Women continue to face discrimination: UN
Almost every country in the world still has laws that discriminate against women, and promises to remedy this have not been kept, a top United Nations official has said.
By PTI |
HOUSTON: Almost every country in the world still has laws that discriminate against women, and promises to remedy this have not been kept, a top United Nations official has said.
"Many states appear to have simply ignored the commitments they have made. It is shameful that, in the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, fundamental rights are still not enjoyed by many women around the world," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said, the eve of International Women's Day.
"In some cases, they suffer from multiple forms of discrimination, such as race, age or disabilities as well as their gender. Unless states take their commitments seriously, investing in women and girls will remain a matter of rhetoric," she added.
This failure to create genuine legal parity between men and women is having "a detrimental effect on women in many countries sometimes to a devastating degree," according to a new report commissioned by the High Commissioner's Office (OHCHR).
One of the most dangerous examples of this involves the recognition of sexual abuse as a crime under a country's laws and enforcing related legislation. "Rape is recognized as a crime in most legal systems," said Arbour. "But, even when it is, inadequate legislation or local traditions often mean laws are not properly enforced.
"In addition, at least 53 States still do not outlaw rape within marriage, and men frequently enjoy total impunity for physical as well as sexual violence against their wives," she noted.
"Many states appear to have simply ignored the commitments they have made. It is shameful that, in the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, fundamental rights are still not enjoyed by many women around the world," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said, the eve of International Women's Day.
"In some cases, they suffer from multiple forms of discrimination, such as race, age or disabilities as well as their gender. Unless states take their commitments seriously, investing in women and girls will remain a matter of rhetoric," she added.
This failure to create genuine legal parity between men and women is having "a detrimental effect on women in many countries sometimes to a devastating degree," according to a new report commissioned by the High Commissioner's Office (OHCHR).
One of the most dangerous examples of this involves the recognition of sexual abuse as a crime under a country's laws and enforcing related legislation. "Rape is recognized as a crime in most legal systems," said Arbour. "But, even when it is, inadequate legislation or local traditions often mean laws are not properly enforced.
"In addition, at least 53 States still do not outlaw rape within marriage, and men frequently enjoy total impunity for physical as well as sexual violence against their wives," she noted.
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