Human Rights

All human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Their full and equal enjoyment by women and girls is a priority for Governments and the United Nations and is essential for the advancement of women.

Governments must not only refrain from violating the human rights of all women but work actively to promote and protect these rights,

Recognition of the importance of women's human rights is reflected in the fact that three quarters of the UN Member States have become parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. However, the gap between the existence of rights and their effective enjoyment derives from a lack of commitment by Governments in promoting and protecting those rights and the failure of Governments to inform women and men alike about them.

The Platform recommends action to:
• Promote and protect the human rights of women by fully implementing all human rights instruments, especially the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
• Review national laws to ensure implementation of all international human rights agreements;
• Ensure equality and non-discrimination under the law and in practice;
• Achieve legal literacy.

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