Failure to provide effective protection against rape and sexual assault violated CEDAW (V.P.P. v. Bulgaria)
This post discusses rape and sexual assault and may be considered psychologically triggering V.P.P., a minor, was sexually assaulted by B.G., an adult man who lived in a neighbouring apartment building. Bulgarian authorities waited two years before indicting B.G. for “sexual molestation of a minor”. The District Court approved a plea bargain agreement that B.G. … Read more
Karen Tayag Vertido on using the Optional Protocol to CEDAW
Karen Tayag Vertido discusses her recent experiences using the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. This post is a copy of the presentation Ms Vertido delivered at the CEDAW Committee’s General Day of Discussion on Access to Justice in February 2013 and is reproduced with her permission. … Read more
Vertido v Philippines: prompting a re-examination of models of rape law? (Ben Warwick)
Ben Warwick analyses the decision of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Committee) in Karen Tayag Vertido v The Philippines and its implications for rape law. This post contains discussion of rape and sexual violence and may be considered psychologically triggering. A mention of gender-based violence in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination … Read more
Failure to provide effective protection against domestic violence violated CEDAW (Isatou Jallow v. Bulgaria)
Isatou Jallow moved from the Gambia to Bulgaria after marrying A.P., a Bulgarian national. Once in Bulgaria, A.P. allegedly became abusive toward Jallow and subjected her to physical and psychological violence, including sexual abuse, and attempted to force her to take part in pornographic films and photographs. He reportedly also abused their daughter, M.A.P. … Read more
Wrongful gender stereotyping in rape trials: Vertido as one tentative step towards “equality as transformation” (Kelly Reeve)
Kelly Reeve analyses the decision of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) in Karen Tayag Vertido v. The Philippines and its implications for transformative equality. Article 5(a) of CEDAW and the aspiration of equality as transformation On 16 July 2010, the CEDAW Committee held in Karen Tayag Vertido v. The Philippines … Read more
Failure to ensure de facto equality in employment a violation of CEDAW (R.K.B. v. Turkey)
R.K.B.’s employer, a hairdressing salon, terminated her contract of employment. It also allegedly threatened to spread rumours that R.K.B. had extramarital affairs in order to pressure her to sign a document stating that she had received all of her work entitlements and precluding her from suing for unfair dismissal. R.K.B. did not sign the document, … Read more
Failure to protect woman against domestic violence a violation of CEDAW (A.T. v. Hungary)
A.T., a Hungarian national, claimed that her former partner, L.F., subjected her to domestic violence over a period of more than four years. A.T. was issued ten medical certificates during this time connected to separate incidents of severe physical violence, including an incident on 27 July 2001, which resulted in her hospitalization. Despite reported … Read more
Treatment of woman in detention violated CEDAW (Inga Abramova v. Belarus)
The Lenin District Court of Belarus found Inga Abramova guilty of ‘minor hooliganism’ for hanging ribbons and posters calling for participation in the ‘European March.’ It subsequently ordered her to serve five days administrative arrest. Abramova claimed that, during her detention, a male staff member subjected her to a body search, touched her inappropriately, … Read more
