The Ongoing Struggle for Women’s Rights: A Global Perspective
The fight for equality between men and women, also known as the feminist struggle, has been a long-standing and arduous journey. Despite the progress made in many Western countries, with women gaining rights and freedoms they previously did not have, the struggle is far from over. In fact, the reality is that not all women are living better lives, with feminicides still occurring in alarming numbers. The slogan “We want each other alive” has become a rallying cry for demonstrations on November 25th, the day against female violence, and on March 8th, Women’s Day.
Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones
Women in war-torn countries, such as Gaza and Ukraine, are disproportionately affected by violence, often solely because of their sex. In Afghanistan, a country with a population of over 42 million, women are treated as property and live in conditions of slavery, with little to no protection. The situation is equally dire in Iran, where courageous women have been taking to the streets for years, fighting for their right to citizenship and freedom from oppressive Sharia law, which dictates their every move, including the wearing of the veil.
Religion and Female Repression
On numerous occasions, religion has been used as a justification for exercising female repression. The Catholic Church’s treatment of single mothers in Ireland is a stark example, with the Magdalene laundries, which operated from 1922 to 1996, being a particularly dark chapter in the country’s history. The beautiful film Little Things Like These, by Tim Mielants (2024) with Cillian Murphy, sheds light on this Irish wound. Similarly, Islam has been used to justify oppression on too many occasions. However, the studies of Moroccan writer and sociologist Fatema Mernissi (The Forbidden Terrace) have opened the door to questioning the meaning of these theological justifications, revealing that oppression is often the result of concrete historical factors rather than religious assumptions.
Politics and Women’s Rights
Politics also plays a significant role in shaping women’s rights. As noted by Claudia Lorenzo Rubiera on the academic website The Conversation, many Latin American countries had made progress in women’s rights until recently hitting a reactionary wall. In the United States, the cradle of much twentieth-century feminist theory, the gains made in the past are being eroded by Trumpism, which combines misogyny and regressive policies that undermine reproductive rights, health, equality, and voting. The result is increased mortality and inequality, particularly among poor and racialized women.
A Call to Action
In the midst of the war between the United States and Iran, some claim to have entered the fight to defend women’s rights. However, it is essential to recognize that these efforts are often belated and inconsistent. As we reflect on the state of women’s rights in 2026, it is clear that there is still much work to be done. For more information on the ongoing struggle for women’s rights, visit Here