Womens Rights
By Lauren, Michaela and Andrea
Womens rights
What is womens rights?
Woman's rights is the idea that all woman regardless of their sex, sexuality, class, race, size or ability, should be treated equally economically, socially and culturally. And have accesses to the same rescores and opportunities as men.
Where does it exist ?
Sexism exists all over the world and impacts everyone. One of the places that there is much sexism is in China, In China While they do have birth control and a one child limit for population control. Condoms, Tampons and pads are still considered a luxury tax even though men's razors are not. In 2007 31,833 rapes were reported in China from the use department of state. And only one out of ten cases happened is likely to be reported because of the fear of being told it’s their own fault and ridiculed by their families and friends. They may also not out their rapist because they know them closely in some way because a majority of rapes are committed by someone a person knows. Traditional Chinese culture often holds the woman responsible for her rape. This attitude also be seen in many other areas of the world which share this cultural tradition.
Another place that has a problem with sexism specify Saudi Arabia, every adult Saudi woman, regardless of economic or social status, has to obtain permission from her male guardian to work, travel, study, and even seek medical treatment or to get married. She can’t make the smallest decisions on behalf of her children. Women’s and girls' access to education depends on the good will of male guardians, any girl who want to go to school needs their permission for their educational enrollment. And when female university's and professors are often in unequal facilities with unequal opportunities. Female staff again need permission from a man in order to be hired. And employers can fire a woman or force her to resign "if her guardian decides for any reason that he no longer wants her to work outside the home." However in some jobs, clothing stores, amusement parks, food preparation and as cashiers, guardian permission is no longer strictly necessary for hiring.
What causes it?
The causes of sexism are culture, sexism is not an inherent trait it is a learned one. Many cultures are sexist, and cultures reinforce these sexist attitudes buy favoring men in jobs of power and slut shaming woman but not men. Another way seism is caused is when gender roles are enforced on peoples lives.
Why do we not know about this? (We do, but...)
In a lot of situations, the information is available but not publicized very much. Meaning that mainstream news and other media tend to downplay the factual information, or “brush it under the rug” so to speak. Women’s rights are a topic that have been debated for years, even centuries, but it’s rarely the source of major or international news.
Awareness really depends on where you look: if you rely on mainstream media for most of your information on the women’s rights movement, you will most likely be misinformed. However there are many reliable online resources and organizations that will provide you with current and accurate information.
What is the global impact?
Women’s rights have a global impact almost every day on everybody, whether it be wages, laws, or social movements etc.
Wages have been unequal among women for many years, and progress is slow but ongoing. Underemployment for people out of college is a major source of wage inequality for both genders, but that seems strange when the majority of college majors are female, and the majority of corporate leaders are male.
In the past, laws have been made by the government to protect and promote the wellbeing of women, but those laws can only do so much. For instance, despite anti-discrimination laws put into place, there is still much discrimination against women in the workplace and otherwise. Most notably for single mothers, trans women, women of color, and women with disabilities.
Are the efforts being made effective?
The progress being made on women’s rights is ongoing, but slow. Immediate progress is out of the question, of course, since most problems can’t be solved in a day. However, many groups and organizations of people are doing their best increase awareness among the general populace towards feminism & the women’s rights movement.
What can we do?
As far as efforts to be made, the list goes on and on. In all honesty, the battle will probably never truly be over. Or at least, not in a very, very long time.
The first step is awareness. Ignorance is the biggest problem among individuals addressing this issue, and covering up the problem does nothing.
Several trusted organizations have been fighting for women’s equality for decades, such as the National Organization for Women (NOW), the League of Women Voters, and the American Association of American Women (AAUW). All these groups represent women’s positions in both places of power, and everyday rights.
What is being done to address this issue?
What connects and impacts are there more locally?
What links can be made to World History?
Citations
- Marquez, Paxcely. "Rape in China." US-China Today. N.p., Mar.-Apr. 2009. Web. Apr.-May 2016.
- Manea, Elham. "Women in Saudi Arabia Are Caught in a System of Gender Apartheid." Dw.com. N.p., June-July 2013. Web. Apr.-May 2016.
- Ren, Yuan. "Chinese Feminist: 'If I Talk about Women's Rights in China, People Will Think I'm Sick'" The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 15 Apr. 2015. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Dal-Bianco, Claudia. "European Year for Development." Women's Rights Activists Have Been Very Busy ... A Chinese Perspective on Feminist Challenges since Beijing 1995. Austrian Development Cooperation, 16 Mar. 2015. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Meili, Xiao. "China’s Feminist Awakening." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 May 2015. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Rodriguez-Cayro, Devon. "Voices of the World." Voices of the World. Project Abroad, 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Lawson, Angelica. "Lawson: Stop Taxing Tampons." Iowa State Daily. N.p., 10 Feb. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Gass-Poore', Jordan. "Citing Gender Bias, State Lawmakers Move To Eliminate 'Tampon Tax'" NPR. NPR, 6 Mar. 2016. Web. 18 May 2016
- Thompson, Derek. "The Gender-Wage Gap Is Shrinking—or Is It?" The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 May 2016.
- Bhavan, Mani. "Essays : Breaking the Shackles: Gandhi's Views on Women." Essays : Breaking the Shackles: Gandhi's Views on Women. N.p., 2004. Web. 24 May 2016.