ESR Review, Volume 15 No. 1 2014 now available!

This first issue of the 2014 ESR Review focusses on the potential of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as a tool for poverty reduction in South Africa. It also looks at Developing Cape Town’s right to housing in the rental sector. There are also summaries of recent developments on socio-economic rights across the world.

On 8 March 2014 the annual International Women’s Day was celebrated. This year’s theme is Equality for Women is Progress for All. The reason for commemorating International Women’s Day is to create awareness of women’s social and political struggles internationally and to inspire women to celebrate their achievements.

In an acknowledgment of the importance of gender equality, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the United Nations Under-Secretary- General and Executive Director of UN Women emphasises that ‘the inclusion of women in decision-making forums brings different voices to the table and the discussions and decisions better reflect and respond to the diverse needs of the society’. She also underscores the fact that, while women’s contributions to peace and democratisation have been acknowledged as important, this has not translated into leadership roles for women in decision making institutions.

Despite widespread constitutional guarantees of equality, the reality for many women is that basic legal rights remain out of reach. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls remain vital to a more just, peaceful and secure future for all of us.

This issue of the ESR Review includes two feature articles. Sandy Liebenberg explores the potential of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) as a tool for poverty reduction in South Africa. Her article emphasises the point that proper implementation of the provisions of the
ICESCR can transform lives. Natalie C Webb analyses Cape Town’s housing rental sector and suggests lessons that the South African Rental Housing Tribunal can learn from New York’s experience in the rental sector. Her insightful analysis of the situations in the two countries provides a good reading for academics and policy makers.

ESR Review, Volume 15 No. 1 2014 available HERE.