Women’s Rights – A Non-Negotiable Ethical Imperative For All People

Women’s rights are human rights that every woman has, just like men. They include the right to physical integrity, including freedom from violence and control over decisions over their body; the right to education and social participation; economic rights, such as owning property and working a job of their choice and being paid equally for it; and political rights, such as voting for and serving in public office. The lack of these rights has far-reaching consequences for people, societies and the planet.

The world is a better place for women today than it was a few decades ago, but serious problems remain. One in three women have experienced gender-based violence – including physical, sexual, or psychological abuse, and threats to life. Unequal economies and societies can contribute to these problems, by denying women opportunities for income generation, restricting their access to education, or creating barriers to health care and employment.

In the United States, more than nine-in-ten Americans across demographic and partisan groups say it is very important or somewhat important that women have equal rights with men. However, many people believe that women’s rights haven’t been taken far enough: A higher share of Democrats than Republicans point to a lack of women in leadership positions (72% vs. 51%), women not being treated equally in the workplace (70% vs. 57%), and women having different societal expectations (69% vs. 57%).

While much progress has been made in some countries, deep legal and legislative change is needed to bring about true equality between women and men. Only 143 of the world’s 196 countries have guaranteed equality in their Constitutions, and women still earn 20 per cent less than men globally in the labour market.

This is why improving women’s status is a non-negotiable ethical imperative for all decent people, and not just for women themselves. It is also a win for the planet, because sex equality reduces population growth.

A good start would be to abolish laws that discriminate against women, including those that deny them their basic human rights. This could be done through legislation and the United Nations’ human rights treaties, which would help set standards for countries to follow. In the longer term, governments and corporations need to make sure that their policies do not exclude or disadvantage women. They should also invest in and promote education for women, particularly girls, and support a range of initiatives that help them achieve their potential. This includes sex education and family planning services. The failure to provide these basics can lead to unintended pregnancies and poor reproductive health, which are the leading causes of death and illness for young women in developing countries. The right to choose when and how to have children is an essential part of a woman’s ability to participate more fully in society and sustainably feed her family. This is why women’s rights are a crucial component of the Sustainable Development Goals.