SI UN Representative Wilfrida Hendrickx attended the 20th Session of the Human Rights Council. She reports back from a side event on Harmful
traditional Practices against Women and Girls – Laws vs. practic.
During the 20th regular session of the Human Rights Council (18 June – 6
July 2012), special attention was brought to women’s human rights, and for
finding reparations for women who have been subjected to violence stemming from
certain traditional practices, including early marriage, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting,
acid attack, stoning, accusations of witchcraft and honour killings.
This side event highlighted the gap between laws and practice in harmful
traditional/cultural practices and attempted to define the actions needed to
realise the elimination of these practices.
Every year 10 millions of girls are married before they are 18. Child
marriage violates the rights of children. Girl brides drop out of school. As a
result, their employment options are restricted, and earning a safe and
reliable income becomes more difficult. Furthermore,
they are more likely to fall pregnant before their bodies are ready. Maternal
mortality amongst young mothers is very high, with increased risk of death or
serious injury such as fistula. Research also suggests that child brides are
more exposed to sexual abuse and domestic violence.
In many parts of the world older women are accused of witchcraft,
particularly single or widowed women. They can be ostracised from their
communities, physically attacked or killed. Little action is taken because it is linked to sensitive issues of tradition
and culture. This panel sought a clear and honest discussion on the
implications of these practices on the human rights of women and girls.
Harmful traditional/cultural practices are a violation of human rights and a
discrimination and violence against women. Laws have been made but a gap exists
between law and reality. Despite the laws, those practices continue to exist.
The panel concluded that political will is crucial if more specific laws and
regulations are to come into force, and to facilitate the establishment of
structures and services for helping, compensating and rehabilitating the
victim/survivors of these practices. However, there was general agreement that in the context of beliefs and
values, laws are necessary but not sufficient. A change in values and mind set
is needed and this can only be achieved through education. Crucially, human
rights education.
There is an important need for more dialogue in communities where such harmful
traditional/cultural practices continue. Empowering woman and girls through
education is essential to achieve this goal. Women and girls must have equal
access to secondary education, to enable them to build upon their knowledge and
give them the confidence to assert their rights as they become teenagers and
young adults. Programmes should also involve the parents and community leaders.
I will never be cut: Kenyan girls fight back against FGM/C (The Guardian)
Against an institutionally supportive background where the legal processes
support and advocate for the human rights of all, such actions will counter
harmful traditional/cultural practises.
There are many actions Soroptimists can take both locally and
internationally to support education provision, outreach and community
sensitisation programmes. It is necessary to raise awareness on this difficult
topic, to enhance understanding and to lobby decision makers on this subject.
For more information….
Human Rights Council:
www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session20/Pages/20RegularSession.aspx