Women’s Human Rights in Disaster Contexts: How Can CEDAW Help?

Citation:

Acar, Feride, and Gamze Ege. 2001. “Women’s Human Rights in Disaster Contexts: How Can CEDAW Help?” Paper presented at the Expert Group Meeting on Environmental Management and the Mitigation of Natural Disasters: a Gender Perspective, Ankara, Turkey, November 6-9.

Authors: Feride Acar, Gamze Ege

Annotation:

The authors describe how CEDAW can contribute to the promotion of women’s human rights during and after disasters. They start by describing the unique experiences of women in post-disaster periods. As a result of social, economic, and other factors, women often face greater hardships than men during recovery. In addition, post-disaster policies and efforts can overlook or even contradict women’s human rights. The authors argue that CEDAW can be used as a forum to promote the human rights of women in several ways. It will be able to field inquiries into the treatment of women and how this can be improved in the face of disasters. It can also partner with other bodies of the UN to raise awareness and to give recommendations for facilitating women’s human rights. 168 states are party to CEDAW; the Convention thus has the ability to be used as a tool for change.

Topics: Environment, Environmental Disasters, Gender, Women, Humanitarian Assistance, International Organizations, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Rights, Women's Rights

Year: 2001