Quote

"The obligation to protect requires that States parties protect women from discrimination by private actors and take steps directly aimed at eliminating customary and all other practices that prejudice and perpetuate the notion of inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes, and of stereotyped roles for men and women. "

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UN (CEDAW): General Recommendation No. 28 on the Core Obligations of States Parties Under Article 2 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women , Para. 9

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General Recommendation No. 28 on the Core Obligations of States Parties Under Article 2 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Summaries

States should take special, temporary measures to achieve de facto equality for women.
The state must perform both its "negative duty" to refrain from discrimination against women and its "positive duty" to prevent discrimination against women.