Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

To mark its first anniversary, GC Human Rights Preparedness is introducing a new feature. It is called Editor’s Choice. We hope you enjoy it.

This poem by laureate Nnimmo Bassey reminds our global community that human rights preparedness also means fostering resilience through poetry, art and other means of expression. Art eases suffering, empowers, and advocates in times of emergency.

Insecurity in terms of abduction from schools and the COVID-19 pandemic have halted slow but positive gains in the Nigerian education sector, impacting negatively on rights in education. Budgeting to secure the learning environment is needed to ensure that the human right to education is put back on track.

The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has highlighted the relationship between global health law and human rights. However, a recent court case in Kenya reveals the intrinsic link between inequalities and economic concerns capable of limiting national and international rights standards.

Criminalisation of sex work in Uganda has increased violence against sex workers and left them vulnerable to violation of their socio-economic rights to work, food, housing and health services during the enforcement of public health measures to counter the spread of COVID-19.

Two-way engagement and cooperation with local communities with a human rights based approach are essential tools in the response to outbreaks and transmission prevention in transnational health emergencies. The response to the 2013-2015 EVD outbreak in West Africa highlighted the importance of preparedness for communication and strong engagement with local communities when designing and implementing containment measures.

Stories of abuse and exploitation linked to the overseas domestic-work industry have always dominated the airwaves in the Philippines. However, the global pandemic has added a new layer of ill-treatment for Filipino female domestic workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic creates the necessary momentum to transform short-term solutions into permanent policies in addressing inequalities in cities. For us to be the better version of ourselves individually and collectively, the time to redesign our cities is now.

There has been normative clarification of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. However certain aspects of the right remain poorly defined and present challenges, notably in relation to the corporate, profit-driven orientation of contemporary scientific innovation.

The Kenyan government’s recent evictions in Kariobangi, Nairobi, contravened a court order and the constitution, as well as breaching international human rights law and causing additional hardship to poverty-stricken citizens already adversely impacted by COVID-19.