Gender and International Law

The image of blindfolded Lady Justice is well-known. The blindfold indicates the impartiality of the law. Justice must be done regardless of class, power or identity. However, in everyday practice law's blind neutrality does not always work out the same for everyone. A famous quote in this context is from Anatole France. In 1894 he wrote: 'The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steel bread.' Class and money are not the only elements causing different legal effects. The law is similarly biased in many other respects, due to many different factors, one of which is sex / gender (gender refers to the social, cultural and institutional construction of what it means to be a man or a woman). Gender bias is a multi-layered phenomenon. It is quite common to distinguish three forms of bias in law: first at the level of legal provisions itself, secondly regarding the effects of law in practice due to differences in position of men and women, and thirdly at an institutional or systematic level: invisible obstacles for an impartial application of the law such as sex-stereotypes and dominant gender ideology.After an introduction to the theory, three major themes in international law – think of human rights, international criminal law and migration/refugee law - are explored from a gender perspective.
Not possible in combination with RGBOG0300 Gender and International Law.

Place of the course within the curriculum:

• Optional legal course

body { font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial } table { font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial }

After this course:

• the student is able to critically reflect on (the power and weaknesses) of law in theory and practice.
• the student has insight in the interaction between law and gender.
• the student has knowledge of a number of topical international law issues.
• optional: the student has worked on the development of their presentation skills.

body { font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial } table { font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial }

Do you study at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) or Wageningen University and Research (WUR)? You can enrol via eduXchange.nl

You must meet the following requirements

• Completed all course modules listed below
• Introduction to Law of Obligations (RGBUPRV001)
• Introduction to Property Law (RGBUPRV002)
• Foundations of Law (RGBUSBR001)
• Intro Constitutional/Administrative Law (RGBUSBR002)
• Introduction to Criminal Law (RGBUSTR001)

• Reader information on Blackboard