The project will focus on identifying potential “good laws” and/or important case law that promote women’s substantive equality, and developing case studies that delve into the content of the laws, their impact and implementation mechanisms, as well as the complex set of factors and actors involved in their creation and implementation.

We have a particular interest in looking at the participation of women’s organizations and civil society in the process of developing laws that promote women’s de facto equality.  The project seeks to involve women’s organizations, researchers and women’s human rights experts in identifying case studies and in contributing to a greater understanding of what constitutes a “good practice” in the context of promoting women’s enjoyment of their human rights. It also seeks to question and deepen the parameters for understanding how to define “good practices” in the context of women’s human rights implementation.

The information appended (and on the website) describes the roles and parameters of participation in this important global study.  The results of the study will be submitted to the UNWGDAW to contribute towards their official report on this theme to the Human Rights Council, and will also be disseminated through a range of methods once the study is completed. Individual researcher applicants must have a degree in a related field, research experience, and excellent English writing skills. All interested candidates should submit a CV, letter of interest, names and contact information of two professional references, and a writing sample in English, (all in a single Word or PDF document, please) to: [email protected] by May 30, 2016.  Please indicate clearly which regional team you are looking to join, and whether you are applying to be a researcher or a research team coordinator.  The regions and teams are outlined in the parameters below.

We are also seeking the involvement of women’s organizations with expertise in these areas to submit case studies based on your work.  If your organization would like to get involved in the study, please contact us at [email protected] with the following information: name and profile of organization; region(s) of work; area of specialization; relevant existing studies to contribute to research project; and contact person for follow-up as soon as possible.

See our website for terms of reference for participation:  http://www.learnwhr.org/research