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Universal Declaration on Gender Equality

A proposal by the International Chair in Bioethics establishing universal ethical principles to promote gender equality, human dignity, non-discrimination, social justice and equal opportunities worldwide.

Universal Declaration on Gender Equality
Rui Nunes (Chair)
Carla Serrão, Francisca Rego, Guilhermina Rego, Helena P. Melo, Isabelle Oliveira, Ivone Duarte, Sofia B. Nunes

The General Conference,
Conscious of the unique capacity of human beings to reflect upon their existence, perceive injustice, assume responsibility, promote tolerance and respect for the human person, promote solidarity, seek cooperation, and exhibit the moral sense that gives expression to ethical principles,

Reflecting on the effects of globalization in a multicultural world, resulting in a strong demand for a universal response to the ethical, social, and legal implications of such an evolution,

Recognizing that ethical values in a multicultural context imply a multilateral approach and should be examined with due respect to the dignity of the human person and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Resolving that it is necessary and timely for the international community to state universal principles that will provide a foundation for humanity’s response to the problem of gender equality, especially regarding an ever-increasing demand for gender balance,

Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on November 11, 1997, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of December 18, 1979, and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 20, 1993,

Noting the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of December 16, 1966, the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination of December 21, 1965, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of November 20, 1989, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity of June 5, 1992, the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1993, the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice of November 27, 1978, the UNESCO Declaration on the Responsibilities of the Present Generations Towards Future Generations of November 12, 1997, the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity of November 2, 2001, the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health of November 14, 2001, and other relevant international instruments adopted by the United Nations and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, in particular the World Health Organization,

Also noting, international and regional instruments in the field of gender equality,

Recognizing that this Declaration is to be understood in a manner consistent with domestic and international law in conformity with human rights law,

Recalling the Constitution of UNESCO adopted on November 16, 1945, 

Considering UNESCO’s role in identifying universal principles based on shared ethical values to guide societal changes,

Aware that human beings are all equal and that any form of discrimination is an unacceptable practice, 

Recognizing that education is the basic tool to promote the welfare of individuals, families, groups, or communities and humankind in the recognition of the dignity of the human person and universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms, 

Recognizing that health depends on psychosocial and cultural factors and is an essential driver for self-fulfillment, personal autonomy, and the promotion of social cohesion globally,   

Also recognizing that physical integrity is an essential dimension of personal identity and that protecting personal privacy, physical and psychological, is a special valued human goal,

Bearing in mind that a person’s identity includes biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual dimensions, 

Also bearing in mind that cultural diversity is a source of exchange, innovation, and creativity and that it is necessary for humankind but may not be invoked at the expense of human rights and fundamental freedoms, namely to promote any kind of sexual and gender discrimination,

Recognizing that an important way to evaluate social realities and achieve equity is to pay attention to the position of the vulnerable gender in society, 

Recognizing that gender equality is a precondition for advancing development and reducing poverty and requires a commitment to challenging and transformative approaches,

Stressing the need to reinforce international cooperation in the field of human rights and gender equality, considering, in particular, the special needs of countries where such values are less developed and embraced,

Proclaims the principles that follow and adopts the present Declaration.

General provisions

Article 1 – Scope

  1. This Declaration addresses ethical issues and social practices related to gender equality, meaning a balance between women and men in every society, at local and global levels. For the purpose of this Declaration, gender equality means women and men enjoy equal conditions for achieving their full human rights and contributing to and benefiting from economic, social, cultural, and political development. Gender equality is, therefore, the equal valuing of the similarities and differences between men and women by society, including the roles they play. It is based on women and men being full partners in their homes, communities, and society.
    1. This Declaration is addressed to all States. As appropriate and relevant, it also provides guidance on decisions or practices of individuals, groups, communities, institutions, and corporations, public and private. 

Article 2 – Aims 

This Declaration aims:

  1. to provide a universal framework of principles and procedures to guide States in the formulation of their legislation, policies, or other instruments in the field of gender equality;
    1. to guide the actions of individuals, groups, communities, institutions, and corporations, public and private; 
    1. to promote respect for human dignity and protect human rights by ensuring respect for the life of human beings and fundamental freedoms, consistent with international human rights law; 
    1. to foster multidisciplinary and pluralistic dialogue about gender equality issues between all stakeholders and within society; 
    1. to promote equitable access to education, knowledge, and cultural development, including healthcare and family planning, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries; 
    1. to safeguard and promote the rights of women and men in society and special settings such as the labor market, as a common concern of humankind. 

Principles 

Within the scope of this Declaration, in decisions taken or practices conducted by those to whom it is addressed, the following principles are to be respected:

 
Article 3 – Human dignity and human rights

  1. Human dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms are to be fully respected.
  2. Equality of opportunities for social and economic goods is a fundamental way to promote human dignity.
  3. Gender equality is crucial for women and men to realize their fundamental human dignity and their human rights.

Article 4 – Personal autonomy and individual responsibility 

A person’s autonomy to make decisions, while taking responsibility for those decisions and respecting the autonomy of others, is to be respected. For persons who cannot exercise autonomy, special measures must be taken to protect their rights and interests.  

Article 5 – Respect for human vulnerability and personal integrity

In any social interaction in education, healthcare, workplace, and everyday-life settings, human vulnerability should be considered. Individuals and groups of special vulnerability should be protected, and the personal integrity (namely physical integrity) of such individuals, respected. 

Article 6 – Privacy and confidentiality 

The privacy of the persons concerned and the confidentiality of their personal information should be respected.

Article 7 – Equality, justice, and equity 

The fundamental equality of all human beings in dignity and rights should be respected such that they are treated justly and equitably. Equal opportunities for fundamental social goods should be fully promoted.


Article 8 – Non-discrimination and non-stigmatization 

No individual nor group should be discriminated against or stigmatized on any grounds, in violation of human dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. 


Article 9 – Respect for cultural diversity and familiar background

The importance of cultural diversity and familiar background should be given due regard. However, such considerations must neither be invoked to infringe upon human dignity, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the principles set out in this Declaration nor to limit their scope. Any form of familiar violence is considered unacceptable.

Article 10 – Solidarity and cooperation

Solidarity among human beings and international cooperation toward that end must be encouraged, promoting global solidarity by challenging global structural injustices.

Application of the principles 

Article 11 – Access to education and knowledge

  1. Education and access to knowledge are core elements of personal development, self-fulfillment, and social integration. Every endeavor should be made to use the best available tools to increase knowledge on an equal opportunity basis and guarantee that all genders have access to the same level of education.
    1. Opportunities for informed pluralistic public debate about how to engage every child, male or female, in a continuous life learning process should be promoted. 
    1. Access to adequate sexual education, including family planning, should be considered a priority in health education.

Article 12 – Equity in healthcare access 

  1. The promotion of health and social development is a central government purpose all sectors of society share. 
  2. Given that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is among the fundamental rights of every human being, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, language, religion, political ideology or other opinion, and civil, political, social, or other status, society should advance: 
  1. access to quality health care, because health must be considered a fundamental human good, independent of gender or sexual orientation;
    1. access to adequate nutrition and water; 
    1. improvement of living conditions and the environment; 
    1. elimination of the marginalization and the exclusion of persons based on any grounds; 
    1. reduction of poverty and illiteracy;
    1. protect all genders from sexual harassment, violence, mutilation, intimidation, retaliation, or other denial of their basic human rights;
    1. access to reproductive health care from a broader perspective that covers all genders, including sex education, contraception methods, reproductive technologies, and consent.

Article 13 – Labor, social and political equality  

  1. States should take appropriate measures to guarantee that women have access to the same job opportunities as men.
    1. States should take appropriate measures to guarantee that access to career progression and salary levels should be the same for all genders.
      1. States should take appropriate measures to ensure job security by allowing interruptions in work for maternity leave, parental leave, and family-related responsibilities.
      1. States should take appropriate measures to eliminate and disclose unsafe working conditions and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all women and men workers.
      1. States should take appropriate measures to guarantee equitable access to political positions for all genders.
      1. States should promote access to justice by negotiating equitable rules and processes for effective and sustainable changes by influencing the form and function of institutions that deliver public services and regulate access to resources and by empowering all people to challenge inequalities.
      1. States should promote social justice and global solidarity by challenging global structural injustices and addressing the root causes of poverty and injustice.

Article 14 – Transnational practices 

  1. States, public and private institutions, professionals, civil society, and academia associated with transnational activities should endeavor to ensure that any activity within the scope of this Declaration, undertaken, funded, or otherwise pursued in whole or in part in different States, is consistent with the principles set out in this Declaration. 
  2. States should take appropriate measures, both at the national and international levels, to combat any form of gender discrimination, ensuring a balance between women and men in all societal practices.


Promotion of the Declaration


Article 15 – Role of States 

States should take all appropriate measures, whether of a legislative, administrative, or other character, to give effect to the principles set out in this Declaration in accordance with the international human rights law. Such measures should be supported by action in the spheres of education, training, and public information. 


Article 16 – Gender equality education, training and information 

  1. To promote the principles set out in this Declaration and achieve a better understanding of gender equality, in particular for young people, States should endeavor to foster human rights education and training at all levels and encourage information and knowledge dissemination programs about these issues.
  2. States should encourage the participation of international and regional intergovernmental organizations and international, regional, and national non-governmental organizations in this endeavor. 

Article 17 – International cooperation 

Within the framework of international cooperation, States should promote cultural and scientific cooperation and enter into bilateral and multilateral agreements, enabling developing countries to build up their capacity to promote the values and principles of this Declaration. 


Article 18 – Follow-up action by UNESCO 

UNESCO shall promote and disseminate the principles set out in this Declaration. Every five years, a special committee designated by UNESCO should make a detailed report on the implementation and application of this Declaration.