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Abstract

An overview of international organisations' involvement in resolving gender-based injustice


in domestic issues is given in the abstract. It draws attention to the numerous instances of
gender inequality and discrimination that exist around the world, such as differences in
political representation, education, income, and employment segregation, as well as in
healthcare access and gender-based violence. The abstract highlights the critical role those
global organisations like UN Women, AWID, Plan International, WEDO, and the Global
Fund for Women play in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. These
organisations do this by establishing global standards, launching advocacy and awareness
campaigns, developing capacity, gathering and analysing data, conducting research, and
keeping track of and evaluating progress. International organisations work to advance gender
equality through cooperative efforts, legislative advocacy, women's and girls' empowerment,
and fostering accountability and transparency, despite obstacles like scarce resources,
political resistance, coordination issues, and data gaps. In the conclusion, the abstract
emphasises the value of group efforts and continued dedication to advancing gender equality
and human rights for all people, regardless of gender.
International Organizations and Their Role in Addressing Gender-Based Injustice in
Domestic Affairs

Gender according to WHO1 “ is a socially constructed characters or roles given to men,


women, girls, and boys. For years women have been struggling to get education and equality
as through traditional times they have been associated with only having kids, taking care of
the house and family. We have seen discrimination in various aspects or fields may it be
based on cast or may it be based on skin colour. Gender Discrimination is discrimination
based on sex. It is an unequal or unfair treatment which treats men and women unequally or
denies choices of a certain sex. Let’s take example of now a days scenario in families if a
family is struggling financially and they have two children a boy or a girl and they have to
choose who will they provide education they will choose the boy. Or if a girl is going out
with her friends, she will either be denied or will be said to come home before the sunset
while this in not the case for a boy. Let’s not only talk about what we expect from girls we
should also talk about boys; we all expect men to not cry when they are hurt or are in pain
because there is always a say in society “Mard Ko Kabhi Dard Nahi Nota” means men/boy
don’t feel any pain. The society also thinks that a man cannot be a home maker or they should
not do things that girls do like sewing or designing cloths, crochet, knitting etc. This comes
under gender discrimination. But if we see any statistics, we would find that there are more
percentage of women that are discriminated than men.

Gender- Based injustice means injustice or discrimination done based on gender or sex.
Gender Equality is a fundamental right which is violated by Gender-based injustice. The
source of these injustice can happen directly or indirectly. When a woman is dismissed from
her work on the ground of pregnancy then that is direct and when a girl or woman is put at a
disadvantage due to her family, policies by government, control on a property, opportunities
etc is indirect. There are still so many girls who are denied quality education, who cannot
take up the courses or subject of their choice or are denied for higher education. Even in the
employment sector we find employer prioritizing men over women. Gender injustice is not
recent but centuries old phenomena.

It was Said by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru “ you can tell the condition of a nation by looking at
the status of women”.

The gender-based injustice may include-

1
https://www.who.int/health-topics/gender#tab=tab_1
1. Gender-bias in field of education- It is estimated that around 130 million girls have
never stepped into the classroom. Women or girls between the age of 15-24 are 4%
less likely to be educated than men or boys of same age group. 2 This not only affect
their future but the same to their children. A mother who has completed her primary
education can help her children to have quality education.
2. No equal pay- Around the world there are only 6 countries that give women the same
legal work right as men.3 In 2020 report of World Economic Forum it was said that
the pace in which we are going to correct the pay gap, it will take at least 100 years
till there is equal pay for equal work for women. Closing the pay gap will help in
boosting the economy.
3. Segregation in jobs- In societies it is believed that certain job is for men to handle as
they are mor equipped. Let us take an example of the filed of mechanical and civil
engineering, we will find less women to be associated with it and even if they are in
these field, they are stopped for doing certain works. These discrimination gives lower
opportunities for women to explore and this ultimately results in their less income.
4. Less access to healthcare- Low quality of medical care facilities are received to
women than men. Lack of education and lack of job opportunities result in poverty for
women which further leads then to not been able to afford good healthcare. According
to WHO over 200million women who don’t want to pregnancy do not have access to
contraception, the reason for this can be limited access, cultural or religious
opposition or lack of options. Diseases such as autoimmune disorder, chronic pain
conditions that affect more women than men are less likely researched. Almost 1000
women die due to complications in child birth or pregnancy every day. If a child’s
mother is ill, it is likely that the child had to drop out from the school to take care of
the house and his/her younger siblings.
5. More vulnerable to Gender-based violence- According to UNICEF, more than 700
million girls have married before they turn 18 compared to the boy of same age group
it is 156 million. It is clearly evident that to whom the child marriage affects more.
This early and forced marriages are one of the many forms of gender-based violence
which also includes genital mutation, domestic violence, trafficking, honour killing,
sexual violence etc. These contribute for never changing the mindset that men and
women should be treated differently. These harmful practices ties up the rights of

2
https://www.un.org/youthenvoy/youth-statistics-education/
3
https://wbl.worldbank.org/en/wbl
women with a belief that they are a part of our culture and should be accepted. UN
estimated that during the decade of crisis in the Democratic Republic Of Congo have
left nearly 1 million of women victims of Gender-based violence.
6. Lack of Representation at political level- At the beginning of 2019 out of all national
parliament only 24.3% of seats are filled by women. Despise such flourishment in this
area women are still unrepresented in political process. This means that if topics such
as childcare and parental leave, gender equality laws, pensions, gender-based violence
etc. are talked by female politicians they seem to be neglected. If a women is kept
away during the making of policies and legislation then it is unlikely that this will
create any equality.
7. Racism- It is not possible that while talking about Gender-based injustice we don’t
include racism. These are closely related. According to author and professor Sally
Kitch it was decided by European settlers in Virginia that based on the race of women
performing the work, the work will be taxed. The pay gap between the women of
colour still exists.

Role of International organization

The persistence of gender-based injustice as a worldwide problem is demonstrated by


prejudice, violence, and the uneven allocation of resources. Even in the face of progress
towards gender parity, significant obstacles continue to exist in national contexts. Through
the establishment of norms, the distribution of funds, and the encouragement of international
cooperation, international organisations play a crucial role in correcting these injustices.
International organisations combat gender-based discrimination and advance equality by
defining principles and rules through standard-setting. Furthermore, they offer crucial
resources to assist countries in putting gender equality policies into action, including
financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building programmes.

International organisations also help countries collaborate and share expertise, which
promotes group efforts to eliminate gender-based inequities. Through the planning of
conferences, workshops, and collaborations, they establish forums for the exchange of best
practices and the coordination of approaches to successfully address gender disparity.
International initiatives, however, have difficulties including political barriers within
countries, cultural opposition, and insufficient money. Gender disparity is typically sustained
by cultural norms and social attitudes, which impede development even in the face of
external measures. Initiatives for gender equality are often hampered by a lack of funding and
conflicting agendas. Moreover, political resistance or a lack of commitment might make it
more difficult for international norms to be enforced and for countries to work together.

In order to surmount these obstacles and propel gender equality even higher, international
organisations need to keep pushing for legislative changes, offering focused assistance to
marginalised groups, and fortifying alliances with authorities, non-governmental
organisations, and other interested parties. International organisations may make a substantial
contribution to lessening gender-based inequality and advancing a more fair and sustainable
world by encouraging inclusive debate and coordinated action.

1. Setting Global Standards: International organisations are essential because they act as
catalysts for the development of international standards and conventions that advance
gender equality and abolish gender-based injustices. The Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which offers
governments a comprehensive framework to follow in resolving gender inequities
within their territories, is one of the UN's treaties that best exhibits this. A key
document that directs legislative and policy changes meant to achieve gender equality
is CEDAW. It describes the fundamentals and duties that states have to protect
women's rights in a variety of contexts, including the social, political, economic, and
cultural ones. States pledge to eradicate discrimination against women and promote
gender equality in their laws, policies, and practices by ratifying and putting into
effect CEDAW. Furthermore, the international norms and standards that have been set
by agencies such as the UN are essential reference points for evaluating the degree to
which gender inequality has been addressed. They offer a framework for keeping an
eye on, assessing, and holding nations responsible for their promises made in support
of gender equality. States are urged to provide evidence of specific actions taken to
achieve their duties under CEDAW and other pertinent agreements through regular
reporting systems and review processes. In order to further global agendas for gender
equality, international organisations also provide as a forum for discussion,
collaboration, and information exchange between governments and other relevant
parties. They offer financing possibilities, capacity-building projects, and technical
support to help governments successfully implement gender-responsive policies and
programmes. In conclusion, via programmes like CEDAW, international organisations
like the UN are essential in establishing worldwide standards and norms for gender
equality. In addition to assisting governments with legal and policy changes, these
standards provide the means for accountability, assessment, and tracking of
advancements made towards the objectives of gender equality.
2. Advocacy and Awareness: Through a variety of campaigns, events, and activities,
international organisations play a key role in promoting gender equality and
increasing awareness of gender-based injustices. The International Labour
Organisation (ILO) and UN Women, for example, spearhead campaigns to garner
support and draw attention to the critical need to address gender inequality on a global
scale. These organisations run campaigns that bring attention to important topics
including gender-based violence, income inequality, and discriminatory behaviours in
the workplace and society at large. These campaigns seek to dispel negative
preconceptions, increase public awareness, and encourage gender-sensitive attitudes
and actions through focused messaging and outreach initiatives. International
organisations host events that give interested parties in promoting gender equality a
forum for discussion, information exchange, and cooperation. Policymakers, activists,
scholars, and practitioners come together at conferences, workshops, and seminars to
discuss best practices, brainstorm solutions, and create plans for effectively combating
gender-based injustices. Organisations such as UN Women and the ILO spearhead
initiatives that concentrate on certain areas of concern, such women's political
engagement, access to healthcare and education, and economic empowerment. These
programmes advocate for policies that support gender equality and women's
empowerment while also engaging in advocacy and capacity-building activities.
International organisations want to promote public dialogue, rally support, and spark
action to address gender inequality locally, nationally, and worldwide through various
advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns. Through the involvement of many
stakeholders and the amplification of underrepresented groups' voices, they facilitate
the advancement of gender equality and foster constructive transformation in societies
globally.
3. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: The World Bank and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), among other international organisations, are
essential in helping governments and civil society organisations better address gender-
based inequities. These organisations encourage capacity-building and offer technical
help through various projects so that stakeholders have the tools and resources they
need. These organisations' training initiatives are aimed at increasing the ability of
practitioners, legislators, and public servants to create and carry out gender-responsive
policies and initiatives. Workshops and seminars offer a forum for the exchange of
best practices in reducing gender gaps, as well as for knowledge-sharing and
conversation. International organisations also assist in the creation of gender
mainstreaming tools and methods to include gender issues into different policy areas
and industries. They help governments incorporate gender equality concepts across
their institutions and policies by offering advice and expertise. International
organisations give technical aid and capacity-building support to civil society
organisations, which also benefits them. Through these activities, grassroots
organisations, women's organisations, and advocacy networks are better equipped to
hold governments responsible for their promises and successfully campaign for
gender equality. In addition, international organisations have built knowledge-sharing
portals that are helpful tools for stakeholders to get data, research findings, and case
studies related to gender-based injustices. These forums encourage innovation and the
sharing of ideas in the fight against gender inequality by facilitating learning and
cooperation amongst various stakeholders. In general, international organisations'
technical help and capacity-building support greatly improve governments' and civil
society organisations' ability to successfully combat gender-based inequalities. These
programmes enable stakeholders to promote gender equality and build more inclusive
and equitable societies by providing them with the tools, resources, and information
they need.
4. Data Collection and Research: Global institutions like UNICEF and the World Health
Organisation (WHO) are essential for gathering information and carrying out studies
on gender-based inequities. These organisations work to provide evidence-based
insights that guide programming and policy decisions targeted at reducing gender
gaps. Maternal health is one area on which international organisations concentrate
their research efforts. Organisations like WHO help to understand the obstacles
women experience in getting high-quality maternal healthcare by gathering and
analysing data on maternal mortality rates, access to prenatal care, and delivery
habits. The creation of policies and initiatives targeted at enhancing maternal health
outcomes and minimising inequities is informed by this data. International
organisations have performed study on gender-based violence, which is a crucial
issue. WHO gathers information on the frequency and consequences of various types
of gender-based violence, such as intimate partner abuse and sexual assault, in
cooperation with other organisations. The design of preventative and response tactics
is informed by the important insights this study offers into the underlying causes of
violence against women and girls. Research on education access is also a priority for
institutions such as UNICEF. UNICEF produces statistics that illustrates disparities in
educational chances by looking at things like school enrollment rates, gender
differences in literacy and numeracy, and obstacles that females experience in the
classroom. This data directs initiatives to advance gender parity in education and
guarantee that every kid has access to a top-notch education. All things considered,
the information and studies generated by global organisations provide insight into the
root causes and effects of gender inequality. These organisations are essential in
directing focused activities and policy solutions meant to alleviate gender-based
inequities and advance gender equality globally because they offer evidence-based
insights.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation: In order to effectively combat gender-based injustices,
international organisations must track developments and assess the success of their
activities. Organisations may monitor investments, assess results, and detect
implementation gaps with the use of mechanisms like gender-responsive budgeting,
gender audits, and performance indicators. This allows for course corrections and
guarantees responsibility at all levels. International organisations utilise gender-
responsive budgeting as a crucial tool to evaluate how resources are distributed and
used to address gender imbalances. Organisations can determine areas in which
investments are required to achieve gender equality and hold governments responsible
for their pledges to gender mainstreaming by applying a gender lens to government
budget analysis. Another tool used to assess how institutional practices, policies, and
programmes affect gender equality is the gender audit. In order to evaluate policies
and procedures for gender responsiveness and pinpoint areas in need of change, these
audits entail methodical inspections of such documents. Organisations can detect
obstacles to gender equality and create plans of action to successfully overcome them
by carrying out gender audits. Performance indicators are also used to track
advancements made towards the objectives of gender equality and assess the results of
initiatives. These indicators include things like women's participation in decision-
making, access to healthcare services, and gender parity in education. Organisations
may evaluate the success of programmes and pinpoint areas requiring further work to
meet gender equality goals by monitoring these indicators over time. In general,
international organisations need monitoring and assessment methods to evaluate their
progress, pinpoint obstacles, and guarantee accountability when it comes to resolving
gender-based injustices. Organisations may monitor investments, assess results, and
promote significant change in the direction of gender equality and women's
empowerment by utilising gender-responsive budgeting, gender audits, and
performance indicators.

For battling the above Gender-based injustice there are many International Organization. We
will be discussing about the followings-

There is a wide range of international organisations working to advance women's rights and
gender equality. These include organisations like Rise Up, UN Women, Plan International,
the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID), the Centre for Reproductive
Rights, the Women's Environment and Development Organisation (WEDO), and the Global
Fund for Women. Every one of these groups contributes in a special and significant way to
the global advocacy of women's and girls' rights, gender equality, and empowerment.

1. As the UN organisation devoted to gender equality and women's empowerment, UN


Women works nonstop to hasten the process of addressing the needs of women
everywhere. UN Women works in close partnership with governments, civil society
organisations, and member states to assist the development and implementation of
laws, policies, and services that promote gender equality on a worldwide scale. UN
Women views gender equality as a fundamental component of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN and holds member states and the UN system
accountable for their commitments to gender equality. The organisation focuses on
important priority areas such as women's participation in governance, economic
empowerment, violence prevention, and building sustainable peace and resilience.
2. As a global organisation, AWID strives to advance women's human rights and gender
equality everywhere. AWID helps gender justice movements become catalysts for the
elimination of oppression because it envisions a society in which feminist realities
thrive and resources and power are distributed fairly. Through strong collaboration
with activists and officials throughout the globe, AWID affects gender policies and
practices, promotes corporate responsibility and tax justice to attain fair wealth
distribution, and enables discussion and tactics on important problems.
3. Plan International is a humanitarian, human rights, and global development
organisation that strives to promote girls' equality and children's rights. Plan
International works directly with youth, kids, and communities to address the
underlying causes of prejudice against females and empower them to face and
overcome hardship. Plan International advocates for policies that advance gender
equality, combat discrimination and abuses of human rights, and cultivate an inclusive
culture and optimistic outlooks.
4. Human rights, environmental integrity, and gender equality are all promoted by
WEDO, the Women's Environment and Development Organisation. WEDO works to
develop women's leadership and guarantees that their voices are heard by creating
links between movements and global objectives. WEDO advances women's political
voices, takes part in projects to build capacity, and keeps up-to-date on gender
equality, women's rights, sustainable development, and environmental concerns
through partnerships and advocacy work.
5. One of the top groups fighting for gender parity and women's and girls' human rights
is the Global Fund for Women. The Global Fund promotes sexual and reproductive
health and rights, zero violence, and political and economic empowerment, with the
goal of elevating the brave work of women constructing social movements. The
Global Fund seeks to realise the rights of every woman and girl as outlined in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights by promoting women's rights around the
world and supporting important agreements like CEDAW, the Beijing Declaration,
and the Platform for Action.
6. Rise Up empowers women and girls by investing in local solutions, enhancing
leadership, and creating movements that alter their lives, families, and communities.
Rise Up is a global network of 500 leaders who have impacted 100 laws and policies
worldwide, helping seven million girls and improving women's rights, equality,
education, sexual and reproductive health, and economic development. Rise Up
creates good change in communities all around the world by implementing creative
programmes and collaborating with local and international organisations.

To sum up, these organisations represent the variety and depth of initiatives working to
advance women's rights and gender equality across the world. By working together, taking up
advocacy campaigns, and organising at the grassroots level, they contribute significantly to
creating a more just and inclusive society where everyone can live up to their full potential
and be treated with respect, decency, and love.

Challenges and Limitations:

International organisations are essential in tackling gender-based inequalities in national


affairs, but they face a number of obstacles and constraints that make their work difficult.
These barriers impair the scope, significance, and efficacy of programmes meant to advance
women's empowerment and gender equality.

In low-resource regions where the need is greatest, international organisations have major
hurdles in addressing gender-based inequalities due to limited resources and budget
restrictions. The execution of comprehensive programmes meant to address the underlying
causes of gender disparity may be hampered by insufficient finance, which also restricts the
breadth of interventions. Furthermore, financial limitations may limit international
organisations' ability to support governments and civil society groups tackling gender-based
inequalities by offering technical assistance and guidance.

A difficult obstacle to the implementation of gender-sensitive policies and legislative reforms


is political resistance fueled by cultural obstacles. Many times, ingrained patriarchal
conventions and social perceptions of gender roles breed opposition to initiatives that threaten
the status quo. Initiatives promoting gender equality may not receive the attention they need
from political leaders because of conflicting agendas or worries about conservative backlash.
Sustained lobbying activities, public awareness campaigns, and discourse targeted at
dispelling damaging gender stereotypes and advancing gender-sensitive governance are
necessary to overcome political obstacles.

Effectively resolving gender-based inequalities requires coordination and collaboration across


multiple parties, yet real collaboration can be difficult to achieve. The varied interests and
goals of governments, civil society organisations, the commercial sector, and international
funders provide a challenge to collaboration. Conflicting objectives and power relationships
can make it difficult to work together and reduce the effectiveness of group initiatives to
advance gender equality. In order to overcome these obstacles and create synergies in the
fight against gender-based injustices, it is imperative that stakeholders engage in inclusive
discourse and strengthen their alliances.
Significant hurdles to effectively assessing the frequency and effects of gender-based
injustices are methodological and data-related. The lack, incompleteness, or unreliability of
gender disparity data frequently makes it challenging to determine the extent of the issue and
create evidence-based solutions. Accurate data collecting on gender disparity is further
complicated by methodological issues such as biases in data gathering techniques or
underreporting of gender-based violence. Investments in capacity-building programmes, data
collecting systems, and research approaches that fully account for the complexity of gender-
based inequalities are necessary to address these issues.

In conclusion, despite major obstacles and constraints that impede their work, international
organisations are essential in tackling gender-based injustices in domestic affairs. Promoting
gender equality and women's empowerment faces a number of issues, including a lack of
funding, political opposition, difficulties coordinating, and data shortages. Governments,
business companies, civil society organisations, and foreign funders must work together to
overcome these obstacles with persistent dedication, creative thinking, and teamwork.
International organisations can help create more fair, egalitarian, and inclusive societies by
successfully tackling these issues.

Way Forward:

A comprehensive, multifaceted strategy involving coordinated action at the local, national,


and international levels is needed to address gender-based inequality. The following tactics
ought to be given top priority by international organisations in order to improve the efficacy
of interventions:

First and foremost, it's critical to fortify alliances and cooperate with authorities, civic society,
and other interested parties. Through the use of resources, knowledge, and connections,
global organisations may enhance their influence and scope. Working together makes it easier
to exchange best practices, plan events, and rally support for programmes aimed at promoting
gender equality. Organisations can enhance their efficacy and impact in tackling gender-based
inequities by means of strategic alliances.

Second, it is imperative to give data gathering, research, and capacity-building projects top
priority when allocating funds. Building knowledge and producing solid facts are crucial for
figuring out the underlying causes of gender disparity and creating focused remedies. To
increase the ability of governments and civil society organisations to properly analyse and use
gender-disaggregated data, international organisations should fund extensive data collection
systems, encourage research projects, and offer training and technical support. Organisations
may contribute to the development of evidence-based policies and programmes that combat
gender-based inequities by strengthening their data gathering and research capacity.

Thirdly, advancing gender equality and protecting women's rights depend on campaigning for
legislative and policy changes. International organisations ought to use their clout to push for
the enactment and enforcement of laws and regulations that uphold the rights of women,
abolish discrimination, and advance gender equality. This involves promoting changes in
areas including employment laws, family law, healthcare and education access, and political
representation. Organisations may foster a climate that is supportive of women's
empowerment and gender equality by pushing for legislative changes.

Fourthly, it's critical to encourage girls and women to be change agents. Initiatives that
support women's leadership, involvement, and representation in decision-making processes at
all levels ought to be given top priority by international organisations. This include assisting
women's groups, offering mentorship and leadership development courses, and presenting
avenues for women to engage in social, political, and economic decision-making.
Organisations can unleash the potential of women and girls to be advocates for gender
equality and agents of good change by empowering them.

In the final analysis, cultivating a culture of openness and accountability is crucial to


guaranteeing advancements in the fight against gender-based injustices. International
organisations ought to set up systems for tracking developments, assessing results, and
holding parties responsible for their pledges to gender equality. This entails creating
benchmarks and indicators to monitor development, evaluating projects and programmes on a
regular basis, and communicating openly and honestly with stakeholders. Organisations may
guarantee that their commitments to gender equality are reflected in effective action and
outcomes by promoting accountability and transparency.

To sum up, tackling gender-based inequality necessitates a coordinated effort including


governments, civil society, international organisations, and other relevant parties. Global
organisations can improve the efficacy of their interventions and further women's rights and
gender equality by fortifying partnerships, funding data collection and research, pushing for
policy changes, empowering women and girls, and encouraging accountability and
transparency.
Conclusion:

International organisations are essential in tackling gender-based inequality in domestic


affairs because they provide guidelines, promote reform, supply resources, and encourage
cooperation. Even though there are still many obstacles to overcome, group efforts and
coordinated action may help achieve gender equality and build a more equitable and
welcoming environment for all. Let us reiterate our dedication to enhancing the rights and
dignity of every person, regardless of gender, as we continue to work towards progress.

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