Women’s Rights and the Road to a Better World

Women’s rights – to equal pay, property ownership, freedom from violence and access to education, health care and maternal services – are key to a better world. Only when women’s rights are respected, when women have a voice in politics and economic decisions, will they be empowered to take the lead and help make societies more inclusive, fair and prosperous.

International law recognizes that women and men have the same fundamental human rights, regardless of their sex. This is reflected in two critical documents: the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), an international bill of rights, and the Beijing Platform for Action, which sets out a roadmap to achieve gender equality. Governments have an obligation to implement both documents and the principles they contain.

A number of women’s rights have been advanced in recent decades, but the struggle is far from over. Many governments still deny women their right to choose how, when and with whom they marry; to control their own bodies and sexuality, including access to safe and legal abortion; and to decide if, when and with whom they want to have children. In addition, women continue to face the threat of gender-based violence, such as rape, other forms of sexual violence and female genital mutilation.

The most important step to achieving a better world is for all countries to respect and protect women’s rights. This can only be achieved if governments work together with women’s organizations and other groups that defend their interests. This requires political will, commitment and resources.

Providing equal opportunities for women to participate in the economy will also create a safer and more secure world, especially in conflict zones and fragile states. Governments must reform laws that prevent women from having access to employment and the ability to earn a living, as well as abolish practices that discriminate against women in the workplace. For example, the ACLU Women’s Rights Project works to challenge laws and workplace policies that exclude women from certain sectors of employment, require them to leave the workforce when they become pregnant or have a baby, or pay them less than their male counterparts.

Countries must also enact and enforce laws to guarantee the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes access to food, housing and water. Many people around the world are not able to meet their basic needs. Governments must also provide access to education and training, as well as financial services for women entrepreneurs.

As the global population continues to grow, it is even more important that we ensure all women have the resources and opportunities they need to live a dignified life. This includes ensuring women have access to family planning information, and medical and health services such as maternal healthcare, and sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception and safe abortions. Reproductive rights are fundamental to a just, healthy and sustainable future for everyone. For more on this topic, click here to view our fact sheet on Reproductive Rights and Women’s Rights.