21 April-6 July 2010 | On-line application
Instructor: Indai Sajor

The World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 produced the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, recognising "women's rights as human rights" which was one of the most discussed "new" human rights debates. By the end of the conference 171 governments signed an agreement on various aspects of human rights, and the declaration unequivocally stated:

"The human rights of women and of the girl-child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. The full and equal participation of women in the political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex, are priority objectives of the international community".

Now human rights systems provided a way for women to hold governments, communities and international institutions accountable to basic human rights standards. A crucial part of this is the recognition of human rights education and respect of ones rights. The fundamental principles of human rights accorded to each and every person - the entitlement to human dignity - gave women language for recounting violations and impediments to exercise their human rights. The international covenants, agreements and commitments about human rights gave women political credence and a leverage position of reference. In understanding women's rights as human rights this also involves a gendered lens. A human rights perspective needs to recognise the interconnectedness of gender and other aspects of identity such as race, class, religion, age, sexual orientation, culture, refugee, IDPs or migrant status. Discrimination and violence against women are shaped by how gender responds with such circumstances. For example rape of women in war and armed conflict situations has shown that the gender racial/ethnic components of sexual violence in conflict cannot be separated out.

This distance learning course is an introduction to documenting and monitoring women's human rights issues and gender equality, including sexual and gender based violence, women in situations of armed conflict, education, political rights and freedoms, and special protection measures. It will critically look at the gendered dimension to women's human rights violations and the challenges in implementing and monitoring these rights in an analytical framework. The course will address the cycle of monitoring, including tool development; methodologies for carrying out documentation; and the application of results for improving the respect, protection, prevention and realization of women's human rights.

The course involves approximately 50 hours of reading, on-line working groups, assignments, and interaction among students and the instructor, and is offered over a 11-week period beginning on 21 April 2010. The course will integrate active and participatory learning approaches within activities and assignments, with an emphasis on reflective and collaborative learning. Participants will do the required reading, prepare interim and final project assignments, including case studies, and participate in group discussions.

The maximum number of course participants is 25. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation. It is also possible to audit the course.

Course outline

Week 1. Introduction to Women's Human Rights, and the Role of the International, Regional and national standards
Week 2. Monitoring Women’s Human Rights Issues - Concepts and Methodology
Week 3. Basic Principles of Monitoring
Week 4. Information-Gathering
Week 5. Documentation and Reporting
Week 6. "Open week"
Week 7.  Monitoring Women's Political Participation
Week 8.  Monitoring Sexual and Gender Based Violence
Week 9.  Monitoring Violence Against Women
Week 10. Monitoring Women's Rights in Armed Conflict
Week 11. Preparation of Monitoring Reports and Follow-Up

About the instructor

Indai Sajor is an internationally known activist and educator in the field of women's human rights. She is Founder and former Executive Director of Asian Women's Human Rights Centers, and has been Executive Director of the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice at the International Criminal Court. From 1998 to 2001, she served as co-convener of the Women's International War Crimes Tribunal on Japan's Military Sexual Slavery, a landmark initiative to redress the Japanese military sexual enslavement of women from nine Asian countries and recognize sexual violence against women as a crime against humanity. Ms Sajor documented the experiences of Filipino Comfort Women, eventually filing a case against the Japanese government for its abuses in April 1993. Much of her career has been devoted to articulating and training others to defend women's human rights throughout Asia and Africa, and to documenting women's human rights violations in situations of armed conflict. Her numerous publications include The Impact of Chemical Warfare into the Reproductive Rights of the Women and Men in Vietnam (2000, co-edited with Le Thi Nham Tuyet), Common Grounds: Violence Against Women in War and Armed Conflicts (1998), Women and Human Rights and the Challenge of HIV/AIDS (1994), and Seizing the Alternative to Forge a Better Future (1994). Ms Sajor has been a trainer for HREA since 2005.

Who should apply

The course is intended for human rights/women's rights staff of NGOs, intergovernmental and government agencies, women's advocates and related professionals. 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

The course tuition fee is US$ 725; permanent residents of non-OECD countries are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of US$ 450. Tuition for auditors is US$ 275; permanent residents of non-OECD countries are eligible for a discounted tuition rate of US$ 175. Unfortunately, there are no scholarships available for this course.

* Current member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Applications

The deadline for applications was 1 February 2010. However, applications from applicants who intend to pay the full tuition rate can still be considered.

On-line application

Frequently asked questions about HREA's distance learning courses.