Why it is Important to Keep Up the Fight For Women’s Rights
Women are the majority of the world’s population and a growing force in all sectors of society. Despite this, they are still facing a great deal of discrimination and injustice, particularly in the form of violence, poverty and lack of opportunity. This is not the case in all countries, but it is still very prevalent in many.
This is why it is important to continue to fight for the rights of women and girls. Whether that be through direct activism or by supporting organisations that promote women’s rights, everyone can play their part in the fight against oppression of women.
Some of the most basic and fundamental rights that women have are the right to education, the right to employment, the right to health care, and the right to own property. These basic human rights are often violated in the name of religious or cultural traditions that do not necessarily reflect the views of the vast majority of the population.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, people began to agitate for women’s rights and suffrage. New Zealand was the first country to grant voting rights for women on a national level, and eventually other nations followed suit. This was a huge step forward for women, but there are still many places where it is difficult to vote. In the United States, the National Organization for Women was established in 1966 to lobby the government for equal pay laws and protection against employment discrimination. They also campaigned for women’s suffrage, and in 1920 President Woodrow Wilson signed the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote.
In recent years, there has been a push for greater equality in the workplace, with legislation such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Pregnancy Discrimination and Equal Credit Opportunity acts granting women equal opportunities and protections against discrimination. Despite this, women around the world are still suffering from discrimination and abuse in their work and at home.
Another area where the rights of women are a pressing issue is in the fight against gender-based violence. In 2018 less than 1% of humanitarian funding went towards programmes that prevent and respond to gender-based violence, a figure that is unacceptable. This is why it is so important to keep up the fight for women’s rights, and to support organisations that promote these.
Women and girls around the world face violence, discrimination and injustice every day of their lives. Whether that be from an intimate partner or family member, from a stranger or from the institutions and structures that govern their daily lives. The struggle for women’s rights is not over, but there are a lot of people fighting to make it better, and that includes you. You can play your part by sharing these facts and raising awareness, which will help us to protect the hard-won rights of women everywhere.