Focus Areas

Human Rights

Ensuring the advancement of women’s rights across the globe is central to all of UN Women Australia's work.

Women experience violations of their human on a daily basis, whether it is through discrimination at work, experiencing violence at home or being unable to participate politically within their state, all of these situations are in direct violations to their innate human rights.

It is essential that we address the issue of women’s human rights if we are ever going to have a world free of gender inequality.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, sets out the human rights guaranteed to all people. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights marked the first time that the rights and freedoms of individuals were set forth in such detail as well as representing the first international recognition of human rights applicable to every person, everywhere.

The beginning of the Declaration begins with the statement that "All human beings are created free and equal in dignity and in rights." The Declaration is made up of 30 articles. The first 'cluster' of articles sets forth the civil and political rights to which everyone is entitled, the second 'cluster' sets forth the economic, social and cultural rights to which all human beings are permitted and the third 'cluster' provides a larger and protective framework in which all human rights are to be universally enjoyed. Since its adoption, it has been and continues to be a source of inspiration for national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.