SOCIAL INCLUSION

The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly and entered into force on September 2, 1981. It is underpinned by the belief that basic human rights include the true equality of men and women. 

Women are subject to discrimination in all stages of life. This takes many forms and includes (but is not limited to) income, education, health and participation in society. In addition, women are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence and discrimination. 

It is important to work hard towards the eradication of policies, actions and norms that perpetuate discrimination against women and violate their human rights. Programs aimed at improving the lives of women must acknowledge and take into account the care role of women as well as differences in access to services and productive work between women and men. Unpaid care work, which is frequently undervalued, is overwhelmingly the responsibility of women and girls. The time devoted to caring for others can restrict the ability of women to engage with education and paid work.

Inclusive environmental programs and strategies must provide opportunities for women to access labour markets and engage in capacity-building measures whilst remaining sensitive to their commitments as caregivers and be mindful of the double burden. However, not all women are caregivers so the heterogeneity of women’s experiences must be considered along with the intersectionality of gender, race and class and other identity markers. 

Real and meaningful opportunities for women to participate in decision-making processes help to address self-determination as a fundamental human right. Consideration should be given to the possible effects of gendered power differences as male-dominated settings may discourage women from expressing their thoughts and ideas beyond that of symbolic expression of concerns. Similarly, women must have access to the same accountability mechanisms as their male counterparts in order for their voices to be heard. 

Children

The wellbeing of women and children are intrinsically linked. Whilst good maternal health is critical for the growth and development of babies, the opportunities available to mothers and women in the wider family and community also impact the wellbeing of children. When women are free to enjoy their human rights, this has a positive effect on the lives of children. 

Childhood is a period of rapid growth and development. The fundamental rights of children to access health, nutrition and education fosters their growth as well as their social, emotional and cognitive development. Ensuring the rights and freedoms of women and children promotes a more equitable society. Children who are healthy and literate are able to grow into productive members of their communities which bodes well for a brighter future for all. 

Inclusive environmental management strategies and programs look for opportunities to advance the causes of children in targeting community education and development. They recognise that targeted interventions have the capacity to address intergenerational disadvantage which can exacerbate societal inequality. 

The terms youth and young people, often used interchangeably, refer to the period of life between the dependence of childhood and the independence of adulthood. However, the time spent between leaving compulsory education and entering employment may differ according to context. As a result, the UN Secretariat defines youth in terms of age, specifically those people aged between 15 and 24. 

This stage of life, characterised by change and uncertainty, brings with it an increased vulnerability to different kinds of risks. Young people can experience the effects of unequal distribution of resources, poverty, unemployment, violence, and early parenthood. 

Impoverishment, inequality and social exclusion are the most important interconnected contextual influences that affect youth vulnerabilities. They are not only interconnected but are also reinforcing. The vulnerabilities that result from entrenched marginalisation and poverty impact young people throughout their lives, extend to their families and communities and are potentially intergenerational.  

The constraints, opportunities and means by which young people take on more responsibility as they transition into adulthood reveal a great deal about the conditions of the communities in which they live. The participation of young people in economic, political and community life is critical for promoting social and economic development for the benefit of all. However, social values and institutions and unequal distribution of resources may mean that possibilities and opportunities are not freely available to all. 

Informed approaches to develop youth potential take into account how this stage of life is culturally understood and defined through recognition of gender and socio-economic considerations. Furthermore, an intersectional approach reveals how vulnerability can be compounded by the contextual circumstances of groups and individuals. A young mother from an ethnic minority living in a rural setting may experience challenges that differ from those of a young woman from an ethnic majority living in an urban centre. Through recognising and understanding such unique and contributing factors, interventions and strategies to improve the lives of young people can be tailored to best meet local needs. 

Inclusive environmental management programs and strategies recognise and prioritise the specific needs of young people. Opportunities to access further education and training and address unemployment can address the risks and vulnerabilities associated with youth. They consider the potential of young people to contribute to the wellbeing and development of their communities, are innovative and challenge those sociocultural norms that may impede the ability of young people to recognise and reach their full potential. 

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in 2006 by the UN General Assembly and entered into force on May 3, 2008. It is underpinned by the belief that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Persons with disabilities experience discrimination in many aspects of their lives. This takes many forms and includes (but is not limited to) restricted access to education, employment, housing, transport, and participation in social and cultural life. Persons with disabilities often experience segregation and isolation as a result of physical and social barriers. 

It is important to work towards ensuring that persons with disabilities are able to enjoy and exercise their human rights through provision of reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, an approach which respects difference and values human diversity and humanity should strive to promote increased understanding and acceptance throughout all levels of society. This can involve challenging myths and misconceptions related to disability in order to overcome social and cultural barriers. 

Inclusive environmental programs and strategies must provide equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to fully engage and participate. This includes approaches which respect individual autonomy and independence to make choices and decisions regarding one’s own life. Programs and activities should be non-discriminatory and consider issues of gender-equality and accessibility. In addition, an intersectional approach allows for the special needs of women and children with disabilities to be taken into account both during program design and implementation. 

The United Nations refers to those aged 60 and above as older persons. This group can experience abuse, negative stereotyping and various forms of discrimination including economic disenfranchisement. As a group, older women may be especially more vulnerable to the effects of poverty and isolation due to their lack of remunerated work and longer lifespan. Older persons may also have health issues exacerbated by limited access to healthcare and may experience mobility issues which prevent them from fully participating in their communities. Older persons without adequate means of support can be counted amongst some of the most vulnerable, marginal and unprotected groups in society. 

Factors contributing to the vulnerability of older persons include the absence or deficiencies of social service coverage as well as the emigration of younger members of the population weakening the traditional role of the family in providing the main source of support for older persons. At the individual level factors such as level of education, occupation and rural or urban environment will also impact upon the well-being of older persons. 

In 1991 the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons which contains five sections closely aligned to rights recognised in the International Covenants on Human Rights. Of particular relevance are sections one Independence, two Participation, and four Self-fulfilment.  

The principle of Independence acknowledges the rights of older persons to participate in remunerated work and have access to education and training. Older persons should be employed in roles in which they are able to utilise their expertise and experience and provided with opportunities to continue an occupational activity beyond retirement or to engage in voluntary work if they so wish. The notion of life-long learning recognises the value and potential of the individual throughout the lifespan. Access to literacy training and vocational education and training programs delivered informally through community-based programs can foster self-reliance and community responsibility. 

The second principle of Participation highlights the rights of older persons to participate actively in the formulation and implementation of policies that affect their wellbeing. As transmitters of information, knowledge and cultural values, older persons are uniquely positioned to share their knowledge and skills with younger generations. An inclusive approach affords everyone opportunities to engage and enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications. 

The principle of Self-fulfilment emphasises the right of older persons to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential through access to the resources of their societies; educational, cultural, spiritual and recreational. Engaging older persons helps them to maintain their functional capacities and combat the detrimental effects of ageing which also benefits society more broadly through decreasing associated health and social services costs. 

Inclusive environmental management programs and strategies recognise the value of older persons and draw upon their wealth of knowledge and experience in the planning and delivery of services. They respect the traditional roles that older persons occupy within society and provide meaningful opportunities for them to remain integrated within communities through both consultation and participation. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1976) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976), along with its two Optional Protocols, form the International Bill of Human Rights. These five core United Nations human rights treatises serve to promote the basic freedoms and to safeguard the basic human rights of all people. They guide decision makers in the formation and implementation of policy and law to ensure the economic, social and cultural rights of people the world over. 

Marginalisation, also referred to as social exclusion, occurs when people are exiled to the fringes of society through lack of access to human rights, resources and opportunities. This is a major cause of vulnerability which contributes to and exacerbates poor outcomes for minority groups. Moreover, vulnerable groups may be the subject of laws and policies that further compound their marginalisation.

Minorities are groups that in some way distinguish themselves from the rest of society. This may be in the form of national, ethnic, religious or linguistic identity. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted by the General Assembly in 1992, promotes the rights of people to enjoy their own culture, practise their own religion and use their own language privately and publicly without interference or discrimination. 

People may also experience marginalisation based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity can result in people being denied access to employment and education as well as their civil, political, economic and social rights. In 2016 the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. 

Intersectionality shows how inequality can be layered and that there is diversity even within minority groups. Disadvantage and marginalisation can impede the potential of certain populations to enjoy good health. For instance, communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, are compounded and exacerbated by other inequalities and inequities related to gender, age and sexual orientation.

Other minorities are contextually marginalised through their livelihoods. Waste pickers collect, sort, recycle and sell materials that others have discarded. They often live and work in dangerous conditions lacking basic services and support. There is a high risk of physical injury due to manual handling and lack of personal protective equipment, exposure to harmful and hazardous substances, as well as risk of physical harm due to fire, vehicles and surface slides at open dumpsites. Development and implementation of supportive policies can positively impact upon the lives of waste pickers. Formalising their position as waste workers within the waste management sector not only improves their working conditions but also their socioeconomic status.