Women’s Rights in the 21st Century
Women and girls are half the world’s population, and equal rights are essential for peaceful societies and achieving full human potential. Yet in many countries, both rich and poor, women are still not living as freely as men. They are not getting the same pay for the same work, unable to access health care or get credit, and often subjected to violence. Only when women are fully included in economic development and political life, with equality of opportunity, can the lives of the world’s people be truly transformed.
Despite tremendous obstacles, the world’s women have made great strides toward becoming more equal to men. Today, fewer women are unable to read and write than ever before. They are more likely to have jobs in manufacturing and professional fields, and they have higher levels of education than men. They are also less likely to die in childbirth and more likely to receive medical treatment for serious diseases such as breast cancer. However, a great deal of work remains to be done. Only three quarters of all legal rights afforded to women are now universally guaranteed, according to the United Nations.
The history of women’s rights activism is a remarkable one – it includes many women whose names and accomplishments should be as well known as those of Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr. Their 72-year struggle against enormous odds should inspire today’s young women, of all ethnic groups and backgrounds, to redouble their efforts until all women have full legal rights and equal opportunities.
During the last century, many national governments and international organizations have taken steps to advance the position of women. For example, the International Council of Women was founded in 1888 to provide a forum for the coordination of women’s groups from various nations, including professional associations, labor unions, and benevolent societies. Its members worked together across national boundaries to make their voices heard at the global level and to pressure governments for action on behalf of their concerns.
In a few years, the United Nations will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the adoption of its landmark Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). More than 180 nations have ratified this treaty. It sets out an international bill of rights for women and defines the obligations that states have to protect them.
But implementing the convention will not be easy. We need to be extremely careful about empowering women too quickly and not letting them become more vulnerable to abuse, especially by their husbands or partners. In addition, it is crucial to engage men in societal transformation and to promote gender-neutral initiatives that will benefit both women and boys. Moreover, we must be aware that, even when there has been progress, there is always room for improvement. This is why the UN and other organizations are calling on governments to do more.