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SW 3707: Gender Violence in global perspective

SW 3707: Gender Violence in global perspective. April 9, 2008 School of Social work University of Minnesota. CEDAW. Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women One of 6 UN conventions monitored by treaty body. Other 5:

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SW 3707: Gender Violence in global perspective

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  1. SW 3707: Gender Violence in global perspective April 9, 2008 School of Social work University of Minnesota

  2. CEDAW • Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women • One of 6 UN conventions monitored by treaty body. Other 5: • Covenant on Economic, Cultural & Social Rights • Covenant on Civil & Political Rights • Covenant Against Racial Discrimination • Covenant Against Torture • Convention on the Rights of the Child

  3. CEDAW • Asks for cultural change in gender roles • Article 2f: “Take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices which constitute discrimination against women” • Article 5a: “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 stereotypes roles for men and women.”

  4. CEDAW & VAW • No DIRECT or EXPLICIT reference to VAW in CEDAW • General reccommendations: • #12 (1989): Nation states should focus on VAW and provide statistics on VAW in CEDAW reports • #19 (1992): VAW “seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and freedoms on a basis of equality with men” Can there be: • Absence of violence in absence of equality? • Presence of violence in presence of equality?

  5. CEDAW & VAW • GR #19: Defined GBV as “violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately. In includes acts that inflict physical, mental or sexual harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion and any other deprivations of liberty” • Basis for the UN General Assembly Declaration on Violence Against Women in 1993 • VAW in country reports

  6. CEDAW Optional protocol • 2000 • Individuals, groups or organizations may approach CEDAW committee directly if their concerns regarding violations of rights under the CEDAW are not addressed by their respective governments.

  7. Does CEDAW help? • Why do countries ratify it? • 2004: Convention had been signed by 179 countries and Optional Protocol by 68 (Merry, 2006) • Countries may ratify CEDAW with reservations • Help to the governments • Help to NGOs (shadow reports) • Help by UNIFEM, UNDP, Int’l Women’s Rights Action Watch • No sanctions for not following CEDAW

  8. Universal human rights & Culture The Case of Bulubulu in Fiji

  9. US & CEDAW • USA hasn’t ratified CEDAW. Explanations (Merry, 2004): • Lack of political support because these rights exist already • US system of popular sovereignty • Threat to the sovereignty of the US • Reduces power

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