Note

Blazing a Trail for the Enhanced Enforcement of Women’s Rights: Erga Omnes Partes Standing

Kathryn A. Donoho

J.D./L.L.M., Cornell Law School, 2026; M.B.A., Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, 2026; B.B.A. (Economics) and Bachelor of Accountancy, University of San Diego, 2017. A special thank you to Sandra L. Babcock, Elizabeth W. Brundige, Muna B. Ndulo, Radwa S. Elsaman, and Valeria Chiappini for your helpful feedback and insight on this Note.

30 May 2025

The revolutionary principle of erga omnes partes standing can be utilized as an enforcement tool for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (“CEDAW”). Recent judicial developments within the International Court of Justice propel this argument forward, providing a novel solution to enforce international human rights obligations. While erga omnes partes standing has only been confirmed in the context of the Genocide Convention and the Convention Against Torture, its applicability to other human rights treaties remains untested by the Court. This Note advances that erga omnes partes standing is an asset for enforcing CEDAW obligations, casting a vision to ameliorate gender-based discrimination around the world.

To read this Note, please click here: Blazing a Trail for the Enhanced Enforcement of Women’s Rights: Erga Omnes Partes Standing.