Sexual Rights at HRC29
The 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 15th of June to the 3rd of July 2015.
Below you will find information regarding anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels and reports, UPR outcomes and parallel events taking place during the 29th session.
Click here to access the full programme of work for HRC29
Expected Resolutions Relevant to Sexual Rights
- Resolution on Violence Against Women – violence in the domestic sphere
- Resolution on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice – cultural and family life
- Resolution on Child, Early and Forced Marriage
- Resolution on the Protection of the Family
Sexual Rights Related Panels
Panel discussion on realizing the equal enjoyment of the right to education by every girl (HRC res. 27/6)
The panel will offer an opportunity for States to discuss remaining obstacles and share good practices in ensuring the human right of girls to good quality education on the basis of substantive equality. Discussions will focus on a broad spectrum of situations and obstacles that girls face when accessing education and the actions and response of States. Furthermore, the panel will also discuss the promotion and protection of human rights through good quality education by focusing on the linkages between education and a range of other civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Click here to download the concept note »
Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women (HRC res. 6/30, 23/25 and 26/15)
Panel 1: Eliminating and preventing domestic violence against women and girls The panel will provide an opportunity to discuss the best practices for prevention, response and protection of victims and survivors, by States and other stakeholders, as well as discuss the constraints and challenges that have held back progress in eliminating violence against women in the home context. In particular the panel will examine the patriarchal order which shapes unequal gender relationships between men and women, norms and attitudes that condone violence against women, prevalent notions of masculinity as well as how women and girls who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination are exposed to increased risk of violence. Click here to download the concept note »
Panel 2: Women’s human rights and participation in power and decision-making The panel discussion will be an opportunity to emphasize the human rights foundations of women’s right to participate in decision-making across all sectors and at all levels. It will examine how multiple human rights denials result in the under-representation of women in all the political and economic spheres. It will also consider the human rights impact of denying women’s voice in decision-making structures, affecting not only women’s right to equality, but also influencing the enjoyment of a host of other human rights. Discussion on actions needed to ensure that decision-makers, both women and men, take action in favour of gender equality will also feature in the panel, as well as effective interventions for addressing harmful gender stereotypes that hold back women and girls. Click here to download the concept note »
Click here for a list of all panels and concept notes
Sexual Rights Related Reports
A/HRC/29/27
Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo.
Click here to read the report »
A/HRC/29/20
Compilation of good practices and major challenges in preventing and eliminating female genital mutilation – Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Click here to download the report »
A/HRC/29/23
Update of report A/HRC/19/41 (on discriminatory laws and practices and acts of violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity) – Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Click here to download the report »
A/HRC/29/40
Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice
Click here to download the report »
A/HRC/29/33
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Dainius Pūras
Click here to download the report »
Click here for a list of all reports
UPR Outcomes
Outcomes from the 21st session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will be adopted during this session of the HRC. The 21st session of the UPR was held from the 19th to the 30th of January 2015.
Fourteen countries were reviewed: Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Guinea, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Spain, Lesotho, Kenya, Armenia, Guinea-Bissau, Sweden, Grenada, Turkey, Guyana, and Kuwait.
SRI collaborated with organizations and individuals in preparing six reports for five countries:
- GrenCHAP and Gorundation Grenada
- Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD)
- Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and Coalition of African Lesbians
- Federación de Planificación Familiar Estatal
- Alianza por la solidaridad, Creacion Positiva
- Women for Women’s Human Rights – New Ways
Click here to review all SRI joint submissions
All Reports from the Working Groups, containing all recommendations received by States Under Review can be accessed here.
Sexual Rights-related Parallel Events
15 JUNE
Falling Between the Cracks: Abuse and Violence against Older Women
12:00-2:00PM, Room XXV
Slovenia
Advancing Human Rights and Access to Justice in the AIDS Response: Now More than Ever
12:00-2:00PM, Room XXVII
Brazil, Netherlands, Poland, UNAIDS
RSVP [email protected]
17 JUNE
Universality of Human Rights
5:00-6:30PM, Room XXVI
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
23 JUNE
The Power of Women 2015: Women’s Leadership in Peace and Security
1:00-3:00PM, Assembly Hall, Building A, 3rd Floor
Finland, Canada and New Zealand Group of Women Ambassadors to the UN in Geneva
Voices of LGBTI Defenders
5:00-6:30PM, Room XXV
CIVICUS, ISHR and ILGA
Violence on Her Skin
6:00PM, E Building 1st Floor
Republic of Slovenia and the EU Delegation
24 JUNE
Women and Natural Resources: Realizing Women’s Peacebuilding
12:00-1:30PM, Room XXVII
Finland