We suggest the Committee develops an intersectional analysis that recognizes the ableist, racist, classist, sexist and patriarchal systems, structures and institutions that define “productivity” and “dependency," gateways to the world of work. The Committee must not fall into the trap of reinforcing patriarchal, racist, ableist and classist social and moral values into the concept of work by relying on the traditional views of labour, productivity and dependency.

Instead, the Committee should directly debunk them by recognizing that work is not necessary or equivalent to dignity and worth. These “values” are tied to the idea of normalcy and must be challenged, including by opening paths for dignity outside of the right to work; this is the right not to work and still have material conditions to live and enjoy life.

Sugerimos al Comité que desarrolle un análisis interseccional tomando en cuenta los sistemas, estructuras e instituciones capacitistas, racistas, clasistas, sexistas y patriarcales que definen la “productividad” y la “dependencia,” puertas de ingreso al mundo del trabajo. El Comité no debe caer en la trampa de reforzar valores sociales y morales patriarcales, racistas, capacitistas y clasistas en el concepto de “trabajo” al apoyarse en puntos de vista tradicionales acerca del trabajo, la productividad y la dependencia.

Por el contrario, el Comité debe refutar directamente esos valores reconociendo que tener trabajo no es condición necesaria ni equivale a la dignidad y mérito de las personas. Esos “valores” están atados a la idea de normalidad y deben ser cuestionados, por ejemplo, abriendo caminos para la dignidad por fuera del derecho al trabajo y al empleo: en esto consiste el derecho a no trabajar y aun así contar con condiciones materiales para vivir y disfrutar de la vida.

Nous suggérons que le Comité développe une analyse intersectionnelle qui reconnaisse les systèmes, structures et institutions capactistes, racistes, classistes, sexistes et patriarcaux qui définissent la « productivité » et la « dépendance », portes d’entrée dans le monde du travail. Le Comité ne doit pas tomber dans le piège d’un renforcement des valeurs sociales et morales patriarcales, racistes, capacitistes et classistes dans le concept de travail en s’appuyant sur les conceptions traditionnelles du travail, de la productivité et de la dépendance. Au contraire, le Comité devrait directement les démystifier en reconnaissant que le travail n’est pas nécessaire ou équivalent à la dignité et à la valeur. Ces « valeurs » sont liées à l’idée de normalité et doivent être remises en question, notamment en ouvrant des avenues pour la dignité en marge du droit au travail – il s’agit du droit de ne pas travailler et de continuer à bénéficier des conditions matérielles pour vivre et profiter de la vie.

This submission first suggests that the Committee should develop an intersectional analysis that recognizes the ableist, sexist and patriarchal systems, structures and institutions that define productivity and dependency. Secondly, it highlights how the full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights, broadly understood, redistributes resources, legitimacy, and power, therefore conditioning access to and keeping work. In reciprocity, access to work mediates the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights. The submission concludes by suggesting recommendations for structural changes to accessing work, health, education, and social protection systems.

En este escrito proponemos que el Comité lleve a cabo un análisis interseccional reconociendo que existen sistemas, estructuras e instituciones capacitistas, sexistas y patriarcales que definen lo que se entiende por “productividad” y por “dependencia.” Luego subrayamos cómo el pleno disfrute de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos, entendido en un sentido amplio, implica la redistribución de recursos, legitimidad y poder, condicionando de esa manera el acceso al trabajo y al empleo, así como la posibilidad de conservarlos. A su vez, el acceso al trabajo y al empleo afecta el ejercicio de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos. A modo de conclusión, se proponen cambios estructurales para favorecer el acceso al trabajo y al empleo, así como a los sistemas de salud, educación y protección social.

Ce mémoire propose dans un premier temps que le Comité développe une analyse intersectionnelle qui reconnaisse les systèmes, structures et institutions capacitistes, sexistes et patriarcaux qui définissent la productivité et la dépendance. Il souligne ensuite que la pleine jouissance des droits sexuels et génésiques (au sens large) redistribue les ressources, la légitimité et le pouvoir, conditionnant ainsi l’accès au travail et son maintien. En retour, l’accès au travail sert de médiateur à l’exercice des droits sexuels et génésiques. Le mémoire se conclut par des recommandations de changements structurels pour l’accès au travail, à la santé, à l’éducation et aux systèmes de protection sociale.

Meeting on the role of poverty alleviation in promoting and protecting human rights

Debate on the midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent

Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming

Annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities

Biennial high-level panel discussion on the question of the death penalty

Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child

This submission is made on behalf of 12 civil society organizations and individuals working on issues concerning gender, sexuality and migration from different perspectives. We commend the Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (CMW) for addressing the pressing issue of migrants’ rights to liberty and freedom from arbitrary detention and welcome the opportunity to provide inputs to the Draft General comment No. 5 (2020) on migrants’ rights to liberty and freedom from arbitrary detention in a very critical time given the COVID-19, discriminatory government response against the migrant workers during the pandemic and worryingly increasing incidents and crackdown against migrant workers globally. We believe that integrating a clear intersectional and gender analysis will further strengthen the draft general recommendation and set out some analysis and recommendation below for the Committee’s consideration.

This submission urges the Committee to clearly recognize that any deprivation of liberty resulting from discriminatory laws, regulation and policies or their discriminatory application is by definition arbitrary and breaches the right of equal protection before the law. Discriminatory laws, policies and regulations addressing migration and beyond have a disproportionate negative impact on migrant women, adolescents, sex workers, people living with HIV, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex persons, persons with disabilities, and anyone who is perceived to have transgressed sexual and gender norms. In the context of migration and detention, such individuals and groups are more likely to suffer compounded rights violations. As a result, States cannot hold them in detention in relation to migratory measures and must always provide alternatives to detention.

The suggested changes to the General Recommendation proposed in this document are based on following overarching principles, a) the framework for any legislation, policy or programme including criminal laws to address trafficking should respect, protect and fulfill human rights and fundamental freedoms, b) prevention and elimination of human rights violations including trafficking is achieved by addressing root causes which include patriarchal norms c) any anti-trafficking measures undertaken should be in consultation with and participation of women and persons affected d) upholding women’s and girls’ autonomy should be the goal of all anti-trafficking measures.

This submission argues that the concept of trafficking should be debunked to give way to policies that ensure migrant rights and address migrant labour. In doing this, it deals with the definition of trafficking in the Convention and its consequent impact on women and girls, especially in the context of migration. The CEDAW Committee now has an opportunity to reframe the understanding of state obligations and standards on the issue of trafficking from a gender perspective, so that it is grounded in human rights and upholds bodily autonomy of women and girls.

This submission suggests the Committee (1) develops a comprehensive interpretation that recognizes the inextricable connection amongst the rights to peaceful assembly (ICCPR 21), freedom of expression (19), and freedom of association (22) and; (2) implements the strict tests of necessity and proportionality for restrictions of these rights. The lack of a cross-cutting standard for the restriction of these rights particularly affects those who are perceived to have transgressed sexual and gender norms.