Women’s rights, multilateralism, and international conventions – Where, and when to fight for women’s reproductive rights? 

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention of Human Rights are only some of the conventions that were signed internationally, intending to guarantee women’s dignity, freedom and health. But, what promises can the signatories be held accountable for? 

In certain European and Latin American countries as well as in the United States, the reproductive rights of women have undergone drastic restrictions. This has urged women, and many other sympathizers, to take to the streets in protest for these rights. Activists, affected people and organisations have cited the conventions, proclaimed reproductive rights as health care and categorised the restricted access to them as torturous. It goes without saying that these conventions play an essential role for women and their health: they are a stepping stone for legal change, and are regularly mobilized to protect reproductive rights. But what power do they have? Do the egalitarian intentions, present throughout the texts, represent hope for a better future or are they harbingers of real political change? 

We are honoured to welcome Paola Daher, Senior Global Advocacy Advisor at the Center For Reproductive Rights, who will share her expertise on promoting reproductive rights at the Human Rights Council, and the experience acquired during her long-standing engagement to strengthen standards pertaining to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

Date: April 27th

Time: 18:30

Place: Foound (Rue Jean-Dassier 7, Geneva)

Register here.