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CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1979, para. h
- Paragraph text
- The third general thrust of the Convention aims at enlarging our understanding of the concept of human rights, as it gives formal recognition to the influence of culture and tradition on restricting women's enjoyment of their fundamental rights. These forces take shape in stereotypes, customs and norms which give rise to the multitude of legal, political and economic constraints on the advancement of women. Noting this interrelationship, the preamble of the Convention stresses "that a change in the traditional role of men as well as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve full equality of men and women". States parties are therefore obliged to work towards the modification of social and cultural patterns of individual conduct in order to eliminate "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" (article 5). And Article 1O.c. mandates the revision of textbooks, school programmes and teaching methods with a view to eliminating stereotyped concepts in the field of education. Finally, cultural patterns which define the public realm as a man's world and the domestic sphere as women's domain are strongly targeted in all of the Convention's provisions that affirm the equal responsibilities of both sexes in family life and their equal rights with regard to education and employment. Altogether, the Convention provides a comprehensive framework for challenging the various forces that have created and sustained discrimination based upon sex.
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- International treaty
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1979
Paragraph
Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa 2003, para. 2
- Paragraph text
- 2. States Parties shall commit themselves to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of women and men through public education, information, education and communication strategies, with a view to achieving the elimination of harmful cultural and traditional practices 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 women and men.
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- African Union
- Document type
- Regional treaty
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2003
Paragraph
ICESCR - International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966, para. undefined
- Paragraph text
- The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights set forth in the present Covenant.
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- International treaty
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1966
Paragraph
CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1979, para. g
- Paragraph text
- Recalling that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- International treaty
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1979
Paragraph
African Youth Charter 2006, para. 1a
- Paragraph text
- 1. Young people shall have the right to rest and leisure and to engage in play and recreational activities that are part of a health lifestyle as well as to participate freely in sport, physical education drama, the arts, music and other forms of cultural life. In this regard, States Parties shall: a) Make provision for equal access for young men and young women to sport, physical education, cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activities;
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- African Union
- Document type
- Regional treaty
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2006
Paragraph
European Social Charter (Revised) 1996, para. 1b
- Paragraph text
- With a view to ensuring the exercise of the right to equality of opportunity and treatment for men and women workers with family responsibilities and between such workers and other workers, the Parties undertake: 1. to take appropriate measures: b. to take account of their needs in terms of conditions of employment and social security;
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- Council of Europe
- Document type
- Regional treaty
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1996
Paragraph
Inter-American Convention On The Prevention, Punishment And Eradication Of Violence Against Women "Convention Of Belem Do Para" 1994, para. b
- Paragraph text
- The States Parties agree to undertake progressively specific measures, including programs: b. to modify social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, including the development of formal and informal educational programs appropriate to every level of the educational process, to counteract prejudices, customs and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes or on the stereotyped roles for men and women which legitimize or exacerbate violence against women;
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- Organization of American States
- Document type
- Regional treaty
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1994
Paragraph
CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1979, para. a
- Paragraph text
- 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;
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- International treaty
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1979
Paragraph
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence 2011, para. 1
- Paragraph text
- 1 Parties shall take the necessary measures to promote changes in the social and cultural patterns of behaviour of women and men with a view to eradicating prejudices, customs, traditions and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority of women or on stereotyped roles for women and men.
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- Council of Europe
- Document type
- Regional treaty
- Topic(s)
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1979, para. c
- Paragraph text
- States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in other areas of economic and social life in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, the same rights, in particular: (c) The right to participate in recreational activities, sports and all aspects of cultural life.
- Legal status
- Legally binding
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- International treaty
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1979
Paragraph
Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women 2008, para. 16i
- Paragraph text
- [Urges States to continue to develop their national strategy and a more systematic, comprehensive, multisectoral and sustained approach aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women, including by achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women, and by using best practices to end impunity and a culture of tolerance towards violence against women, inter alia, in the fields of legislation, prevention, law enforcement, victim assistance and rehabilitation, such as:] Adopting all appropriate measures, especially in the field of education, to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women and to eliminate prejudices, customary practices and all other practices based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes and on stereotyped roles for men and women;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2008
Paragraph
Addressing the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence in the context of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the full enjoyment of all human rights by women and girls 2016, para. 10
- Paragraph text
- Acknowledging the persistence of the challenges faced by all countries throughout the world to overcome inequality between men and women and to integrate a comprehensive approach that properly addresses the needs of women and girls affected by racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the design of public policies,
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Gender and all forms of discrimination, in particular racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance 2001, para. 1c
- Paragraph text
- [Actions to be taken by Governments, the United Nations and civil society, as appropriate]: Acknowledge the need to address the issues of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as and where they affect young women and men, boys and girls and recognize the role they play in the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including particular forms of racism experienced by young women and girls, and support the fundamental role played by youth non-governmental organizations in educating young people and children to build a society based on respect and solidarity;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Document type
- CSW Agreed Conclusions / Declaration
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Children
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2001
Paragraph
Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work 2017, para. 40 (c)
- Paragraph text
- Enact or strengthen and enforce laws and regulatory frameworks that ensure equality and prohibit discrimination against women, in particular in the world of work, including their participation in and access to labour markets, inter alia, laws and frameworks that prohibit discrimination based on pregnancy, motherhood, marital status or age, as well as other multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination; take appropriate measures to ensure that women, throughout the life cycle, have equal opportunities for decent work in the public and private sectors, while recognizing that temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women should not be considered discrimination; address the root causes of gender inequality, gender stereotypes and unequal power relations between men and women; and provide, as appropriate, effective means of redress and access to justice in cases of non-compliance and accountability for violations and abuses of human rights;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Document type
- CSW Agreed Conclusions / Declaration
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Child, early and forced marriage in humanitarian settings 2017, para. 9
- Paragraph text
- Encourages States to promote open dialogue with all parties concerned, including religious and community leaders, women, girls, men and boys, parents, legal guardians, and other family members, as well as humanitarian and development actors in order to address the concerns and specific needs of those at risk of child, early and forced marriage within humanitarian settings, and to address social norms, gender stereotypes and harmful practices that contribute to the acceptance and continuation of the practice of child, early and forced marriage, including by raising awareness of its harm to the victims and the cost to society at large;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Humanitarian
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Children
- Families
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Accelerating efforts to eliminate violence against women: engaging men and boys in preventing and responding to violence against all women and girls 2017, para. 10
- Paragraph text
- Recognizing that violence against women and girls is rooted in historical and structural inequality in power relations between women and men, which further reinforce gender stereotypes and barriers to women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of their human rights, and that all forms of violence against women and girls constitute a major impediment to their full, equal and effective participation in society, the economy and political and individual decision-making, as well as in leadership roles, hindering them from the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of equality with men,
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Accelerating efforts to eliminate violence against women: engaging men and boys in preventing and responding to violence against all women and girls 2017, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- Emphasizing the important role that men and boys can play in preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls, including by challenging gender stereotypes and the negative social norms, attitudes and behaviours that underlie and perpetuate such violence and further developing and implementing measures that reinforce non-violent actions, attitudes and values, and encouraging men and boys, alongside women and girls, as agents and beneficiaries of gender equality, to take an active part in efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls,
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Improvement of the situation of women and girls in rural areas 2017, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- Recognizing also that progress on the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, in particular in rural areas, has been held back owing to the persistence of historical and structural unequal power relations between women and men, poverty and inequalities and disadvantages in access to resources and opportunities that limit women’s and girls’ capabilities, and growing gaps in equality of opportunity, discriminatory laws, policies, social norms, attitudes, harmful customary and contemporary practices and gender stereotypes,
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work 2017, para. 40 (y)
- Paragraph text
- Recognize the social significance of maternity, paternity, motherhood, fatherhood and the role of parents in the upbringing of children, and promote paid maternity, paternity or parental leave and adequate social security benefits for both women and men, take appropriate steps to ensure they are not discriminated against when availing themselves of such benefits and promote men's awareness and use of such opportunities, as a means of enabling women to increase their participation in the labour market;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Document type
- CSW Agreed Conclusions / Declaration
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Women, the girl child and HIV/AIDS 2008, para. 17
- Paragraph text
- Requests Governments to promote and provide equal and equitable access for women and men throughout their life cycle to social services related to health care, including education, clean water and safe sanitation, nutrition, food security and health, education programmes and social protection schemes, especially for women and girls living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including treatment for opportunistic infections and other HIV-related diseases;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2008
Paragraph
Child, early and forced marriage 2016, para. 6
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- Further calls upon States and encourages other stakeholders to address gender stereotypes, discriminatory social norms and harmful practices that contribute to the acceptance and continuation of the practice of child, early and forced marriage, including by raising awareness of its harm and the cost to society at large and by providing opportunities for discussion, in this regard, among others, within communities, including with the involvement of girls and boys, women and men, religious, traditional and community leaders, and parents and other family members, on the benefits of ending child, early and forced marriage and ensuring that girls and boys receive an education;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Children
- Families
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living 2007, para. 3
- Paragraph text
- Expresses concern at the prevalence of homelessness and inadequate housing, the growth of slums worldwide, forced evictions, the increase in challenges faced by migrants in relation to adequate housing, as well as of refugees in conflict and post-conflict situations, challenges to the full enjoyment of the right to adequate housing caused by the impact of climate change, natural disasters and pollution, insecurity of tenure, unequal rights of men and women to property and inheritance, as well as other violations of and impediments to the full realization of the right to adequate housing;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2007
Paragraph
Intensification of efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls: domestic violence 2016, para. 15e
- Paragraph text
- [Urges States to address structural and underlying causes and risk factors so as to prevent domestic violence, including by:] Adopting all appropriate measures in the field of education to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women of all ages in order to promote the development of respectful relations and to eliminate prejudices, harmful customary practices and all other practices based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes and on stereotyped roles for men and women, and raising awareness of the unacceptability of violence against women and girls at all levels, in the public and private spheres;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Accelerating efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women: Preventing and responding to rape and other forms of sexual violence 2013, para. 4c
- Paragraph text
- [Urges States to take meaningful steps to address the harmful attitudes, customs, practices, stereotypes and unequal power relations that underlie and perpetuate rape and other forms of sexual violence by, inter alia:] Engaging, educating, encouraging and supporting men and boys to take responsibility for their behaviour and to become active partners in the prevention and elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, and to end the stigmatization of victims by encouraging a change in attitudes, norms and behaviour through the promotion of gender equality;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Ending female genital mutilation 2010, para. 9
- Paragraph text
- Reaffirming that harmful traditional or customary practices, including female genital mutilation, constitute a serious threat to the health of women and girls, including their psychological, sexual and reproductive health, which can increase their vulnerability to HIV and may have adverse obstetric and prenatal outcomes as well as fatal consequences, and that the abandonment of this harmful practice can be achieved only as a result of a comprehensive movement that involves all public and private stakeholders in society, including men, women and girls,
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 1995, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- Religion, spirituality and belief play a central role in the lives of millions of women and men, in the way they live and in the aspirations they have for the future. The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is inalienable and must be universally enjoyed. This right includes the freedom to have or to adopt the religion or belief of their choice either individually or in community with others, in public or in private, and to manifest their religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. In order to realize equality, development and peace, there is a need to respect these rights and freedoms fully. Religion, thought, conscience and belief may, and can, contribute to fulfilling women's and men's moral, ethical and spiritual needs and to realizing their full potential in society. However, it is acknowledged that any form of extremism may have a negative impact on women and can lead to violence and discrimination.
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Fourth World Conference on Women
- Document type
- Declaration / Confererence outcome document
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1995
Paragraph
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action 1995, para. 183
- Paragraph text
- Women have demonstrated considerable leadership in community and informal organizations, as well as in public office. However, socialization and negative stereotyping of women and men, including stereotyping through the media, reinforces the tendency for political decision-making to remain the domain of men. Likewise, the underrepresentation of women in decision-making positions in the areas of art, culture, sports, the media, education, religion and the law have prevented women from having a significant impact on many key institutions.
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Fourth World Conference on Women
- Document type
- Declaration / Confererence outcome document
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 1995
Paragraph
Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work 2017, para. 40 (bb)
- Paragraph text
- Fully engage men and boys as strategic partners and allies in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by designing and implementing national policies and programmes that address the roles and responsibilities of men and boys, including the equal sharing of responsibilities in caregiving and domestic work, and encourage men and boys to engage fully, as agents and beneficiaries of change, with the aim of eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls in both the public and private spheres, by understanding and addressing the root causes of gender inequality, such as unequal power relations, gender stereotypes and negative social norms that view women and girls as subordinate to men and boys, as a contribution to women's economic empowerment in the changing world of work;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- Commission on the Status of Women
- Document type
- CSW Agreed Conclusions / Declaration
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Policies and programmes involving youth 2017, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- Also urges Member States to address the challenges faced by girls and young women, as well as gender stereotypes that perpetuate all forms of discrimination and violence against girls and young women, including harmful practices, and the stereotypical roles of men and women that hinder social development, by reaffirming the commitment to the empowerment of women and gender equality and the human rights of all women and girls, and to engage, educate, encourage and support men and boys to take responsibility for their behaviour in this regard, including their sexual and reproductive behaviour;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Boys
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Intensification of efforts to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls: domestic violence 2016, para. 3
- Paragraph text
- Recognizes that violence against women and girls is a form of discrimination that seriously inhibits their ability to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms and is rooted in gender inequality, deeply embedded negative social norms and stereotypes, poverty, inequality in the economic, social and cultural spheres and unequal power relations between men and women;
- Legal status
- Negotiated soft law
- Body
- United Nations General Assembly
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Girls
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph