Women's Rights

Shilpa Hedge and Kaila Ramsey

International law dictates many rights and freedoms for all women.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women calls for complete equality on all levels- including political, social, economic, cultural, and civic aspects for women. In order to ensure this equality is maintained the convention calls for legislative measures and sanctions, modification of existing doctrines that may violate this, and more protection for these rights. Promotion of the rights of women would include the right to vote in all elections and public referenda or stand for election, to participate in all levels of government, and equal representation in non-governmental organizations as well. The convention also advocates protecting women from being forced to take on the status of a spouse during marriage particularly in terms in terms of nationality. In terms of education, women should be granted access to the same level of education as men including the same opportunities for scholarships and study grants and participation in athletic activities. In the area of employment, women must be given the same opportunities as men and have the right to equal remuneration, benefits, treatment, and respect as their male counterparts.

Their rights to social security, job security, and paid leave for incapacity to work must be ensured. Women must also be protected in terms of having safe and healthy work conditions. To ensure there is no discrimination on the basis of marriage or maternity, women must be protected from being fired because of pregnancy or discrimination because of it. They must receive paid maternity leave and not have to sacrifice job seniority or benefits because of this leave. Workplaces must also support women by providing childcare and necessary social services. Women must have equal benefits on the grounds of economic rights (bank loans and other forms of financial credit.) It is also important to ensure they are granted equal access to health care services. In the area of matrimony, women must be allowed the same rights and responsibilities during marriage as their spouse including the ability to freely choose a partner.

The towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro are in many ways already on track to promoting the ideas of women’s rights and what that entails from a global viewpoint, on a local level here in Chapel Hill. The town and the University both have a standing Women’s Center complete with staff running conferences, doing seminars, classes, and support services. Also, many if not all of the town council members are sympathetic to ‘women’s causes’ (more like human causes) and thus the idea of making the implementation of international human rights law a reality is very exciting indeed! We are so excited to be able to take part in the motion that is already stirring here in this area, and see how international women’s human rights can become a reality!!