Temporary special measures 1988, para. 8

Paragraph
Paragraph text
In the Committee's view, a purely formal legal or programmatic approach is not sufficient to achieve women's de facto equality with men, which the Committee interprets as substantive equality. In addition, the Convention requires that women be given an equal start and that they be empowered by an enabling environment to achieve equality of results. It is not enough to guarantee women treatment that is identical to that of men. Rather, biological as well as socially and culturally constructed differences between women and men must be taken into account. Under certain circumstances, non-identical treatment of women and men will be required in order to address such differences. Pursuit of the goal of substantive equality also calls for an effective strategy aimed at overcoming underrepresentation of women and a redistribution of resources and power between men and women.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Document type
General Comment / Recommendation
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Gender
  • Governance & Rule of Law
Person(s) affected
  • Men
  • Women
Year
1988
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
CEDAW General Recommendation No. 5, Temporary special measures (1988), para. 8.
Paragraph number
8