![]() ![]() Finally, in article 16, the Convention returns to the issue of marriage and family relations, asserting the equal rights and obligations of women and men with regard to choice of spouse, parenthood, personal rights and command over property.Īside from civil rights issues, the Convention also devotes major attention to a most vital concern of women, namely their reproductive rights. Article 15 asserts the full equality of women in civil and business matters, demanding that all instruments directed at restricting women's legal capacity ''shall be deemed null and void". These demands are given special emphasis with regard to the situation of rural women, whose particular struggles and vital economic contributions, as noted in article 14, warrant more attention in policy planning. Articles 10, 11 and 13, respectively, affirm women's rights to non-discrimination in education, employment and economic and social activities. The Convention, thereby, draws attention to the fact that often women's legal status has been linked to marriage, making them dependent on their husband's nationality rather than individuals in their own right. ![]() The Convention on the Nationality of Married Women - adopted in 1957 - is integrated under article 9 providing for the statehood of women, irrespective of their marital status. This includes equal rights for women to represent their countries at the international level (article 8). Its provisions, therefore, are restated in article 7 of the present document, whereby women are guaranteed the rights to vote, to hold public office and to exercise public functions. Concern over the basic rights of political participation has not diminished since the adoption of the Convention on the Political Rights of Women in 1952. The legal status of women receives the broadest attention. In addition, and unlike other human rights treaties, the Convention is also concerned with the dimension of human reproduction as well as with the impact of cultural factors on gender relations. Civil rights and the legal status of women are dealt with in great detail. In its approach, the Convention covers three dimensions of the situation of women. The agenda for equality is specified in fourteen subsequent articles. The Convention gives positive affirmation to the principle of equality by requiring States parties to take "all appropriate measures, including legislation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality with men"(article 3). As defined in article 1, discrimination is understood as "any distinction, exclusion or restriction made o.1 the basis of sex.in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field". In its preamble, the Convention explicitly acknowledges that "extensive discrimination against women continues to exist", and emphasizes that such discrimination "violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity". In so doing, the Convention establishes not only an international bill of rights for women, but also an agenda for action by countries to guarantee the enjoyment of those rights. The present document spells out the meaning of equality and how it can be achieved. The spirit of the Convention is rooted in the goals of the United Nations: to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity,v and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women. ![]() These efforts for the advancement of women have resulted in several declarations and conventions, of which the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is the central and most comprehensive document.Īmong the international human rights treaties, the Convention takes an important place in bringing the female half of humanity into the focus of human rights concerns. ![]() The Commission's work has been instrumental in bringing to light all the areas in which women are denied equality with men. The Convention was the culmination of more than thirty years of work by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, a body established in 1946 to monitor the situation of women and to promote women's rights. By the tenth anniversary of the Convention in 1989, almost one hundred nations have agreed to be bound by its provisions. It entered into force as an international treaty on 3 September 1981 after the twentieth country had ratified it. On 18 December 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Entry into force: 3 September 1981, in accordance with article 27(1). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |