Gender Equality as a Human Right 3
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In the recent times, gender equality is among the hottest issuesbeing discussed in the global arena. In most developed and developingcountries, women have been seen at the forefront fighting for theirrights, which includes political scenes. Gender equality is also atthe centre of human rights as well as the values of the UnitedNations (UN), an international body that focuses on various issuesaffecting the world (Fredman and Goldblatt 2015). In 1945, the UNcharter espoused “equal rights of women and men” as a basicprinciple. It also safeguards and promotes human rights for women,which it sees as an obligation of all countries.
Nevertheless, in the midst of all debates, the issue on whethergender equality is a human right as been at the front position.Similar to men, women have a right to living with dignity as well asliberty without apprehension. Advocates for gender equality haveargued that it is a prerequisite for enhancing development as well asmitigating poverty (Fredman and Goldblatt 2015). When women areempowered, they work towards promoting the health, not only of theirfamilies, but for the communities at large. In addition, they alsoenhance the outlook of the future generations. In general, they helpto address the globe’s most urgent issues.
However, it is worth noting that in spite of its fulfilling promise,gender equality as a human right is not wholly addressed. Numerouswomen the globe over still experience various kinds ofdiscrimination. For instance, gender based violence that affectsapproximately 30 per cent of women across the world (UNHRC 2016).Some countries have policies and regulations which bars women fromhaving equal access to property, especially land. In others, cultureand religion render women susceptible to domestic violence,trafficking, besides being socially and economically discriminated.Other than gender, such factors as disability, age, socio andeconomic standing as well as ethnicity render women vulnerable. Insome cultures, for instance, women duties are at home, to take careof their families. However, the changing times, human rightsdefenders, expert bodies and treaties are playing a major role inbreaking such traditions, and advocating for more women in leadershiproles, security as well as peace ambassadors.
In order to guarantee women human rights in an effective way, it isvital to comprehend the power relations and socio-economic structureswhich define a range of factors including politics, regulations,family and social dynamics as well as community dynamics as a whole(Fredman and Goldblatt 2015). The bottom line is breakingdetrimental gender stereotypes and understanding women are just likemen.
Nearly all human rights treaties bardiscrimination on the basis of sex. Some of them include theInternational Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rightsand the International Covenant on Civil andPolitical Rights (UNHRC 2016). Some countries such as Canada, whichis the global leader in promoting and protecting gender equality isdedicated to the observation that the aforementioned is a humanrights concern and critical towads the realization of sustainabledevelopment, peace, and social justice (Global Affairs Canada 2016).The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognizes for equalparticipation of women in decision making in order to attain suchobjectives.
Reference List
Fredman .S and Goldblatt B., 2015, Gender equality and humanrights. Discussion paper, . Accessed through www.unwomen.org[http://www.unwomen.org/~/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2015/goldblatt-fin.pdf]
Global Affairs Canada, 2016, Canada’s commitment to genderequality and the advancement of women’s rights internationally.Accessed throughinternational.gc.cah[ttp://www.international.gc.ca/rights-droits/women-femmes/equality-egalite.aspx?lang=eng]
United Nations Human Rights office of the High Commission 2016,Women’s Human Rights and Gender Equality. Accessed through:ohchr.org/ website[http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/WRGS/Pages/WRGSIndex.aspx]