Breaking the Glass Ceiling: The Fight for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality -By Akpoisheri Oghenetejiri

Women’s rights are the rights and entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide, which may include economic, social, and political rights. Women’s rights are the fundamental human rights that were enshrined by the United Nations for every human being on the planet nearly 70 years ago. These rights include the right to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn a fair and equal wage.

The 1848 Seneca Falls Woman’s Rights Convention marked the beginning of the women’s rights movement in the United by States and virtually in the world.

The Convention recruited supporters and included many action steps to advance the movement:

In order to fully digest this topic, it is pertinent to understand why women’s right is important and widely agitated for.

Firstly it helps to ensure that women and girls are treated with the same dignity and respect as men and boys. When women have access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, they are better able to contribute to their families, communities, and society as a whole. However, despite the progress that has been made, women and girls still face significant barriers to realizing their rights and achieving gender equality.

There are many issues that still need to be addressed in order to achieve gender equality. For example, women are often paid less than men for doing the same job, and they are more likely to work in low-paying jobs with little job security. Women also face higher rates of violence and harassment, both in the workplace and in their personal lives. Additionally, women are often underrepresented in positions of power, such as in politics and business, which limits their ability to influence decision-making and shape policies that affect their lives.

Hence, to address these issues, it’s important to raise awareness about women’s rights and work towards creating policies and programs that promote gender equality.

Another importance of promoting women’s rights is that it encourages leadership and participation of women in decision-making processes, and working to eliminate discrimination and bias in all areas of society.

Ultimately, achieving gender equality is not only a matter of fairness and justice, but it is also essential for creating a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world for everyone.

There are many organizations and movements around the world that are working to advance women’s rights and achieve gender equality. Some of these include the United Nations Women, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the Girl Up Campaign, and the Malala Fund, among others. These organizations work to advocate for women’s rights, provide education and resources to women and girls, and promote gender equality in all areas of society. A prominent activists Tawakkul Karmān once stated that “Peace does not mean just to stop wars, but also to stop oppression and injustice.”

It is note worthy that individuals can also play a role in advancing women’s rights, by speaking out against discrimination and bias, supporting women-led initiatives, and working to create more inclusive and equitable communities.

In order to create a more equitable and just world for all, it’s important to recognize the intersectional nature of gender inequality. This means acknowledging that women from different backgrounds and identities may experience different forms of discrimination and barriers to their rights and opportunities. For example, women of color, indigenous women, women with disabilities, and women living in poverty may face unique challenges that require targeted solutions. By working to address these intersectional issues, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society for all women and girls.

In addition to addressing gender inequality, it’s also important to recognize the ways in which gender norms and stereotypes can harm both women and men. For example, traditional gender roles often limit women’s opportunities and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about their abilities and worth. At the same time, these gender norms can also put pressure on men to conform to certain expectations and behaviors, which can be damaging to their mental health and well-being. By challenging gender norms and promoting more fluid and inclusive ideas about gender, we can create a society that is more accepting and empowering for everyone.

Another important aspect of promoting gender equality is recognizing the role that men and boys can play in advancing women’s rights. Men can be powerful allies in the fight for gender equality by challenging harmful gender norms and behaviors, promoting women’s leadership and participation, and working to create more inclusive and equitable communities. This involves recognizing that gender equality is not just a women’s issue, but is a human rights issue that affects everyone. By working together to promote gender equality, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.

One of the key ways to promote gender equality is through education. By providing girls and women with access to education, we can help to break down barriers and empower them to reach their full potential. Education can also help to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote more inclusive and equitable ideas about gender. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that there are still many barriers to education for girls and women around the world, including poverty, discrimination, and violence. By working to address these barriers and promote access to education for all, we can create a more equitable and just society for everyone.

Another important aspect of promoting gender equality is addressing gender-based violence. This includes physical, sexual, and emotional violence that is directed at individuals on the basis of their gender. Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue that affects women and girls around the world, and can have serious and long-lasting impacts on their physical and mental health. By working to address gender-based violence, we can help to create a society that is more safe and equitable for everyone.

This involves challenging harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to gender-based violence, providing support and resources to survivors, and promoting accountability for perpetrators.

Finally, it’s important to recognize that promoting gender equality is not just an issue for governments and policymakers, but is something that we can all work towards in our daily lives. This includes challenging harmful gender stereotypes and norms, promoting women’s leadership and participation, and working to create more inclusive and equitable communities. By working together to promote gender equality, we can create a more just and equitable world for everyone.

It’s also important to recognize that gender equality is not just about promoting equal opportunities for women, but also about recognizing the diversity of experiences and identities that exist within the category of “woman.” This includes recognizing the unique experiences and challenges faced by women of color, women with disabilities, and women from other marginalized communities. By working to promote intersectional approaches to gender equality, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society that recognizes and values the diversity of human experience.

There are many important women’s rights activists who have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and promoting the rights of women and girls around the world. Some of these activists include Malala Yousafzai, Gloria Steinem, Audre Lorde, Tarana Burke, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Alice Paul, Angela Davis, and Bell hooks. These individuals have worked tirelessly to challenge harmful gender norms and behaviors, promote women’s leadership and participation, and create more inclusive and equitable societies. Their work has inspired countless others to join the fight for gender equality, and has helped to create a more just and equitable world for everyone.

Women’s rights activists have a long and rich history that spans many different cultures and regions around the world. From the suffragettes of the early 20th century to the women’s rights movements of the 1960s and 70s, women’s rights activists have been at the forefront of social change for decades. Today, women’s rights activists continue to play a vital role in promoting gender equality and advancing the rights of women and girls around the world. They work to create more inclusive and equitable societies, challenge harmful gender norms and behaviors, and promote women’s leadership and participation in all areas of life.

Oghenetejiri is a student of Delta State University, Oleh Campus.