ABSTRACT
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process is a soft global governance mechanism, whereby states have come together on a periodic basis with the sole intention to further the promotion and protection of the universality of human rights law through collaborative and positive support and encouragement. Leading from the express challenge from a strict cultural relativist position on the platform of the UPR process, what was also striking to note was that the states themselves were not held accountable for their challenge to the universality of international women’s rights. The platform of the UPR process provides a unique opportunity for encouraging and supporting states to implement universality of human rights norms, through the process of cultural legitimacy. The political momentum that is generated at the UPR process, through the discussions and recommendations, can initiate or facilitate avenues for participation by a range of stakeholders in the domestic context.
