Advance Women’s Rights

Women and girls represent half the world’s population and, therefore, half of its potential. Gender equality is not only a human right, it’s also necessary for peaceful societies, economic growth, sustainable development and achieving peace with nature. This is why advancing women’s rights has been a priority of the United Nations since 1995.

The fight for women’s rights has seen many victories over the past century, including the right to vote in countries across the globe. However, there is still a lot of work to be done. Women continue to face violence, exploitation and discrimination in all areas of their lives, and it is crucial that we continue to push for change.

One of the most important steps that can be taken is to provide every woman and girl with an education. This can help to empower them and enable them to make their own choices in life, whether that is deciding where they want to live, or what job they would like to do. It can also give them the tools to be able to speak out for themselves if they are being mistreated.

A good education can also help to give them the confidence they need to stand up for themselves and their rights, and to be able to take part in decision-making at all levels of society. This is especially important in situations of conflict and natural disasters, when they are at a greater risk of being excluded due to their gender.

Another important area that needs to be addressed is ensuring that women have access to the same opportunities and benefits in the workplace, such as equal pay and maternity leave. It is estimated that women around the world are paid 20 per cent less than men for doing the same jobs.

It is also essential that women are able to take on as much responsibility as men in the home and in their communities. This includes providing care for children and elderly relatives, as well as managing the household finances. It is crucial that women are given the support and the space to be able to do this, without losing out on their professional careers.

Finally, women should be able to decide how many and when they want to have children, as well as how often they want to have them. This includes being able to access health services such as contraception and safe abortions, and being able to choose where they live. They should also be able to live without fear of sexual and reproductive violence, including rape, genital mutilation and early marriage, and be able to make their own decisions about their bodies.

While the Women’s Rights Movement has made incredible strides over the years, it is crucial that we continue to push for more change. At the current rate, it will take 300 years to end child marriage, 286 years to close gaps in legal protection and remove discriminatory laws, and 47 years to get women into parliaments worldwide.