Women and Human Rights - Marama Davidson
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Marama Davidson Human Rights Commission How does a human rights approach support diversity among women? What does a woman’s reality look like behind a human rights lens? 21 November 2010
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How does a human rights approach support diversity among women? What does a woman\’s reality look like behind a human rights lens?
Transcript of Women and Human Rights - Marama Davidson
Marama DavidsonHuman Rights Commission
How does a human rights approach support diversity among women?
What does a woman’s reality look like behind a human rights lens?
21 November 2010
Overview
What is a human rights framework?
What is a human rights approach?
How does a human rights framework and approach add
value to my life?
Human Rights What do we mean?
“HUMAN RIGHTS ARE RIGHTS
THAT ANY PERSON HAS AS A HUMAN BEING”
Kofi Annan, Previous UN Secretary General
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Adopted by the United Nations10 December 1948
• Founding ‘declaration’ of human rights -
“mother ship”
• Gives clear standards for
minimum human rights that all
humans are born with
UDHR
Article 1 – Everyone is born free and equal in human rights.
Article 25 – Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and wellbeing.
UN Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW)
Entry into force 3 September 1981.
“Concerned that in situations of poverty women have the least access to food, health, education, training and opportunities for employment and other needs.” (small extract from Preamble)
CEDAWArticle 3• States Parties shall take in all fields, in
particular in the political, social, economic and cultural fields, 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.
CEDAWArticle 5
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures:
• a) To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women;
International frameworkNZ commits itself to respect, promote and fulfil the rights in the UDHR.
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights (ICESCR)• International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)• International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of
Racial Discrimination (CERD)• UN Convention Against Torture (CAT)• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC)• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(UNDRIP)
Domestic human rights framework
There are two main pieces of law in New Zealand that specifically promote and protect human rights. One is the Human Rights Act 1993, and the other is the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
The Treaty of Waitangi is also important as our founding document, in how it affords all New Zealanders rights and responsibilities to belong.
Doing things the ‘right’ wayA “Human Rights Approach”• Link decisions to ‘human rights’
• Highlight important rights and balance them – prioritise the most vulnerable people
• Involve people in decision making
• Treat people fairly
• Empower people
• Be accountable for actions and ensure people can make a complaint
Census of Women’s Participation
Census of Women’s Participation records backward slide
The Census of Women’s Participation 2010, released today, shows that female participation in governance, professional and public life has begun to slide, erasing hard fought gains.
“Human Rights and Women” reviewing where we are at?
Poverty for women, violence against women and female representation in public life are three immediate challenges for New Zealand.
This draft discussion document notes that while New Zealand women are faring well in many areas, there remain persistent hurdles to overcome before women achieve equality.
Discussion points
“Woman with moko wins $3000 for discrimination”
(Media headline September 2003)
“Anger at Te Papa ban on pregnant women” (Media headline October 2010)
Women as human rights activists
Shining a human rights torch on specific issues for women
• Research and education
• Advocacy and lobbying
• Raising awareness
• Making networks
Human Rights Commission
Our Vision: The Commission works for a fair, safe and just society, where diversity is valued and human rights are respected.
Human Rights Commission
Infoline 0800 496 877
Marama - DDI (09) 306 2665
www.hrc.co.nz – full contact details
