Gender inequality is an affront to human dignity, a challenge to the rule of law and an obstacle to development. Denying women of their rightful place in society – by depriving them of equal access to education, justice or livelihood – means robbing societies of the talent and potential of half of their members. In securing every social need from peace to food, the role of women has been shown to be paramount.
Although gender equality is increasingly a feature of national Constitutions, the law often continues to restrict women's rights and freedoms, dictates their submission to male relatives, or limits what they may own or inherit.
In partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, from 2017 to 2020, IDLO implemented projects to create a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs in Jordan.
Through baseline assessments and field research, IDLO identified key legal, social and economic obstacles that hinder women entrepreneurs from resolving business-related disputes.
As five African countries, including Kenya, gear up for elections later this year, IDLO’s Director-General, Irene Khan, visited Nairobi to support ongoing work in the country and met with officials to discuss electoral justice, good governance and gender equality.
“We are privileged to protect the rights of all women, but especially those who are the most vulnerable, who are poor, who have no voice, and who […] put their lives in our hands,” opened Judge Susana Medina de Rizzo of the Superior Court of Justice of Entre Rios, Argentina, and President of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ)
Teresa Mugadza, IDLO’s Country Director for Liberia. When I took up post in Monrovia last summer, what struck me most was that I found a committed and cooperative judiciary, but one handicapped by a lack of resources. Often, people erroneously think that Liberia has no legal framework, but that is not true.
HIGH-LEVEL EVENT: On the occasion of the visit to Kenya of its Director-General Irene Khan, IDLO is hosting a high-level panel discussion on “Assessing ongoing reforms for gender equality in Kenya within the context of constitutional transformation”.
Rape is the second most commonly reported serious crime in Liberia, yet many survivors fail to get justice.
In a country where in 2013, rape and domestic violence were reported as accounting for over 70 per cent of all serious reported crimes, IDLO has been providing crucial support in forensic training.
In Liberia, the WHO estimates that between 61 and 77% of women and girls were raped during the civil war, and gender-based violence continues to be prevalent.
Gender equality, justice, good governance and the rule of law dominated discussions the Director-General of IDLO, Irene Khan, held with officials during a recent visit to Canada.
Tunisia is regarded as a leader in the region, and even globally, on progressive gender legislation and initiatives, including on women’s participation in all aspects of public life. The 2014 Constitution upholds the principles of equality of rights and duties between men and women, and confirmed the obligation of the State to protect and strengthen women’s gains and their equal representation in senior positions and in elected bodies. However, operationalizing the constitutional mandate in the justice sector remains challenging.
STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION
Commission of the Status of Women, General Discussion (Item 3)
March 16, 2017
New York
Delivered by Judit Arenas, Director – External Relations & Deputy Permanent Observer to the United Nations, IDLO
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Chair,
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