Reaching common ground: Culture, gender and Human rights
Cultural sensitivity is critical for the success of development strategies according to the report produced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The State of World Population 2008 report affirms that development strategies that are sensitive to cultural values can reduce harmful practices against women and promote human rights, including gender equality and womens empowerment. Despite many declarations and affirmations in support of womens rights, the report argues, gender inequality is widespread and deep-rooted in many cultures. Coercive power relations underlie practices such as child marriage - a leading cause of obstetric fistula and maternal deathand female genital mutilation or cutting. These and other harmful practices continue in many countries despite laws against them.
Gender inequality and HIV The effects of gender inequality leave women and girls more at risk of exposure to HIV. Less access to education and economic opportunities results in women being more dependent on men in their relationships, and many who have no means of support must resort to bartering or selling sex to support themselves and their children. Where women cant own property and lack legal protections, their dependence within their families is even greater. Economic and social dependence on men often limits women's power to refuse sex or to negotiate the use of condoms.
The report, which coincides with this years 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is based on the concept that the international human rights framework has universal validity. Human rights express values common to all cultures and protect groups as well as individuals. The report endorses culturally sensitive approaches to the promotion of human rights, in general, and womens rights, in particular.
Culturally sensitive approaches call for familiarity with how cultures work, and how to work with them. The report suggests that partnerships - especially with community-based institutions and leaders - can create effective strategies to promote human rights and end their abuses, such as female genital mutilation or cutting, wife inheritance or rape within marriage.
Therefore, The State of World Population report cautions that cultural sensitivity and engagement do not mean acceptance of harmful traditional practices, or a free pass for human rights abuses. Values and practices that infringe human rights can be found in all cultures. Understanding cultural realities can reveal the most effective ways to challenge these harmful cultural practices and strengthen beneficial ones. The report concludes that analysing peoples choices in their local conditions and cultural contexts is a precondition for better development policies. (2008)