UN Commission on the Status of Women Seeks Reports of Violations of Women’s Rights
The UN Commission on the Status of Women invites any individual, non-governmental organization, group, or network to submit accurate and detailed information to the Commission relating to the promotion of women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social, and educational fields in any country anywhere in the world. The Commission is particularly interested in receiving any information relating to alleged violations of human rights that affect the status of women. The Commission will use this information to analyze emerging trends and patterns of injustice and discriminatory practices against women. This analysis informs the Commission’s policy process, including the formulation of the best strategies to promote gender equality. Submissions will be accepted until 14 August 2009.
Examples from recent years, as identified by the Commission, include:
- Arbitrary arrests of women
- Deaths and torture of women in custody
- Forced disappearances or abductions of women
- Discriminatory application of punishments in law based on sex, including corporal and capital punishment
- Violation of the rights of women human rights defenders to freedom of expression and assembly
- Threats or pressure exerted on women not to complain or to withdraw complaints
- Impunity for violations of the human rights of women
- Stereotypical attitudes towards the role and responsibilities of women
- Domestic violence
- Forced marriage and marital rape
- Virginity testing
- Contemporary forms of slavery, including trafficking in women and girls
- Sexual harassment of women in the workplace
- Unfair employment practices based on sex, including unequal pay
- Lack of due diligence by States to adequately investigate, prosecute and punish perpetrators of violence against women
- Discrimination against women under immigration and nationality laws
- Violations of the rights of women to own and inherit property
- Discrimination against women in accessing international humanitarian aid
- Forcible evictions of women in conflict situations
Anonymity
The author’s name will not be made known unless the author provides explicit permission.
Remedies for Violations Against Individuals
Providing information to the Commission through this process provide NOT initiate or provide remedies for individual grievances. Submissions will be used solely for informational purposes in the policy planning process.
How to Submit a Report, Violation, Complaint, etc.
All information must be submitted in writing by 14 August 2009. Please see the detailed information relating to Communication Procedures, describing how to submit information.
About the UN Commission on the Status of Women
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Commission is dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women.