A Call to Action

1. Gender inequality persists globally, rooted in religious and cultural traditions

"When potential male exploiters of women are led to believe that their victim is considered inferior or "different" even by God, they can presume that it must be permissible to take advantage of their superior male status."

Religious justification of inequality: Many religions and cultures have traditionally viewed women as inferior to men, using selective interpretations of religious texts to justify discrimination. This mindset perpetuates the idea that women are less valuable and can be exploited. Examples include:

• Christianity: Some interpret Bible verses about wives submitting to husbands as justifying male dominance
• Islam: Certain interpretations of Quranic verses are used to limit women's rights and freedoms
• Hinduism: Patriarchal traditions have often overshadowed more egalitarian spiritual teachings

Cultural norms reinforce disparities: Even in secular societies, deeply ingrained cultural beliefs about gender roles continue to disadvantage women:

• Unequal distribution of household labor and childcare responsibilities
• Expectations for women to prioritize family over career advancement
• Social pressure on women to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior
• Limited representation of women in leadership positions across sectors

2. Violence against women is widespread and often culturally sanctioned

"According to the U.S. Justice Department, there were 191,610 cases of rape or sexual assault in the United States in 2006, and 91 percent of the victims were female. That's more than 475 women assaulted every day."

Pervasive violence: Violence against women takes many forms and occurs at alarming rates globally:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault and rape
• Human trafficking and forced prostitution
• Honor killings
• Female genital mutilation

Cultural factors enable abuse: Many societies have norms that tacitly or explicitly condone violence against women:

• Victim-blaming attitudes
• Lack of legal protections or enforcement
• Economic dependence of women on male partners
• Notions of male ownership over female bodies and sexuality
• Inadequate support services for survivors

Underreporting is common: Due to shame, fear, and lack of faith in justice systems, most incidents of violence against women go unreported, making the true scale of the problem even larger than official statistics suggest.

3. Child marriage and female genital cutting remain prevalent human rights abuses

"There are an estimated 14 million girls married every year before they reach the age of eighteen, and 1 in 9 of these are younger than fifteen."

Child marriage persists: Despite being illegal in many countries, child marriage continues to be practiced widely, especially in developing nations:

• Driven by poverty, cultural traditions, and gender inequality
• Robs girls of education and opportunities
• Increases risk of domestic violence and health complications

Female genital cutting (FGC): This harmful practice affects millions of girls worldwide:

• Performed on girls as young as infants up to adolescence
• Can cause severe health problems, including death
• Rooted in cultural beliefs about female purity and marriageability

Efforts to end these practices: Organizations are working to:

• Change cultural attitudes through education and community engagement
• Empower girls to advocate for themselves
• Implement and enforce laws protecting girls' rights

4. Human trafficking and sexual slavery exploit millions of women and girls

"The Global Slavery Index report released in October 2013 estimates that 29.8 million people remain enslaved today."

Modern slavery epidemic: Human trafficking and sexual exploitation are global issues:

• Affects every country, with higher prevalence in poverty-stricken areas
• Women and girls make up the majority of victims
• Generates billions in illicit profits annually

Factors contributing to trafficking:

• Poverty and lack of economic opportunities
• Gender discrimination and low social status of women
• Demand for commercial sex and cheap labor
• Weak law enforcement and corruption

Combating trafficking: Efforts to address this issue include:

• Strengthening anti-trafficking laws and enforcement
• Providing support and rehabilitation for survivors
• Addressing root causes like poverty and gender inequality
• Raising awareness to reduce demand for commercial sex

5. Women face significant barriers in politics, economics, and education

"When I was elected president in 1976 there were only eighteen women in the U.S. Congress (about 3 percent), but the number has increased steadily to 102 elected in 2012. This amounts to only 18 percent of the total, far below the world average and leaving our nation ranked 78th in women's participation in government."

Political underrepresentation: Despite progress, women remain a minority in political leadership globally:

• Cultural biases against female leaders
• Lack of support and mentorship for women in politics
• Difficulties balancing family responsibilities with political careers

Economic disparities: Women face persistent economic disadvantages:

• Gender pay gap: Women earn less than men for equal work
• Occupational segregation into lower-paying fields
• Barriers to advancement to leadership positions
• Unequal access to credit and financial services

Educational challenges: While global progress has been made in girls' education, obstacles remain:

• Cultural preferences for educating boys over girls
• Early marriage and pregnancy interrupting schooling
• Lack of sanitation facilities discouraging girls' attendance
• Gender biases in curricula and teaching methods

6. Maternal health and access to healthcare are critical women's rights issues

"According to the World Health Organization, the fourth leading cause of death for women worldwide is poor conditions at childbirth, exceeded only by HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis."

Maternal mortality crisis: Hundreds of thousands of women die annually from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth:

• 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries
• Major causes: hemorrhage, infection, high blood pressure, unsafe abortion

Barriers to healthcare access:

• Poverty and inability to afford care
• Lack of trained healthcare providers, especially in rural areas
• Cultural beliefs discouraging women from seeking medical care
• Discrimination and poor treatment in healthcare settings

Improving maternal health: Strategies include:

• Increasing access to skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care
• Expanding family planning services and education
• Addressing malnutrition and infectious diseases
• Empowering women to make decisions about their own healthcare

7. Progress on women's rights requires both grassroots efforts and policy changes

"It is crucial for political leaders and all of us to understand the interrelationship among politics, the sex trade, and the general welfare."

Grassroots initiatives: Local organizations and community-based efforts are essential for:

• Changing cultural attitudes and norms
• Providing direct support and services to women
• Empowering women to advocate for their own rights

Policy and legal reforms: Government action is needed to:

• Enact and enforce laws protecting women's rights
• Implement policies promoting gender equality in education, employment, and politics
• Allocate resources to women's health and development programs

Synergy between approaches: The most effective progress occurs when:

• Grassroots movements inform and pressure policymakers
• Government policies create an enabling environment for local initiatives
• International agreements provide frameworks for national-level action

8. Men must be engaged as partners in achieving gender equality

"We need language about hospitality, generosity, abundance, and love."

Shifting male attitudes: Engaging men and boys is crucial for lasting change:

• Challenging traditional notions of masculinity
• Promoting equitable relationships and shared responsibilities
• Encouraging men to speak out against violence and discrimination

Men as allies: Male leaders and influencers can:

• Use their positions of power to advocate for women's rights
• Model respectful and egalitarian behavior
• Support and mentor women in various fields

Benefits for men: Gender equality improves men's lives too:

• Reduced pressure to conform to restrictive gender roles
• Improved relationships with partners, daughters, and other women
• More balanced and fulfilling work-life integration

9. Education and economic opportunity are key to empowering women

"There is a direct relation between reducing the infant mortality rate and a subsequent decrease in population growth."

Education as a catalyst: Educating girls and women leads to:

• Delayed marriage and childbearing
• Increased economic productivity
• Better health outcomes for women and their families
• Greater participation in civic and political life

Economic empowerment: Providing women with economic opportunities results in:

• Reduced poverty and improved family well-being
• Increased decision-making power within households
• Greater investment in children's education and health
• Economic growth and development at community and national levels

Mutually reinforcing effects: Education and economic opportunity create a positive feedback loop:

• Educated women are more likely to enter the workforce and earn higher incomes
• Economically empowered women are more likely to educate their daughters
• Both factors contribute to breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality

10. International agreements and laws can drive progress on women's rights

"The United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution banning the practice [of female genital cutting]."

Key international frameworks:

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW, 1979)
• Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)
• UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000)

Impact of international agreements:

• Set global standards and norms for women's rights
• Provide mechanisms for monitoring and accountability
• Inspire national-level laws and policies
• Offer tools for advocates to pressure governments

Challenges in implementation:

• Lack of enforcement mechanisms
• Cultural and religious resistance in some countries
• Inadequate resources for implementation
• Persistent gender biases in legal and political systems

Human rights defenders and NGOs play a crucial role in leveraging these agreements to push for change at national and local levels.

Last updated: July 25, 2024