General comment N.16 on the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights : some highlights and comments

Abstract

The understanding of the principle of gender equality has evolved rapidly over the last decade. Its seed, based on widely shared moral understandings, was placed into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. lt became binding when the ICESCR came into force in 1976. The concept languished, getting little attention, apart from occasional rhetorical flourishes at global summits. It was at the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights of 1993 that civil society movements successfully pressed for systematic action through the United Nations system to clarify the meaning and the methods for implementation of the principle of gender equality. The adoption of General Comment No. l 6 clearly helped to clarify, build consensus, and stimulate action to recognize and bring to life the principle of equality between men and women. Thanks to positive action to implement the principle of gender equality in many countries, and through various debates, conferences and the like, the growth process continues, showing that the concept of the human right to gender equality is vigorous and alive.