The Post-WWII Discovery of Women’s Human Rights in International Society and Shifts in Its Recognition

Abstract

The recognition of human rights spread around the world after the establishment of the United Nations and the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the 1960s, just as the viewpoint of women in development (WID) emerged in the field of development, feminism’s second wave began in the US as a civil movement influenced by movements for peace and the elimination of racial discrimination. On this foundation, the UN began hosting World Conferences on Women in 1975 as fora for discussing issues pertaining to women. Subsequently, women’s issues were mainstreamed in international society starting with their incorporation in thematic international meetings and leading to increased visibility of women’s presence in myriad issues and fora. Furthermore, a new concept of human rights for women was introduced in the 4th World Conference on Women in 1995, along with several other issues like violence against women and sexual self-determination. This was the first time that such rights were recognized in international society. The author analyzes shifts in these streams of issues pertaining to women from the view of grassroots activists, while investigating factors underpinning contemporary “gender mainstreaming”.