A/HRC/27/73
I. Introduction
1.
During its twenty-sixth session, the Human Rights Council held its annual full
day of discussion on women’s human rights in accordance with its resolution 6/30.
The full-day discussion took place on 17 June 2014. The discussions were divided
into two panels. The first panel addressed the impact of gender stereotypes and
gender stereotyping on the recognition, exercise and enjoyment of women’s human
rights. The second panel focused on the intersections between realizing women’s
rights and achieving sustainable development.
2.
The present summary report sets out the main issues raised during the
discussions including the conclusions and recommendations. As the two panels were
separate but addressed related issues, the report presents the discussions under the
two separate themes.
3.
The summary report on the discussions was prepared by the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the request of the Human
Rights Council.
II.
Panel I — The impact of gender stereotypes on the
recognition and enjoyment of women’s human rights
4.
The panel on the impact of gender stereotypes on the recognition and
enjoyment of women’s human rights was moderated by Todd Minerson, Executive
Director, White Ribbon Campaign, and composed of Dubravka Simonovic, Member
of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, Simone
Cusack, Lawyer, Veronica Undurraga, Law Professor, Adolfo Ibáñez University, and
Yetnebersh Nigussi, Executive Director, Ethiopian Centre for Disability and
Development.
A.
Panel summary
5.
In her opening statement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights stressed that the issue of gender stereotypes and its impact on women’s
human rights was of fundamental importance to every society. The High
Commissioner said that in the past few decades, almost every State had
acknowledged women’s equality — in principle. Yet it was rarely fully realized. One
problem was the lack of real commitment from decision makers, but another obstacle
stemmed from deep-seated gender stereotypes about women’s supposedly proper
attributes, characteristics or place in the family and society. Women continued to be
treated as dependants or minors by many justice systems, formal and informal, and
according to the World Bank at least nine countries still had laws requiring women to
obey their husbands, and many countries still condition ed women’s access to health
services on the authorization from a husband, father or brother. Even when the law
itself was free of overt discrimination, gender stereotypes created tremendous
obstacles to women’s pursuit of justice, particularly in cases of gender-based
violence, marriage and family, economic opportunities and women and adolescent
girls’ sexual and reproductive health. She recalled human rights obligations to
eliminate harmful stereotypes and called on States to implement th ose obligations.
6.
Ms. Simonovic spoke about the importance of the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and outlined some of its
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