What is the Declaration on Women’s Sex based Rights?

The Women's Declaration International (WDI) is a group of women from across the globe dedicated to protecting women's sex-based rights.

With more than 18800 signatories from 137 countries, WHRC also has the support and allyship of more than 351 global grassroot organisations.

It reaffirms the rights of women as set out in the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December 1979.

Further developed in the CEDAW Committee General Recommendations, and adopted, inter alia, in the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993 (UNDEVW).

Having been translated in 20 languages, the Declaration re-affirms the rights of women and girls as outlined in CEDAW.

CEDAW defines discrimination against women as
“any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.’’

Sex is defined by the United Nations as “the physical and biological characteristics that distinguish males from females.’’ (Gender Equality Glossary, UN Women)

Gender refers to “the roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society at a given time considers appropriate for men and women… These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes.’’ (Gender Equality Glossary, UN Women).

Recent changes replacing the category of sex, which is biological, with ‘gender’, which refers to stereotyped sex roles, in United Nations documents, strategies, and actions, has led to confusion which undermines the protection of women’s human rights, and goes against CEDAW.

This has led to the promotion of a right to the protection of such ‘identities’, eroding the gains made by women over decades.

Women’s rights achieved on the basis of sex are now being undermined by the incorporation of concepts such as ’gender identity’ and ‘Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities (SOGIES)’ into international documents.

Men who claim a female ‘gender identity’ are able to assert, in law, policies, and practice, that they are members of the category of women, which is a category based upon sex.

The Declaration is:

Reaffirming CEDAW’s commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the human rights of women and of girls as an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Recognising that in the first decades of the United Nations human rights approach there was a clear understanding that discrimination against women was based upon sex.

Noting that United Nations human rights agreements, policies, strategies, actions and documents recognize that sex role stereotypes, now more commonly called ‘gender stereotypes’, are harmful to women and girls.

Recognising that the clear concept of sex role stereotyping has now been confused through the use of the language of gender.

Recognising that the use of puberty supressing drugs, cross-sex hormones, and surgery on children are harmful practices as defined by Part V of the Joint General Recommendation No. 31 of CEDAW.

Categorised under 9 broad Articles, the declaration reaffirms:

Article 1 - That the rights of women are based upon the category of sex
Article 2 - The nature of motherhood as an exclusively female status
Article 3 - The rights of women and girls to physical and reproductive integrity
Article 4 - Women’s rights to freedom of opinion and freedom of expression
Article 5 - Women’s right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
Article 6 - Women’s rights to political participation on the basis of sex
Article 7 - Women’s rights to the same opportunities as men to participate actively in sports and physical education
Article 8 - The need for the elimination of violence against women
Article 9 - The need for the protection of the rights of the child

States should maintain the centrality of the category of sex, and not ‘gender identity’, in relation to women’s and girls’ right to be free from discrimination.

[SHZIA]

This is so empowering. I was feeling so anxious about what is going on. This gives me hope!

[aducksaysmoo]

Thank you - the fact that women cannot stand up and speak about this without fear of retribution shows how much we MUST speak out.

[MotherMissionary]

The live zoom is not at a great time for me here in Western Australia but SO happy I can view here. I’m so proud of you all and the work you’re doing. In a world where being a biological female is increasingly dangerous you elevate both our cause and us all through your example and commitment. Keep going! We’re waking up!

[debbietaylor]

Excellent! Our rights are not up for debate!

[acpicks]

Great video! Thank you for standing for women!

[WomensLiberationRadioNews]

Beautiful work! Love the aerial shot of El Violador Eres Tu dance/chant at the beginning and end. The soundtrack is fantastic as well.

[TedAlexandro]

Bravo! Thanks for the important work you are doing.

[carolbradley]

Fantastic, I don't feel so alone

[agajohanna]

Political, and legal documents and also social positions change as society changes. Language matters and the metrics of which we use said language matters even as it changes. Society is changing and we're so glad you're a minority organization that's not taken too seriously

[JRMCNEA]

Not gonna happen until men are able to speak freely around women and women don't take what is said as a personal attack made specifically for them.