​In this workshop, representatives from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Secretariat of the UN Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) familiarised participants with the most important international legal frame-works and mechanisms relevant for gender equality and women’s rights. Participants got an introduc-tion into CEDAW and its reporting system, as well as into the special procedures of the Human Rights Council (HRC) (e.g. the special rapporteur on violence against women) and its universal periodic review (UPR) system for accountability. Participants learnt how they can make use of these international legal framework for their daily work e.g. for policy dialogue or in project proposals, for example when providing funds or small grants for the development of a civil society’s shadow report to one of the procedures, or by building capacities for government and national structures for the implementation of the international instruments. The presenters from OHCHR Gender-Unit as well as from CEDAW showed a number of concrete country examples, so participants were exposed to concrete examples from their partner countries. Participants finally received most important reference and links on where to find in-formation on their countries, so they can use it for advocacy and holding their government accountable.

OHCHR / CEDAW Secretariat: Women’s Human Rights
Further information: Veronica Birga (OHCHR), Jakob Schneider (CEDAW Secretariat)

Gender Shareweb: Policies and Legal Framework