Introduction
Since time immemorial, there have been arguments about the rights of women and men. Various literatures have been compiled with activists come out vehemently to protect their rights. I am passionate about the rights of women and men in the modern world. Hence, the topic of interest is on “declaration of the rights of women and the female citizens 1791” written by Olmpe Gouges. The society has divided the roles and rights of woman and men where women are viewed as subjects of men. This issue has not been received well by women.
Therefore, women activists have come up to express their dissatisfaction on the way they are treated by their male counterparts. This wrangles and arguments about the place of the women in society leave many unresolved issues thus raising questions like, ‘how can one imagine the future of women?’
Why the Question/Topic
This topic is important in the current times. Society has continued to engage in a thug of war about the rightful place of women in the society. The fight for equal treatment of women started as early as the 17th century. However, 21st century seems that no substantial gains have been attained. The society is still fragmented as male chauvinism seems to have intensified. Women have not yet achieved their goals despite their being instrumental in the reform agenda of their countries.
Despite the fact that women displayed significant roles in the revolutionary cause, male revolutionaries reacted disdainfully to female participation in politics. They believed that women’s place was at home having no authority to participate in politics and the activities of their country. Therefore, as a crucial topic of study, many organizations and movements have cropped up to agitate the rights of women. Human rights movements are at the forefront in calling for respect of the rights of women.
Women require sensitization and education about their rights in the society (Schirmer, 1995, p. 145). Furthermore, Schirmer contends that expanding the scope of human rights has remained an elusive goal (Schirmer, 1995, p. 145). Women’s movements require understanding of how to contextualize the differing needs of women who need to rise up and overcome their gender marginality, violence, and invisibility (Schirmer, 1995, p. 147).
Sources to Use to Answer the Question
There is enough evidence that indicates that women have been in the forefront of stimulating their economies even if their input is not officially acknowledged. Therefore, in a bid to answer the question raised, Schirmer’s work ‘Ours by Right/Women and Human Rights’, Ezeilo’s ‘Feminism and Islamic Fundamentalism: Some Perspectives from Nigeria and Beyond’, and Fareda’s ‘Women, Law and Human Rights in Southern Africa’ will be of great assistance.
As the sources reveal, women in the current society have acquired professional qualifications thus managing to overcome historical injustices. Various women vehemently fought for their rights such as Mayo who her life demanding for justice when her son disappeared following his quest to ensure that democracy was enhanced in Argentina (Leslye, 2005, p. 256).
Many other women around the world have tirelessly fought for their representation. Others have managed to cling to high influential positions in the government. The rights of women have enshrined in the constitution of most countries, which is a clear indication that women are moving in the right direction.
Annotated Bibliography
Schirmer, J. (1995). Ours by Right/Women and Human Rights (Book). NWSA Journal, 7(2), 145-150.
Jennifer argues that there is need for intensive training and education of women on their rights. The society has the perception and tendency of forgetting the rights of women. Women therefore should rise up to establish standards to ensure that they fight without reproach for their rights, gender equality and equal treatment, and employment opportunities.
Ezeilo, J. (2006). Feminism and Islamic Fundamentalism: Some Perspectives from Nigeria and Beyond. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture & Society, 32(1), 40-47.
According to Ezeilo, women still have a long way to go in agitating for their rights. There is the need for women education on their rights. Even though various institutions have entrenched laws that require equal treatments, some women are mistreated due to ignorance. Islamic fundamentalist are not opposed to liberating women. The notion that Islamic fundamentalists are against the move to ensure that women rights are protected is not true.
Even though Muslim fraternity has its own cultural beliefs, Muslims do not aim at victimizing women. Therefore, if women are put in a spirited fight by working together, they will finally manage to attain their freedom. Their ale counterparts will have to treat them as equals.
Fareda, B. (2006). Women, Law and Human Rights in Southern Africa. Journal of Southern African Studies, 32(1), 13-27.
Despite the fact that laws are enacted, the government should go steps ahead to ensure that the laws are implemented. The war against inequality has succeeded slightly through these enactments. However, there is still more that needs to be done to ensure that women are fully protected as Fareda points out. Most societies claim that their cultures are more superior to the national laws. Therefore, they continue to mistreat women, as their mental perceptions about women are not positive (Fareda, 2006, p. 14). Therefore, states, which have the responsibilities of ensuring that the laws are abided, should take a step further in ensuring that measures are provided to ensure that no person violates them. In most countries such as South Africa, people still clinch to their cultural beliefs, as laws are not followed to the later. South Africa has moved on well to entrench laws that protect women rights. However, there is still the need for stringent measures to ensure that the laws are respected (Fareda, 2006, p. 13).The rights of women in modern world have been respected. However, these laws are not pursued. The threats to these laws include cultural beliefs on which the society clings. Women therefore need to continue or persist in fighting for their respect. Men should also change their perceptions to embrace women besides allowing them to participate in various roles in promoting prosperity in the country.
Leslye, O. (2005). Holding On to the Promise: Women’s Human Rights and the Beijing + 5 Review/Women’s Rights: A Global View/Women, Gender, and Human Rights: A Global Perspective. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture & Society, 31(1), 256-261.
In the review, Lesyle acknowledges that women have come from far with their dreams coming closer. Many women in the historical times were not engaged in decision-making process. However, in the modern times, many women are professionals who compete favorably with their male counterparts.
The future of women looks bright. Efforts have been underway to ensure that the rights of women are considered. For instance, the United Nations has worked to ensure balance in civil, political, economic, cultural, and social representation of women among all cultures in the world. The first human rights instrument known as universal declaration of human rights has entrenched equality and nondiscrimination as its major aim of ensuring that there is equality in society.
Gouges, O. (1791). Declaration of the rights of women and the female citizen. Urbana: University of Illinois.
Gouges argues that men should respect women and treat them as equals. Most of men do not engage women in important issues concerning decision-making. They evade this move because they feel that the place of women is at home. The role of women in the leadership capacity is at stake if such men cannot change their thinking.
Women will also be required to push with their demands to empower their fellow women to rise above such perceptions. Human rights bodies have continued to fight to ensure that human rights norms are entrenched in the constitution to protect women against any form of victimization. There is the need for human rights to work as a universal body to ensure that it realizes its objectives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, since the 17th century, the modern world has witnessed many woman revolutionaries and activists who have cried fawl of how they are treated by their male counterparts. Various human rights movements have risen up across the world to educate and demand that women to be empowered.
Numerous legislations and statutes have been enacted to ensure that women are treated in equal measures as their male counterparts. However, cultural beliefs and values continue to impede this dream of woman. Some cultures have remained adamant.
One factor that has continued to jeopardize the dream of women is male chauvinism. Therefore, the question as to the future that women might have has triggered the minds of many. A lot of research is underway as to what needs to be done to set women free of this bondage. Therefore, despite their gender, woman will have to succeed in their quest. The future of women is therefore bright though it might take quite sometime.
Reference List
Ezeilo, J. (2006). Feminism and Islamic Fundamentalism: Some Perspectives from Nigeria and Beyond. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture & Society, 32(1), 40-47.
Fareda, B. (2006). Women, Law and Human Rights in Southern Africa. Journal of Southern African Studies, 32(1), 13-27.
Gouges, O. (1791). Declaration of the rights of women and the female citizen. Urbana: University of Illinois.
Leslye, O. (2005). Holding On to the Promise: Women’s Human Rights and the Beijing + 5 Review/Women’s Rights: A Global View/Women, Gender, and Human Rights: A Global Perspective. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture & Society, 31(1), 256-261.
Schirmer, J. (1995). Ours by Right/Women and Human Rights (Book). NWSA Journal, 7(2), 145-150.