LAW7311 - International human rights law and women

Leader(s): Ms Kate Eastman

Offered

City (Melbourne) Term 4 2009 (On-campus block of classes)

Synopsis

Securing the protection and promotion of the human rights of women remains a challenge in the 21st century. Notwithstanding the significant advances in international human rights norms relating to women, systemic discrimination and inequality are part of everyday life for many women in the world. Moreover, securing human rights for women is proving more difficult than for men in many areas, particularly because of traditional stereotypes and cultural practices. Additionally, many human rights abuses relate solely to, or impact more significantly on, women, such as, violence, human trafficking, and female genital mutilation.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit, students should:

• appreciate the historical development of women's human rights within the broader international human rights movement;
• understand, analyse and critically comment on the theoretical debates about securing the human rights of women, including debates about discrimination, equality, the public-private divide, cultural relativism and mainstreaming human rights;
• understand, analyse and critically comment on the international approaches to securing the human rights of women;
• evaluate the impact and challenges of cultural practices on the realisation of women's human rights;
• have a comprehensive understanding of the international human rights obligations and standards pertaining to women, including relevant international treaties, customary international law and the domestic means of implementing international norms;
• have a comprehensive understanding of the international human rights system as it relates to the protection and promotion of women; and
• have a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms for enforcing the human rights of women.

Assessment

Research paper (3,750 words): 50%

Take home examination (3,750 words): 50%

or

Research paper (7,500 words): 100%

Contact hours

24 contact hours per semester (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements)

Prerequisites

LAW7026