Empowering Women's Voices: Debate, Diplomacy, And Rights

Despite some progress, women's rights remain under attack worldwide. Women and girls face discrimination, violence, and sexual assault, with 30% of women globally experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. Women's rights are intimately linked to debate and diplomacy, as seen in the fight for suffrage and the ongoing struggle for gender equality. Diplomacy, often portrayed as a male-dominated field, is undergoing a transformation with increasing female representation. The United Nations declared June 24 as International Women in Diplomacy Day, recognizing women's contributions to multilateral affairs and advocating for their inclusion in decision-making positions. As women break barriers in diplomacy, they challenge traditional gender roles and advance measures for equality, making a crucial impact on sustainable development goals.

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Women's rights and suffrage

In the United States, the women's suffrage movement gained momentum in the 19th century, with pioneers like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucy Stone leading the charge. Despite opposition and arrests, women persisted, and their efforts resulted in the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote in 1920. This movement saw a "schism" over the 15th Amendment, which granted Black men the right to vote, leading to the formation of two groups: the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). The NWSA, led by Stanton and Anthony, opposed the 15th Amendment and advocated for broader women's rights, while the AWSA, led by Stone, focused on achieving suffrage through constitutional amendments. In 1890, the groups reunited as the National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA).

In Great Britain, the fight for women's suffrage was equally intense. While women were initially denied voting rights, the Representation of the People Act 1918 gave suffrage to women over 30 who met certain property qualifications. It wasn't until 1928 that women over 21 gained equal voting rights with men.

By the early 20th century, several countries had granted women the right to vote in national elections, including New Zealand (1893), Australia (1902), Finland (1906), and Norway (1913). World War I played a significant role in accelerating women's enfranchisement globally, with 28 additional countries granting women equal voting rights during the period 1914-1939. In the 21st century, most countries allow women to vote, with Saudi Arabia being a recent example, granting municipal voting rights to women in 2015.

Today, the United Nations and various international organizations continue to advocate for women's rights and representation in diplomacy and decision-making positions. The United Nations General Assembly declared June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, recognizing the contributions of women in this field. Despite progress, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality and ensure women's empowerment in all spheres.

Gender-based violence

Women's rights are inextricably linked to debate and diplomacy, as these platforms provide a means to address and combat the discrimination and violence that women face globally.

One of the most pressing issues concerning women's rights is gender-based violence. This refers to violent acts directed at an individual or group based on their sex, gender identity, or perceived adherence to socially defined norms of masculinity and femininity. It can take many forms, including physical, psychological, sexual, economic, legal, and political violence, as well as control or abuse. Gender-based violence occurs in both public and private settings, such as schools, homes, workplaces, and digital spaces.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence, with an average of 30% of women worldwide experiencing physical and/or sexual violence in an intimate partner relationship. They are also more likely to be victims of sexual assault, rape, and "honour crimes." This violence is a significant human rights violation, and it is the responsibility of states to protect women and girls from such abuse, even in private settings.

The issue of gender-based violence has been addressed in various international debates and diplomatic efforts. For instance, during a United Nations Security Council debate, delegates expressed concern over conflict-related gender-based violence in Ukraine, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, emphasizing the need to hold perpetrators accountable. Additionally, France called for robust mandates and resources to protect and ensure the participation of women in United Nations missions and operations, as well as the imposition of sanctions on perpetrators of sexual violence during conflicts.

To address gender-based violence effectively, it is crucial to recognize the role of restrictive social norms and structural inequalities. These factors contribute to both offline and online violence against women and girls, hindering their access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the internet. This, in turn, impacts economic, social, and political progress, as well as global growth and stability.

Eradicating gender-based violence requires a multi-faceted approach, including legal reforms, increased representation of women in decision-making positions, and the implementation of measures to ensure women's safety and empowerment. By addressing this issue through debate and diplomacy, we can work towards creating a more equal and just society for all.

Women in diplomacy

Women have played a role in diplomacy for centuries, but their contributions have often been overlooked. Despite this, women's rights and their inclusion in diplomacy are closely linked. The Office of Global Women's Issues, for example, represents the Department of State's commitment to women's rights and works to ensure their political, economic, and social empowerment.

Historically, diplomacy has been dominated by men, and gender has been largely absent from the debates surrounding it. However, there is a growing recognition of the need to include more women in diplomacy and to adopt a gender perspective in international relations. As of 2023, there are 31 countries with women serving as Heads of State and/or Government, and the number of women in diplomacy has been rising. Research shows that when women serve in cabinets and parliaments, they pass laws and policies that benefit ordinary people, the environment, and social cohesion. Increasing women's participation in peace and political processes is vital to achieving de facto equality, especially in the face of entrenched discrimination.

Women's rights are fundamental to the debate on their inclusion in diplomacy. Despite some progress, women's human rights are still under attack globally, and they continue to face discrimination and violence. Conflict-related sexual violence has increased, and women and girls are overwhelmingly the victims. It is the responsibility of states to protect women from gender-based violence and ensure their rights, including the right to decide matters relating to their sexuality and reproductive health.

To address these issues, the UN has adopted a roadmap to achieve gender equality by 2030. This includes ensuring equal access to technology, investing in social protections and education, and striving for zero violence against women and girls. The UN has also declared June 24 as the International Day of Women in Diplomacy to raise awareness and promote women's leadership in multilateral diplomacy.

In conclusion, women's rights and their participation in diplomacy are closely intertwined. Despite historical exclusion and ongoing challenges, women are breaking barriers and making significant contributions to the field. Increasing women's representation in decision-making positions and adopting a gender lens in diplomacy are crucial steps towards achieving gender equality and empowering women worldwide.

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Women's rights and education

One significant challenge is the increasing trend of sex-segregated educational programs, which are often based on pseudoscientific theories about brain function and learning styles. These programs reinforce gender stereotypes and deny students equal access to educational opportunities. Additionally, pregnant and parenting students, particularly young mothers, often face obstacles to educational equality due to unsupportive school policies and practices. This contributes to high dropout rates and perpetuates sexist and racist conceptions. Furthermore, gender-based violence and harassment in schools are prevalent issues that schools often fail to address adequately. Effective policies and responses are necessary to ensure equal access to education for all students.

According to UNESCO, gender inequality, poverty, early marriage, and gender-based violence are among the reasons for the high percentage of out-of-school and illiterate girls and women globally. In 2019, 8 countries had restrictions on the right to education for pregnant, parenting, or married girls and women in their legislation. However, progress has been made, with 4 countries in Africa removing such bans. Child marriage, defined as marriage before the age of 18, is still allowed in 18% of countries, contributing to higher rates of out-of-school adolescent girls.

In higher education, gender disparities persist in certain fields. A 2017 study found that men dominate 9 of the 10 college majors leading to the highest-paying jobs, particularly in STEM fields, while women dominate 6 of the 10 lowest-paying majors. Organizations like AAUW are advocating for the vigorous enforcement of Title IX and civil rights laws to advance gender equity in education. They support policies that address sexual harassment, protect LGBTQ+ students, and provide support for pregnant and parenting students.

Ensuring women's rights and promoting gender equality in education have broader implications beyond the classroom. Research has shown that when women are represented in legislative bodies and decision-making positions, it enhances the effectiveness of governance and leads to better laws and policies that benefit ordinary people, the environment, and social cohesion. Increasing women's participation in diplomacy and peace processes is crucial for achieving de facto equality and driving progress across all Sustainable Development Goals.

Women's rights and workplace discrimination

Women's rights have been a topic of global discussion and debate for centuries, and while progress has been made, gender discrimination remains prevalent in society, particularly in the workplace. Despite women's long-standing participation in diplomacy, their contributions have often been overlooked, and they continue to face barriers and challenges in this field.

Workplace discrimination against women can take many forms, including sexual harassment, unequal pay, and being passed over for important assignments or promotions. Women from different racial and ethnic backgrounds may also face varying forms and degrees of discrimination. For example, according to a survey, 53% of employed Black women reported experiencing some form of gender discrimination at work, compared to 40% of White and Hispanic women. The survey also revealed that 22% of Black women felt they had been passed over for critical assignments due to their gender, compared to 8% of White and 9% of Hispanic women.

Education level also plays a role in the rate of discrimination experienced by women. Women with higher education qualifications, such as a postgraduate degree, report experiencing gender discrimination at significantly higher rates than those with less education. This could be attributed to the fact that more educated women are more likely to be aware of discriminatory practices and their rights, and thus, more likely to report such incidents.

In the United States, federal laws prohibit job discrimination based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions), sexual orientation, transgender status, national origin, religion, age (40 and older), equal pay, disability, or genetic information. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on these factors and imposes monetary penalties for non-compliance. Despite these laws, gender discrimination in the workplace remains a pervasive issue, with 42% of working women in the United States reporting that they have faced discrimination on the job due to their gender.

To address workplace discrimination, women must understand their rights and the options available to them if they experience discrimination. They can file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or their state's Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA) and participate in investigations or lawsuits without fear of retaliation from their employer. Additionally, employers are required to post notices describing federal laws prohibiting job discrimination and the consequences for non-compliance.

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