The need for gender equality has forced women worldwide to fight for their rights in all aspects. For instance, in China, many women of the Muslim Uighur community are detained in the so-called “re-educated” camps and are forced sterilization. In Egypt, the school of marriage and divorce restrictions is not limited just to lower-class women but extended to all women of society. Numerous studies reveal that women are generally viewed as inferior to men, and the abolishment of the same is protested worldwide.
Although the urgent need for gender equality has provoked many sections of society to fight for their right, it has remained an untouched subject in many other sectors, where women are still mistreated and abstained from basic leisures of life.
Conservative activism of women
The First activist moment for gender equality and women’s rights began in the 1970s when women were at the forefront of every protest. These moments were essential to mark and embrace ‘family values, which included topics like feminism, same-sex marriage, abortions, etc.
Among many famous faces of protests were Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, who were the face of political Christianity in 1979. In the 1970s, women like Phyllis Schlafly were also prominent in fighting for the Equal Rights Amendment on all levels. Pop singer Anita Bryant was also a part of many such movements, including discrimination against gay residents.
The debate on abortion
Abortion was not only a social issue but was also against religion since time immemorial. However, this was a core women’s issue for activists on the right wing. While some women protested for the right to abortion and said it was a fundamental right of a woman, others protested against forceful abortion.
CEDAR
The convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was a treaty formed in 1979 to remove all sorts of discrimination against women and demanded the state take responsibility for women’s protection. By the end of 2015, 189 states had signed the treaty, which implied the willingness of these states to take necessary steps to eradicate gender inequality and other forms of discrimination against women. In addition to these, the treaty will also ensure the following:
- Women’s equal rights to economic resources
- Access to the right ownership of lands and properties
- Right to the equal inheritance of properties in accordance with legislation.
Conclusion
Along with CEDAW, many studies have been performed to study and fight for building and sustaining the religious rights of women across the entire world. However, it is found that society drastically influences the perception of women and women women’s rights. Therefore, religion and culture (social) can be considered two equal sides of the same coin. Thanks to religious leaders, who are generally supportive of all women’s rights and abolish the patriarchal, cultural society.