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Women's rights issues today | What is the main issue with women's rights?

One of the most well-known articles on women's rights is Article 1 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.


Women's rights issues today
This article establishes the fundamental principle that all human beings are entitled to the same basic rights and freedoms, regardless of gender. It affirms that women should have the same rights as men, and that gender should not be a barrier to the enjoyment of human rights.

Other important articles related to women's rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights include:

  1. Article 2: "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."
  2. Article 3: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person."
  3. Article 7: "All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination."
  4. Article 16: "Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution."

Here are some additional articles related to women's rights in international human rights instruments

  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): This treaty, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979, is often referred to as the "international bill of rights for women". CEDAW establishes the legal framework for women's rights and requires countries to take steps to eliminate discrimination against women in all areas of life, including political, economic, social, and cultural spheres.

  • Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a landmark document that sets out a comprehensive framework for achieving gender equality and empowering women. The Platform for Action includes 12 critical areas of concern, including women's economic empowerment, women's human rights, and women's participation in decision-making.

  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The SDGs, adopted by the United Nations in 2015, are a set of 17 goals and 169 targets aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and promoting peace and prosperity for all. Gender equality and women's empowerment are recognized as key priorities throughout the SDGs, with a dedicated goal (SDG 5) focused on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

  • Optional Protocol to CEDAW: The Optional Protocol to CEDAW, adopted in 1999, provides a mechanism for individual women or groups of women to file complaints with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee) alleging violations of their rights under CEDAW. It also allows the CEDAW Committee to conduct inquiries into serious or systematic violations of women's rights.
These international human rights instruments, along with other regional and national laws and policies, provide a framework for promoting and protecting women's rights around the world. However, much work remains to be done to ensure that women are able to fully realize their rights and achieve gender equality in all aspects of life.


Here are some additional articles and conventions related to women's rights.

Women's rights issues today


  • Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): While not specific to women, the CRC contains several provisions that are relevant to the rights of girls. Article 2 of the CRC requires that States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status. The CRC also includes provisions on child marriage and harmful practices, which disproportionately affect girls.

  • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, includes gender as a protected group. This means that acts of genocide committed against women and girls on the basis of their gender can be considered genocide under international law.

  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: While not specific to women, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination prohibits discrimination based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. This can be particularly relevant for women who experience intersecting forms of discrimination.

  • The Istanbul Convention: The Istanbul Convention, formally known as the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, is a treaty aimed at preventing and combating all forms of violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, sexual violence, and forced marriage. The Convention requires States Parties to take a range of measures to prevent violence, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators.


These international instruments provide a framework for promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls, and for preventing and responding to gender-based discrimination and violence. However, their effectiveness depends on the political will and commitment of governments and societies to implement and enforce them.





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