QUESTION 1: The Women In Development (WID) approach is a framework that emerged in the

1970s as a response to the limita@ons of development policies and prac@ces in addressing the
specific needs and experiences of women. This approach sought to highlight the gender
inequali@es and discrimina@on that women face in development processes and to integrate
their perspec@ves and concerns into development programs.

The WID approach focused on the economic role of women and aimed to promote women's
par@cipa@on in development through income-genera@ng ac@vi@es and access to resources such
as credit and technology. It recognized that women's produc@ve roles are oJen overlooked and
undervalued, and sought to address this by making women's economic empowerment a central
focus.

One of the key principles of the WID approach is the recogni@on of gender dispari@es and the
need for gender-specific interven@ons. It highlighted the importance of collec@ng and analyzing
gender-disaggregated data to understand the specific challenges faced by women in different
contexts. This approach emphasized the need to address the structural barriers that limit
women's access to resources and opportuni@es, such as discriminatory laws or cultural norms.

The WID approach also emphasized the role of women in decision-making processes and called
for their inclusion in all levels of governance and policy-making. It recognized that women have
unique perspec@ves and experiences that need to be taken into account in development
planning and implementa@on.

Cri@cs of the WID approach argue that it tends to focus narrowly on women's economic roles
and overlooks other dimensions of women's empowerment, such as social and poli@cal
par@cipa@on. It is also cri@cized for failing to challenge the underlying power structures and
norms that perpetuate gender inequality.

Despite these cri@cisms, the WID approach played a crucial role in raising awareness about the
need to address gender inequali@es in development and paved the way for subsequent
approaches, such as the Gender and Development (GAD) approach, which adopted a more
transforma@ve and rights-based approach to gender equality.

Overall, the WID approach contributed to a greater understanding of gender inequali@es in

development and helped to bring aRen@on to the specific needs and experiences of women. It
laid the founda@on for a more inclusive and gender-responsive approach to development that
recognizes the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment.

QUESTION 2: The Interna@onal Conven@on on Human Rights is a landmark treaty that was
adopted by the United Na@ons General Assembly in 1948. It is a global framework that sets out
the fundamental rights and freedoms that all individuals should enjoy, regardless of their
na@onality, ethnicity, religion, or gender.
The Conven@on consists of a preamble and 30 ar@cles that ar@culate the various rights and
freedoms that should be protected. Some of the key provisions of the Conven@on include:

1. The right to life, liberty, and security of person (Ar@cle 3): This ar@cle recognizes the
fundamental right to life and the prohibi@on of arbitrary depriva@on of liberty.

2. The prohibi@on of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Ar@cle
5): This ar@cle prohibits any form of torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or
punishment.

3. The right to equality before the law and non-discrimina@on (Ar@cle 7): This ar@cle ensures
that all individuals are equal before the law and are en@tled to equal protec@on against
discrimina@on.

4. The right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression (Ar@cles 18 and 19):
These ar@cles protect the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and expression, including
the right to hold and express opinions and ideas freely.

5. The right to educa@on (Ar@cle 26): This ar@cle recognizes the right to educa@on and
emphasizes the importance of free and compulsory primary educa@on.

6. The right to par@cipate in the cultural life of the community (Ar@cle 27): This ar@cle
recognizes the right to par@cipate in cultural ac@vi@es and enjoy the benefits of scien@fic
progress and its applica@ons.

7. The right to work, fair and just condi@ons of employment, and the right to form trade unions
(Ar@cles 23 and 24): These ar@cles protect the right to work and fair condi@ons of employment,
including the right to form and join trade unions.

The Interna@onal Conven@on on Human Rights has been ra@fied by the majority of countries in
the world, making it one of the most widely accepted interna@onal human rights instruments. It
forms the basis for the development of na@onal and interna@onal human rights laws and serves
as a reference point for promo@ng and protec@ng human rights globally.

However, despite its significance, the Conven@on has faced some cri@cism. Some argue that it is
too broad and lacks clear enforceability mechanisms. Others argue that it reflects a Western-
centric view of human rights and does not adequately address the specific needs and concerns
of marginalized groups.

Overall, the Interna@onal Conven@on on Human Rights is a crucial framework for promo@ng and
protec@ng human rights globally. It provides a set of standards and principles that should guide
states in their legisla@on, policies, and prac@ces to ensure the realiza@on of fundamental rights
and freedoms for all individuals.