International Movement For Women’s Right:AnAnalysis

Shagufta OmarIncharge Dawah Centre for Women

Dawah Academy IIUI

International Movement of Women’s Rights: An Analysis Background Start of Feminist movement Feminist theories Gaining international attention after establishment of United Nations in 1945

United Nations First session of United Nations

In San Francisco(USA) in 1945 Agenda: Human RightObjectives of United Nations

Superemacy and dominance of economic and cultural policies of west

Protection of western countries interests

Formation of sub commissions of UN United Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in 1946

Early Developments Under UN Declaring International Year for Women (1975)

Declaring a Decade for development of Women: 1975 to 1985

First International conference for Women announced to held in 1875

International conferences 1st conference in 1975, under UNESCO in Mexico (North America) Agenda: Equality, Peace and Development

2nd conference in 1980,in Copenhagen (Denmark) Agenda: Equity vs Equality Plan of action for 2nd half of the decade

3rd conference in 1985, in Nairobi (Kenya) Nairobi Forward Looking Strategy (NFLS) Agenda: Women Rights are Human Rights

International conferences (Cont’d) In 1990 4th conference could not be held 4th conference in 1995 in Beijing (China)

Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) Agenda: Beiging Platform for Action (BPA): 12 Areas of Concern

5th conference in 2000, New York (USA) Beijing +5,United Nation’s General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS)

Agenda: Women 2000, Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 21st C in the light of BPA

International conferences (Cont’d) Beijing + 10

Proposed in 2005 Postponed till Agenda: review of BPA from 1995 till date

UN General Assembly Sessions

Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Prepared and approved by the general assembly of UN, in 1979

Stated as the blue print of all future efforts for women’s rights

CEDAW was based on various surveys and conferences from 1945 - 1975

Comprising of 30 points, 14 points remaining dealt with

CEDAW (Cont’d) UN aid was linked with signing of CEDAW in 1981

Majority of countries became signatory

Pakistan signed in 1994 or 1996, in ICPD, Cairo with reservation

Not yet signed by USA and Israil

CEDAW (Cont’d) Definition of discrimination (article 2)

Elimination of stereotypes (article 5)

Changing of laws ???? Changing of Constitutions????? Establishment of International court???/

Definition of Discrimination The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

Implications on signatory states to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;

to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and

to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises

Beijing platform of action:12 areas of concern Poverty of women Education of women Equal job opportunities

Health facilities for women

Media and women Political representation of women

Institutional set up for women

Girl child Violence against women

Human rights of women

War and women Environment and women

Disabled women

Beijing conference (1995) 45000 women participated from all over the world

International Institutions Working For Women Development

UNCSW United Nation Commission on the Status of Women

DAW Division for the Advancement of Women CONGO Conference of Non-government Organizations in consultative relationship with the United States (Member association of NGO’s)

Implementation of CEDAW and BPA in Pakistan: 1994/6 till Date Establishment of inquiry commission on the status of Women in 1994

5 years report in the light of BPA

National plan of action (NPA) Gender Reform Action Plan (GRAP) Establishment of Non Government Liaison Service (NGLS) in 1975

Implementation of CEDAW and BPA in Pakistan: 1994/6 till Date (Cont’d) Establishment of NCSW in 2000

Mandate and reports of NCSW Annual reports Report with reference to Hudood Ordinance

Amendment in criminal laws (Hadd-e-Zina Ordinance, Hadd-e-Qazaf ordinance, PPC, CrPc, Dissolutions of Muslim Marriage Act DMMA1939) in the name of Women Protection Act (WPA)

Report of Inquiry Commission On the Status of Women Published in 1997 Foreword Areas covered out of the scope Positive recommendations Recommendations contrary to constitutional implications and against Quranic and Hadith teachings

Recommendations of the report Abolition of Federal Shariah Court Repeal of Hudood Ordinances Inclusion of UN and other family laws

Provision of Reproductive rights Legalization of abortion Equal rights of inheritance, evidence, de'yat and guardianship

Recommendations of the report (Cont’d) Inheritance for the widow of the deceased son

Right of marriage irrespective of any religion

To treat marital rape as crime and accord punishment

Maintenance of divorcee till remarriage or death by the ex husband

Joint electoral poll for non Muslims

Women’s Rights Movement And Our Responsibilities Realization of related facts at local, national and international level

Abolition of local customs and traditions affecting womens rights negatively

Changing discriminatory attitudes undermining status of women

Acquisition of factual data to assess the real situation with referance to womens rights