Substantive Equality as a Universal Remedy to Eliminate Gender Stereotypes: Snakes and Ladders

Abstract

Gender Stereotypes are deeply-rooted societal norms or social taboos on gender. Though it is merely an unconscious categorization, it directly affects on the concept of equality between men and women, particularly leading on violations of women?s human rights. The close nexus between society and gender stereotypes is one of the principle reasons that it has become a herculean task to eliminate. The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) could be recognized as the most significant legal document on the protection of human rights of women globally. It covers many facets of women?s lives. Equality and non-discrimination between men and women is the main ideology in CEDAW. However, provided the complex philosophical nature of gender stereotypes; the concept of ?equalit? could be utilized to dismantle gender stereotypes jurisprudentially. Firstly, it should be examined whether the paradigms of equality and gender stereotypes are inter-related. Secondly, it is to be examined the possible means of utilizing the above connotation to eliminate gender stereotypes. The main objective of the research paper is to analyse the concept of equality as it appears in the jurisprudence of the Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women. The secondary objective of the research is to apply the theory of substantive equality to eliminate gender stereotypes. The research methodology is based on the exploratory research design. Further, it is a library based secondary data review; directing to legal research methodology. The outcome of the research is a jurisprudential analysis on the concept of equality within the purview of gender stereotypes. This policy research will provide clear insights for legal policy framers to draft legal policies on the elimination of gender stereotypes using the theory of substantive equality as a tool.