The life of well-known student activist and political prisoner Ahmad Batebi is in imminent danger.

We endorse the The life of well-known student activist and political prisoner Ahmad Batebi is in imminent danger. Petition to United Nations High Commission on Human Rights.

No news of Akbar Ganji for the past 25 days

Noting that Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has not been allowed any visits since his return to Evin prison from hospital on 3 September, Reporters Without Borders today voiced concern and outrage about the behaviour of the Iranian authorities towards him and their failure to keep their promises.

Ganji seems to have been placed in total solitary confinement in a special section of Evin to which only the Revolutionary Guards have access,” the press freedom organisation said. “Shutting him away like this is a flagrant violation of Iranian law, which explicitly says detainees may receive visits from their relatives and lawyers. The sole aim of the prison authorities seems to be to break Ganji completely.”

Reporters Without Borders added : “ We once again condemn of the failure of senior Iranian officials to respect their undertakings towards Ganji and his family. We have always supported negotiations with the precise objective of obtaining his release. Now, faced by the silence coming from the judicial authorities, we are resolved to press on with our campaign. The lack of any news is particularly worrying.”

Reached by telephone, Ganji’s wife, Massoumeh Shafii, said she was also very worried by the lack of news and the fact that she has not been able to visit him since 26 August.

Ganji lost at least 25 kilos in the course of a hunger which he continued for more than two months. After ending the hunger strike on 22 August, he was allowed only two weeks to recover in hospital before being sent back to prison on 3 September.

From Reporters without boarder! (20 Sep,2005)

Journalist reimprisoned after a week of freedom, held with ordinary detainees

Reporters Without Borders today called for the immediate release of journalist Massoud Bastani, who was reimprisoned a week after his release on 6 August from Evin prison in Tehran and is being held in Arak prison, in the centre of the country, which is normally used for non-political prisoners.

Bastani had spent two weeks in Evin prison for covering a demonstration in support of imprisoned fellow journalist Akbar Ganji, who was on hunger strike at the time.
“It is shocking that a prisoner of conscience has been put with inmates held for ordinary crimes, as some of them could be dangerous or sick,” the press freedom organisation said. “It is also unacceptable that a journalist is being punished just for supporting a colleague who was on hunger strike, and we call on the judicial authorities in Arak to stop harassing him.”

The editor of Nedai Eslahat (a daily that was closed by the authorities in 2003) and a contributor to such pro-reform newspapers as Etemad, Toseeh and Joumhoryat, Bastani first run-in with the authorities was in 2003, when he was sentenced to six months in prison, 70 lashes and a five-year ban on practising journalism.

He wrote many reports about Ganji’s hunger strike this summer. In a 27 June release, Reporters Without Borders had commented that : “The authorities are not only content to let Akbar Ganji die, they are also arresting and harassing those who have the courage to defend him.”

Ganji’s wife, Massoumeh Shaffii, meanwhile told Reporters Without Borders by phone that she has just sent a letter to UN secretary-general Kofi Annan to coincide with the Iranian president’s visit to New York for the UN summit. Thanking Annan for requesting Ganji’s release, the letter informs him that Ganji was returned to prison on 3 September and that he is still not being allowed to receive visits.

From Reporters without borders.14 Sep 2005.

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Amnesty International .USA

Small Number of Countries Holding UN World Summit Hostage on Human Rights, Security, Poverty

Human Rights Watch, Oxfam International and Amnesty International call on a small number of “spoiler” countries to stop holding the UN World Summit hostage over crucial measures on human rights, security, genocide and poverty reduction. These governments have thrown negotiations on the final outcome text into crisis just days away from the biggest meeting of world leaders in history, September 14-16 in New York.

The three organizations, alongside the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, the world’s largest anti-poverty movement, said that the actions of a small number of countries threaten to sabotage the summit. The objections of some of these states appear intended to block adoption of a meaningful agreement, rather than to strengthen the current draft or address legitimate concerns. The leading “spoilers” vary on different issues, but together their activities are seriously weakening draft agreements on the Human Rights Council, poverty-reduction and preventing genocide despite support from the majority of governments for these measures.

Oxfam is very concerned that a small number of countries are determined to block an historic draft measure on governments’ “responsibility to protect civilians” that could stop future genocides such as Rwanda from ever occurring. Countries trying to block this include India, Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan, Venezuela, Cuba, Iran, Syria and Russia. The United States is also trying to weaken the measure, and is now proposing to cut “the obligation” to protect and replacing it with “the moral responsibility.”

“African governments pressing for agreement on the measure to prevent genocide are urging the world to act,” said Nicola Reindorp, head of Oxfam’s New York Office, “Yet a few spoiler governments look set to dash hopes for agreement on this life-saving move.”

The proposal to create a new Human Rights Council with more authority and that can sit throughout the year, review human rights in all countries and address all human rights situations is intended to be a key achievement of the World Summit. It has won the endorsement of an overwhelming majority of states from all regions of the world. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch expressed grave concern, however, that some 15 countries led by Cuba and including Venezuela, Myanmar, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Belarus, Vietnam, and Syria, were blocking any movement on this important reform.

“The possibility that a small number of states with deeply troubling human rights records could block the creation of a more effective human rights body is not only ironic, it is disgraceful,” said Peggy Hicks, Human Rights Watch’s Global Advocacy Director.

“Millions of men, women and children are looking to this Summit for something better than a forum for horse-trading on human rights,” said Yvonne Terlingen, Amnesty International’s Representative at the UN, “Only strong and ambitious reform can overcome the power politics, double standards and selectivity that have tarnished the image of the current Commission on Human Rights. World leaders must be visionary and bold if they are not to squander this unique opportunity.”

The United States has also proposed cutting wording on poverty reduction, including on overseas development aid, education and debt relief, and removing the term “Millennium Development Goals” — the internationally agreed upon targets for halving world poverty. In addition, the United States wants to cut references to small arms controls from the outcome document.

“We are in real danger of seeing commitments made by all governments five years ago on poverty reduction being eroded at the UN World Summit,” said Kumi Naidoo, chair of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. “We cannot allow developing countries to be bullied into agreeing to an outcome that will fail the majority of the world’s people.”

Notes to editors: Responsibility to Protect: This measure would involve governments agreeing that they share the responsibility to protect civilians at risk of genocide, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and war crimes, when the government of the people concerned is unwilling or unable to do so. Countries trying to block the measure include Egypt, Algeria, Pakistan, Venezuela, India, Russia, Cuba, Iran, and Syria. The United States does not want to be obliged to act in all such cases. The majority of states including the African Group, the European Union, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Canada support endorsement at the Summit of the ‘Responsibility to protect.’

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is the world’s largest anti-poverty coalition, whose organizations together represent more than 150 million people globally. The campaign is aiming to make a breakthrough on poverty in 2005 and is calling for world leaders to “wake up” and take concrete steps at the United Nations to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and end poverty once and for all.

The Millennium Development Goals are eight targets agreed by over 190 governments in 2000 to help eradicate poverty through action by developed and developing countries. They focus on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other preventable diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability and developing a global partnership for development. The first Millennium Development Goal, on getting an equal number of girls into school as boys by 2005, has already been missed.

From Human Right Watch .(New York, September 5, 2005)

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assemblyresolution 2200A (XXI) of 16 December 1966 .entry into force 3 January 1976, in accordance with article 27

Preamble

The States Parties to the present Covenant,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Recognizing that these rights derive from the inherent dignity of the human person,

Recognizing that, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights,

Considering the obligation of States under the Charter of the United Nations to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and freedoms,

Realizing that the individual, having duties to other individuals and to the community to which he belongs, is under a responsibility to strive for the promotion and observance of the rights recognized in the present Covenant,

Agree upon the following articles:

PART I
Article 1

1. All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

2. All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.

3. The States Parties to the present Covenant, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories, shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

PART II

Article 2

1. Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to take steps, individually and through international assistance and co-operation, especially economic and technical, to the maximum of its available resources, with a view to achieving progressively the full realization of the rights recognized in the present Covenant by all appropriate means, including particularly the adoption of legislative measures.

2. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to guarantee that the rights enunciated in the present Covenant will be exercised without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

3. Developing countries, with due regard to human rights and their national economy, may determine to what extent they would guarantee the economic rights recognized in the present Covenant to non-nationals.

Article 3

The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights set forth in the present Covenant.

Article 4

The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that, in the enjoyment of those rights provided by the State in conformity with the present Covenant, the State may subject such rights only to such limitations as are determined by law only in so far as this may be compatible with the nature of these rights and solely for the purpose of promoting the general welfare in a democratic society.

Article 5

1. Nothing in the present Covenant may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights or freedoms recognized herein, or at their limitation to a greater extent than is provided for in the present Covenant.

2. No restriction upon or derogation from any of the fundamental human rights recognized or existing in any country in virtue of law, conventions, regulations or custom shall be admitted on the pretext that the present Covenant does not recognize such rights or that it recognizes them to a lesser extent.

PART III
Article 6

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right to work, which includes the right of everyone to the opportunity to gain his living by work which he freely chooses or accepts, and will take appropriate steps to safeguard this right.

2. The steps to be taken by a State Party to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include technical and vocational guidance and training programmes, policies and techniques to achieve steady economic, social and cultural development and full and productive employment under conditions safeguarding fundamental political and economic freedoms to the individual.

Article 7

The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favourable conditions of work which ensure, in particular:

(a) Remuneration which provides all workers, as a minimum, with:

(i) Fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction of any kind, in particular women being guaranteed conditions of work not inferior to those enjoyed by men, with equal pay for equal work;

(ii) A decent living for themselves and their families in accordance with the provisions of the present Covenant;

(b) Safe and healthy working conditions;

(c) Equal opportunity for everyone to be promoted in his employment to an appropriate higher level, subject to no considerations other than those of seniority and competence;

(d ) Rest, leisure and reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, as well as remuneration for public holidays

Article 8

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure:

(a) The right of everyone to form trade unions and join the trade union of his choice, subject only to the rules of the organization concerned, for the promotion and protection of his economic and social interests. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others;

(b) The right of trade unions to establish national federations or confederations and the right of the latter to form or join international trade-union organizations;

(c) The right of trade unions to function freely subject to no limitations other than those prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public order or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others;

(d) The right to strike, provided that it is exercised in conformity with the laws of the particular country.

2. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on the exercise of these rights by members of the armed forces or of the police or of the administration of the State.

3. Nothing in this article shall authorize States Parties to the International Labour Organisation Convention of 1948 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize to take legislative measures which would prejudice, or apply the law in such a manner as would prejudice, the guarantees provided for in that Convention.

Article 9

The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to social security, including social insurance.

Article 10

The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that:

1. The widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to the family, which is the natural and fundamental group unit of society, particularly for its establishment and while it is responsible for the care and education of dependent children. Marriage must be entered into with the free consent of the intending spouses.

2. Special protection should be accorded to mothers during a reasonable period before and after childbirth. During such period working mothers should be accorded paid leave or leave with adequate social security benefits.

3. Special measures of protection and assistance should be taken on behalf of all children and young persons without any discrimination for reasons of parentage or other conditions. Children and young persons should be protected from economic and social exploitation. Their employment in work harmful to their morals or health or dangerous to life or likely to hamper their normal development should be punishable by law. States should also set age limits below which the paid employment of child labour should be prohibited and punishable by law.

Article 11

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. The States Parties will take appropriate steps to ensure the realization of this right, recognizing to this effect the essential importance of international co-operation based on free consent.

2. The States Parties to the present Covenant, recognizing the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger, shall take, individually and through international co-operation, the measures, including specific programmes, which are needed:

(a) To improve methods of production, conservation and distribution of food by making full use of technical and scientific knowledge, by disseminating knowledge of the principles of nutrition and by developing or reforming agrarian systems in such a way as to achieve the most efficient development and utilization of natural resources;

(b) Taking into account the problems of both food-importing and food-exporting countries, to ensure an equitable distribution of world food supplies in relation to need.

Article 12

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

2. The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for:

(a) The provision for the reduction of the stillbirth-rate and of infant mortality and for the healthy development of the child;

(b) The improvement of all aspects of environmental and industrial hygiene;

(c) The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases;

(d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.

Article 13

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to education. They agree that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. They further agree that education shall enable all persons to participate effectively in a free society, promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations and all racial, ethnic or religious groups, and further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

2. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize that, with a view to achieving the full realization of this right:

(a) Primary education shall be compulsory and available free to all;

(b) Secondary education in its different forms, including technical and vocational secondary education, shall be made generally available and accessible to all by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;

(c) Higher education shall be made equally accessible to all, on the basis of capacity, by every appropriate means, and in particular by the progressive introduction of free education;

(d) Fundamental education shall be encouraged or intensified as far as possible for those persons who have not received or completed the whole period of their primary education;

(e) The development of a system of schools at all levels shall be actively pursued, an adequate fellowship system shall be established, and the material conditions of teaching staff shall be continuously improved.

3. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to choose for their children schools, other than those established by the public authorities, which conform to such minimum educational standards as may be laid down or approved by the State and to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.

4. No part of this article shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principles set forth in paragraph I of this article and to the requirement that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.

Article 14

Each State Party to the present Covenant which, at the time of becoming a Party, has not been able to secure in its metropolitan territory or other territories under its jurisdiction compulsory primary education, free of charge, undertakes, within two years, to work out and adopt a detailed plan of action for the progressive implementation, within a reasonable number of years, to be fixed in the plan, of the principle of compulsory education free of charge for all.

Article 15

1. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone:

(a) To take part in cultural life;

(b) To enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications;

(c) To benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

2. The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for the conservation, the development and the diffusion of science and culture.

3. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to respect the freedom indispensable for scientific research and creative activity.

4. The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and co-operation in the scientific and cultural fields.

Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners

1. All prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings.

2. There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

3. It is, however, desirable to respect the religious beliefs and cultural precepts of the group to which prisoners belong, whenever local conditions so require.

4. The responsibility of prisons for the custody of prisoners and for the protection of society against crime shall be discharged in keeping with a State's other social objectives and its fundamental responsibilities for promoting the well-being and development of all members of society.

5. Except for those limitations that are demonstrably necessitated by the fact of incarceration, all prisoners shall retain the human rights and fundamental freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and, where the State concerned is a party, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol thereto, as well as such other rights as are set out in other United Nations covenants.

6. All prisoners shall have the right to take part in cultural activities and education aimed at the full development of the human personality.

7. Efforts addressed to the abolition of solitary confinement as a punishment, or to the restriction of its use, should be undertaken and encouraged.

8. Conditions shall be created enabling prisoners to undertake meaningful remunerated employment which will facilitate their reintegration into the country's labour market and permit them to contribute to their own financial support and to that of their families.

9. Prisoners shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of their legal situation.

10. With the participation and help of the community and social institutions, and with due regard to the interests of victims, favourable conditions shall be created for the reintegration of the ex-prisoner into society under the best possible conditions.

11. The above Principles shall be applied impartially.

Human Rights Library,G.A. res. 45/111, annex, 45 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49A) at 200, U.N. Doc. A/45/49 (1990).

Think about Akbar Ganji!

Gender Equality

Gender equality is one of the important tasks these days. Read the following article about Gender equality in Sweden ,and compare you’r your country with Sweden!

Gender Equality in Sweden – a summary

Today, gender equality policy in Sweden proceeds from an understanding that the unequal distribution of power between women and men is sustained by what is known as the gender-based power structure in society. The theory concerning this structure helps explain the lack of gender equality.

Gender-based power structure The gender-based power structure could be said to explain why our society lacks gender equality and why this imbalance persists despite measures to correct it. The presence of a gender-based power structure means, for instance, that society has the following characteristics:
8 The separation of the sexes
8 Men are considered superior and women inferior
8 Men are considered the norm
The separation of the sexes may be illustrated by the sex segregated labour market and the unequal division of unpaid work in the home. Male superiority is expressed in such things as men’s violence against women or men being paid more, having more power over their own lives and wielding more influence in public life. The male norm may be illustrated by the fact that new medicines (even for women) are usually tested only on men. It is also evident in such mundane things as our tendency to say ‘women’s football’ but not ‘men’s football’. If we do not succeed in breaking down the present gender-based power structure we will fail to achieve a gender equal society. The gender-based power structure is about the structural differences in society, and is not a description of differences between individuals.

Aims and objectives of Swedish gender equality policy
The principal aim of the Swedish Government’s gender equality policy is for women and men to have the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities in all areas of life. To achieve this aim requires both a strategy for how gender equality efforts are to be pursued and an organizational structure that meets the requirements of a society capable of guaranteeing equal opportunity. An active gender policy must also be knowledge-based and proceed from an analysis of the causes of gender inequality. Since 1994 gender statistics are a part of Sweden’s Official Statistics.

Policy goals
The overall aim of Sweden’s gender equality policy is for women and men to have the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities in all areas of life. This implies for example:
8 equal distribution of power and influence between women and men
8 the same opportunities for women and men to achieve economic independence
8 equal conditions and opportunities in respect of entrepreneurship, jobs, terms of work, employment, and advancement prospects at work
8 equal access to education and training and equal opportunities for developing personal ambitions, interests and talents
8 shared responsibility for children and the home
8 freedom from sexual (gender-related) violence.

A twofold strategy – Gender mainstreaming and focus areas
Gender mainstreaming is the principal model for gender equality work in Sweden. Each minister is responsible for fulfillment of the gender equality goals in his or her specific area. The Minister of Gender Equality coordinates this government policy. A gender equality perspective is to be incorporated at all levels and in all stages in the decision making process. Applying gender mainstreaming to public activities and policy-making brings light to the areas where special initiatives are needed most. Although gender equality policy must be broadly based, a set of priorities – which may vary from time to time – must be defined. Five focus areas, which will be highlighted during the Government’s term of office, have been identified.

1. Representation - equal access to positions of power and influence
One of the goals of Swedish gender equality policy is equal access by women and men to positions of power and influence. Equal representation of women and men in decision-making bodies is central to democracy. Both sexes must be represented in all areas of society and at all decision-making levels if they are to have an equal say in the development of their society. Equality of influence also ensures a broader basis for decision with regard to social policy issues. As a result of purposeful, focused efforts to enhance women’s power and influence within the community, Sweden is now a world leader in terms of the proportion of women representatives in directly elected political bodies. This applies at national, regional and local government level.

2. Equal pay for equal work and work of equal value
Women must be able to support themselves if they are to enjoy true freedom and independence. This ability is thus a fundamental condition of gender equality. The pay gap is mainly due to the traditional segregation of the labour market, where ‘female occupations’ in the public sector and the care and social services are particularly low-paid. Measures against gender-based pay differentials have been called for under the terms of the Gender Equality Act, however, the Act has failed to make inroads into structural pay differentials caused by value discrimination, i.e. the practice of rating jobs differently according to whether they are traditionally male- or female-dominated.

3.Violence committed by men against women, prostitution and trafficking in women for purposes of sexual exploitation
Violence committed by men against women constitutes a violation of their human rights and fundamental freedoms and impairs or nullifies their enjoyment of these rights and freedoms. It is also a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between women and men.Sweden has special legislation concerning male violence against women; gross violation of a woman’s integrity. This offence is defined as repeated punishable acts directed by the perpetrator at a women with whom he has a close relationship. In Sweden prostitution is regarded as a form of sexualized violence by men against women. If men did not consider it their right to buy and sexually exploit women and children, prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes would not occur. The criminalization of the purchase of sexual services, in January 1999, constitutes implicit recognition that prostitution is a form of oppression of women and children and a serious social problem with damaging consequences for the individual victims and for society as a whole.

4. Men and gender equality
According to the gender-based power structure men are the norm. Efforts to promote gender equality have long focused on women, the subordinate sex in this system. But equality is about women and men having the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities. The creation of a gender equal society will not be achieved unless men and women work together to transform the conditions that govern the lives of both sexes.The inclusion of men in gender equality work raises issues which are furnishing new insights into the future development of gender equality. A growing interest in gender equality among men has put new perspectives on the issue.Research into men and masculinity will help increase our knowledge of the subject and is an important factor in efforts to bring about change. More men must be actively engaged in gender equality work and be prepared to openly oppose violence committed by men against women if we are to achieve a gender equal society.

4. Sexualisation of the public sphere
The increasing use of women’s bodies to draw attention to and sell goods or services is testimony to the growing sexualisation of modern society. Women and girls are objectified and sexualized in advertisements, in the mass media and on the Internet. Men are also portrayed in these media in ways that reflect prevailing gender prejudices, thus helping to create and perpetuate male stereotypes.Constant exposure to these images clearly contributes to their normalization, to a blunting of sensibilities and the dangerous prospect of growing inured to sexual oppression, harassment and sexualized violence. This is a worrying development which poses a serious obstacle to the achievement of gender equality.The situation gives cause for concern and a great deal more knowledge is needed.

Developments in gender equality since the 1970s*

8 Women and men do not have to choose between paid work and children – they can have both.
8 Today women work equally in the public and the private sector while men work predominantly in the private sector.
8 Women combine paid work with care of children and the home to a larger extent than men.
8 Men combine paid work with economic, political and union power to a larger extent than women.
8 Directly elected political assemblies have an equal representation of women and men – indirectly elected assemblies do not.
8 The upper secondary school system and higher education are still sex-segregated.
8 The labour market is still sex-segregated.
8 Salary differences remain
8 Men have higher pensions than women.
Some important facts*
8 The proportion of women aged 20–64 in the labour force was 60% in 1970 and 79% in 2003. The corresponding proportions for men were 90% and 84% respectively.
8 The proportion of children aged 1–6 in municipal child care was 12% in 1972 and 83% in 2003.
8 In 1974, men accounted for 0% of days for which a parental allowance for caring of young children was paid, in 2003 for 17%.
8 The sex distribution among parliament members in 1973 was 15% women and 85% men. In 2002, the sex distribution was 45% women and 55% men.
Progress so far*
1845 Equal inheritance rights for women and men.
1864 Husbands lose legal right to strike their wives.
1921 Women gain national suffrage and the right to hold office at the national level.
1938 Maternity allowance established.
1947 First woman Cabinet Minister: Karin Kock.
1951 Women entitled to retain their Swedish citizenship upon marriage to foreign citizens.
1955 Three months paid maternity leave for working women on birth of child.
1971 Separate income tax assessment for wife and husband.
1974 Parents entitled to share parental allowances upon childbirth.
1975 New abortion law: a woman has the right to decide until the 12th week.
1980 Law against sex discrimination in employment;
1982 All assault and battery against women even if committed on private property subject to public prosecution.
1994 Gender statistics made part of Sweden’s Official Statistics.
1995 At least one month of parental leave must be used by mother and one by father (“mummy/daddy month”);1998 Act on Violence against Women (amendment of Penal Code);
1999 Law prohibiting the purchase of sexual services.
2002 Parental leave: Number of days increases with 30 sickness benefit days to 480 days, 60 of which are reserved for each parent and cannot be transferred.
2004 The Swedish Government adopts a strategy for the integration of gender equality into the Government offices.

You can Order material via the website:
http://www.sweden.gov.se/ Click “Publications” in the left-hand column. Or use the direct link: http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/574

Human rights and medical care for survivors of rape

Rape is a form of sexual violence, a public health problem and a human rights violation. Rape in war is internationally recognized as a war crime and a crime against humanity, but is also characterized as a form of torture and, in certain circumstances, as genocide. All individuals, including actual and potential victims of sexual violence, are entitled to the protection of, and respect for, their human rights, such as the right to life, liberty and security of the person, the right to be free from torture and inhuman, cruel or degrading treatment, and the right to health. Governments have a legal obligation to take all appropriate measures to prevent sexual violence and to ensure that quality health services equipped to respond to sexual violence are available and accessible to all.
Health care providers should respect the human rights of people who have been raped.

Right to health: Survivors of rape and other forms of sexual abuse have a right to receive good quality health services, including reproductive health care to manage the physical and psychological consequences of the abuse, including prevention and management of pregnancy and STIs. It is critical that health services do not in any way "revictimize" rape survivors.

Right to human dignity: Persons who have been raped should receive treatment consistent with the dignity and respect they are owed as human beings. In the context of health services, this means, as a minimum, providing equitable access to quality medical care, ensuring patients' privacy and the confidentiality of their medical information, informing patients and obtaining their consent before any medical intervention, and providing a safe clinical environment. Furthermore, health services should be provided in the mother tongue of the survivor or in a language she or he understands.

Right to non-discrimination: Laws, policies, and practices related to access to services should not discriminate against a person who has been raped on any grounds, including race, sex, colour, or national or social origin. For example, providers should not deny services to women belonging to a particular ethnic group.

Right to self-determination: Providers should not force or pressure survivors to have any examination or treatment against their will. Decisions about receiving health care and treatment
(e.g. emergency contraception and pregnancy termination, if the law allows) are personal ones that can only be made by the survivors herself. In this context, it is essential that the survivor receives appropriate information to allow her to make informed choices. Survivors also have a right to decide whether, and by whom, they want to be accompanied when they receive information, are examined or obtain other services. These choices must be respected by the health care provider.

Right to information: Information should be provided to each client in an individualized way. For example, if a woman is pregnant as a result of rape, the health provider should discuss with her all the options legally available to her (e.g. abortion, keeping the child, adoption). The full range of choices must be presented regardless of the individual beliefs of the health provider,
so that the survivor is able to make an informed choice.

Right to privacy: Conditions should be created to ensure privacy for people who have been sexually abused. Other than an individual accompanying the survivor at her request, only people whose involvement is necessary in order to deliver medical care should be present during the examination and medical treatment.

Right to confidentiality: All medical and health status information related to survivors should be kept confidentialand private, including from members of their family. Health staff may disclose information about the health of the survivor only to people who need to be involved in the medical examination and treatment, or with the express consent of the survivor. In cases where a charge has been laid with the police or other authorities, the relevant information fromthe examination will need to be conveyed .

Health care providers, in collaboration with workers in other sectors, may play a role in the broader community, by identifying and advocating for interventions to prevent rape and other forms of sexual violence, and to promote and protect the rights of survivors. Lack of recognition of rape as a health issue, and non-enforcement of legislation against rape, prevent any real progress towards gender equality.

(WHO , Clinical Management of Rape Survivors )