Inter-American System standards for combating violence and discrimination against women, girls, and adolescents

This online and self-directed course offers a comprehensive overview on the Inter-American standards related to the violence and discrimination against women, girls and adolescents. It works on gender stereotypes with an intersectional approach. The course goes in depth on the State's general obligations and due diligence requirements on the different aspects related to violence and discrimination, including the obligations of the judiciary.

This course is directed to anyone that wants to know about the standards of the Inter-American system to combat gender-based violence against, including women, girls, and adolescents that want to have a better knowledge of their rights and how they are protected. Spots for this course are offered to the general public, with some reserved for human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and state officials in English-speaking countries of the Americas.  

Strengthening participant's knowledge on the rights of women, girls, and adolescents within the framework of the Inter-American system and its standards, for the eradication of gender-based violence in the countries of the Americas. 

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to:   

• Understand the concepts of violence against women, girls, and adolescents. 
• Know the standards related to women’s right to non-discrimination. 
• Know the specific standards that apply to girls and adolescents. 
• Understand the main State obligations under international law. Familiarize themselves with the existing gender stereotypes and how they affect women, girls, and adolescents.

Intro Module: Course introduction and basic concepts

This initial model offers an introduction to the course, providing information about the platform, educational tools, and learning objectives. Participants will become familiarized with important basic concepts like gender, intersectionality and equality, and non-discrimination.   

Module 1: The IAHRS and its mechanisms

This module begins with the definition of human rights and basic duties of the State. It focuses on the system and its principal organisms: the Commission and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and explores their mechanisms. It focuses on the Belem do Para Convention; its main contents and applicable international framework related to women's rights. 

Module 2: Violence and discrimination   

This module defines both violence and discrimination against women, girls, and adolescents, and explores their relationship. Drawing on landmark cases and reports from the InterAmerican system. It addresses gender roles and stereotypes, and their influence on women's rights. Finally, it delves into intersectionality and the correlative State obligations, as well as the general duties of States to guarantee women's rights.    

Module 3: State duties in relation to violence and discrimination 

This module delves into the specific obligations of States regarding the application of the principle of due diligence. Including the duties to enact regulations and to implement comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable public policies to prevent gender-based violence and protect women against it. Furthermore, it includes specific obligations within judicial contexts, focusing on situations involving girls and adolescent females.   

Closing Module

The final module allows participants to download important material, like module summaries and case sheets. This dowloadable material can be used by them in the future, especially when accesing the I-A system’s mechanisms.

• The asynchronous virtual course is designed for flexible navigation, allowing participants to move freely according to their interests. 
• All modules are available from the start, and participants are not required to complete or pass earlier evaluations to access later content. 
• Across all modules, participants will find supplementary materials such as videos, exercises, and additional resources to deepen their understanding of the topics covered.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Educational Portal of the Americas are commited to: 

• Promoting an active and participatory learning methodology. 
• Building a learning experience based on instructional design models that promote autonomy and critical thinking, as well as self-directed learning. 

Teaching resources 

• We aim for people to internalize knowledge through various digital educational resources: videos, audio, images, interactive presentations, etc. 
• In-depth study materials. Optional supplementary materials are included throughout the modules for those who wish to delve deeper into certain topics. 
• The case studies and theoretical components will facilitate the understanding, application, and development of critical thinking about the discussed topics. 
• The course includes a space for addressing questions, designed as an informal communication channel that allows participants to share information and experiences, as well as receive assistance from the tutor.

Certification: 30 hours 

To pass the course, you must:

• Access all course modules and pages. 
• Complete the proposed activities.
• Complete the entry and exit evaluations.
• Complete the assessment activities for each module, including evaluations.
• Pass the final assessment for each module. 
• You must obtain at least 70 out of 100 points.

To obtain the course certificate, you must obtain 70 of the 100 possible points. 

• The points are obtained by completing each module's comprehension evaluations and the final evaluation. There is no limit on the number of attempts allowed to pass these exercises. 
• The diagnostic assessment does not affect your grade; it is conducted to measure knowledge acquisition, and you must complete it to obtain the certificate.

This course is a free, open, and self-paced online course (MOOC).

Schedule 

• Registration opens: August 4, 2026 
• Registration closes: August 18, 2026 
• Training begins: August 25, 2026
• Limited slots

Participant selection will be carried out by the IACHR. One day before the course begins, only selected participants will receive an email from portal@oas.org with instructions on how to access the course.

Registration Process 

• Click “Register.” 
• Complete the required information. 

Unenrollment

• If the learning path is not started within 15 days, the educational license may be revoked.