Every person is entitled to certain fundamental human rights by virtue of being human. Both the United Nations and regional human rights organizations, such as the Council of Europe and European Union, have specifically recognized the human rights of women and the corresponding obligations of national government to protect and promote such rights.

Women's human rights are enumerated by treaties, conventions, resolutions, declarations and guidelines, promulgated by either the United Nations or a regional human rights body. Treaties are formally adopted by national governments and then create legally binding obligations for those governments. Every state which has ratified a human rights treaty must ensure that the human rights of its citizens are protected- meaning the government commits to both avoid and prohibit actions that violate human rights and also to undertake positive steps to ensure that such violations do not take place.

Under international law, specific enforcement bodies, usually specialized agencies, committees or special rapporteurs, monitor a nation's human rights situation. These bodies also review reports and complaints about human rights violations, generally submitted by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) but also sometimes by individuals.