Dr. Swarupa Dholam & Miss Saloni Belose, Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
ABSTRACT
Women's rights are inherently human rights, yet historically, the experiences of women and girls with human rights abuses have often been overlooked. While certain forms of violence against women by state agents have been recognized as discriminatory, the more pervasive abuse often comes from non-state actors—such as employers, partners, families, and communities. When international law fails to acknowledge the state's responsibility for abuses by private actors, women are deprived of critical protection.
This global culture of discrimination undermines women's fundamental human rights and legitimizes the exploitation of their bodies for personal or political gain. As Hillary Rodham Clinton famously declared, "human rights are women's rights," emphasizing that international norms must address both individual issues—like sexual harassment, gender-based violence, reproductive rights, education, and the right to vote—and broader state- related issues, including economic policies and structural adjustment programs.
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