Women Rights In North America

By Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar

We, men and women, are the progeny of the same Supreme Consciousness. Women and men are equally divine and inherit similar and equal rights to life, liberty and expression. The significance of life does not lie only in living. Animals also live. But life to us means something more – rather something much more.

To us life means living for a great cause. Life implies the endeavour to have the freedom to express one’s potentialities in the physical, economic, psychic and spiritual realms. It means real liberty and not license to commit anything good or bad.

In the annals of human history we do find women whose memory glorifies not only womanhood, but the entire human world. In philosophy and spirituality, social reform and educational pursuits, science and technology, they stand second to none. Women are found discussing the riddles of philosophy, solving problems of social and educational reform, and are inspiring men in times of struggle. They have their potentiality no less than men. The difference in natural and biological characteristics between men and women speaks only of coordinated cooperation, not of subordinated cooperation.

Yet the annals of history depict the sad and painful episodes of women’s exploitation throughout the world. To fulfil this sinister design, dogmas were created which led to psycho-economic exploitation. Dogmas were cunningly popularized and women were degenerated to slavery. Psychic exploitation has been infused into the minds of women and many symbols which are religiously observed are nothing but symbols of slavery. In many religions of the world today women are not allowed to become priests in the religious hierarchy.

Women’s exploitation is more or less the same everywhere. Is it not a fact that in many countries even franchise rights were not given equally to men and women?

Even today women are slaves to the male-dominated social order. This is not only bad but deplorable. We should decry such domination of women and their psycho-economic exploitation through the evil design of dogmas. To abolish dogma and liberate women from psychic exploitation, there should be:

1. Free education for all women in all countries of the world.
2. No discrimination in the social, educational and religious realms.
3. The provision of economic and social security to all women. We stand to create a powerful, dynamic and upsurging social consciousness, especially among women, so that they are inspired to rise, abolish dogma and annihilate all symbols of slavery, and usher in a new era of coordinated cooperation and glorious achievement. Let women be the vanguard of a new revolution which humanity must achieve for a glorious tomorrow
   .

Ending Widespread Violence Against Women

Around the world, as many as one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or abused in some other way - most often by someone she knows, including by her husband or another male family member; one woman in four has been abused during pregnancy.

"Violence against women both violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment by women of their human rights and fundamental freedoms... In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture."

—Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, paragraph 112

Gender-based violence both reflects and reinforces inequities between men and women and compromises the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims. It encompasses a wide range of human rights violations, including sexual abuse of children, rape, domestic violence, sexual assault and harassment, trafficking of women and girls and several harmful traditional practices. Any one of these abuses can leave deep psychological scars, damage the health of women and girls in general, including their reproductive and sexual health, and in some instances, results in death.

Violence against women has been called "the most pervasive yet least recognized human rights abuse in the world." Accordingly, the Vienna Human Rights Conference and the Fourth World Conference on Women gave priority to this issue, which jeopardizes women's lives, bodies, psychological integrity and freedom. Violence may have profound effects – direct and indirect – on a woman's reproductive health, including:

• Unwanted pregnancies and restricted access to family planning information and contraceptives
• Unsafe abortion or injuries sustained during a legal abortion after an unwanted pregnancy
• Complications from frequent, high-risk pregnancies and lack of follow-up care
• Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
• Persistent gynaecological problems
• Psychological problems

Gender-based violence also serves – by intention or effect – to perpetuate male power and control. It is sustained by a culture of silence and denial of the seriousness of the health consequences of abuse. In addition to the harm they exact on the individual level, these consequences also exact a social toll and place a heavy and unnecessary burden on health services.

UNFPA recognizes that violence against women is inextricably linked to gender-based inequalities. When women and girls are expected to be generally subservient, their behaviour in relation to their health, including reproductive health, is negatively affected at all stages of the life cycle.

UNFPA puts every effort into breaking the silence and ensuring that the voices of women are heard. At the same time, the Fund works to change the paradigm of masculinity that allows for the resolution of conflict through violence. One strategy is to engage men - policy makers, parents and young boys — in discourse about the dynamics and consequences of violence.

As the chart below shows, women may face different forms of violence at different stages of their lives.

Gender discrimination throughout a woman's life

Phase	Type
Prenatal	Prenatal sex selection, battering during pregnancy, coerced pregnancy (rape during war)
Infancy	Female infanticide, emotional and physical abuse, differential access to food and medical care
Childhood	Genital cutting; incest and sexual abuse; differential access to food, medical care, and education; child prostitution
Adolescence	Dating and courtship violence, economically coerced sex, sexual abuse in the workplace, rape, sexual harassment, forced prostitution
Reproductive	Abuse of women by intimate partners, marital rape, dowry abuse and murders, partner homicide, psychological abuse, sexual abuse in the workplace, sexual harassment, rape, abuse of women with disabilities
Old Age	Abuse of widows, elder abuse (which affects mostly women)

Source: Heise, L. 1994. Violence Against Women: The Hidden Health Burden. World Bank Discussion Paper. Washington. D.C. The World Bank

Violence at home

Most domestic violence involves male anger directed against their women partners. This gender difference appears to be rooted in the way boys and men are socialized -- biological factors do not seem to account for the dramatic differences in behaviour in this regard between men and women.

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence. Some husbands become more violent during the wife's pregnancy, even kicking or hitting their wives in the belly. These women run twice the risk of miscarriage and four times the risk of having a low birth-weight baby.

Cross-cultural studies of wife abuse have found that nearly a fifth of peasant and small-scale societies are essentially free of family violence. The existence of such cultures proves that male violence against women is not the inevitable result of male biology or sexuality, but more a matter of how society views masculinity.

Gender and violence

Studies of very young boys and girls show only that, although boys may have a lower tolerance for frustration, and a tendency towards rough-and-tumble play, these tendencies are dwarfed by the importance of male socialization and peer pressure into gender roles.

The prevalence of domestic violence in a given society, therefore, is the result of tacit acceptance by that society. The way men view themselves as men, and the way they view women, will determine whether they use violence or coercion against women.

UNFPA recognizes that ending gender-based violence will mean changing cultural concepts about masculinity, and that process must actively engage men, whether they be policy makers, parents, spouses or young boys.

Sexual assault

The majority of sexual assault victims are young. Women in positions of abject dependence on male authorities are also particularly subject to unwanted sexual coercion. Rape in time of war is still common. It has been extensively documented in recent civil conflicts, and has been used systematically as an instrument of torture or ethnic domination.

Now, with precedents set at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, in Tanzania, and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, at The Hague, for mass rape, other acts such as sexual assault, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced sterilization, forced abortion, and forced pregnancy may qualify as crimes of torture, crimes against humanity, and even some as crimes of genocide.

UNFPA responds

Because gender-based violence is sustained by silence, women's voices must be heard. UNFPA puts every effort into enabling women to speak out against gender-based violence, and to get help when they are victims of it. The Fund is also committed to keeping gender-based violence in the spotlight as a major health and human rights concern. 

UNFPA advocates for legislative reform and enforcement of laws for the promotion and the protection of women's rights to reproductive health choices and informed consent, including promotion of women's awareness of laws , regulations and policies that affect their rights and responsibilities in family life. The Fund promotes zero tolerance of all forms of violence against women and works for the eradication of traditional practices that are harmful to women's reproductive and sexual health, such as rituals associated with puberty. 

As part of its work to counter gender-based violence, UNFPA has supported training of medical professionals, to make them more sensitive towards women who may have experienced violence and to meet their health needs. Pilot interventions have been tested in 10 countries-Cape Verde, Ecuador, Guatemala, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mozambique, Nepal, Romania, Russia and Sri Lanka.

Following consultations with health providers and clients, all women were screened for abuse in some pilot projects. Possible victims have been offered legal, medical and psychological support, and medical referrals when necessary. Attention has been paid to involving communities, and to creating support networks for gender-based violence victims that include both police and health-care providers, along with counselling services.

UNFPA has also held workshops for health providers on recognizing the effects of gender-based violence on women's health, and on how to detect and prevent abuse and assist victims. These have stressed the need for confidentiality and monitoring.

Based on this experience, UNFPA has produced a manual, A Practical Approach to Gender-based Violence, which has been translated into seven languages.

Additional strategies the Fund employs to address gender-based violence include:

• Ensuring that emergency contraception is available for victims of sexual violence
• Strengthening advocacy on gender-based violence in all country programmes, in conjunction with other United Nations partners and NGOs
• Advocating for women with parliamentarians and women's national networks
• Integrating messages on the prevention of gender-based violence into information, education and communication projects
• Conducting more research on gender-based violence

Feminist Flashmob for Women's Rights (Philippines)

During the International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2012, a feminist flash mob dance to the tune of "I am Woman" led by World March of Women - Philipinas was held at Plaza Miranda (in front on Quiapo Church, Manila, PH), at noon.

Women dancers-activists first blended with the vendors, with some holding balloons, as fortune-tellers, beggars, etc. Three dancers started clapping to the tune of the music, then seven dancers joined releasing purple balloons bearing the logo of the World March of Women. They were joined by another 20 coming from the crowd, until it grew to 70. The last batch of dancers, students from the University of the Philippines --Manila made it a throng. On the last minute of the song, as steps turned to hip-hop, dancers took off their costumes, revealing white shirts which defiantly bore words "RH Now" in the face of continued delay in its passage in Congress. Some shirts shout "Climate Justice!", in the face of ongoing negotiations in Doha, Qatar and the devastation of typhoon Pablo in Mindanao. Other shirts carried slogans such as "Women Need FOI!", "Secure Jobs for All!" and "Scrap VFA!"

Around 100 participated in the flash mob from Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL), Bagong Kamalayan, Batis Center for Women, Buklod, Center for Migrant Advocacy (CMA), Coalition Against Trafficking in Women - Asia Pacific (CATW-AP), Focus on the Global South, Foundation for Media Alternatives, KAISA - Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan - UP Diliman, KAISA-KA, Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), Partido ng Manggagawa, Sarilaya, TIGRA Philippines, UP Manila students, WomanHealth Philippines, Women's Crisis Center (WCC), and Youth and Students Advancing Gender Equality (YSAGE)

PHILIPPINES: Women’s Rights Laws in Place

Advocates hope that women will benefit fully from the new law. Credit:Stephen de Tarczynski/IPS

By Stephen de Tarczynski

MANILA, Oct 28 (IPS) – Although the enacting in August of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) – a major law aiming to end discrimination against women across the archipelago – was well-received here, there remain concerns about whether the legislation will be fully implemented.

Mary Joan Guan, executive director of the Centre for Women’s Research, a Manila-based advocacy and training organisation, says that the efficacy of the MCW relies on its implementation going against the trend of previous women’s rights legislation.

The Philippines “already has 27 laws concerning women’s rights…[but] in reality these laws are not implemented at all,” she says. It ratified the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1981. 

The Magna Carta is the end product of two separate bills introduced in Congress in 2002. After years of debate and opposition, it was finally signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Aug. 14.

While Guan welcomes the MCW, she remains circumspect regarding its implementation, due to occur following the formulation of the rules and regulations of the MCW by February next year.

“We hope that it won’t be, again, more lip-service from the government,” she says.

Under the terms of the legislation, the Philippine government is the primary duty-bearer for implementing the law. It is charged with protecting women from discrimination and upholding and promoting their rights.

Luz Rodriguez, national coordinator of UNIFEM – the United Nations Development Fund for Women – agrees that the proof of the MCW’s worth will be in the proverbial pudding.

She regards the enacting of the law as just the end of the first phase of the struggle. The second phase – that of the MCW’s implementation – is yet to come.

“We have won a battle but not quite the war,” says Rodriguez.

The MCW nonetheless represents a considerable success for the cause of women’s rights in the Philippines.

Included among its provisions are that Filipino women are legally protected from all forms of violence and from discrimination in employment, education and training; that women are guaranteed security in times of disaster or other crises; that they are provided with comprehensive health care and information; and that women are afforded equal treatment before the law and in matters relating to marriage.

The MCW also has a particular focus on marginalised Filipino women. It guarantees the rights of women such as small farmers and rural workers, informal sector workers and the urban poor, indigenous women and those with disabilities, as well as older women and girls.

These guarantees include the right to food security, affordable and secure housing, employment, the recognition and preservation of cultural identity, and to women’s inclusion in discussions pertaining to development and peace issues.

Rodriguez supports this highlighting of marginalised Filipinas. She says that while the Philippines is often “touted to be some kind of a model of gender responsive practice in the region” the experiences of many women in Asia’s only predominantly-Catholic nation is very different.

The Philippines rates relatively well in terms of gender parity. According to the United Nations’ 2009 Human Development Report, the country is 40th out of 155 nations – ahead of the likes of South Africa and Australia – when the gender-related development index is compared directly to the human development index.

Filipino women also rank better than their male compatriots in regards to life expectancy, literacy rates and education.

But Rodriguez argues that in a country where women can aspire to become president – Macapagal-Arroyo is the second female president of the Philippines; the late Cory Aquino was the first – the majority of women here remain particularly vulnerable.

“Indeed, there are women who can make it to the top but they’re just a minority,” she says.

“We should recognise that even among women there is what we might call ‘layered levels’ of discrimination,” adds Rodriguez.

Guan supports this view, telling IPS that most Filipino women live on the fringes of society, where many undertake low-skilled irregular or contractual employment.

“The opportunities for women are still limited and even though their labour-force participation is increasing – but still less than men’s – they are not given the opportunities in the higher levels,” she says.

Guan views the MCW as “an additional help” to CEDAW, the landmark international treaty on women’s rights which was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979.

The Philippines was the first of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to ratify CEDAW, and it has also adopted the convention’s Optional Protocol which came into force in December 2000. (END/2009)

Interesting Facts about Russian Women and Women Rights in Russia

Women at Work. Women make 46.9% of the employed population in Russia. The greatest proportion of working women are in public health service (85%), education (81%), credit and finance (78%), information

Malevich, "Taking in the Harvest", 1911, Stedelijk, Amsterdam

and accounting services (75%), whilst the lowest share is in the construction industry (22%).
" As in Soviet times, the majority of working women are trapped in low-wage ghettos, such as medicine, education, and clerical jobs. The difference is that Soviet-era perks, such as accessible day care and child allowances, have evaporated" writes Fred Weir in his article.

The principle of equal pay for equal work is in the constitution but men prevail in leading positions and dominate among well paid experts, so men's average wage is higher than women's and it seems to increase even more with time.

There are protective laws prohibiting too hard jobs for women, such as carrying too heavy weights, or working at night. You'll see many women, though, working in the shops and in the metro past midnight: the law allows 'temporary' contracts for such jobs. Pregnant women or women with a child 1 to 3 years of age are strictly forbidden to work at night. When a pregnant woman leaves her job to give birth and look after her child, there is a 'requirement for a 3 year-paid maternity leave for child care'. Therefore young women are discriminated when applying for a job.

Deneika, 1926, Tetryakov Gal, Moscow. 'At the construction of new factory shops'

 

Women make 45% of the unemployed population. Many women lost their jobs after the end of Soviet Union. Also, like many men, some educated women left their jobs themselves (because of lack of proper payment) for other jobs where they don't put in practice their skills. Some women stopped working and stayed at home, some women became alcoholics.

The age for pension is 55 years old for women, and 60 for men. However State pensions are usually 1500 R/month (50$) which is barely enough to eat for one month. Consequently many old women find little jobs to earn a bit more.
information from site http://www.ihfhr.org/reports/women/russia.pdf
quotes by Fred Weir (fweir at online dot ru).

Wedding, Russian Surname. The legal marrying age is 18 years old for both men and women, but it is possible under some special circumstances for a girl to marry at 16 of age.

Property acquired by spouses during marriage is their joint property, unless stipulated differently in a contract between spouses.

The spouses can share their surnames after the wedding. The husband can take the surname of his wife or vice-versa.The surname of a man is feminised with the suffix -a to become a woman's surname: for example if the husband is called Smirnof, the wife can change her surname to Smirnova. The spouses can also keep their original names. After divorce names can be kept or recovered. 

In Russia, children are usually given a name, and a patronymic (derived from the name of their father). For example Anna has a father called Petr Pushkin, she will be called Anna Petrovna Pushkina. Her brother will be called Stepan Petrovitch Pushkin. People use more often their patronymics than their surname to present themselves in official meetings.


Family Planning. Contraceptives and hormone containing remedies are relatively expensive in Russia as the monthly average income salary is 1500 R (54$) and a condom costs around 9 R (0,3$) and pills between 50 and 300 R (1,8 and 10$).

In Russia, abortion still remains the main method of birth control. Abortion is legally permitted under the following instances: at a woman's request within the 12th week of pregnancy; within 22 weeks if there are social conditions under which pregnancy, child birth and child rearing would become a heavy burden for a woman; and at any time if it is established that pregnancy could harm the health of the mother or the child. 

Russia's abortion rate is one of the highest in the world. For every 100 births there are approximately 200 abortions.

Due to the lack of funds in the public health services it is not always possible for a woman to have an abortion 'at her own will' free of charge. An abortion costs 5$ in rural regions and 50$ in Moscow. 

Programs of family planning were applied between 1992 and 1996, making the number of abortions decline by 25% . But in the following years, there were less or no funds put in the programs, because of pressures mainly by religious groups, and the percentage of abortions raised again. Sexual education is given since 1996 in schools in Moscow and St Pet but not in every establishment
 

Your Comments
  Comment (posted on 3/03/03): "Some questions about Russian men from a western girl:
1) how are the Russian men?
2) how do the Russian men feel about foreign women?
3) I have heard about Russian men beeing promiscuous, is that true?
4) Are contraceptives considered positive by men? Condoms for example?
5) The young women were described vividly in various ways on this site, how are the Russian men, really??"

Answers:
1) Russian men are nice and warm creatures, but sometimes you may not notice it at the first glance. Also, there are some pretty guys around, but most of the men tend not to look after themselves as much, as British men, for example. But, as I said, Russian men are nice to their women anyway.

2) Russian men don't know much about foreign women, so they feel they are strangers. But generally, there's a stereotype of foreign women being used to comfortable life, and being independent, so a normal Russian men will "play safe" and choose a Russian woman instead. But this applies to middle-aged men only. I think young people don't care, as long as they like somebody.

3) Oh, I don't know the word "promiscuous"... Ok, I looked in dictionary, now I understand... Well, in other words, do they like to sleep with many different women? Mmhh, I don't know, I don't think it is something common. Who told you that?

4) Yes, sure, mostly condoms, as contraceptive pills are not widely spread and don't protect as much as condom. However, there is a common thing in Russians called "pofigizm", which means something like "not caring about anything", so it's better if you 've got one, cause your Russian mate may just forget...

5) This is a hard question, but wait... I believe I answered it before... let me see...Yes, I found it, see Myths and Truth section, answer to the comment sent on 10/11/2002.

Comment (received 4/03/02): "Instead of whining about abortion in this country........ why don't the anti-choicers promote contraceptive use and access in places like Russia?
Oh, I know why......because they're blithering idiots with piss for brains."
Answer: Ok..

Comment (received 15/03/02): "I am an American, that currently lives in South Korea. I have met many Russians here, and fell in love with one (soon to marry). A lot of the information here is accurate. I have found the Russians I've met to be very interesting, open, funny, intelligent, socialable, and just all around respectable people. 

I've found many of the traditions and social customs at first strange, but after becoming use to them, it is almost a foreign concept not to do them. As far as Russian women go...I am whole heartedly in support some of the best women in the world are Russian. I have met all the "breeds/stlyes" mentioned in the marriage section, but in general, I have found them to be sincere, honest, and not out for just themselves. I could easily speak at length of them, singing praises, but I don't have the time here and now. I will say one of the things that has impressed me is the level of their intelligence and education. Their open-mindedness is a welcome change. And finally, they can work like a man, but no matter what, they are a woman first and foremost. You will not mistake them for anything other than a woman. 

 

My experiences with the Russians (both male and female) I have met has lead me to start studying Russia, its language, culture, and history. All societies have their negative points, Russia is no different, but I have found the Russian people to be some of the best I have ever met. I say this after having lived and traveled in 17 different countries.

To answer the 3/03/03 question as to Russian men being promiscuous, yes they are. All men, from all countries, are to some extent. From talking with both Russian men and women, I would say they (generalization) are a cross between France's attitude and America's. But that is not to say all are. Some are serious about their fidelity, some not. Bluntly, they are people just like anyone else. 

One word of advice for any who meet Russians, accept them and their culture, learn from them and you will find your life changing in many ways. I have had nothing but good dealings with the Russians I have met and based on that alone, plan a recreational trip to Russia in the next year or two. I will not say that about many of the other countries I have visited (especially South Korea).

Comment (22/07/03): "Ok, this 'facts about women' section is much better than the other article. I'm appeased.
Shoel, UK"

Answer: This is the person who didn't like our Young Women article...

Comment (26/11/03): "Can you direct me to the section of Russian law that deals with the name of the wife after marriage?
Thanks,
Jan "

Answer: You need to take a look at the Family Codex of Russian Federation. Also, if you will be applying for marriage at a Russian ZAGS (marriage registration office), they will be able to provide you with this law.

Comment (13/01/04): "Im falling in love with Russian man, I want to know, can I check his status?? Was he marriaged or single??
Im Thai girl"

Answer: It's very easy - every Russian citizen has a Russian passport and if he or she is married there will be a stamp confirming the marriage (date, ZAGS number, and name of spouse). Don't mistake it with the registration stamp and a military service stamp. When I have time, I'll scan my own passport to show you what it looks like :-)

Unfortunately, if your man is in Thailand now, he is likely to have a travel passport with him only, so you won't be able to check it there.