Women's Rights and Feminism

No matter where you are in the world, you have probably heard about women’s rights. You may know little about it, or you may have your own opinion developed on the topic and are ready for discussion. In my opinion, women’s rights are human rights. It seems silly to me that the term ‘women’s rights’ is even something people have to fight for.

“Women’s rights” could be considered as the idea that women are as deserving of their equal human rights as men. Some countries have laws to protect women’s rights, but unfortunately said, many do not. To me, the women’s rights topic should make sure to note that currently, women are not equal to men. For years, women were under the norm and expectations of being a mother, wearing feminine clothing, being a house-wife, and marrying a male at a young age. Women were seen akin to slaves, and although change is happening right now, we need more.

Included in women’s rights are things such as the right to vote, the right to birth control, the right to abortion, the right to equal pay for the same work, and the right to all human rights. (These human rights include the right to be free from rape.) Women total for roughly half of the world’s population. However, the following statistics show that not all women are being granted their rights, and that males and females are not equal.

• ⅔ (66.6%) of the world’s working hours are worked by women, but women only earn 1/10 (10%) of the world’s income.
• Nearly four million females (including girls) are bought and sold across the world every year. This includes prostitution, slavery, and marriage.
• Afghanistan is the most dangerous place in the world for females to live.

In relation to women’s rights, another term is ‘feminism’. Feminism, by my definition as well as the majority of people who also choose to call themselves feminists, is the belief that both male and female genders should be treated equally. I personally think that just because the word is feminism, that does not mean that it is only a female issue. Feminism, according to its definition should mean that everybody interested in gender equality (men and women, males and females) should feel free to identify as a feminist. This is the opportunity where I invite you, male, female, or other, to join the movement for gender equality, and to label yourself as a feminist.