to examine issues related to human rights in an international perspective. Relationship between cultural diversity and human rights. Universality of HR. Minorities: refugees, voluntary migrants, and indigenous peoples. Human rights protectors.
Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM)
http://www.oas.org/CIM/
A Specialized Organization of the OAS. The first official intergovernmental agency in the world created expressly to ensure recognition of the civil and political rights of women. Provides support and recognition to national women's movements.
International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
http://www.icrw.org/ Type:Research / Education
Mission: to improve the lives of women in poverty, advance women's equality and human rights, and contribute to the broader economic and social well-being. Research, capacity building, and advocacy activities in low- and middle-income countries.
International Movement against All forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
http://www.imadr.org/ Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
An international non-profit, human rights NGO devoted to eliminating all forms of discrimination around the world, forging international solidarity among discriminated minorities and advancing the international regime of human rights.
International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific)
http://www.iwraw-ap.org/ Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
IWRAW Asia Pacific contributes to the progressive interpretation, universalisation, implementation and realisation of women's human rights through the lens of CEDAW and other international human rights treaties.
Madre ()
http://www.madre.org/ Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
An international women's human rights organization that works in partnership with women's community-based groups in conflict areas worldwide to address issues of health, education, economic development and other human rights.
Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) ()
http://www.ichrdd.ca/ Type:Other
An independent Canadian institution with an international mandate to promote, advocate and defend democratic and human rights. Four thematic priorities: democratic development, women's rights, the rights of indigenous peoples, globalization and HR.
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences ()
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mwom.htm Type:United Nations System
Seeks and receives information on violence against women, its causes and its consequences; Recommends measures, ways and means, to eliminate violence against women and its causes; Works closely with other UN human rights bodies.
UN Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/ Type:United Nations System
The Division advocates the improvement of the status of women of the world and the achievement of their equality with men. It aims to ensure the participation of women as equal partners with men in all aspects of human endeavour...
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
http://www.unifem.undp.org/ Type:United Nations System
UNIFEM promotes women's empowerment and gender equality. It has supported numerous projects and initiatives throughout the developing world that promote the political, economic, and social empowerment of women.
Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF)
http://site.mweb.co.zw/wildaf/ Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
NGO for the defence of women in Africa.
Women's Rights Network (WRN)
http://www.wcwonline.org/wrn/index.html Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)
International human rights organization that works to address the root causes of intimate partner abuse in the United States through the application of human rights principles, strategies and laws.