Non-discrimination against women in the political arena and in the judiciary: a human rights assessment

Women’s rights are human rights. The right of women to non-discrimination and to equality in the full enjoyment of their civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights are enshrined in fundamental human rights documents. After decades political rights have been granted to women, they are still under-represented in political institutions, and in the judiciary the situation is the same. Women in the political and the judiciary spheres are still suffering from discrimination that is mainly rooted in stereotypes that perpetuate inequality and affect women negatively, devaluing their attributes and characteristics. This thesis attempts to assess discrimination that deny women an equal treatment, participation, and representation not only in the political arena and in the judiciary, but in all sectors of public life.