(a)
The right to life;
(b) The right not to be subject to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment;
(c) The right to equal protection according to humanitarian norms in time of
international or internal armed conflict;
(d)
The right to liberty and security of person;
(e)
The right to equal protection under the law;
(f)
The right to equality in the family;
(g)
The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health;
(h)
The right to just and favourable conditions of work.
8.
The Convention applies to violence perpetrated by public authorities. Such acts of
violence may breach that State’s obligations under general international human rights law and
under other conventions, in addition to breaching this Convention.
9.
It is emphasized, however, that discrimination under the Convention is not restricted to
action by or on behalf of Governments (see articles 2 (e), 2 (f) and 5). For example, under
article 2 (e) the Convention calls on States parties to take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women by any person, organization or enterprise. Under general
international law and specific human rights covenants, States may also be responsible for private
acts if they fail to act with due diligence to prevent violations of rights or to investigate and
punish acts of violence, and for providing compensation.
Comments on specific articles of the Convention
Articles 2 and 3
10. Articles 2 and 3 establish a comprehensive obligation to eliminate discrimination in all its
forms in addition to the specific obligations under articles 5-16.
Articles 2 (f), 5 and 10 (c)
11. Traditional attitudes by which women are regarded as subordinate to men or as having
stereotyped roles perpetuate widespread practices involving violence or coercion, such as family
violence and abuse, forced marriage, dowry deaths, acid attacks and female circumcision. Such
prejudices and practices may justify gender-based violence as a form of protection or control of
women. The effect of such violence on the physical and mental integrity of women is to deprive
them of the equal enjoyment, exercise and knowledge of human rights and fundamental
freedoms. While this comment addresses mainly actual or threatened violence the underlying
consequences of these forms of gender-based violence help to maintain women in subordinate
roles and contribute to their low level of political participation and to their lower level of
education, skills and work opportunities.
12. These attitudes also contribute to the propagation of pornography and the depiction and
other commercial exploitation of women as sexual objects, rather than as individuals. This in
turn contributes to gender-based violence.