PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN SHAPING INTERNATIONAL LAW: A MANISFESTATION OF WOMEN CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS

Abstract

This article aims at outlining the women participation in making international human rights law which covered international conventions and international court decisions. Additionally, it critically examines whether the existing international instruments are sufficient to embody the equality of women and men in civil and political rights. This study is conducted in doctrinal method by analyzing the international norm using historical and conceptual approach. The discussion determines that After the 2nd World War, women began involving in the formation of international law either through international treaties making or court decisions. However, women’s involvement in international law making is still limited due to gender bias in international law-making processes and bound on the male parameter. Male domination  in making international law resulted in the emergence of human rights rules that provide rights and equality for women in fulfilling civil and political rights as a mere formality, therefore, it has not significantly contributed to the effective human rights instruments in guaranteeing the fulfillment and equality of civil and political rights for women. The overall arguments in this study provide sufficient reasonings for the transformation toward more-gender responsive international law that featuring reformulation and reinterpretation of international law, involving more women as state delegate in international law-making process, and the parity of women in International Court Bench.