Proposal: Eliminating Discriminatory Laws and Practices Agai

{
"title": "World Parliament Act on the Global Elimination of Discriminatory Laws and Practices Against Women",
"description": "# World Parliament Act on the Global Elimination of Discriminatory Laws and Practices Against Women\n\n## Preamble\n Recalling the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, affirming faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women.\n Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including on the basis of sex.\n Considering that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women.\n Noting the importance of existing international instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and seeking to reinforce and universalize their principles through this legislative framework.\n* Convinced that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields.\n\n## Part I: General Provisions\n\n### Article 1: Definitions\nFor the purposes of this Act:\n1. \"Discrimination against women\" shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.\n2. \"Discriminatory laws\" shall mean any statutory provisions, regulations, decrees, or other legislative instruments that directly or indirectly perpetuate or establish discrimination against women.\n3. \"Discriminatory practices\" shall mean any customs, traditions, policies, or actions, whether public or private, that directly or indirectly perpetuate or establish discrimination against women.\n4. \"States Parties\" shall refer to the sovereign states that ratify or accede to this Act.\n\n### Article 2: Principle of Non-Discrimination\nStates Parties shall condemn discrimination against women in all its forms and undertake to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women.\n\n## Part II: Obligations of States Parties\n\n### Article 3: Legislative and Policy Measures\nStates Parties shall:\n1. Repeal and Amend: Undertake to repeal or amend all existing laws, regulations, customs, and practices which constitute discrimination against women.\n2. Prohibit New Discrimination: Refrain from engaging in any act or practice of discrimination against women and ensure that public authorities and institutions shall act in conformity with this obligation.\n3. Establish Legal Protection: Establish legal protection of the rights of women on an equal basis with men and ensure through competent national tribunals and other public institutions the effective protection of women against any act of discrimination.\n4. Abolish Discriminatory Practices: Take all appropriate measures to abolish existing laws, customs and practices which constitute discrimination against women.\n\n### Article 4: Specific Areas of Elimination\nStates Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative and administrative, to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to:\n1. Political and Public Life: Ensuring the right to vote, to be eligible for election, and to participate in the formulation and implementation of government policy.\n2. Nationality: Granting women equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain their nationality and that of their children.\n3. Education: Ensuring equal conditions for career and vocational guidance, access to studies, and the same curricula.\n4. Employment: Guaranteeing the right to work, equal remuneration for work of equal value, and the right to social security.\n5. Health Care: Ensuring access to health care services, including those related to family planning.\n6. Economic and Social Life: Guaranteeing equal rights to obtain bank loans, mortgages, and other forms of financial credit, and to participate in recreational activities, sports, and all aspects of cultural life.\n7. Marriage and Family Relations: Ensuring equal rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution, and in all matters relating to children.\n8. Access to Justice: Ensuring equal access to legal aid and fair trial procedures.\n\n### Article 5: Temporary Special Measures\nThe adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination as defined in this Act, but shall in no way entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal or separate standards; these measures shall be discontinued when the objectives of equality of opportunity and treatment have been achieved.\n\n### Article 6: Sanctions and Remedies\nStates Parties shall ensure that:\n1. Effective remedies, including compensation, are available to women who have been subjected to discrimination.\n2. Appropriate sanctions are imposed for violations of this Act.\n\n## Part III: Implementation and Monitoring\n\n### Article 7: National Mechanisms\nStates Parties shall establish or strengthen national mechanisms, where appropriate, including specialized bodies, responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Act and for promoting the advancement of women.\n\n### Article 8: Public Awareness and Education\nStates Parties shall undertake to:\n1. Adopt measures to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women.\n2. Include education for equality and non-discrimination in all educational curricula and public information campaigns.\n\n### Article 9: Reporting\nStates Parties shall submit to the World Parliament, through a designated committee, a report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which they have adopted to give effect to the provisions of this Act and on the progress made in this respect, within one year after the entry into force for the State concerned and thereafter at least every four years and further whenever the designated committee so requests.\n\n### Article 10: International Cooperation\nStates Parties undertake to cooperate internationally for the full realization of the objectives of this Act, including through technical assistance and exchange of best practices.\n\n## Part IV: Final Provisions\n\n### Article 11: Entry into Force\nThis Act shall enter into force for each State Party on the thirtieth day after the deposit of its instrument of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the World Parliament.\n\n### Article 12: Amendments\nAny State Party may propose an amendment to this Act and submit it to the Secretary-General of the World Parliament. The Secretary-General shall thereupon communicate any proposed amendments to the States Parties, with a request that they notify him or her whether they favour a conference of States Parties for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals. In the event that within four months from the date of such communication at least one third of the States Parties favour such a conference, the Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the auspices of the World Parliament. Any amendment adopted by a majority of the States Parties present and voting at the conference shall be submitted to the World Parliament for approval.\n\n### Article 13: Reservations\n1. The Secretary-General of the World Parliament shall receive and circulate to all States the text of reservations made by States at the time of ratification or accession.\n2. A reservation incompatible with the object and