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Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system
Thesis (PhD (International Relations))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613506314960896 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Skelton, Ann, 1961-
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| author_browse | Skelton, Ann, 1961-
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| author_facet | Skelton, Ann, 1961-
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| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD (International Relations))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100946 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:13.890Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100946 Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system Skelton, Ann, 1961- swartzwendyj@gmail.com Swartz, Wendy Jean UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Politicisation of rights Diplomats Human rights experts Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) Comprehensive sexual education Thesis (PhD (International Relations))--University of Pretoria, 2024. Women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health are fundamental human rights, as enshrined in international laws and agreements and recognized by human rights’ bodies. However, despite instruments promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls and the right to comprehensive sexual education (CSE), these rights are often limited, restricted or denied. This research considers whether the differences between the Charter-driven and treaty-derived bodies within the United Nations are impeding the advancement of these rights for women and girls. The divergent logic, processes and activities of the actors within these bodies, namely the human rights experts and state representatives, are examined. Furthermore, the validity of positions adopted by states, whether political, legal, cultural or religious, are explored. The research is a qualitative study drawn from primary and secondary sources in UN agencies, international human rights law, academic research and government policies addressing SRHR and CSE. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the lack of collaboration between the human rights experts and States parties within certain UN bodies. The study concludes that whilst UN documents continue to reflect progressive recognition of these rights, challenges persist across all geopolitical regions in the understanding, realisation and implementation of these rights. The research furthermore definitively concludes that cultural or traditional practices cannot be justified should they impede on a girl’s rights in any way. As the narrative on girls’ rights is not linear, but is instead co-located within numerous other interests, the polarisation and politicisation of these issues are expected to continue. Bursaries provided by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the University of Pretoria Private Law LLD (International Relations) Restricted Faculty of Laws SDG-03: Good health and well-being SDG-04: Quality education SDG-05: Gender equality 2025-02-14T19:38:19Z 2025-02-14T19:38:19Z 2025-05-28 2025-02-14 Thesis * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100946 Disclaimer letter en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Politicisation of rights Diplomats Human rights experts Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) Comprehensive sexual education Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system |
| title | Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system |
| title_full | Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system |
| title_fullStr | Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system |
| title_full_unstemmed | Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system |
| title_short | Who speaks for girls? The conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the United Nations system |
| title_sort | who speaks for girls the conflicting voices on sexual education and reproductive health rights in the united nations system |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Politicisation of rights Diplomats Human rights experts Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) Comprehensive sexual education |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100946 |