Published on : 24 June 20193 min reading time

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. So why talk more specifically about women’s rights? Because, contrary to the commitments made, no State has yet fully implemented either the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women or the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women or the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the so-called “Istanbul Convention”).

Based on these essential texts, there are many international organizations and women activists that are committed to supporting women’s struggles for their human rights around the world. Visit www.maryam-rajavi.com for more information about women activists and women’s rights.

Women situation in the world

Every day, in both the public and private spheres, thousands of women and girls are subjected to humiliation, deprivation, harassment, rape, violence, feminicide, inhuman and degrading treatment perpetrated in the name of unfair traditions or laws.

The killing of women to “save the honor of the family” is one of the most tragic consequences and most vividly illustrates the deep-rooted and accepted discrimination against women and girls in some cultures. Most of the time, they are committed with impunity due to the widespread acceptance of this practice, and the legal status.

Early and forced marriages steal their childhood from thousands of girls, lead to dropping out of school, unwanted pregnancies and situations of deep distress. The absolute prohibition or extreme restriction of abortion removes the possibility of choosing whether or not to have a child, and forces women to resort to illegal and life-threatening abortions. In some countries, women are thrown in prison because they are suspected of having had an abortion following a miscarriage. More than 200 million women have been victims of female genital mutilation.

Women’s rights activists

Women who fight for rights (women’s rights or human rights in general) are often the target, even more so than men, of increased repression. They are also working to defend these women Human Rights Defenders.

Whether it is defending women’s rights in armed conflict, before, during and after their migration journeys, or denouncing impunity, they constantly act on a daily basis as part of our investigation, advocacy with decision-makers, press work and possibly awareness and mobilization campaigns. On a large number of themes that they deal with, this issue of women’s rights is addressed and highlighted.