Human rights
and
Various Vulnerable Sections of The Society
WOMEN
INDIAN LAWS
Constitution
IPC
Family laws
Dowery prohibition
Domestic Violence Act
Wages Act
etc
International Protection
UDHR
ICCPR
ICESCR
CEDAW
CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
It came into force on 3 September 1981.
The Convention defines discrimination against women in the following terms:
Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or
purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women,
irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human
rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any
other field.
Puts an end to sex-based discrimination.
Promotes gender equality.
Members have to establish tribunals and public institutions to guarantee women
effective protection against discrimination, and take steps to eliminate all forms of
discrimination practiced against women by individuals, organizations, and enterprises
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW),
is often described as an international bill of rights for women.
Consisting of a preamble and
30 articles,
it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for
national action to end such discrimination.
The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or
restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or
nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital
status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."
By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of
measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:
to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish
all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against
women;
to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of
women against discrimination; and
to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons,
organizations or enterprises.
The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men
through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and
public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education,
health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including
legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human
rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of
women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and
family relations.
It affirms women's rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality
of their children.
States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in
women and exploitation of women.
Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its
provisions into practice.
They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on
measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women is a side-agreement to the Convention which allows its
parties to recognise the competence of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women to consider complaints from individuals.
The Optional Protocol was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 6 October 1999
and entered into force on 22 December 2000. Currently it has 79 signatories and 98
parties.
[
Status of women in India
problems
Sati
Jauhar
Child Marriage
Restriction on Widow Remarriage
Parda System
Girl Education
Devadasis
Modern Indian Women
Problems
Birth ratio
Female feticide
Education
Health : Malnutrition
:Poor Health
Maternal Mortality
Employment
Equal status in society
Mistreatment
Overworked
Lack of power
Divorce
Development of Women with Development of LAW
