International Legal Mechanisms for the Protection and Promotion of Women’s Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean
https://doi.org/10.17803/2713-0533.2023.1.23.179-198
Abstract
At both universal and regional levels, women are identified as a vulnerable category of individuals, as they are at the increased risk of becoming victims of human rights violations. Historical experience points to practices and traditions that have purposely limited women’s rights, resulting in entrenched stereotypes against women. The most acute form of violation of women’s rights is gender-based violence. In 2021, at least 4,473 women in Latin America and the Caribbean were victims of feminicide,1 an extreme and deadly form of gender-based violence. The purpose of this article is to analyze the Inter-American international legal mechanisms for the protection and promotion of women’s rights. Both universal international legal instruments and regional Inter-American agreements provide mechanisms that enable individuals, whose rights were violated as a result of discrimination or violence, to submit individual communications. In addition, both universal mechanisms and regional Inter-American mechanisms promote the gender agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the implementation of international law in national legislation. The in-depth analysis of Inter-American mechanisms for the protection and promotion of women’s rights reveals both the system’s unique features and its shortcomings. In particular, the two-level system of individual communications submission means that not all cases, which deal with the protection of women’s rights against violence, reach the Inter- American Court of Human Rights. Moreover, the insignificant number of cases of women’s rights violations heard before the Court points to the weak law enforcement practice within the existing Inter-American mechanisms. In addition to the Inter-American regulation within the framework of the OAS, this article examines the activities of integration sub-regional unions, such as Mercosur and the Andean Community. In particular, these integration unions, as well as ECLAC — the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, contribute to gender equality and the empowerment of women within the region.
Keywords
women’s rights,
protection and promotion,
vulnerable groups,
Organization of American States (OAS),
international treaties,
Inter-American mechanisms,
Inter-American Commission of Women,
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights,
Inter-American Court of Human Rights,
sub-regional level,
Mercosur,
Andean Community,
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
About the Authors
D. K. Bekyashev
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Damir K. Bekyashev, Dr. Sci. (Law), Professor
76 Vernadskogo Av., Moscow 119454
Scopus ID: 57210159096
WoS Researcher ID: U-3467-2018
N. A. Sheremet
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Natalia A. Sheremet, Postgraduate student (Law)
76 Vernadskogo Av., Moscow 119454
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Review
For citations:
Bekyashev D.K., Sheremet N.A. International Legal Mechanisms for the Protection and Promotion of Women’s Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. Kutafin Law Review. 2023;10(1):179-198. https://doi.org/10.17803/2713-0533.2023.1.23.179-198
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