When did the UN define human rights?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a historic document that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at its third session on10 December 1948 as Resolution 217 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France. Of the then 58 members of the United Nations, 48 voted in favor, none against, eight abstained, and two did not vote.[1]
Women in international law
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December 1979, following thirty years’ work undertaken by the UN Commission on the Status of Women to promote women’s rights. CEDAW has often been described as an ‘international bill of rights’ for women, affirming that human rights includes gender equality. The rights covered in CEDAW include many aspects of women’s lives, including women’s political participation, education, health, employment, marriage and legal equality. Highlighting the human rights concerns of women, it acknowledges that discrimination against women continues, violating principles of equality and human dignity. In enhancing understanding of human rights, CEDAW recognises the effect of culture and tradition in restrictions on women, calling for a change in understandings of traditional roles of men and women to achieve full gender equality. 