6 February-19 March 2013 (E05113) | Closed
4 September-15 October 2013 (E05113-2) | Register for this course (page opens in new window)
The idea that "women's rights are human rights" has become a generally accepted refrain and gained secure positioning within international approaches to, and discourse on, international human rights. It took decades of advocacy however for women's rights and gendered diversities to become recognised as relevant to the international human rights system. Feminist theorists have contributed significant critique on the failings of the human rights system in addressing the social, political and economic inequalities specifically affecting women. Legal and normative instruments have been introduced to address the marginalisation of women's interests, such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA, 1995). International policies and strategies such as "gender mainstreaming" have also been developed to advance the achievement of women's rights and gender equality in practice. To date, significant steps have been taken to evolve a human rights system that takes cognizance of the need for gender inequalities and diversities to be inherent to approaches to securing human rights for all.
This e-learning course provides a general introduction to the evolution of concepts of gender equality and women's rights within the international human rights system. It provides a foundational understanding of the centrality of gender equality to human rights discourse generally and how this is addressed within the UN human rights system. Participants will gain an overview of the various legal and normative developments that promote women's rights, address gendered identities and advance practical approaches to securing gender equality. Critical concepts such as intersectionality and cultural relativism will be examined as they relate to the enforcement of existing international approaches to advancing women’s rights.
Through this course, participants will deepen their knowledge about the evolution of human rights frameworks in response to gender inequality and women's empowerment. Participants will be encouraged to think critically about how the human rights system engages with the reality of gender disparities.
This certificate course involves approximately 30 hours of reading, discussion, webinars and quizzes, and is offered over a 6-week period. The course is based on a participatory, active learning approach, with an emphasis on critical reflection and peer-to-peer learning. Participants will do the required readings, prepare interim and final assignments and participate in group discussions. Case studies will be used to enable interactive learning and activities.
Course outline
Week 1: The origins and evolution of "women's rights"
Week 2: Feminist theory and critique of the human rights agenda
Week 3: Gender equality in the UN human rights treaties
Week 4: Gender and identity, incl. sexual orientation and reproductive rights
Week 5: Women's rights in the human rights system
Week 6: Development of gender mainstreaming as key strategy
About the instructors
Corey Barr is Program Associate at Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) where she works on the organization’s distance learning program and self-directed e-courses. Previously, Corey worked as an independent consultant on gender, peace and security issues during which time she worked at the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and subsequently UN Women. Corey has also worked on gender, security, humanitarian affairs and human rights with the International Action Network on Small Arms, the Feinstein International Center at Tufts University, Mercy Corps, Amnesty International and the International Service for Human Rights. Corey holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. She holds a university degree from Hampshire College.
Frank Elbers is Executive Director of Human Rights Education Associates (HREA). He has 20 years of experience in development and human rights in postcommunist Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. He joined HREA in 1998 and has been an instructor and trainer for courses and workshops on human rights-based programming, monitoring children's rights and monitoring women's human rights. Frank has also served as a consultant for the UNIFEM on strategies for violence against women, implementation of CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women), and the Beijing +5 review process. He was a member of the Advisory Committee to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) for the course on Gender and Humanitarian Action: Different Needs, Equal Opportunities. Mr. Elbers holds an MA in political science from the University of Amsterdam.
Who should apply
The course is intended for staff of inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations, (under)graduate students, humanitarian practitioners, gender focal points and others interested in gender equality. Participants should have a good written command of English -- the working language of the course -- and have high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use. HREA aims to ensure equal gender and geographical distribution across the selected participants. The maximum number of course participants is 25. A Certificate of Participation will be awarded upon successful completion of the course. It also possible to audit the course.
Costs
Tuition fee for participants: US$ 575; tuition for auditors: US$ 215.
Payments can be made online by major credit cards (Discover, MasterCard, Visa), PayPal and bank transfer. Bulk rates are available.
Registration
Sessions of this course are offered from 6 February-19 March 2013 (registration is now closed), 4 September-15 October 2013 and 25 September-5 November 2013 (in Spanish.)
Frequently asked questions about HREA's e-learning courses.
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