The International Justice Resource Center (IJRC) invites you to register for this full-day training focused on the international standards and advocacy channels available to help lawyers and other advocates address critical women's rights issues. Participants will gain the knowledge and advice necessary to begin using international human rights protections in their work on violence against women, gender and other forms of discrimination, and sexual and reproductive rights. See the Agenda and Speaker List below for details.

Experts in the fields of international law and women’s rights will:

1. explain the international human rights standards, complaints mechanisms, and reporting procedures relevant to women's rights;
2. share practical insights and examples for using the human rights framework to address critical issues in women’s rights, including gender discrimination, domestic violence and reproductive rights;
   
3. provide guidance for developing successful campaigns on these issues using a human rights frame.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from highly experienced practitioners and gain a new set of tools for advancing women's rights. All are welcome, although this seminar will be of particular value to advocates and lawyers working to: address discrimination or violence against women, secure women's access to health care and reproductive justice, or to assist women migrants and asylum seekers.

We hope you will join in this important discussion on June 19. Download the flyer to share this information with friends and colleagues!  

California MCLE credit: 6.75 hours

Register Now!

Please note, this training is intended to be accessible to all individuals working to advance the rights of women and girls or who will otherwise benefit from particating.  If you would like to attend, but cannot afford the registration fee, please contact us about volunteering or download the Scholarship Application and submit it to ijrc@ijrcenter.org.

SPEAKERS

Confirmed speakers include:

• Katrina Anderson, Human Rights Counsel, Center for Reproductive Rights
• Caroline Bettinger-López, Director, University of Miami School of Law Human Rights Clinic
• Blaine Bookey, Associate Director & Staff Attorney, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
• Rosa Celorio, Human Rights Specialist, Rapporteurship on the Rights of Women, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
• Lisa Davis, Clinical Professor of Law, International Women's Human Rights Clinic, CUNY Law
• Connie de la Vega, Professor of Law, University of San Francisco School of Law
• Krishanti Dharmaraj, Executive Director, International Action Network for Gender Equity and Law
• Ejim Dike, Executive Director, US Human Rights Network
• Bridget Engle, USF School of Law
• Lisa Reinsberg, Executive Director, International Justice Resource Center
• Julianne C. Traylor, Assoc. Director of International Programs, USF School of Law

 

AGENDA

(See the  full agenda in PDF for additional details.)

8:30 - 9:00 Registration

9:00 - 9:30: Welcome & Introduction to the Human Rights Framework

The international human rights framework provides lawyers and other advocates with a range of tools and opportunities for advancing women’s rights locally, nationally and internationally. This opening session will include a brief introduction to the international human rights framework and its relevance to women’s rights, as well as a concise outline of the topics that will be discussed in each of the following sessions. 

9:30 - 11:15: United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms & Women’s Rights

The speakers will provide an overview of the United Nations human rights mechanisms most relevant to those working to protect or promote women’s rights in the United States. These include the: Human Rights Committee, Committee against Torture, Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, UN Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, and the Commission on the Status of Women. This session will also focus on specific examples of engaging with UN human rights mechanisms to promote changes in law, policy or practice.

11:30 - 12:30: The Inter-American System & Women’s Rights

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Court of Human Rights have addressed women’s rights through their complaints systems, emergency protective measures, monitoring, and reporting. This session will introduce the Commission and Court, their mandates, and the Inter-American standards and decisions relevant to women’s rights. Particular attention will be paid to the role and activities of the Commission’s Rapporteurship on the Rights of Women.

12:30 - 1:45: “Fireside Chat”: Violence against Women as a Human Rights Violation

This conversation will focus on the ways in which international human rights standards can be used to address violence against women, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and gender-related killings. This discussion will focus largely on Caroline Bettinger-López’s experience as lead counsel in the case of Jessica Lenahan (Gonzales) v. United States before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, with additional examples from the speakers’ work on behalf of aboriginal and refugee women and girls.

2:00 - 2:45: Gender Discrimination & Other Forms of Discrimination against Women

Discrimination on the basis of gender, race and other grounds negatively impacts women in both the private and public spheres. Drawing on their experiences in the United States and abroad, the speakers will discuss the impact of discrimination against women and the ways in which the international human rights framework can be used to combat discriminatory policies and practices; examples will focus on using UN human rights treaties in public policy advocacy, including San Francisco’s adoption of CEDAW at a municipal level.

3:00 - 4:00: Sexual and Reproductive Rights

International human rights advocacy can be a powerful tool for protecting or promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights. Drawing on their work in the U.S. and abroad to ensure access to reproductive health care, protect contraceptive coverage, and combat discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, the speakers will highlight the ways in which they have incorporated human rights strategies into their advocacy.

4:00 - 4:45:      Group Discussion around Case Studies

During this final session, we will break into groups with most of our speakers to brainstorm and discuss human rights protections and advocacy strategies through concrete case studies involving timely women’s rights issues.

4:45 - 5:00: Closing Remarks

5:00 - 6:30: Evening Reception

Please join us in the atrium for an evening reception. Wine and light appetizers will be served.

 

Thank you to our co-sponsors!