Publications
Briefing Book on Human Rights: First Edition (2019-2020): Synergy Between Policies of the League of Women Voters and United Nations Human Rights Conventions
This document presents fact-based, publicly available information in an accessible format. Included are reviews of many of the core United Nations human rights conventions, beginning with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Other core conventions are those that address the rights of women, persons with disabilities, children, older persons, migrant workers and their families, and persons from various racial groups.
Briefing Book on Human Rights: Second Edition (2021-2022): Human Rights Approach to Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
This document covers the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a blueprint consisting of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We review the details of each goal, including the targets and indicators, and we provide links to relevant UN human rights conventions and activities to serve as resources for local groups.
Briefing Book on Human Rights: Third Edition (2022-2023):
Your Human Right to Vote
Article 1 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that the right to vote is a human right. Following a review of several UN conventions pertaining to voting rights, this document reviews US Constitutional Amendments, several key pieces of federal voting rights legislation and an important Supreme Court decision.
Countermoves: A Strategy for Dealing with Opposition Statements to CEDAW
As local, state, and federal bodies strive toward adoption of resolutions and ordinances
recognizing the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), some lawmakers have advanced misleading opposition arguments.
COUNTERMOVES presents real opposition statements and suggests responses that
can be used to counter their misinformation, deflections, and outdated norms regarding
CEDAW.
Gains, Gaps, & Goals: The Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County
The 2024 Study on the Status of Women and Girls in Fairfax County, Virginia was
motivated by the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW) and efforts by the Fairfax County CEDAW Working Group to
localize this policy.
Guidebook on CEDAW: United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
This guidebook, prepared with the support of the Commission for Women of Fairfax County, VA, and the Commission for Women for the City of Fairfax, VA, is designed to educate local jurisdictions and local non-profit organizations about CEDAW and set the foundation for implementing resolutions in support of CEDAW.
Convention Against Torture and other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
This review of UNCAT follows from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 5, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 7, which both stipulate that “no one shall be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
(All photos are credited to HR-SIG members)