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Women's Human Rights

March 8 is a day of commemoration and action. It represents women's historic struggle for equality, justice, and full recognition of their human rights. According to UN Women, women and girls enjoy only 64% of the legal rights that men have worldwide, and still face inequalities in access to justice, political participation, and economic opportunities. In Mexico, significant progress has been made, but challenges remain, such as gender-based violence, the wage gap, and equal representation in different spaces.

Relevant Data

Image by Javier Miranda

Globally

  • 1 in 3 women has experienced some form of violence (physical or otherwise).

  • Women occupy only 26% of parliamentary seats.

  • The global wage gap is 20%.

Image by Matthew TenBruggencate

International Organizations

  • UN Women promotes gender equality in public policy.

  • The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) monitors compliance with rights in Latin America.

  • The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued key rulings on violence and discrimination against women.

Human rights of women

The human rights of women include:

  • The right to life, liberty, and security.

  • The right to equality and non-discrimination.

  • The right to political and social participation.

  • The right to health, education, and decent work.

  • The right to live free from violence.

International treaties protecting
women's human rights

1. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW, 1979)

CEDAW is considered the “Magna Carta” of women's rights. It recognizes equality in all spheres: political, economic, social, and cultural.

  • Paragraph 1: Establishes the obligation of States to eliminate discriminatory laws.

  • Paragraph 2: Promotes equality in education and employment.

  • Paragraph 3: Recognizes the right to health.

  • Paragraph 4: Requires States to submit periodic reports on progress.

  • Paragraph 5: Directly relates to the right of women to participate fully in public life.

2. Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women (Belém do Pará, 1994)

This regional treaty protects women against violence in all its forms.

  • Paragraph 1: Recognizes violence as a violation of human rights.

  • Paragraph 2: Establishes prevention and protection measures.

  • Paragraph 3: Obliges States to punish those responsible.

  • Paragraph 4: Promotes public policies of equality.

  • Paragraph 5: Relates to women's right to live free from violence.

3. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966)

This covenant guarantees fundamental rights applicable to all persons, including women.

  • Paragraph 1: Recognizes the right to life and liberty.

  • Paragraph 2: Guarantees equality before the law.

  • Paragraph 3: Protects freedom of expression and association.

  • Paragraph 4: Establishes the right to participate in elections.

  • Paragraph 5: Relates to women's political participation.

4. International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR, 1966)

This covenant guarantees rights related to welfare and development.

  • Paragraph 1: Recognizes the right to decent work.

  • Paragraph 2: Guarantees equal pay.

  • Paragraph 3: Protects the right to health and education.

  • Paragraph 4: Establishes the right to social security.

  • Paragraph 5: Relates to the elimination of the gender economic gap.

5. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)

This is a global action plan for gender equality.

  • Paragraph 1: Identifies critical areas such as poverty and violence.

  • Paragraph 2: Promotes women's political participation.

  • Paragraph 3: Establishes measures for equality in education and health.

  • Paragraph 4: Recognizes the importance of the media.

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