women equal status with men

A central place in the German Government’s human rights policy is reserved for the protection of women and the improvement of their human rights situation. Women’s rights policy plays an important role, and not just in the home affairs arena; the German Government also works to bolster women’s rights in its foreign and development policy, both bilaterally and in the context of such international organizations as the European Union and the United Nations, among others. Sexual abuse, trafficking in women, domestic violence, forced marriage and genital mutilation are human rights violations which affect women and children almost exclusively. In addition, traditional values, roles and behavioural patterns often lead to women being specifically disadvantaged as regards their economic, cultural and social rights – such as access to food, education or health care. Women and girls are also particularly subject to the effects of (civil) war, refugee movements resulting from conflict, and sexual violence and rape, which are increasingly being used as a “weapon” of war. Women often suffer multiple discrimination, disadvantaged not merely due to their gender but also because they belong to an ethnic or social minority, or on the grounds of their sexual orientation (multiple violation of human rights). Improving women’s human rights therefore remains a central element of the German Government’s human rights policy, encompassing not only domestic policy as it related to women but also foreign and development policy.

The German Government supports international agreements and policy frameworks aimed at achieving gender equality and empowering women, both at home and in its foreign and development policy. This means it is committed to the aims of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The Convention absolutely prohibits discrimination in all areas of life. In signing it, states also pledged to implement tangible measures to