1. Gender Focal Point Network Training & Orientation
Gender Equality and
Human Rights Based Approaches (HRBA)
By Cvetan Cvetkovski
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

2. PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
What is HRBA?
HRBA – strategy for realization of human rights (UN Reform –UN Common Understanding 1997)
Elements:
Goal: All programming should further human rights
Process: Human rights standards and principles should guide all aspects of programming
Outcome: Human rights standards and principles should support development of capacities of rights-holders to claim their rights and of duty bearers to meet their obligations
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

3. HRBA and Gender Equality
Until HRBA, approach to GE largely utilitarian
ie. Economic productivity,
economic efficiency, participation of half of world population, etc.
With HRBA, approach to GE not only in terms of effects
but through the lens of basic human rights
Women’s Rights are Human Rights
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

4. Advantages of HRBA to GE PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
Linking gender discrimination to universal doctrines of HR grounds the notion of “fairness” in international law;
This triggers, in theory, obligations on the part of states to protect and promote human rights of women;
It also places women’s rights in the realm of the UN – to uphold the treaties and conventions;
Builds solidarity between defenders of HR and GE.
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

5. Advantages of HRBA to GE (2) PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
Focus on rights puts new issues and priorities on the development agenda
Accountability – state and non state actors as duty bearers
Voice and participation – as a right in itself and as means to ensure accountability
Empowerment – “citizens”, not beneficiaries
Non-discrimination, inclusiveness, equity and equality
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

6. Challenges of HRBA to GE PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
Accepting GE as a HR vs having it reflected in laws, policies programmes on the ground
Much of segregation and discrimination is de facto, not necessarily de jure – legislation and policy necessary but not sufficient
Gender discrimination and VAW in the “private sphere” – how far government mechanisms can go to regulate private vs public behaviour
HRBA regulates relations between individual and state but fails to address the nuances of gender and other social relations, especially their relational aspects.
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

7. PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
Interactive exercise
Problem in country X
Extreme gender disparities in secondary education in rural areas (85% boys against 15% girls)
Deeply rooted tradition of arranged early marriages (the average age for marriage is 19 years for men and 13 years for women)
Task
Develop ideas for a project proposal addressing the issue of gender disparities in secondary education in rural areas in country X by using a rights-based approach to gender equality
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

8. Interactive exercise (cont’d)
Some hints to stimulate reflection:
- CEDAW provisions
Equality of men and women to freely choose a spouse and to enter into marriage only with free and full consent
Marriage of a child has no legal effect
States’ obligation to specify a minimum age for marriage
- UNESCO Convention against discrimination in education: Equal educational opportunities for girls and boys and equal access to continuing education
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

9. International Human Rights instruments PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
General Recommendations of the CEDAW Committee
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

10. International Human Rights instruments (cont’d)
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
For other core international human rights instruments and mechanisms
For an in depth view into HRBA see UN Practitioner’s Portal on HRBA Programming
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY

11. PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY
Questions?
Thank you!
PRIORITY GENDER EQUALITY