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Read the document then answer the questions indicated. Read the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights and then evaluate to what extent women around the world have obtained these rights. Have Third World governments responded to the needs of women? Why, or why not? Using the situations of women around the world as a case study, explain why it is so hard to develop a universal standard of human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 General Assembly resolution 217 A (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected. Preamble Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Core Articles from the UDHR

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty. Article 3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Article 4. No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 6. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination. Article 8. Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law. Article 9. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile. Article 10. Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him. Article 11. (1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence. (2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed. Article 12. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks. Article 13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state. (2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Article 14. (1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution. (2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Article 15. (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality. Article 16. (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. Article 17. (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others. (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property. Article 18. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance. Article 19. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. Article 20. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

The document continues to outline fundamental human rights, including rights to participate in government, social security, work, leisure, education, cultural participation, and other freedoms essential for human dignity. The detailed articles provide a comprehensive framework for universal human rights.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Assessing the extent to which women worldwide have obtained their rights as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) requires an analysis of current global gender equality conditions, governmental responses, and the challenges of establishing a universal human rights standard amid diverse cultural and political contexts.

Historically, the UDHR, proclaimed in 1948, laid foundational human rights principles—including equality, freedom, and dignity—that are intended to be universal and inalienable. Specific articles—such as Article 2, affirming non-discrimination based on sex, and Article 16, advocating equal rights to marry and found a family—are particularly pertinent to women's rights. However, the global realization of these principles remains uneven due to cultural, social, economic, and political factors.

In many developed nations, women have made significant advances in legal rights, access to education, employment opportunities, and political participation. For instance, women in North America and Europe enjoy legal protections against discrimination, reproductive rights, and representation in government. Such gains align with the UDHR’s ideals but are not entirely comprehensive—for example, gender pay gaps and violence against women persist, indicating gaps between rights and realities.

Conversely, in many Third World countries, women continue to face systemic inequalities, including restricted legal rights, limited access to education, and high rates of violence and exploitation. For example, in Afghanistan and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, women frequently encounter cultural practices that restrict mobility, limit participation in public life, or deny basic rights enshrined in the UDHR, such as access to healthcare or property rights. Governments in these regions often respond inadequately—either due to entrenched patriarchal customs, lack of resources, or political instability—thus failing to meet the needs articulated by the UDHR for gender equality.

Such disparities highlight why developing a universal human rights standard for women is challenging. Cultural relativism plays a significant role, with some societies perceiving gender roles differently and resisting external notions of equality. For instance, traditional practices like veiling or bride price are seen by some as cultural rights rather than violations of human rights—creating tension between universal standards and local customs.

Furthermore, political will and resource constraints impede enforcement of gender equality policies. Many Third World governments lack the institutional capacity or political stability to implement reforms effectively. International interventions often encounter resistance, cultural friction, or lack of local buy-in, complicating efforts to promote universal standards. The case of female genital mutilation in parts of Africa exemplifies these difficulties—where local customs conflict with human rights norms, and change is slow and contentious.

The global landscape underscores that a universal standard of human rights, especially concerning women, is hindered by diversity in cultural values, governance capacity, and economic development. The human rights framework, while aspirational, must be adaptable and sensitive to local contexts, which complicates universal enforcement. Achieving genuine equality for women worldwide requires not only international agreements but also culturally nuanced and locally supported initiatives—emphasizing education, legal reform, and empowerment programs.

References

• UN General Assembly. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights
• World Economic Forum. (2023). Global Gender Gap Report 2023. Geneva: WEF.
• Amnesty International. (2022). Women’s Rights in the World. Accessed from https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/discrimination/womens-rights/
• UN Women. (2023). Progress of the World’s Women. New York: UN Women.
• Freedom House. (2022). Women’s Rights and Freedoms Report. Washington D.C.
• Human Rights Watch. (2021). Women and Girls Rights Violations. New York.
• World Bank. (2022). Women, Business and the Law. Washington D.C.
• Knudsen, J. (2020). Cultural Relativism and Universal Rights. Journal of Human Rights Studies, 15(3), 45-60.
• Sen, A. (2009). The Idea of Justice. Harvard University Press.
• Bunch, C. (1990). Women's Rights as Human Rights: Toward a Re-Vision of Human Rights. Human Rights Quarterly, 12(4), 486-498.