A Critical Analysis of the Efficacy of Law as a Tool to Achieve Gender Equality

Natalie Persadie

Law is often perceived as an instrument that can effect social change. While this might be so, it must be complemented by the necessary financial and human resources to make the law effective. Natalie Persadie explains that, among developing countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, the achievement of legal advances for women—at either the international or national levels—is particularly difficult where practical measures are not subsequently implemented. This is, perhaps, attributable to a lack of political will. Important issues such as gender equality and domestic violence are not given priority and laws aimed at protecting women and promoting women’s rights are ineffective, scant, or unenforced. Gender justice can only be realized through a multilevel approach from above and, more importantly, from below, as women have the potential to effect real national and international legal and institutional change to ensure gender equality at both levels.

University Press of America

Pages: 296 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-0-7618-5809-6 • Hardback • July 2012 • $115.00 • (£88.00)

978-0-7618-5810-2 • eBook • July 2012 • $109.00 • (£84.00)

Subjects: Law / Gender & the Law, Social Science / Women's Studies, Social Science / Developing Countries

A Critical Analysis of the Efficacy of Law as a Tool to Achieve Gender Equality

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Law is often perceived as an instrument that can effect social change. While this might be so, it must be complemented by the necessary financial and human resources to make the law effective. Natalie Persadie explains that, among developing countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago, the achievement of legal advances for women—at either the international or national levels—is particularly difficult where practical measures are not subsequently implemented. This is, perhaps, attributable to a lack of political will. Important issues such as gender equality and domestic violence are not given priority and laws aimed at protecting women and promoting women’s rights are ineffective, scant, or unenforced. Gender justice can only be realized through a multilevel approach from above and, more importantly, from below, as women have the potential to effect real national and international legal and institutional change to ensure gender equality at both levels.

Details

University Press of America

Pages: 296 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-0-7618-5809-6 • Hardback • July 2012 • $115.00 • (£88.00)

978-0-7618-5810-2 • eBook • July 2012 • $109.00 • (£84.00)

Subjects: Law / Gender & the Law, Social Science / Women's Studies, Social Science / Developing Countries

Author

Natalie Persadie holds a Ph.D. in international relations from the University of Birmingham, UK. She has co-authored several journal articles and books. Persadie is assistant professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago and part-time lecturer at the University of the West Indies.

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF CASES
LIST OF CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
LIST OF STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

CHAPTER ONE: GENDER AND THE LAW

CHAPTER TWO: THE ANDROCENTRISM OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS

CHAPTER THREE: THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK — THE UNITED NATIONS AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS POST-1945

CHAPTER FOUR: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S DOMESTIC GENDER POLICY — THE LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE

CHAPTER FIVE: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — THE SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE

CHAPTER SIX: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — THE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE

CHAPTER SEVEN: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — THE INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

CHAPTER EIGHT: CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

A Critical Analysis of the Efficacy of Law as a Tool to Achieve Gender Equality

Natalie Persadie

A Critical Analysis of the Efficacy of Law as a Tool to Achieve Gender Equality

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