The culminating assignment in JS 171 – Human Rights and Justice is an individual research project comprised of three assignments around a current issue in human rights that you want to explore (each worth 15% of your grade):
1) Research Issue Brief: Researching the issue
2) Taking Action: Taking an action that has the potential to promote human rights and make an impact related to this issue
Your issue brief should succinctly summarize your research into the issue to outline the root causes, proposed solutions and pathways to change. See the rubric for more details on the requirements.
Important: Your submission should use this template below:
Issue Research Brief
Explain the problem, who is affected and the implications. (150 words)
What are 3 root causes of this problem? (Write 3-4 sentences per bullet)
1.
2.
3.
Which internationally recognized human rights are being violated? (Provide a list referring to the right and the relevant treaties/covenants ie: UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, CEDAW, etc)
What are 3 of the solutions you would advocate for addressing this problem? (Write 3-4 sentences per bullet)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Source citations (10 minimum)
List all sources you used in your research to find the information above. These should be full citations and include at least 3 peer-reviewed journal articles NOT from the course reading; 3 human rights reports by NGOs or international govt. Organizations; 1 source from class materials and 3 other sources (such as media reports, film, podcasts, etc.).
MY TOPIC:
Your research topic: Femicide in Latin America
What is the issue and who is affected? (20-30 words):
Women are more likely to be killed by their intimate partner or relatives
Who/What entity (entities) have the power to address this issue?
All Latin American states have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Fourteen have ratified the Convention’s Optional Protocol recognizing the competence of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to monitor states’ compliance and to receive and consider complaints from individuals within its jurisdiction. Those same 14 follow the inter-American human rights system that includes the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence Against Women, which affirms that violence against women constitutes a violation of their human rights and fundamental freedom. But international commitments have not always translated into the effective application of the spirit of the law or the law itself to effectively stop violence against women.
How do you plan to take action on this issue?
The culture of machismo is what needs to end. According to the Center for Public Safety, in Latin American culture, machismo is a social behavior pattern in which the Latino male exhibits an overbearing attitude to anyone in a position he perceives as inferior to his, demanding complete subservience. There needs to be more education opportunities for women in Latin America in order to see more women in positions of power. I hope to have my own scholarship funded by myself in the state of Sinaloa Mexico to provide aid to encourage young women to continue their studies after graduating highschool.
Name of partner organization (If applicable)
Where does your action fall on this spectrum of action? Who are you hoping to reach/influence with your action and how will that make an impact?
