Human rights |
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The economic rights of women, including those to equal pay, are protected by two separate human rights instruments. The UK is a state party to both, and must take action to ensure that women enjoy these rights. The Scottish Government, as part of the devolution settlement, must take action to deliver on the areas within its powers. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. The Convention "establishes not only an international bill of rights for women, but also an agenda for action by countries to guarantee the enjoyment of those rights". Article 11 of CEDAW includes the following: "(d) The right to equal remuneration, including benefits, and to equal treatment in respect of work of equal value, as well as equality of treatment in the evaluation of the quality of work[.]" The UK, like other state parties, must submit information about its implementation of the treaty to the CEDAW Committee, the body of experts that monitors compliance of state parties. ResourcesUK's 2008 report to the CEDAW Committee, and the Committe's concluding observations. UK's follow-up report to the 2008 hearings, as requested by the Committee. International Covenant on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)The International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) commits its state parties, including the UK, to work towards the progressive realisation of labour rights, rights to health, education, and an adequate standard of living. Article 3 of ICESCR is: "The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights set forth in the present Covenant." As with CEDAW, the UK Government submits reports to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In 2009, the Scottish Women's Budget Group (SWBG) and Engender participated in the process by which the UK Government was examined on progress in delivering ICESCR. The shadow report submitted by Engender and SWBG addresses issues around equal pay and occupational segregation. The concluding observations, produced by the Committee after the hearing, specifically recommend action on equal pay, in Recommendation 18: "[The Committee] recommends that the State Party conduct a comprehensive review of its policies to overcome gender inequalities. It also recommends that the State party continue intensifying its efforts to enhance equality between men and women in the workplace, particularly with regard to equal pay for work of equal value in all sectors of employment." Resources |
