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Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2011 4:14 PM
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Subject: Women's Livelihoods in the Human Rights Framework
WUNRN
PWESCR - Programme on Women's
Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
Direct Link to Full 12-Page PWESCR
2011 Document:
http://www.pwescr.org/PWESCR_Discussion%20Paper%20Final_30-7-2011.pdf -
Larger type size for easier reading.
The right to livelihood is crucial to
women and men around the world. It is a right that is fought for and defended
by farmers, workers, peasants and the urban poor. Conceptually, it is much more
than the right to work. It is the right to pursue a dignified life. In its
essence, the right to livelihood offers people the opportunity to realise other
rights with dignity. Particularly, it is a right that is embraced by women
around the world, who frequently encounter obstacles to livelihoods and seek
equal opportunities to realise their rights. Yet, despite its importance, the
right to livelihood is not an internationally recognised human right. As a
result, there is no consensus at the international level regarding its
definition. However, conceptualisations of the right to livelihood are now
developing from the ground.
This paper explores the linkages between the right to
livelihood and the right to food from a
woman’s perspective. Understanding the conceptual link between these two rights
is important in moving forward the comprehension of both. Uncovering the
linkages between the right to livelihood and right to food will facilitate a
deeper understanding of what the right to livelihood entails, as well as
illuminate the core aspects of the right to food. As such, this paper first
discusses general understandings of both rights, drawing especially from
PWESCR’s experience of working on the right to livelihood. It then examines the
conceptual link between the right to livelihood and the right to food. Finally,
it considers what the concept of the right to livelihood adds to the right to
food, as well as why it is important to incorporate the right to food in the
definition of the right to livelihood. It concludes that locating women’s right to
livelihood as a key component of the right to food can be an effective strategy
in recognizing women’s agency and contributions.
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