Vanuatu Christian Council

Training Manual on Human rights, Faith and Gender
Training Manual on
Human rights, Faith
and Gender
Vanuatu Christian Council

Vanuatu Christian Council of Churches Page 1
Table of Contents
Message from the Vanuatu Christian Council of Churches ....................................................................2
Acknowledgement ..........................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Purpose of this Training Manual on Human Rights, Faith and Gender...........................................5
Section 1 :Training Guide for Facilitator ...................................................................................6 -7
Section 2 : Introduction to Human Rights ..............................................................................8 – 14
Section 3 :Introduction to Gender ………………………………………………………………...26-29
Section 4 : Faith brings it all together ……………………………………………………………..30 – 38
Reference List ………………………………………………………………………………………. 39

MESSAGE FROM THE VANUATU CHRISTIAN COUNCIL (VCC)
God created man and woman he endowed them with the gift of the will, of freedom and also
with the gift of making choices. Adam, right from the moment of Eve’s formation, was able to
appreciate who he was as a man when he look at Eve as the woman and realized the
complementary differences they shared. Genesis Chapter 2. They had equal rights but were
different in their makeup, characters, traits and personalities.
In creating Eve, God did not choose a part of Adam that would suggest superiority or inferiority.
He chose a part which implied support, sharing, journeying together and love. Adam knew God
had great respect for him since he had obviously put him at the peak of His creation. He gave
him the right to name animals and to be responsible over them – to use them for his good and
that of his neighbor. The rights that he had were not to be used at the detriment of God’s
creation. They were both naked before God – this nakedness meant many things; physical,
openness and transparency. The movement towards the identification and the proclamation of the
rights of man is one of the most important efforts to respond efficaciously to the demands of the
human dignity. The Church has always tried to affirm them. The Church recognized human
dignities and tried to promote them universally or on globally. The magisterium of the Church
has never ceased to positively evaluate; “the Declaration of the Universal Right of Man put
forward by the United Nations on the 10th December, 1948.
Today we speak of the concept of human rights because there exists the other side of the coin –
the abuse and the exercise of great disrespect of human right – what we nowadays call injustice.
To right that wrong, the people have come to the realization that there needs to be a great support
and promotion of the common good and the participation of all to the realization of all –
common good towards women. Man and woman have equal dignity and are equal in value, not
only because the two, in their differences are made in the image of God and more profoundly
because of their dynamic reciprocity that the “US” is the image of God. There is a significant
difference between the “letter and the spirit of the rights of man.” The Ultimate Source of the
rights of man is not situated in a simple will of human beings, in the reality of the state, and of
civil powers, but in man himself and in God his creator. These rights are universal, inviolable
and inalienable.
 Universal: All human beings have rights with no exception of place or subject
 Inviolable: Human Rights is inherent to the human person and his dignity
 Inalienable: In the measure where each person cannot legitimately deprive his fellow man
of these rights.
We would rightly say that in essence, the respect for the rights of others is Christian. In the
beginning God made all things good the highest good is man. Every creation gives glory to God
by the nature of its existence. Only man can give the greater glory because of his capacity to
love.

ACKNOWLEDEMENT
The Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) Manual on Human Rights, Gender & Faith is part of the
implementation plan of our Gender Policy. VCC believes that it was through the UN
Convention on Human Rights that the issues of Gender rose from the horizon and gave the
world the opportunity to refer back to the Creation Story, the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It is
also crucial at this time for the churches to refer back to the teachings of Jesus in the New
Testament on the way he treated men and women in his time. Every human being has a soul
and that soul is very precious to God whether it be of a male or female.
May I take this opportunity to thank those who contributed to the formulation of this Manual:
1. Chairman of the VCC Executive Board, Bishop James M. Ligo, Vice Chairman, Bishop
John Beremes Bosco, other Board members and VCC member church representatives
who attended the Workshop on Human Rights, Gender & Faith in March 2014. Your
productive inputs have contributed to the design of this Manual.
2. Dr. Andrina L. Thomas, Country Manager for Live & Learn Vanuatu and her Staff who
coordinated the training program. Your professional contributions has assisted our
members to have a broader view on Human Rights and Gender issues in the world and
around us.
3. Mrs .Josephine Peter Kalsuak , the former Country Focal Officer for the Secretariat of
the Pacific Community –Regional Rights Resource Team ,currently undertaking Studies
at Griffith University in Australia on Human Services. Her diverse expertise on human
rights work enables the editing of this manual to be user friendly for the community.
4. Ms. Rebecca Olul, out-going Country Director of UN Women Office in Vanuatu and UN
Women Staff in Suva for their financial support that enabled VCC to have the Human
Rights, Gender & Faith training and printing of this Manual.
5. Mrs. Ruth Dovo, VCC Gender Focal Officer, who initiated the formulation of the VCC
Gender Policy and this Manual, Mrs. Rebecca Vuti, Finance Manager and Mrs. Annick
Stevens, Women’s Coordinator for their valuable contributions in re-editing this Manual.
May this Manual on Human Rights, Gender & Faith assist VCC member churches to develop
understanding of human rights and freedom in the spirit of faithfulness to God and responsibility
before and for the people of God. This Manual is also dedicated to the dignity and worth of the
human person created in God’s image and infinitely precious in God’s sight and to the equal
rights of women, men, of young and old, of all nations and peoples.
Pastor Shem Tema - General Secretary

INTRODUCTION
The Church has a responsibility as the body of Christ, to share in God’s mission of Justice, peace
and respect for all creation and seek for all humanity the abundant life. Within scripture, through
tradition, and from the many ways in which the spirit illumines our hearts today, we discern
God’s gift of dignity for each person and their inherent right to acceptance and participation
within the community.
Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) as the peak body of the churches in Vanuatu believes that it
must take the leading role in advocating for Human Rights. All human beings, regardless of race,
sex or belief, have been created by God. However, the world has been corrupted by sin, which
results in the destruction of human relationships. In reconciling human kind and creation with
God, Jesus Christ has also reconciled human beings with each other. Love of our neighbor is the
essence of obedience to God.
Human rights concentrate on the important values in our communities. Human rights, is
important in our lives. Our societies have:
 Communities;
 Developments;
 Laws;
 Customs;
 Religion/churches.
Human rights’ values are:
 Dignity;
 Respect;
 Love;
 Care;
 Safety;
 Security.
Although the term ‘human rights’ may sound new, the concept of human rights does not belong
externally. Many of the values we obtain through religion, culture and customs are compatible
with the values of human rights. You will recognize that it assists to strengthen and safeguard your
community.

Purpose of this Training Manual on Human Rights, Faith and Gender
This training package is designed to help staff members of the Vanuatu Christian Council deliver
effective training on human rights, faith and gender.
The purpose of this training is to raise the awareness to the members of the church communities
within the network of the Vanuatu Christian Council about the principles and application of
human rights , faith and gender.
This package is divided into four sections.
Section One: Training guideline for Facilitators
Section Two: Introduction to Human Rights
Section Three: Introduction to Gender
Section Four: Faith –Bringing it all together from a biblical approach

6
Section 1: Training Guide for Facilitators
Section1.1 : Logistic and Content planning checklist
Planning is essential to enhance an effective adult learners training. Developing a check
list on this do will enable smooth training delivery. Under taking logistics activities can
be over whelming if Planning is done insufficiently.
Training checklist can be in various formats and concepts. Two planning concept that
this manual will guide facilitator to enhance training deliverables are :
 Logistics planning
 Content planning.
It is to be noted that the planning concept is generic and can be adapted to your training
context.
Vanuatu Christian Council staff members have a wealth of experiences in facilitating
adult training, hence their expertise and skills will be an added value to the checklist.
Adult training Checklist
Logistics planning stage Content planning
 Have an approved budget for your training
 Ensure participants are inform and
confirmed to attend training
 Training supplies and materials prepared in
advance. TH
 Training room or venue is conducive to
your training
 Inform your guest speakers two weeks in
humble time before the commencement of
your training dates.
 If you guest speakers will not be available
ask them to find an alternative resource
person.
 Ensure you know the topic , so that you can
fill in.
 A trainer using this training package should
have an understanding of human rights , faith
and gender .
 Be non-judgemental when delivering your
training
 Encourage group work, discussions and draw
lessons from your expertise and your
participants expertise
 Ensure your session objective is convey well
to your participants.
 Collaborate well with other stakeholders in the
field of human rights.
 Recap at the beginning of each day . As a
facilitator you can choose variety of training
methods for your recap session.
 Evaluation should be done the end of your
training

Section1. 2 : Training Symbols usedin this training manual :
The symbols used in the training manual are self-explanatory to inform the facilitator of the
relevant training activity given in each particular session.
Symbols Meaning of Symbols
Time allocated for this session
Group discussion
Facilitator to explain
Plenary open discussion
Brain storming activity
Training Resources
Bible verse
Session objective
Guest Speaker

Section 2: Introduction to Human Rights
Session1: What is Human Rights?
By the end of this sessionparticipants will be able to :
 Define the word human rights
 Understand the basis and purpose of human rights
 Understand the features of human rights
 Explore the history of human rights
 Identify human rights in Vanuatu Constitution
3 hours
Flipcharts
Markers
Handouts
Power point projector
Copy of the Fundamental rights chapter of the Vanuatu Constitution
Copy of the UDHR
Introduction
“So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and
female he created them.” (Gen 1:27).
1. 1: What are human rights?
You may have heard or read about the term “human rights.”
1. But what does it mean?
2. How do we link the term human rights with the bible text on Genesis 1 : 27
In groups discuss for ten minutes discuss what human rights means and report back to the
plenary
Human rights are the rights that all human beings have and are entitled to enjoy simply because
they are human.
These rights provide for the things we need to live a life of human dignity. For example,
everyone has the right to food and shelter. The right to food and shelter is recognised as a
human right because food and shelter are essential to our existence as human beings; no one
can live without them.

Other examples include the right to freedom of expression and the right to practise your
religion: everyone has these human rights because they are regarded as essential to a fully
human existence.
Taken together, the whole set of human rights cover all the things we need for living with
human dignity.
1.2: The basis of human rights
All humans are made in the image of God. Everyone is born with the right to be treated with
equal respect and value. This is the Christian basis for human rights.
The principle is stated at the beginning of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights proclaims:
“All human beings are born equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and
conscience and should act towards one another in the spirit of brotherhood.”
Christian men and women played an important part in drafting the Universal Declaration,
and it is possible to see the influence of Christian thinking in both the content and the
language of the document.
However, because the Declaration was intended to be acceptable to persons of all faiths and
those of no religious faith, Article 1 does not specifically refer to God. However, Christians
still point to the idea that men and women are made in the image of God to explain why all
humans are born equal in dignity and rights
In your groups brainstorm your ideas why human rights is important for the church
Institution?
Human rights are important for individual, communities, churches and for the world as a
whole. Human rights help create the conditions in which each of us can develop our potential,
and begin to enjoy on earth God’s promise of ‘life in abundance’ (John 10:10).
They also help to develop healthier and more harmonious communities in which individual
and families can live.
1.4: History of human rights?
Where do you think human rights come from?
As human beings are born with human rights. No one can take it away or give it to use.
However, there were some situations in the 17th and 18th centuries that caused a group of
people to come together and developed written documents on human rights.

The idea that human beings must have some basic rights traced back to the Greek philosophers
such as Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. It was during the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in
England, France and the USA where people were striving for democratic forms of government.
The terrible violence of World War II leading to the unfair treatment of the Jews and other
minorities in Germany. As a result of the World War 11a global desire insisted that all people
have certain basic rights, regardless of their race, sex or religion and no country’s laws or
policies should be allowed to deny anyone the basic rights needed to live in dignity as a human
being.
Countries around the world met in the United Nations General Assembly and agreed upon a
statement of these rights. This statement, called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR).
UDHR set out a list of 30 fundamental human rights and freedoms, which belong to every
person, everywhere. The Universal Declaration was passed unanimously by the General
Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. It marked the beginning of the modern era of human
rights.
Since 1948, the members of the United Nations have made a number of other international
agreements, called Conventions or Covenants, which have set out these human rights in greater
detail. The Conventions have been accepted by countries from every part of the world. The
process of setting down the details of our human rights in Conventions is still continuing, but
the new Conventions all flow from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Most countries also recognise human rights in their own legal systems. Vanuatu Constitution
chapter 2 recognised the rights and duties of Ni Vanuatu. Vanuatu’s constitution is our supreme
law.
1.5:Key features of human rights
All people are entitle to human right no matters what characters you have either you black ,
white , male ,female , rich or poor– we all have these rights. We don’t have to pay for them or
do anything else to get them. The features of human rights are:
Human rights are:
 Universal (they belong to everyone, everywhere)
 Inherent (we are born with them);
 Inalienable (they cannot be given, sold, or taken away) and
 Indivisible (human rights comes in a complete package. All human rights are inter
related to enable a person’s capacity to live a human life of dignity and Justice . Eg :
The right to education depends on the right to health.
1.6:Different types of ‘rights’
There are several ways to explain what rights are, such as powers or claims, but it may be
simplest to think of rights as entitlements.
Some rights indicate the actions that you are entitled to do yourself, and other people are not
allowed to stop you from doing. We often call these ‘freedoms.’ For example, you have freedom

of religion, which means that you are entitled to believe in and practise your own religion, and
other people are not allowed to interfere in you doing so.
There are other rights which states the actions that other people are not allowed to do to you. For
example, you have a right not to be tortured. In other words, no one is allowed to torture you.
Similarly, you also have a right not to be treated as a slave. We could also say these rights are
‘freedoms from’ torture or slavery.
There are also a right (often called ‘positive rights’) that means that you are entitled to have
something done for you by others. For example, you have a right to free primary education,
which means that someone else (in this case, the government) has a duty or responsibility to see
that you get it.
Another example is that you have a right to equal pay for work of equal value. That means that
your employer has a duty to pay you the same amount as other employees if you are all doing
work of equal value.
A right means the acts that:
(i) you are free to do (eg your freedom of speech)
(ii) other people must not do to you (eg your freedom from torture) or
(iii) someone else must do for you (eg provide you with an education).
1.7 :Human Rights and Responsibility
Human Rights come with responsibility. Example : I have a right to free speech, however my
responsibility is to ensure that my free speech (What I say )did not offend anybody.
Rights and Responsibilities work together . My duty not to kill you is part of your right to life.
So “thou shalt not kill” can also be expressed as “everyone has a right to life.”
Human rights do not mean we can act as we like without regard to others. The Universal
Declaration on Human Rights recognises that ‘everyone has duties to the community’ because
we can only fully develop as a person in a community that functions well, and where we all
respect each other’s’ rights.
We also have to accept that there are limits on our own rights, in order to serve community
interests and to protect the rights of others. For example, everyone has a right to freedom of
movement. But there may be limits placed on that freedom to protect the community (for
example, convicted criminals may be imprisoned, which obviously restricts their freedom of
movement) or for the protection of the rights of others (for example, you generally do not have
the right to enter other people’s property without their permission.)
Regardless of the fact that we all have rights, we must use our rights in a manner that does not
infringe on the rights of others or it disrespects the rights of other people. This means that we
cannot use our rights to harm another person or we do something to remove that person’s rights.

In Vanuatu there are laws that state our duties. Example: we must not drive beyond the speed
limit.
The Vanuatu Constitution set out people’s duties along with their rights. Human rights do not
remove the need for people to carry out their proper responsibilities. However, they do remind
us all that there are some limits to the duties that should be imposed on us.
For example, it would not be acceptable for the law to require all people to follow a particular
religion, as this would interfere with each person’s right to freely choose their own religion, or
to follow no religion. Human rights are also a reminder to governments that they cannot just
impose duties on their citizens without accepting that governments also have duties to their
people.
1.8 :Limitation of rights Human
Not all human rights are absolute. They must never be limited or restricted in any way.
However, the majority of rights are non-absolute meaning it can be limited, or
suspended in certain circumstances where there is a need to take into account the rights of
other individuals or wider society. The limitation, restriction or suspension of rights should be
done in a way that is legal and Justify.
This means that the suspension of rights should be stated clearly in the laws of the Republic of
Vanuatu and there should be a reasonable reason for that suspension of rights
The test for suspension of rights are :
 Lawful - be allowed within existing legislation;
 For a legitimate aim, e.g. to protect the rights of others or wider society;
 Necessary in a democratic society and;
 Proportionate - appropriate and not excessive in the circumstances.
Limiting or suspending a right means doing something that prevents someone from fully
enjoying the right. For example, if you lock someone in a room or cell you are limiting their
right to liberty; they cannot fully enjoy the freedom to move about as they wish.
Any interference with a qualified right must be:
 Lawful - be allowed within existing legislation;
 For a legitimate aim, e.g. to protect the rights of others or wider society;
 Necessary in a democratic society and;
 Proportionate - appropriate and not excessive in the circumstances.
Rights that cannot be suspended
 Freedom from torture
 Freedom from slavery
 Freedom of thought, conscience & religion

Rights that can be suspended
 Freedom of movement
 Right to liberty
 Right to vote
 Freedom of assembly & association
 Right to life (death penalty in laws)
Discuss each statement and report to the group your groups understanding about each
statement on absolute and non-absolute rights
Statement 1 : The right not to be tortured or treated in an inhuman or degrading way is an
absolute right. It can never be limited or restricted as there are no circumstances where this
type of treatment of people can be justified.
Statement 2 : The right to liberty is not absolute. For example, if someone has mental health
issues they may be sectioned under mental health legislation for their safety and/or the safety
of others, thus limiting their right to liberty.
1.9 :Individual and communal rights
Human rights recognise communal interests as well. For example, some rights belong to groups.
The right to self-determination belongs to ‘people’ or national groups, rather than individual.
Other rights, such as the right to free association or the right to participate in a culture, can only
be exercised in practice by joining with others.
The right to non-discrimination protects the members of under privilege groups such as persons
with a disability. It ensures that all members of the under privilege must be allowed equal
enjoyment of their rights with other members of the community.
As we have seen, most rights may be limited in the interests of other individuals and in the
interests of the community. Human rights can be used as a tool to balance individual and
communal interests. It does not mean that an individual must be free to ignore the rights of the
community. The UDHR states that we “should act towards one another in the spirit of
brotherhood.” It also reminds us that we all have duties to the community in which we live.
Human Rights recognised that rights are enjoyed by an individual not only for the development
of that person, but also for strengthening the community. A child who enjoys the right to
education not only realises his or her own potential, but develops skills and knowledge that can
benefit the community. Similarly, exercising the freedom of speech both enables the individual
to express their own personality and also to build up knowledge and ideas in the community.

Ultimately, human rights aim to provide the social conditions in which all the world can live in
freedom, justice and peace.
1.10: Who is responsible for protecting human rights?
We cannot point to the speck in the eyes of others, if we fail to see the beam in our own eyes
(Matthew: 7:3).
Legally , the primary responsibility for protecting human rights lies with our governments. The
role of the government is to develop and enforce laws and policies to protect the rights of all
people. For the government to meet this responsibility can be a big task, as there are many
situations where rights are not protected or respected, both in distant countries and in our own.
(We call these situations human rights abuses or violations.)
But even if we feel unable personally to do much about the human rights abuses that
governments commit or allow, we can still attempt to apply human rights standards in our own
lives, in our own communities.
Eleanor Roosevelt made a similar point when she said:
“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home -- so close
and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the
individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory,
farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks
equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have
meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold
them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”1
We all need to work together to ensure that human rights are protected, promoted and fulfilled.
We need to consider whether we treat some people badly or unfairly just because of their sex,
race, religion or disability. No person or institution has a perfect record in this regard. We all
could do better.
Churches must always remember through the principle belief that every single person is made
in the image of God.
Summary Human rights help create the conditions for a better life for individuals, communities and the
world as a whole
The idea of human rights has been around for centuries, but the modern statements of human
rights have been made in the United Nations since 1948.
Human rights are universal, inherent, inalienable and indivisible.
Human rights recognize our duties to each other and to the communities in which we live
Human rights involve a balance between the interests of the individual and those of the
community.
Although governments have the primary duty in law to protect human rights, s church can all do
more to respect the human rights of others.
1 Remarks to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, United Nations, New York, March 27,
1958.

Session 2. : Overview of International Human Rights Convention
By the end of this session participants will be able to :
 Understand the international documents which set out our human
rights.
 Understand the three main documents which form the International
Bill of Rights.
 Discuss anoverview of the other major documents, which apply these
rights to particular situations and disadvantagedgroups.
 Understand the human rights in the Vanuatu Constitution
2 hours
Flipcharts
Markers
Handouts
Bible
RRRT big eight booklet
Resource speaker
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He
has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set
oppressed people free.” (Lk 4:18)
2.1 :The International Bill of Rights
Human rights have been written down in internationally recognised documents, which are called
declarations, covenants or conventions.
Human are written down into three documents. The three most important documents are together
called the International Bill of Rights.
All other human rights statements have been developed from these three:
(i) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
(ii) The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
(iii) The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

2.2 : The Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( UDHR)
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights2 was adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly on 10 December 1948.
This historic document sets down the shared views of people from all continents and from
different political systems, traditions and beliefs about what rights are essential for every person
in the world.
It provides standards for everyone to treat others with dignity and respect.
The UDHR was historic because it was the first statement that was ‘universal’ – it stated the
rights of every human person and applied everywhere in the world. It reminds us that all persons
deserve to be treated with dignity and respect – not just our family and friends, not just those
who are like us or who are regarded as ‘good people’ in our community. It is a message like that
in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37), where Jesus taught that the commandment
to ‘love your neighbour’ requires us to love all people everywhere, including people from other
places, and those who are not like us.
UDHR is a declaration by the United Nations General Assembly which does not have legal force.
However it is the historical document that codified human rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a statement of the goals and hopes we have for
the people of the world. It is a statement of what all countries (and all their people) should aim
to do. It has great moral force, even if it does not have legal force, and has been the inspiration
for all the other human rights documents that have been created since 1948.
Simplifiedversion of Universal Declarationof Human Rights( Source : RRRT human Rights
DVD)
Article 1: We are all born free and equal in Dignity and rights
Article 2 : We should not discriminate
Article 3:We have the right to life , freedom and security
Article 4: No one should be held in slavery or force labor
Article 5:No one has the right to hurt or torture you
Article 6: Wherever we go, we are protected by the law
Article 7:We are all equal before the law
2 The full statement of the UDHR is included in the RRRT booklet called ‘The Big Eight.’ The rights are
also summarised in the DVD produced by RRRT called ‘Know Your Rights.’

Article 8: Our rights are protected by the law
Article 9 : We cannot be detained unfairly
Article 10 : We all have the right to a fair and public trial.
Article 11: We are innocent until proven guilty
Article 12 : We have the right to privacy
Article 13:Everyone has the right to freedom of movement
Article 14 : We all have the right to seek a safe place to live.
Article 15: We have the right to a nationality.
Article 16: Everyone has the right to marriage and family.
Article 17: We have the right to own things
Article 18: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought ,
conscience and religion.
Article 19 : Everyone has the right to freedom of expression
Article 20 : We all have the right to assemble in peace within
the law
Article 21:We all have the right to choose our government
Article 22:We have the right to social assistance
Article 23 : Everyone has the right to employment and decent
conditions of work
Article 24: Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including
time off work.
Article 25: Everyone has the right to proper food, shelter and
medical care
Article 26: Everyone has the right to an education
Article 27:Everyone has the right to participate in cultural life
Article 28: Everyone has the right to a free and fair world.

Article 29: We all have the duty to protect other’s rights
Article 30 : No one can take away you rights .
After agreeing to the UDHR, the members of the United Nations felt that the UDHR is generalize
therefore developed two documents that do have legal force. The first two of these were :
 the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) which
deals with the economic, social and cultural rights listed in the UDHR; and
 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which deals with the
civil and political rights listed in the UDHR.
 These two Covenants are important because they give legal force to the rights that were
first declared in the UDHR.
 A Covenant (or a Convention) is a binding agreement between countries.
 An Optional Protocol to the Human Rights Convention supplements the convention by
outlining further details of complaint mechanism
2.3 :The international Covenant on Civil and political rights ( ICCPR)
 This Covenant contains the first generation of rights, which is the civil and political
rights .
 This Covenant includes the fundamental right to life, and the right to equality.
 ICCPR states that the rights listed in the Covenant are to be respected without
discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other
opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. This is an example of
the principle of non-discrimination.
 The Covenant also recognises other rights that protect people from abuse of power by
the state (the government). These include the right not to be tortured, the right not to be
arrested or held in custody without good cause, the right of prisoners to be treated with
dignity and humanity and the right to a fair trial.
 It also includes civil rights such as the freedom of opinion and expression, the freedom
of movement, the freedom of religion and the freedom to marry. It extends to political
rights such as the right of citizens to vote, the freedom to attend meetings and the freedom
to join political parties or other organisations.
The International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights ( ICESCR)
 This Covenant contained the second generation of rights which are the economic, social
and cultural rights.
 The ICESCR recognises the right to things w we all need for our physical and mental
wellbeing. It includes the rights to an adequate standard of living (examples: food,
clothing and housing), to work, to social security, to health and to education. It also
recognises that we all have social needs: it accepts the need for protection and assistance
for the family, as the natural and fundamental group unit of society, and protects the right
to take part in cultural life.

 A unique feature of this International human rights convention is call “Progressive
Realisation”.
 This convention recognised that in order to achieve the economic, social and cultural
rights, a country requires money and other resources which can be difficult
 However, when a country ratifies the Covenant, it only agrees to do what it can with its
available resources, and to take steps to achieve the rights over time.
 In other words, the Convention recognises that each country can proceed at its own pace,
doing as much as it can afford.
 Yet it must still try its best to achieve the rights as soon as possible. It can also seek the
assistance of more developed countries to provide additional resources. For example,
where a country has only a limited amount of money for primary education, it must use
it for all children, and not give better access to education just to boys, or just to the
children of one island or one language group.
 There are other rights under the Convention that are not so expensive to achieve. For
example, a government could pass a law saying that everyone has a right to form and
join trade unions. This can help workers to organise themselves and protect their rights,
without government having to spend a great deal of money.
 The right to culture is also a provision in this Covenant which is not expensive since
culture is the way Ni Vanuatu live in a society.
The Other Major Human Rights Conventions
In addition to ICESCR and ICCPR, there are another seven core international human rights
conventions. For detail text of the specific Human Rights Convention , visit :www.ohchr3 They
are:
 The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD or the
Racial Discrimination Convention)
 The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW or the Women’s Convention)
 The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC or the Children’s Convention)
 The Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CAT or the Torture Convention)
 The International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and the Members of
their Families (ICRMW or the Migrant Workers Convention)
 The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD or the Persons with
Disabilities Convention)
 The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
(ICPPED or the Disappearance Convention). 4
 International Human Rights Conventions follow on from the International Bill of Rights, by
providing provision for a specific group of people or a practise.
3 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/index.htm#core, accessed 15/08/08.
4 This treaty was adopted on 6 December 2006 but is not yet in force.

 Examples : The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) is an international human rights convention for a specific disadvantage
group. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is
an international hum
 The International Human Rights Conventions require the government to take action in their
to remove discrimination against members of the disadvantaged group. What action is
required will depend on the situation in each country. It may involve passing new laws to
prohibit discrimination against the disadvantaged group. It may mean that governments need
to amend existing laws or policies that cause discrimination.
 The government may also need to take special measures in favour of the disadvantaged
group, to bring them up to the same standard as every one else in their enjoyment of rights.
For example: The government might offer scholarships just for girls in a non-traditional job
 The Conventions identifies the areas where the disadvantaged group has traditionally
suffered discrimination, and sets out in more detail the action needed to address these
situations. For example, migrant workers have often received lower wages and worse
working conditions than local workers. The Migrant Workers’ Convention states that
migrant workers shall receive pay and conditions no worse than those of the local workers.
Another example relates to the rights of women. The Women’s Convention provides that all
women have a right to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of credit on the same terms as
men. This tries to change practices where women have not been able to borrow money at all,
or could only do so on stricter conditions than are applied to men.
 All the International Human Rights Convention have monitoring bodies (Committees) to
ensure that the provision of the Conventions are followed. This process is done through the
government submitting initial and periodic state human rights report.
The Convention on the Right of the Child
It aims to provide equal opportunities for children within each country, by prohibiting
discrimination among children according to the sex, race, language, religion etc of the children
or their parents. It seeks to ensure all children can develop their potential, and sets out the rights
they need to do this. For example, children have the right to be free from violence, injury and
abuse; to have the highest attainable standard of health, to have an education, and, as far as
possible, to know and be cared for by their parents. It sets standards for decisions that affect
children, such as adoption. It requires that these decisions must give the highest importance to
the best interests of the child. It also recognises that children have a right to be heard in matters
that affect them (such as when a court decides who will have custody of the children after the
divorce of their parents) and are free to express their own opinions.
provides for the protection and care of children. Recognising the rights of children does not
mean that children are free to do as they like, or to ignore the directions of their parents. The
Convention also recognises the rights and responsibilities of parents, guardians and others to
give appropriate direction and guidance to children in the exercise of their rights. It also
recognises that parents have the responsibility to provide for the child’s development, to the best
of their abilities, and with the assistance of the government where necessary.

The Torture Convention is a Convention that seeks to stop particularly offensive practices –
torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment - when carried out by public officials such as
police, military or prison officers, or by other people with official consent. This kind of action
goes against the idea that every person has a right to be treated as a human being, with human
dignity. It does not matter what the person has done, or is suspected of – the government and its
officials must still respect the rights of the person not to be treated in inhumane ways. There is
no exception to this rule, even in times of public emergency, like riots or coups, or serious threats
to security such as terrorist attacks.
The Convention requires governments to prohibit and prevent torture and cruel, degrading, or
inhuman treatment within their territories, to bring to justice those who participate in that
treatment, and to provide remedies for people who have been tortured.
The Disappearance Convention is a new Convention that seeks to stop the practice of ‘forced
disappearance.’ This occurs when a person is arrested or taken away by government officials or
people acting with the approval of the government. The government then refuses to admit that
the person has been detained, or to say where they are and what has happened to them. In these
situations, there is a greater risk that the people in captivity will be killed or tortured, as the
public does not know what is happening and the law cannot protect them. The practice also
causes great stress on their families and friends, who have no way of knowing what has happened
to their loved ones. It is also intended to terrify other people in the community, who fear the
same thing could happen to them.
The Convention makes it a crime to participate in a forced disappearance. It requires
governments to prohibit and prevent forced disappearances within their territories, to prosecute
anyone who participates in a disappearance, and to provide remedies for the victims and their
families. As with torture, there are no circumstances when a forced disappearance can be
justified; it is absolutely forbidden. The terms of this Convention have been agreed upon, but it
will not come into force until 20 countries have ratified it.
International Human Rights Convention ratified by Vanuatu
The Vanuatu government has to ensure that when ratifying an international human right
covenant, the principles of that particular convention should be link to the principles in the
fundamental rights section of then/Vanuatu constitution.
Endorsement of international human rights covenant can be done in four ways:
Signature – A country depositing an instrument of signature at the United Nation General
Assembly means that the country is interested in endorsing this international human rights
convention in the future.
Ratification – A country formally commits to implement the provision the convention .The
country has a commitment to ensure it will abide to the Convention.

Accession– This is the process when the government did not deposit the instrument of signature
but instead depositing an instrument of ratification.
Reservation– This is a process where the states reserve a specific article of a convention within
specific time given its limitation in terms of resources and capacity to ensure that the convention
is implemented fully.
Vanuatu ratified these following human rights convention :
 The Convention on the rights of the Child- 7 July 1995
 The convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women – 8
September 1995
 The international covenant on civil and political rights – 21 November 2008
 The convention on the rights of persons with disability-23 Oct 2008
 The convention against torture , cruel and degrading treatment
Vanuatu signed by Vanuatu
The disappearance convention in 6 Feb 2007
Vanuatu ratified the following human rights Optional Protocol:
Optional Protocol on the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against
Women
Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children and Child Prostitution
Optional Protocol on Children and Arm Conflict.
Human Right in the Vanuatu Constitution
Human rights protections have legal effect in Vanuatu’s Constitution. Chapter two of the
Vanuatu constitution contains the fundamental rights and duties of the people of Vanuatu. The
Constitution is the highest law in the land, so every law, policy, decision and action must respect
the rights in the Constitution. The inclusion of human rights protections in the Constitution
shows that human rights are already a part of the law and society in our country.
Extract from the Fundamental Rights Chapter in the Vanuatu Constitution
Chapter 2– Fundamental rights and duties
Part I – Fundamental Rights
5. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual
(1) The Republic of Vanuatu recognizes, that, subject to any restrictions imposed by law on
non-citizens, all persons are entitled to the following fundamental rights and freedoms of the
individual without discrimination on the grounds of race, place of origin, religious or
traditional beliefs, political opinions, language or sex but subject to respect for the rights and

freedoms of others and to the legitimate public interest in defense, safety, public order, welfare
and health :
(a) life;
(b) liberty;
(c) security of the person;
(d) protection of the law;
(e) freedom from inhuman treatment and forced labour;
(f) freedom of conscience and worship;
(g) freedom of expression;
(h) freedom of assembly and association;
(i) freedom of movement;
(j) protection for the privacy of the home and other property and from unjust
deprivation of property;
(k) equal treatment under the law or administrative action, except that no law shall be
inconsistent with this sub-paragraph insofar as it makes provision for the special
benefit, welfare, protection or advancement of females, children and young persons,
members of under-privileged groups or inhabitants of less developed areas.
(2) Protection of the law shall include the following –
(a) everyone charged with an offence shall have a fair hearing, within a reasonable
time, by an independent and impartial court and be afforded a lawyer if it is a serious
offence;
(b) everyone is presumed innocent until a court establishes his guilt according to law;
(c) everyone charged shall be informed promptly in a language he understands of the
offence with which he is being charged;
(d) if an accused does not understand the language to be used in the proceedings he
shall be provided with an interpreter throughout the proceedings;
(e) a person shall not be tried in his absence without his consent unless he makes it
impossible for the court to proceed in his presence;
(f) no-one shall be convicted in respect of an act or omission which did not constitute

an offence known to written or custom law at the time it was committed;
(g) no-one shall be punished with a greater penalty than that which exists at the time of
the commission of the offence;
(h) no person who has been pardoned, or tried and convicted or acquitted, shall be tried
again for the same offence or any other offence of which he could have been convicted
at his trial
6. Enforcement of fundamental rights
(1) Anyone who considers that any of the rights guaranteed to him by the Constitution has
been, is being or is likely to be infringed may, independently of any other possible legal
remedy, apply to the Supreme Court to enforce that right.
(2) The Supreme Court may make such orders, issue such writs and give such directions,
including the payment of compensation, as it considers appropriate to enforce the right.
Part II – Fundamental Duties
7. Fundamental duties
Every person has the following fundamental duties to himself and his descendants and to
others –
(a) to respect and to act in the spirit of the Constitution;
(b) to recognise that he can fully develop his abilities and advance his true interests
only by active participation in the development of the national community;
(c) to exercise the rights guaranteed or conferred by the Constitution and to use the
opportunities made available to him under it to participate fully in the government of
the Republic of Vanuatu;
(d) to protect the Republic of Vanuatu and to safeguard the national wealth, resources
and environment in the interests of the present generation and of future generations;
(e) to work according to his talents in socially useful employment and, if necessary, to
create for himself legitimate opportunities for such employment;
(f) to respect the rights and freedoms of others and to cooperate fully with others in the
interests of interdependence and solidarity;
(g) to contribute, as required by law, according to his means, to the revenues required
for the advancement of the Republic of Vanuatu and the attainment of national
objectives;
(h) in the case of a parent, to support, assist and educate all his children, legitimate and
illegitimate, and in particular to give them a true understanding of their fundamental
rights and duties and of the national objectives and of the culture and customs of the

people of Vanuatu;
(i) in the case of a child, to respect his parents.
Liaise with these following Guest Speakers to talk further on these conventions.
These tips will be a guide for the guest speakers presentation :
1. Convention on the rights of the child – Child Desk officer ,Ministry of Justice
2. Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women –
Director or any Senior policy officers at the Department of Women’s Affairs
3. The international covenant on civil and political rights , The convention against
torture , cruel and degrading treatment and the disappearance convention- United
Nation Volunteer at the Ministry of Justice , SPC/RRRT Country focal officer at
the Department of Women’s Affairs or treaty desk officers at the Department of
Foreign Affairs
4. The convention on the rights of persons with disability- Disability Desk Officer
at the Ministry of Justice
Guest speakers presentation should highlight the provisions of the conventions, the Vanuatu
government policies and implementation plans in relation to the convention. Strategies on
strengthening the working relationship between the government and the church to implement
this convention. Allow time to guest speaker for any group work they have .
Summary In summary :
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was historic because it was the first document to be
accepted internationally as a statement of the rights of every person everywhere.
Human rights protections are legally binding on countries which have ratified the relevant
Convention or which include the rights in their national Constitutions or legislation.

Section3 : Introduction to Gender
Section 3.1: What is Gender?
Define the word Gender
Understand the difference between the term gender and sex
Understand what is Gender roles and gender socialization
GALATIANS 3:26-28
26: It is through faith that all of you are Gods children in union with Christ Jesus.
27: You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to
speak, with the life of Christ himself.
28: So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free
people, between men and women; you are all in one in union with Christ Jesus
2 hours
Flipcharts
Markers
Handouts
What is Gender and why is it important?
In groups
1. Discuss what is the meaning of the word gender?
2. What is your understanding of the bible text in Galatians3:26-28?
3.Report back to the plenary
Gender is socially constructed concept that defines the characters and roles of a male
or female in a society. It changes overtime
Sex is the biological make up of a male or a female.
Examples :
Sex Gender
Biological
Born with
Therefore:
Cannot be changed Can be changed
Examples:
Socially
Constructed
Not Born with
Men can take care of children
Women can do the same job as men.

Only women can give birth Only men
can supply sperm.
Gender can be constructed through Socialization. Socialization programs children
to understand what appropriate behavior, attitudes, roles and activities is expected
for them, and how they should related to other people. This means children are
socialized into their gender roles.
This learned behavior is what makes the gender roles or responsibilities.
Example:
Boys are learnt to cut fire wood and associate with dark colors. Girls are taught to
cook and associate with bright colors.
In groups discuss the early childhood rules of your role as a boy and as a girl.
What roles were you told that you were supposed to do as a boy, what roles were
you told that you were supposed to do as a girl?
Gender socialization can create difference leading to :
Patriarchy – a social system where men have authority over women, children and
the resources.
Matriarchy - a social system where women haves authority over women, children
and the resources
The Gender Socialization can detect behavior which is referred to as Gender roles.
Gender roles are the way a society expects a male or female to think and act.
Various social agents create gender roles.
Example:
Social Agent Examples of Gender Roles
Family Families have different views towards a boy and a girl child.
Most families are happy with the boy child rather than a girl
child.
Education Difference in career guidance for boys and girls e.g. men
should be engineers or doctors while women are expected to
be secretaries or nurses.
Culture Cultural ideas shaped how men and woman should behave. In
Vanuatu we have a diverse culture. Some cultures have
traditional gender roles but still it differs.
Media Differences in publicity and stereotyping for men and women
e.g. portrayal of women fighting over petty issues while men
disagree on issues of status
Religion Most men participate in decision making while women just
act on the decision made.
Workplace Women faces barriers preventing them from reaching
Executive jobs

Politics Women are underrepresented in politics
Gender Development
Have you heard of the term Gender and development ?
Discuss in your own words, what is gender and development?
Development requires an understanding of both male and female’s roles and relation
within the community. This approach is known as the Gender and Development (GAD)
approach.
The main objective of GAD approach is to recognized and involve the needs of women
and men in all activities. In most situations in Vanuatu women’s needs and concern are
not taken into consideration. Gender and development is a tool to mainstream gender in
all development aspects.
Mainstreaming acknowledges that all development operations have a gender impact
and do not automatically benefit men and women equally. Thus it is necessary to adopt
GAD approach for development programs to benefit both men and women and a
positive impacts on the society as whole.
The term ‘gender and development’ includes both women and men working together
for a common goal. However, currently the primary focus is given to women. This is a
result of the imbalance and unequal status of women in most of the societies where
women do not have the same access opportunities men.
It is like two glasses, where one is half full and another is empty, thus the empty glass
should get water first and when both glasses become equal then fill both. If someone
tries to fill both glasses without noticing the level of water it won’t work
Common gender terms to aware of are:
Gender Equality
Gender equality refers to equal opportunities and outcomes for women and men. This
involves the removal of discrimination and structural inequalities in access to resources,
opportunities and services, and the promotion of equal rights Equality does not mean
that women should be the same as men. Promoting equality recognizes that men and

women have different roles and needs, and takes these into account in development
planning and program.
Gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men in distribution of
resources and benefits. This involves recognition of inequality and requires measures
to work towards equality of women and men. Gender Analysis is necessary for gender
equity.
GENDER-SENSITIVE is to be aware of the different needs , roles and challenges
faced by women and men.
GENDER ANALYSIS is an approach to take into account Gender issues through the
process of program or Organizational development. Gender analysis ensure that
development projects and programs either in the community, church or in
organizations include roles, needs and participation of women and men. Gender
Analysis requires separating data and information by sex(known as disaggregated
data) and understanding how labor, roles, needs and participation are divided and
valued according to sex (whether one is a man or a woman). Gender Analysis is done
at all stages of development projects.
GENDER MAINSTREAMING is the process of assessing the effects for women
and men in any planned actions, including legislation, policies or program levels. It is
a a strategy for making women’s and men’s concerns and experiences an primary
focus of design and implementation, monitoring and evaluating policies and programs
in all political, economic and societal spheres so that they can benefit equally.
Summaary In the church context, we need both men and women to work together to make a
difference.

Section4 : Faith brings it all together– The Biblical Approach to
Human Rights and Gender
Session4.1 : Christian Perspective on Human Rights?
By the end of this session participants will be able to :
Examine the biblical basis for a Christian understanding of human rights in general, as well as
for selected specific rights.
3 hours
Flipcharts
Markers
Handouts
Bible
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
In groups what do think about this statement?
“Human rights are accepted by the people of all faiths. However, a religious perspective can
enrich our understanding of human rights and strengthen our commitment to their protection”.
The idea of human rights is the claim that all people have the same right to be treated as
persons - whatever race, religion, sex, political opinion, place of origin or whatever difference
it may be.
The Christian perspective of human rights begins with the biblical account of Creation, “Let
us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the

sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every
creeping thing that crept upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image
of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:26-27).
Creation exists for the glory of God and has its meaning from God. Mankind was created
according to the divine order of Creation to fulfill the purpose given him by God. God made
him ruler over the earth, but also gave him the responsibility for the preservation of the
earthly creation. The psalmist writes, “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of
thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of
the field;” (Psalm 8:6-7).
Discuss together what the quotes below tell you about what human dignity is based on?
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “All human beings are born equal
in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards
one another in the spirit of brotherhood”.
Genesis 1: 27 states that ‘So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he
created them; male and female he created them’
From a Christian perspective human dignity is based on God’s account of the creation: We
are more like God than anything else in the world around us.
God’s relationship of faithfulness to his people is a promise, even when the people turned
away from him. This truly reflect how God values our love and friendship which reinforces
the great value and dignity of human beings in the eyes of God.
Isaiah 49:14-15 states: “But the people of Jerusalem said, “The Lord has abandoned us! He
has forgotten us” So the Lord answers, “Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the
child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child , I will never forget you.
John 3 : 16 “ For God so love the world that he send his only begotten Son , that whoever
believe in him should died but have eternal life”. This Bible verse shows that God loves
everyone was willing to suffer and die for us. He did so, and then overcame death by rising
from the dead, to show us that there is a life beyond this one awaiting us.
This gift of eternal life is another indication of how much God values humankind, which
adds still more to the value of human dignity.
The Christian view of the purpose of human rights
Article 1 of the Universal Declaration –“We are all born free and equal in Dignity and
rights” links human rights to the fact that humans have been given the gifts of reason and
conscience.
This statement aligns to the biblical accounts of Creation and the Fall which show that
God gave human beings the capacity to reason and to exercise free will. These are what
distinguish us as human beings from the rest of creation, and they are the ways in which we
are most in the image of God. Human rights are the rights we need to achieve our full
potential. Human rights act as a standard that we all work to achieved.

Christians have a particular view of human potential, based on the Christian understanding
of the purpose of human life. In reference to Jesus words
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in
him may not perish but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:16)
and
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
These text indicate that the biblical understanding of our purpose and destiny as human
beings is to share eternal life with God. Human rights come into the picture to enable every
human being to respond to God’s invitation in a truly human way and in fitting
circumstances and to ensure that others do not interfere with those who choose to respond
to God’s invitation.
A social or communal perspective to human rights
As Christians, we do not see human rights in an individualistic way. If we return to Gen
1:27, we can see that humankind, made in the image of God, was a couple, male and female,
rather than an individual.
So it is an essential part of being human that we relate to others. To this we can add an
insight from the other end of the Bible: in 1 Jn 4:16 we read that ‘God is love’. So, we are
made in the image of God, who is love.
Some also speak of the Father, the Son and the Spirit (Jn 16-17) as a community or
communion of love of three persons. Reaching out in love to others is thus part of our end
or purpose: we are meant to journey together with others, not independently, alone or in
isolation.
Human rights exist for this social or communal purpose; they are not merely for individual
personal. This insight is also recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
which declares in Article 1 that human beings “should act towards one another in the spirit
of brotherhood.”
The family, which is the basic social unit among human beings, is planned by God to be a
community of love, Godlike, and the primary place in which human beings are meant to
experience God’s love. This means that the family, as well as each person, has rights, in
order to safeguard and fulfil the plan of God for them.
The equality of all persons
It is at least implicit in Gen 1:27 that man and woman were originally created together on
an equal footing. However, in the course of the Old Testament this equality of the sexes
was largely lost sight of or not respected, though at times individual women had important
roles. For the Jews of Jesus’ day, women were very much second to men, and his
relationship with women went against the culture of the time. Jesus’ example flowed over
into the early Church. St Paul capped this off in his letter to the Galatians (3:28):

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer
male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”.
From this it follows that all human beings are equal in the sight of God, since Christ came
among us for the sake of all people (Jn 3:16), not just for the Jewish people. To put it another
way, from a Christian point of view, there are no gradings of human dignity.
The equal dignity of all people is demonstrated by God’s special concern and love for those
neglected by society at large. In the Old Testament, God, especially through the Prophets,
showed his love for the poor, the widows, the orphans and the strangers (for example, Deut
10:17-19). Again, this underlines the value of all human beings in themselves, and not just
for what they might make of themselves or their position in society.
In the New Testament, Jesus took on board the same concern at the beginning of his public
ministry:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring the good
news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery
of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim the year of the
Lord’s favour. (Lk 4:18-19)
Jesus displayed practical concern for the poor and the hungry, the sick and people with
disabilities; he also mixed with those on the fringes of society. Together, his words and
actions give us a very clear biblical basis for the protection of the basic rights of the most
needy and vulnerable in our society.
Beyond support for human rights in general, it is possible to find biblical support for
particular examples of human rights. A few examples may be given here.
One example is the right to life. In the Bible, life is presented as a gift from God. Once
given, it follows that the foundational and most obvious right is the right to life, which must
be upheld so that all our other human rights can be exercised. It is very clear that, for a
Christian, human life has an inestimable value, based on the dignity of the human person
made in the image of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ, and with an eternal destiny.
Another human right that has come to the fore in recent times is the right to freedom of
religion. This means not being forced to act contrary to your religious beliefs and not being
hindered from living according to your religious beliefs, provided you respect the basic
rights of others. This right means that people have the right to reject God, or to follow a
path in life other than the Christian one. It flows from our capacity to exercise our God-
given freedom of conscience.
One right that Jesus clearly exercised in his own life, eventually at the cost of his life, was
the right to freedom of speech. This involved his right to speak the truth, his right to
challenge authority, his right to speak up for those in society who had no voice. He probably
saw these also as duties. He exercised his right to mix with whomsoever he chose, and was

not constrained by cultural customs and regulations. Regarding the rights of others, he
showed more by his actions than by his teaching that his principal concern was for those
whose rights were trampled on or neglected by those in authority. It is true that his focus
was on the people first rather than just on their rights. But his message that God loves
everyone, and his call to us to love one another, are entirely consistent with human rights.
Human rights help everyone to live a truly human life and to achieve their eternal destiny.
Session
Summary
For Christians, the Bible provides a basis for specific human rights such as the right to life,
freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
Christians see human rights as a way to support loving families and to promote community
For Christians, human dignity is based on the belief that we humans are made in the
likeness of God, that God loves and values us all, and that he too became human.
For Christians, human rights exist to enable every person to achieve their human potential
and destiny in sharing eternal life with God.
For Christians, the equal dignity of all persons flows from God’s equal love for both men
and women, and his particular concern for the poor and the sick and those on the margins
of society.

Session4.2 : Biblical Approach to on Gender ?
By the end of this session participants will:
Understand the biblical approach to Gender
2 hour
Flip charts
Markers
Bible
GENESIS 1:26-28
26: Then God said, And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us
.They will have power over the fish, the birds and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small.”
27: So God created human beings making them to be like himself. He created them male and
female
28: blessed them, and said, Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth
and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish the birds and all the wild
animals.
Reflect on the creation story in Genesis through a gender lens„. Genesis 1:26-28 is a familiar
passage. How has the bible verse highlights gender relations focusing on both women and men,
boys and girls
In groups discuss the two biblical stories of “The Samaritan Woman, and Mary and Martha.”
Discuss which ways did Jesus engaged with harmful traditional and cultural patterns.

Jesus Christ in his Ministry worked the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek
justice and bear witness to the good news of the kingdom of
God. Churches pursue this mission through a unified inclusive approach that seeks to change unjust
structures affecting our communities. As Christians we are committed to the poor and we value
people, stewardship and partnerships.
Jesus lived and modeled is important for any Christian’s understanding of gender.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ came to redeem women as well as men. Through faith in Christ,
we all become children of God, one in Christ and heirs to the blessings of salvation without
reference to racial, social or gender distinctive (John 1:12-13;
Rom. 8:14-17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:26-28).
Galatians 3:28 “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer
male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
In Galatians 3:28, Paul challenges us to reflect on how we relate to each other when we identify
ourselves as followers of Jesus.
In Summary As Christians we can be a “Gender Equity Witness”
Mary and Joseph lived during a time when girls were engaged to be married as early as 12 years
old, so Mary most likely was in her early teens. Both she and Joseph were in for big trouble, as their
cultural and religious traditions observed Deuteronomy 22:23-24(a) and the law regarded an
engaged girl who was pregnant to be immoral: “If there is a young woman, a virgin already
engaged to be married, and a man meets her in the town and lies with her, you shall bring both of
them to the gate of that town and stone them to
death.”
In light of this, Mary’s faith in God is indeed dramatic as she accepts the responsibility of being the
mother of the Messiah. Joseph also demonstrated great faith in accepting the risk of this
extraordinary situation which was not of his choosing. There were gender
issues! Both genders were challenged to see their lives and their realities in a new light.
If Mary and Joseph can challenge both gender resulting in the birth of Christ we can also be a
gender equity witness

Session4. 3 : Role of the Church in promoting human rights and Gender
 Understand that churches are already active in promoting and protecting human rights
and gender.
 Discus the various strategies in which we in the Churches can bring about greater
recognition of and respect for human rights and gender
“I tell you with certainty, since you did it for one of the least important of these brothers of
mine, you did it for me.” (Mt 25:40)
3 hours
Flipcharts
Markers
Handouts
Copy of the Fundamental rights chapter of the Vanuatu Constitution
Copy of the UDHR
Introduction
Church institutions exist in all our communities and we have a fair knowledge of what is
occurring in the lives of the people. Churches are likely to come across injustice and human
rights violations, on a small or large scale.
Discuss and brainstorm the role of the church in promoting human rights

Churches can work to
 Educate church members and others about human rights. Unless people know about
their rights, they will not expect their government and other people to respect those
rights. Nor will they know their options when rights are infringed.
 Speak up for the victims of human rights violations, particularly for those who cannot
speak for themselves.
 Assist victims in getting advice and representation to pursue any claims they may have
for violations of their rights.
 Provide moral and practical support to people who have been discriminated against or
excluded from the life of the community.
 Speak prophetically against actions and structures in our society that infringe human
rights and lobby to change them.
 Influence to get Government to commit themselves to respect human rights
Conventions
 Lobbying for national laws that give effect to human rights standards.
 Work with other NGOs to submit reports to the United Nations agencies that look at
whether human rights are being respected around the world.
 Work with people of other faiths and secular human rights movements to bring about
changes that will better respect the rights of all people.
 Harness the power of prayer, to support the victims of human rights violations as well
as human rights advocates and defenders.
 Speaking out. These include sermons, speaking to meetings or workshops, letters to
newspapers, media releases, press conferences, public rallies or other events.
Using the human rights base approach
We in the Christian Churches must also examine our own practices. We will be seen as
hypocritical in calling for others to observe human rights unless we also respect the rights of
all. We must look at how we, both as individuals and as church institutions, treat women,
children, people of other faiths and of no faith, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, the
powerless and the vulnerable. We must examine our own decision-making processes, and our
practices as employers, property owners and operators of schools, hospitals or orphanages. We
must always try to respect and enhance the dignity and value of every person.
Summary A rights-based approach seeks the participation and empowerment of people in need and the
accountability of those with duties to protect the rights of the vulnerable.
We can use the existing teaching and learning opportunities within our Church to promote
understanding and respect for human rights.
Core principles of human rights that churches should apply at the operational level are :
• Equality and Non-Discrimination: All individuals are equal as human beings. All
human beings are entitled to their human rights without discrimination of any kind, such
as race, colour, sex, ethnicity, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national
or social origin, disability, property, birth or other status as explained by the human
rights treaty bodies.

• Participation and Inclusion: Particular attention must be paid to the empowerment of
vulnerable groups so that they can claim their own rights.
• Accountability and the Rule of Law: Rights can only be upheld if there are mechanisms
to enforce the duty-bearers’ obligation to meet the claims of right holders. These
mechanisms must be in accordance with the rules and procedures provided by law
Reference List
The Pacific Regional Rights Human Rights Manual
Butt Street , Suva Fiji - 2008
Know your rights DVD
The Pacific Regional Rights Human Rights Manual
Butt Street , Suva Fiji - 2008
World Vision International.- 2008
Published by World Vision International, 800 W. Chestnut
Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016, U.S.A.
Produced by the WVI Gender and Development
Department on behalf of the World Vision Partnership.
Retrieved from www.oxfam.org.uk/publications.
Gender Training Manual, 1995, with the permission of
Oxfam GB, 274 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7DZ, UK,
Editor in chief: Edna Valdez. Senior editor: Rebecca
A. Russell. Production management: Jim McAllister.
Copyeditor: Randy Miller. Graphic designer: Judy Walker.
Proofreader: RLou Norquist.
Photo credits: Marco Cedillo, Karl Grobl, and Edna Valdez
for World Visionmi taimoosa
The Rural Health Education
Foundation and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
© 2009 Rural Health Education Foundation.
The Vanuatu Constitution – 1980
Port Vila , Vanuatu

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