International Obligations

1. Major International Treaties and Conventions on Women’s Rights

•  Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1979
•  Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948

                        o Non-binding but foundational.

                        o Affirms equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.

                        o Forms the basis for subsequent binding conventions.

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), 1966

                        o Guarantees equality before the law, freedom from discrimination, protection from violence, political participation, and fair trial rights.

                        o Article 3 specifically guarantees equal enjoyment of rights by men and women.

•  International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), 1966

                        o Ensures equal rights of men and women to education, work, social security, healthcare, and an adequate standard of living.

                        o Article 3 guarantees gender equality.

2. Specialized International Agreements Protecting Women's Rights

•  Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)

                       o Comprehensive global policy framework for women’s empowerment.

                       o Covers 12 critical areas: poverty, education, health, violence against women, women in conflict, economy, power/decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment, and girl child.

•  UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace & Security

                      o Key resolutions include:

                      o UNSCR 1325 (2000) – Participation of women in peace building & protection from conflict-related violence.

•  Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), 1989

                     o Protects girl children from discrimination, harmful practices, exploitation, and ensures education and development.

                     o Includes-Optional Protocols on trafficking, child soldiers, and sexual exploitation.

•  Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), 2006

                    o Article 6 specifically protects women and girls with disabilities from discrimination.

                    o Requires states to ensure gender-sensitive disability policies.

•  9. ILO Conventions Related to Women

•  Key Labour Rights Instruments:

1. C100 – Equal Remuneration Convention (1951)
2. C111 – Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (1958)
3. C183 – Maternity Protection Convention (2000)

3. Other Key International Obligations and Guidelines

•  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

                 o Particularly SDG 5: Gender Equality.

                 o Includes targets on violence, harmful practices, political participation, unpaid care work, reproductive health, and economic empowerment.

•  UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (1993)

                o Defines gender-based violence and establishes a global standard for state action.

                o Policies, Regulations and Guidelines

                o National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Development