I N T E G R AT I N G A G E N D E R P E R S P E C T I V E I N T O H U M A N R I G H T S I N V E S T I G AT I O N S • G U I D A N C E A N D P R A C T I C E
III
Forms of pre-existing discrimination in law
and practice
Possible concerns during conflict/crisis
• Discrimination and restrictions in the
exercise of freedom of movement (e.g. the
exercise of marital power over the wife or
parental power over adult daughters and
legal or de facto requirements that prevent
women from travelling)
• Further restrictions to freedom of movement
based on additional movement restrictions
or regulations imposed with respect to
clothing and modesty norms, including when
supposedly intended to “better protect women
and girls from violence”
• Discrimination and restrictions on women’s
rights to freedom of expression, assembly
and association
• Limitations on women’s access to health
care, education and employment/incomegenerating activities
• Reprisals against certain groups of women,
such as women’s human rights defenders,
political activists and journalists – or their
female partners (with further implications for
other rights, such as freedom of expression,
assembly and association), exacerbated by
dynamics of the conflict or the human rights
situation
• Discrimination and restrictions on the
exercise of the right to education (e.g.
preference for sending boys to school, girls
dropping out of school due to poverty, child
marriage and early pregnancy)
• Attacks or threats against girls and/or their
teachers; dropping out of school due to
insecurity or due to girls’ increased household
responsibilities
• Discrimination and restrictions in the
exercise of the right to health, including
sexual and reproductive health and rights
(e.g. denial of access to services, access to
contraception, poor quality of obstetric care,
unsafe abortion)
• Destruction or breakdown of health facilities
and the consequent health implications for
women due to shortage of medical and
human resources and greater exposure to
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related
disease
• Deprioritizing women’s reproductive health
in times of conflict, resulting in increased
rates of delivery-related complications and
preventable maternal mortality and morbidity
• Lack of services for women victims and
survivors of sexual violence, including
emergency contraception and termination of
pregnancy, HIV prevention and psychological
support, including in humanitarian settings
42
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