Exploring the Potential of the UN Treaty Body System in Addressing Sexuality Rights
IWRAW Asiaia Pacific Paper No. 11
36 Pages Posted: 9 Sep 2009
Date Written: 2007
Abstract
This paper seeks to explore the potential of the United Nations (UN) treaty body system in addressing sexuality rights, especially that related to the sexual identity/preference/orientation of women.1 It investigates what scope the system - which represents a major global human rights standard-setting structure - offers advocates to protect and forward these rights, at the same time identifies and discusses points where caution may be necessary. In so doing, the paper hopes to serve as a tool of reflection for women’s groups, on the importance of dealing with the right to sexual identity/preference/orientation. It calls on those already (or planning to be) engaged with the different treaty bodies - in particular, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (the CEDAW Committee) - to include this concern in their agendas, and to do so in a way that will promote an expanded understanding and recognition of sexuality rights.
Keywords: CEDAW, sexuality, human rights, sogi
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation