International Human Rights for Women at Home: Reports and Resources

Legal Momentum seeks to incorporate international human rights principles into United States law to enhance the human rights of women throughout the world.

Congressional Ratification of Human Rights Instruments

U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Legal Momentum encourages the U.S. government to ratify CEDAW, a "women's bill of rights" ratified by over 180 countries. Learn more about Legal Momentum's support of CEDAW (PDF) (November 2010).

Legal Momentum also seeks to implement the principles of human rights on the local level through our work promoting the Human Rights in Government Operations Audit Law (HR-GOAL). Legal Momentum is a member of the New York City Human Rights Initiative, an organization that advocates for HR-GOAL.

Enhancing Courts' Reliance on Human Rights Norms

Legal Momentum has submitted several amicus curiae briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the Court should consider international human rights law and U.S obligations in considering constitutional questions:

  • Jessica Lenahan (Gonzales) v. U.S.A. - Determined whether the U.S. government violated international human rights treaties by failing to protect an individual from – and provide a remedy for – domestic violence, when local law enforcement failed to do so. August 2011

  • Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger - Determined the constitutionality of affirmative action programs in publicly-funded schools and universities. April 2003

  • Case of Atala and Daughters v. Chile - The Inter-American Court (IACHR) handed down a ruling overturning the Chilean Supreme Court’s 2004 decision denying Judge Karen Atala custody of her children in favor of her ex-husband. February 2012

  • Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Mineta, et al. - Determined the constitutionality of an affirmative action program targeted at economically and socially disadvantaged small business owners. October 2001