External Publications
Ethical concerns in female genital cutting
This article by Rebecca J. Cook examines the practice of female genital mutilation; the contexts in which it has been and is currently practiced, its forms and extent, social and health consequences, and professional responses.
A Blueprint for UN Women
A Blueprint for UN Women outlines the views of 100 civil society organisations – working in 75 countries on women's human rights, gender equality and social justice – on the role UN Women should play.
Combatting Acid Violence in Bangladesh, India and Cambodia
Acid violence involves intentional acts of violence in which perpetrators throw, spray, or pour acid onto victims’ faces and bodies. This Report examines acid violence in Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia from an international human rights
perspective. Using this framework, it identifies the causes of acid violence and suggests practical solutions to address them. Acid violence is prevalent in these countries because of three related factors: gender inequality and discrimination, the easy availability of acid, and impunity for acid attack perpetrators.
A Measure of Equality for Afghan Women: Rights in Practice
In April 2007, Rights & Democracy launched a project entitled A Measure of Equality for Afghan Women: Rights in Practice. The aim of this project is to support the process of family law reform to bring it in line with the Constitution of Afghanistan and the obligations under international human rights treaties.
CEDAW and Muslim Family Laws: In Search of Common Ground
This report is based on a Musawah research project on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (‘CEDAW’ or ‘the Convention’) that examined States parties’ justifications for their failure to implement CEDAW with regard to family laws and practices that discriminate against Muslim women. The research project reviewed documents for 44 countries with Muslim majority or significant Muslim minority populations that reported to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (‘CEDAW Committee’ or ‘the Committee’) from 2005 to 200.
The World's Women: Trends and Statistics 2010
The World’s Women 2010 is intended to contribute to the stocktaking being done to mark the fifteenth anniversary of the Beijing Conference. It addresses critical aspects of life: population, families, health, education, work, power and decision-making, violence against women, environment and poverty.
Afghanistan: High Stakes in Girls' Education
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Millions of girls have entered school in Afghanistan, since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. It is one of the few good news stories of the last nine years. However, the deteriorating security situation and the international community’s focus on stabilization and counter-insurgency rather than on long-term development means this good news story is in danger of turning bad. A new approach from both the Afghan government and donors is urgently required to hold onto the gains that have been made.
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Reference tool for women human rights defenders
The Association for Women In Development (AWID) has compiled a useful reference tool for women human rights defenders, in collaboration with the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition.
The compilation lists research materials dealing with the security and protection of defenders, resources that women activists can consult concerning their wellbeing and self-care, manuals dealing with how to document and monitor violations of women’s rights, as well as manuals on the rights and mechanisms available to women human rights defenders at risk.
Violence Against Women & Girls - Questions & Answers
This report by the UK Gender and Development Network (GADN) answers frequent questions about violence against women and girls.
Iran: Executions by stoning
Death by stoning is the mandatory sentence for “adultery while married” in Iran. Even though a moratorium on such executions was announced in 2002, stonings continue.
In this document Amnesty International calls on the Iranian authorities to fully respect the moratorium, including by ensuring that all individuals sentenced to stoning will not face execution by other means.