Human Dignity and Human Rights Caucus Concept Paper
Human rights and the struggle for gender equity:
Confronting structural violence against women
The recognition of violence against women as a form of discrimination and, thus, a human rights violation, provides
an entry point for understanding the broad context from which such violence emerges and related risk factors. The
central premise of the analysis of violence against women within the human rights framework is that the specific
causes of such violence and the factors that increase the risk of its occurrence are grounded in the broader context
of systemic gender-based discrimination against women and other forms of subordination. Such violence is a
manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between women and men reflected in both public and private
life. The human rights-based approach reveals the scope of women’s inequality and points to the linkages between
violations of a range of women’s human rights, including violence against women. It highlights the link between the
realization of women’s rights and the elimination of power disparities. Vulnerability to violence is understood as a
condition created by the absence or denial of rights.
– “The context and causes of violence against women.” In-depth study on all forms of violence against women:
Report of the Secretary-General (page 27, paragraph 65). 6 July 2006.
Women’s human rights, gender equity, violence against women and gender-based discrimination are
not new terms. Moreover, many international laws, declarations, platforms and mechanisms
mandating respect, protection and fulfillment of women’s human rights exist and have been in place,
in some cases, for several decades. However, the reality for millions of women and girls today
remains systemic violence, discrimination, abject poverty, insecurity and other fundamental violations
of their human rights– the result of intrinsically patriarchal systems of power and decision-making.
New challenges such as neo-liberal economic restructuring, increased human trafficking and
HIV/AIDS wreak further havoc on women’s lives. In such a global climate, achieving global gender
equity takes on new urgency. The World Social Forum (WSF)– a venue for exploring strategies for
social justice, international solidarity, women’s rights, peace and environment protection– is a key
opportunity to further this struggle.
The above quote from the UN Secretary-General’s special report on violence against women
eloquently highlights the main concepts and connections that the Human Dignity and Human Rights
Caucus (HDHRC) thematic seminar on “Human rights and the struggle for gender equity” intends to
explore. It provides a good starting point for analysis of violence against women, directing us to
unequal underlying power relationships in public and private life. Violence against women (VAW)
encompasses a wide range of violations of women’s rights including not only physical and sexual
gender-based violence but also forms of social and economic exclusion. In fact, it is pervasive
structural violence that women confront around the world today: physical and psychological harm
that results from exploitative and unjust social, political and economic systems. Structural violence is
particularly insidious because it is more subtle and submerged, built into the very fabric of society,
initiated and maintained by existing systems, and based on repressive norms and traditions. It
includes economic deprivation, discrimination in education, limits on citizenship, social values and
roles, and lack of property rights. Structural violence comprises the conscious and sub-conscious
attitudes, beliefs and actions of every day social realities. It is pervasive in law, media, education,
religion, social relations, work, the environment and cultural arrangements. Above all, impoverished
and marginalized groups of women experience structural violence’s most horrific outcomes. Thus,
structural violence must be redressed in order to overcome persistent discrimination, oppression and
violations of women’s rights and achieve gender equity.
Human rights, the overarching theme of the HDHRC program, provide an effective framework to
redress structural violence, identify key challenges to achieving gender equity, analyze those
challenges from a global perspective, and define strategies and tools for confronting and overcoming
them. As the Secretary-General’s report points out, “the human-rights approach reveals the scope of
women’s inequality and points to the linkages between violations of a range of women’s human
rights.” Furthermore, the significant and growing body of international human rights law provides a
strong universal basis of redress, laying out states’ obligations to protect women from violations of
their rights and holds them accountable (in theory, if not in practice) for a failure to do so. Support
for women’s self-empowerment to claim their rights is paramount however. Women must be enabled
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HDHRC, World Social Forum 2007
Coalition
Concept Paper: “Human rights and the struggle for gender equity”
2006
Gender Equity
20 November
to define their rights, access resources and justice to realise them and participate in decision-making
processes. So long as structural violence remains invisible, however, vast challenges remain: in
particular, opposition based on claims of religious and cultural practices continues and justifications
due to conflict and human disasters persist. The struggle for just, peaceful and equitable societies
based on human dignity and human rights must centre on systems that include and embrace women
as fully equal partners and contributors within society.
Several important outcomes of the HDHRC thematic seminar on “Human rights and the struggle for
gender equity” are anticipated. The seminar will deepen global discussion on VAW by promoting the
inclusive concept of structural violence. Women experience many forms of structural violence, often
at the same time. Promoting a more inclusive understanding validates women’s lived experiences,
deepens awareness of the root of violations and opens the door for policy-makers to initiate more
multifaceted responses to VAW. The seminar will emphasize the links between systems of power that
sustain gender inequity and women’s everyday, localized experiences of violence. Doing so facilitates
a fuller understanding of why and how gender inequity persists around the globe, and points to the
deep changes needed to ensure that women are fully empowered citizens. The seminar will highlight
prevalent forms of structural violence, connecting local experiences and actions with global patterns
and responses. The positive side of globalization is increased coordination and dialogue among
women’s rights activists and organizations around the world. Reinforcing these connections adds
weight to community and national initiatives for women’s human rights and augments pressure for
international action. The seminar will explore widely applicable and flexible strategies for overcoming
challenges to gender equity. Action for change is the ultimate objective of these events. The seminar
will foster interaction and alliances between human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, gender
experts and other interested parties. By offering an open and inclusive space this HDHRC event will
provide an opportunity to share and learn from one another’s experiences, analyze actions and their
implications, discuss alternative strategies and mobilize. By pursuing these outcomes, this seminar
will reinforce joint strategies and, in the long term, strengthen the struggle to ensure human rights
and gender equity in the lives of all girls and boys, women and men.
The seminar will be a multimedia tribunal-type event where a panel of three experts will hear two
cases of structural violence against women: one focused on social and economic exclusion and the
other on sexual gender-based violence. While each case will be grounded in the particularities of its
geographical setting, the presenter will highlight its connections with global patterns of women’s
human rights violations. Panelists will then offer legal, political, institutional, economic, social, cultural
and grassroots perspectives on the violations and strategies for confronting them. Audience members
will be invited to share their experiences as well. A debate on possible strategies to overcome
obstacles and deep-seated discriminatory mindsets will conclude the session.
The seminar will be followed by workshops and activities focusing on specific issues within the human
rights and gender equity theme. One such activity will consist of recording interviews with women
who have experienced violence and wish to share their stories. Another will involve the production of
a daily newsletter on gender justice issues and gender-focused activities at the WSF. A range of
workshops will explore themes including international legal instruments on women’s rights, genderbased violence, macroeconomic policy and women, urban poverty, land rights, women’s health,
harmful customary practices, women peacebuilders and leadership, as well as case studies on specific
countries. The emphasis for the seminar and subsequent workshops is to move beyond discussion
and identify strategies for change, and to pave the way for Day 4 of the WSF– designated for
defining alliances, strategies and future actions for achieving a just and equitable world.
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