Frauenrechte als Menschenrechte

eng: This dissertation is divided into four parts, each of them discuss important questions in relation to the position of women in our world. Chapter A discusses the problem of the public-private distinction and the effects of this distinctions on women's lives. Especially important in this context is the fact of undervaluing the work of women in the private sphere and also protecting mechanisms of international law. Chapter B addresses the topic of cultural relativism and the conflicts which arise between individual rights and group rights. This chapter offers answers to the questions which general view should prevail relativism or universalize. In detail the problem of religious rights versus the rights of women is discussed in this part of the work.The third chapter reviews the evolution of women's rights in international law. From the beginnings at the turn of the century when women were seen as a group of persons who need special protection (ILO-Conventions), later the general non- discrimination approach, based on the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the newest approach- to look at women's rights as an independent body of human rights. In this chapter the Women's Convention is discussed in great detail as well as the reservations made to the provisions contained in this Convention.The last chapter discusses special human rights which are especially important for women. These are the right of women to political participation, the right to education, the right to health and the right to be free from domestic violence. These enumerated rights are just examples for the need in human rights work in general to take an holistic approach. The realization of human rights needs the fulfillment of all human rights. To have access to the right to political participation presupposes the fulfillment of the right to education as well as the right to health. This means that human rights depend on each other. This holistic approach is especially important for women's rights.