The tale of Women’s Rights is more than one story; we must recognize the different stories
happening on different continents. Though we must admit, there is progress occurring around
the world, equality perspectives continue to exist on multiple levels.
Africa
Political representation has increased the number of countries increasing women’s representation in African nations; where Rwanda is the country with the most women represented in parliament, over 60%. South Africa has made strides improving representation of women in a similar fashion to Senegal and their use of gender quotas. Africa still has a very developed child marriage, barriers for suffering girls access to education, to barriers to get healthcare.
Europe
Europe has long been ahead of the game regarding women’s rights, with the Nordic countries ranked as the highest in the world, and one of the best places to live as a woman, gender equality personified. The rules surrounding equal pay, parental leave, and reproductive rights are some of the most progressive anywhere. However, not all is well – where the East and South are lagging; these are countries that are evolving around traditional norms that hold women back from participating more fully in economic life.
Asia
Asia is challenging; from Japan and South Korea facing criticism over their economic success and gender gap in the workforce, to India advancing many areas of women’s education, but yet still has pertinent issues with violence and differing forms of discrimination. Women do hail from countries like the Philippines and Bangladesh that once had female heads of state in the world of women’s rights. Though changing the world viewpoint can happen, as we see with continued improvement with female presidents and prime ministers over the years is undeniable individual accomplishment in not only breaking barriers and stating humanity.
The Americas
In North America, women enjoy some of the strongest legal protections available in the world, but the ongoing battles waged over reproductive rights – especially in the United States – illustrate that progress is fragile. Women in Latin America have benefited from a “green wave” of feminist movements that have enabled progress on reproductive rights in countries like Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, but violence against women is still commonplace.
The Middle East
While still the most restrictive region regarding women’s rights, increasing opportunities exist in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia only recently lifted the ban on women driving, while Tunisia is making strides towards stronger laws prohibiting domestic violence against women. Activists across the region continue to fight against cultural and legal obstacles imposed by conservative practices.
Oceania
Women in Australia and New Zealand benefit from some of the strongest legal protections and opportunities for political participation. As the first country in the world to give women the right to vote in 1893, New Zealand is seen as a symbol of progress. Nevertheless, indigenous women in Australia, and in New Zealand, still suffer from higher rates of violence and economic inequities when their populations and experiences are compared to non-indigenous women.
