02/10/2022
M6: Peace
“I AM A WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!”
Countless women and girls continue to suffer prejudice based on their gender and s*x everywhere in the world. Concerns, including domestic and s*xual abuse, low wages, lack of access to education, and insufficient healthcare, are disproportionately affected by gender inequality and affect women and girls. Women's rights movements have struggled tirelessly to overcome this injustice for a long time, advocating for legislation to be changed or protesting through the streets to demand that their rights be recognized. And new movements have developed in the internet world, like the campaign that calls attention to the prevalence of s*xual harassment and gender-based violence.
Sexual harassment includes all inappropriate s*xual behavior. This could include unwanted s*xual advances or physical contact, asking for or demanding s*xual favors, or using s*xually inappropriate language. Physical s*xual assault is referred to as s*xual violence. The majority of victims of s*xual abuse are women and girls, however men and boys can often become victims, but most of the time, it is women who are overwhelmingly affected. The average number of women who have been involved in a relationship and have suffered physical or s*xual violence at the hands of their partner is 30% worldwide. Women are more likely to suffer s*xual assault, including r**e, and to fall victim to alleged "honour crimes."
The future of women's rights worldwide is in danger. The health, dignity, and fundamental well-being of women and girls around the world are seriously threatened by the U.S. administration's budget changes to foreign aid and strict enforcement, including those relating to abortion, refugee resettlement, and climate change. We need to take into account: Will women lose their hard-won rights globally, or will the backlash instead spark new victories?
In order to help lead the movement for progressive transformation on the most pressing issues of our time, women's movements must be strengthened, and innovative efforts need to be revitalized. True equality won't exist unless women and girls have complete access to the entirety of their rights, including those related to equal pay, property ownership, s*xual freedom, school access, and reproductive health. The only way economies and nations will improve is when women hold leadership positions and peacemaking and have equal voice in politics. The right to self-determination will then be available to all women and girls.
Here are some of the ways on how we could lead the fight for women’s rights:
1. Raise your voice. It matters!
2. Donate to organizations and movements for women.
3. Educate yourselves and the future generations.
4. Know your rights.
5. Support candidates who are aware, who understands and who values the needs and rights of women.
Once again, I am a woman and hear me roar!
References:
Amnesty International. (2022). Women’s Rights Are Human Rights. Women’s Rights. Retrieved October 2, 2022, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/discrimination/womens-rights/
Global Fund for Women. (2022). Information About Women’s Human Rights. Retrieved October 2, 2022, from https://www.globalfundforwomen.org/womens-human-rights/