Assessment No. 2: Topics Choose ONE topic from the list below: “International human rights law sufficiently protects individuals’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.” Do you agree with this statement?

LAW838 Gender and Human Rights: Assessment No. 2 Essays

Assessment No. 2: Instructions 1) Details: The second assessment is an essay of 2,000 words (including footnotes but excluding bibliography).  

Students must select one topic from the list provided in section II of this document.

Students must be mindful of the marking grid provided in section III, which outlines in details how their essays will be assessed against the parameters below:

Content of the essay, including relevance to the question and knowledge/understanding of the topic. NB: this is worth 40% of the essay’s mark. Evidence of reading, including engagement with module learning materials. NB: this is worth 40% of the essay’s mark. Structure of the essay. NB: this is worth 10% of the essay’s mark. Essay format, style, referencing and word count. NB: this is worth 10% of the essay’s mark. 2) Deadline: Completed assignments must be submitted via Blackboard by 12:00 noon GMT on Wednesday 7 January 2026. This date and time is final, late submissions will be penalised by the deduction of marks.

3) Weight: This assessment will account for 50% of the overall module’s grade.

4) Word Count: This essay must be 2,000 words in length. This includes  footnotes but excludes the  bibliography.

5) Submission: Completed assignments must be submitted in Word format via Blackboard by the specified date and time outlined in the Key Assessment Information Table above.

All submitted assignments should have the file name:

"SurnameFirstNameBNumber" (e.g. BrownJohnB00001234_AssignmentOne)

6) Feedback: Feedback on this assessment will be provided via Blackboard, 15-20 working days post submission date.

Assessment No. 2: Topics Choose ONE topic from the list below:

“International human rights law sufficiently protects individuals’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.” Do you agree with this statement? Choose a country/jurisdiction and a particular aspect of sexual and reproductive health and rights to develop your argument, and to identify possible gaps in law and in practice. (NB: see week 8 seminar)

“International human rights law sufficiently protects individuals’ right to access abortion”. Do you agree with this statement? Choose a country/jurisdiction to develop your argument, and to identify possible gaps in law and in practice. (NB: see week 9 seminar)

There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. Between 2019 and 2024, 30 women were killed by men. Examine the strategic framework to end violence against women and girls. Evaluate its alignment with CEDAW and provide a critical analysis of how likely it is that it will deliver the vision of “a changed society where women and girls are free from all forms of gender based violence abuse and harm.” (NB: see week 10 seminar)

What are the challenges in establishing accountability for perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), and how can international and national legal frameworks address impunity?  (NB: see week 11 seminar)

Outline how international law can be ‘engendered’ in domestic law in the UK to protect women and children’s right to an adequate standard of living. (NB: see week 12 seminar)

Assessment No. 2: Marking Criteria Criteria

Fail < 39

Fail (Marginal) 40-49 (Third)

Satisfactory 50-59

(2:2)

Good 60-69

(2:1)

Very good/Excellent 70-79

(First)

Outstanding 80-100%

(First)

Content of the Essay

(including relevance to the question and knowledge/understanding of the topic)

40%

(Learning outcomes of the module: 1-2)

The content is inadequate and fails to answer the question.

The content fails to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and understanding of the topic.

The content is descriptive with no or limited evidence of critical analysis. There is an inadequate engagement with the question/topic.

The content demonstrates very limited knowledge and understanding of the topic.

The content is mostly descriptive with some evidence of critical analysis. There is an adequate engagement with the question/topic.

The content demonstrates satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the topic.

The content demonstrates clear evidence of critical analysis. There is good engagement with the question; and evidence of a clear argument and reasoned conclusion.

The content demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the topic.