Women’s Rights – Why It’s Important to Stand Up For Women’s Rights

How well a society treats its women is one of the strongest indicators of its overall health and success. But despite the fact that the world’s women have made great strides in recent years, there are still too many barriers to full equality. This is especially true in countries where harmful patriarchal traditions, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, persist.

Fortunately, most of these barriers can be overcome through the concerted effort of individuals and groups working for women rights. One of the most effective ways to do this is through support for an international treaty called the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, of which 193 states have ratified so far. This treaty establishes women’s rights and states the obligations that nations have to protect them.

The Convention is an essential tool for fighting discrimination against women in all aspects of life, including education, employment, politics, and the family. The treaty also protects women’s health, safety and human dignity. It is a non-negotiable ethical imperative for decent people, regardless of their political beliefs. And, since it has the added advantage of slowing down population growth, it is a win-win for humanity and all other species that share this planet with us.

While the majority of states that have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms for Discrimination against Women have made significant progress in achieving full equality for women, there is still much work to be done. Women are not yet equal partners in marriage or other types of partnerships, they earn less than men for the same jobs, are prone to more violence, and have poorer access to health care. In addition, countless women’s rights activists are subjected to violence and imprisonment for their activism.

Nevertheless, the most important thing to remember is that women’s rights are human rights. This is why it’s so crucial to support women and girls as a standalone, non-negotiable moral imperative for all humanity. It is only when all people have their rights recognized and protected that we will have a world that works for everyone.

As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the United States, it is important to take stock of how far we have come as a nation and as a global community. Many of the changes that were once deemed outlandish, such as women getting equal pay and access to education, now seem so normal. The younger generation can barely imagine a time when these monumental achievements were not the norm. This is a testament to the power of activism. As long as we continue to fight for these rights, there is hope that we can achieve a more equal and prosperous future for all. And that, indeed, is something to be proud of. –Sarah Shuman, PhD, is a Professor of History at the University of Colorado Denver. She specializes in modern European and American History. She is the author of three books and several articles on the Civil Rights Movement, especially that of women.