The Unfinished Fight for Women’s Rights: A Call to Action: Women’s rights are human rights!

Introduction Women’s rights are not just a feminist issue—they are a human rights issue. Over the centuries, women have fought tirelessly for the right to vote, access education, own property, and work without discrimination. Despite progress, gender inequality persists in various forms across the world. From the gender pay gap to reproductive rights and violence against women, the fight for true equality is far from over. We are all entitled to human rights. These include the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage. But across the globe many women and girls still face discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare. For many years women’s rights movements have fought hard to address this inequality, campaigning to change laws or taking to the streets to demand their rights are respected. And new movements have flourished in the digital age, such as the #MeToo campaign which highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

someone at a protest holding the image of the Amnesty advertisement on the new york times. At the top of the ad it reads Adios, with an icon of a coat hanger. — WOMEN POWER

1. The Progress So Far The past century has seen remarkable progress in women’s rights. Some major milestones include:

Suffrage movements that won women the right to vote (e.g., the 19th Amendment in the U.S., 1920).
Education equality, allowing more women access to higher learning.
Legal protection against discrimination, including workplace rights and anti-harassment laws.

However, progress has not been uniform across all societies. In some countries, women still struggle with oppressive traditions, lack of legal protection, and limited political representation. 2. Challenges That Remain Despite advances, women still face numerous barriers, such as:

a. Gender Pay Gap

Women, on average, earn less than men for the same work. This economic disparity affects career growth and financial independence.

b. Violence Against Women

From domestic abuse to human trafficking, millions of women experience violence every year. Societal attitudes and weak legal frameworks often leave perpetrators unpunished.

c. Reproductive Rights

Access to healthcare, including birth control and safe abortion services, remains a contentious issue in many countries. Women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies without political interference.

d. Representation in Leadership

Women are still underrepresented in politics and business leadership. More representation ensures that policies reflect the needs of all citizens. 3. The Role of Society in Advancing Women’s Rights Everyone—governments, businesses, and individuals—has a role in achieving gender equality. Steps we can take include:

Promoting education for girls to ensure equal opportunities from a young age.
Encouraging women in leadership roles across politics, business, and STEM fields.
Changing societal attitudes that normalize gender-based discrimination and violence.
Strengthening laws to protect women’s rights and ensuring strict enforcement.

Conclusion

Women’s rights are fundamental to building a just and progressive society. While we celebrate the victories of the past, we must not become complacent. The road ahead demands continued activism, policy changes, and cultural shifts. Equality benefits not just women but society as a whole. It’s time we all step up and take action.