Women’s Rights – Seven Generations of Fighting For Women’s Rights

Seven generations have come and gone since the first women’s convention at Seneca Falls, yet we still see progress in some places and setbacks in others. The astonishing changes for women in family life, religion, government, employment and education did not happen spontaneously, but were made by a multitude of people over a span of time – men and women alike. They fought for their rights through meetings, petition drives, lobbying, public speaking and nonviolent resistance – all tools of the democratic process. This struggle continues today as we work for gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women around the world.

Gender equality is a vital pillar of a free society, but it is not an easy task. It requires deep legal and legislative changes to ensure that every person, regardless of their sex, can live in safety and security. To this end, many countries have adopted an international bill of rights that guarantees the right to equality and includes a list of specific rights that every person is entitled to. This is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). In order to be fully implemented, a country must have ratified it. Currently, only 180 countries have done so.

While women are making tremendous strides towards achieving their full rights, there is much more to be done. Globally, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar that men do and remain underrepresented in parliaments and other decision-making bodies. Inequality is even worse in the poorest nations, where women only have two thirds of the legal rights that men do.

We must tackle these challenges head on, and the best way to do this is by giving women a voice in all areas of their lives. This is why it’s essential to have a strong and vibrant women’s movement that can provide the support and advocacy needed to make sure that everyone, especially women, has their full rights and freedoms protected.

Among other things, this means fighting for laws that prevent sexual violence against women and girls, guaranteeing all parents equal access to their children and ensuring that fathers have at least two weeks of paternity leave. It also means tackling laws that discriminate against women and promoting the rights of all women to choose their own bodies, including safe and legal abortions, as well as comprehensive sexuality education.

The delegates of this congress are united in the belief that women’s rights are human rights, and it is crucial to protect and promote them in all parts of the world. By working together, we can build a more just and peaceful world. The future of all humanity depends on it.