Equality for Women - Research for Women in Prison
▻http://www.r4womeninprison.net/2018/06/12/equality-for-women
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
The United Nations adopted this human rights convention in 1979. It recognizes the need to establish equal rights. CEDAW acknowledges that there is economic, social, cultural, civil and political discrimination towards women. Importantly this states that discrimination violates the principles of gender equality and a fundamental respect for human dignity. It states that in order for women to have their full potential maximized that they must be included in all forms of economic, social, cultural and political development (Van Gundy and Baumann-Grau, 2013).
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. CEDAW Committee consists of 23 experts on women’s rights from around the world.
Regional Mechanisms
The European Parliament has addressed the issue of equality, women in prison and its impacts (European Resolution, 2008). This recognizes that women have specific needs that must be taken into account in judicial rulings, criminal law and penal institutions. Moreover, practitioners should have an awareness of equal opportunities, including the specific needs and circumstances of women.
England and Wales
The Equality Act (2010) requires public authorities and services to protect women form discriminatory practices. This equality duty applies to all business that provide goods, facilities or services to members of the public. There is a pro-active equality duty and this means having regard for protected characteristics which are: age; disability; gender-reassignment; marriage and civil partnerships; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex and sexual orientation.
The equality duty has been used to justify imprisonment for women. This argument does not recognize women’s role in their communities, their life-histories or alternative to imprisonment. It is important that policy makers continue to promote the reduction of imprisonment as well as improving resources and funds for women in their communities.