Legislation

International and national laws are important standards that men and women can use to seek protection for their rights and to hold governments accountable. Knowledge about legislative codes is crucial to enabling individuals and activists to use the laws in the defense of their human rights.

In this section, WLP provides access to international covenants and national legislation, especially family laws that affect the lives of women and girls. While most international covenants are readily accessible, national legislation, which most often has the greatest impact on people's lives, is generally difficult to find on the Internet or through other means. WLP is gathering together national legislative codes relevant to women and girls and placing them online. Additionally, in the Family Laws section, WLP has compiled comparative charts on minimum age of marriage, divorce rights, guardianship, polygamy and the like which may be used for advocacy and legal reform.