International Human Rights, Social Policy & Global

The Introduction, outlines the concepts and ideas contained in the book, showing how the development of universal human rights and international oversight since World War Two has led to profound global changes in thinking about social policy and global development. It argues that geo-political tensions, conflicts, continuing global inequalities, and the struggles of people around the world whose rights have been denied, have all influenced understandings of rights and state responsibilities. In essence, the formulation, interpretation, realisation and enforcement of international human rights are sites of continuing struggle. It shows how the book is organised around a range of different themes relating to international human rights, their application and influence on social policy development, with 20 chapters in three different sections, ‘International Human Rights: Context’, ‘Key Issues for Universal Human Rights-Based Approaches’, ‘Human Rights Approaches to Social Policy Development’.

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International Human Rights, Social Policy & Global

10.1332/policypress/9781447349211.001.0001 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Social Policy ◽

International Relations ◽

Global Development ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Human Welfare ◽

Policy Perspective ◽

Development Politics ◽

International Human ◽

Key Questions

From a Critical Social Policy perspective and with a Global Development remit, this book addresses a range of key questions regarding international human rights. With human rights constantly under challenge, this collection of chapters represent a comprehensive critique that adds a social policy perspective to recent political and legalistic analysis. Expert contributors draw on local and global examples to review constructs of universal rights and their impact on social policy and human welfare. With thorough analysis of their strengths, weaknesses and enforcement, it sets out their role in domestic and geo-political affairs. For those with an interest in social policy, ethics, development, politics and international relations, this is an honest appraisal of both the concepts of international human rights and their realities.

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Children’s rights and social policy

International Human Rights, Social Policy & Global ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447349211.003.0018 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 223-236

Author(s):

Fiona Donson

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Social Policy ◽

Social Economic ◽

Children's Rights ◽

Children’S Rights ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Rights Of The Child ◽

International Human ◽

Different Levels

This chapter critically assesses existing international human rights mechanisms and in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in relation to the promotion of the rights and welfare of children. In doing so it examines such mechanisms in a world of social, economic, cultural, ideological and political diversity, different levels of ‘peace’, stability, governmental organisation and conflict, and changing contexts and circumstances. It reflects on the inability of some states (e.g. USA) to ratify the UN Convention, and on issues of enforceability and realisability in others which have. Finally, it discusses contemporary attempts by NGOs and other campaigning organisations to promote the recognition and realisation of universal rights for children.

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Human rights-based approaches to social policy development

International Human Rights, Social Policy & Global ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447349211.003.0014 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 169-180

Author(s):

Margaret Buckley ◽

Fiona Dukelow

Keyword(s):

Economic Policy ◽

Human Rights ◽

Social Policy ◽

Policy Development ◽

Community Empowerment ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Economic Rights ◽

International Human

Chapter 13 provides an introduction to Section Three of the book which links international human rights mechanisms to social policy development. It argues that the formulation of specific rights often involves struggle and campaigning and is thus a contested site. It further argues that the presentation of a right does not ensure that it can be realised and often attention must be given to wider social and economic policy developments as well as the promotion and facilitation of community empowerment, development, advocacy and campaigning to ensure rights are realisable and extended in line with changing contexts and circumstances. Finally, it discusses contemporary attempts by NGOs and other campaigning organisations, using right-based approaches, to promote the recognition and realisation of universal socio-economic rights globally.

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Gender and human rights

International Human Rights, Social Policy & Global ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447349211.003.0013 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 155-166

Author(s):

Birgit Schippers

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Social Policy ◽

Gender Diversity ◽

Cultural Relativism ◽

International Human Rights ◽

Gender Minorities ◽

Diverse World ◽

International Human ◽

And Gender ◽

Lgbt Populations

Chapter 12 addresses international human rights provisions in relation to gender. It critically assesses some of the major debates about rights for women in a culturally diverse world, such as universality versus cultural relativism, how gender has been approached within different international human rights mechanisms, such as the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and how this has influenced the development of social policy and rights for women. It challenges the notion that gender rights should be limited to a two-sex dichotomy arguing that gender diversity as reflected in LGBT populations should be reflected in human rights provisions by the development of inclusive sexual and gender identity (SOGI) rights approaches to human rights and an engagement with the needs and entitlements of sexual and gender minorities.

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