On World Human Rights Day, A Reminder Of 7 Instances Where Women’s Rights Were Violated Without Remorse
There's hardly any hope for women!
December 10 is observed as Human Rights Day as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by United Nations General Assembly on this day in 1948. The UDHR is a document that provides several rights and freedoms to humans irrespective of their race, religion, sex, colour and language among other things. In 2022, the theme for Human Rights Day is Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All as we celebrate 75 years of the UDHR but the ground reality is very different from what we see from our places high up the food chain. Women’s rights across the globe have been violated time and again this year and yet here we are observing Human Rights Day while women receive the most inhumane treatment at the hands of this world. Take a look at all the times women’s human rights were violated in 2022.
1. Iran Anti-Hijab Protests
A few months ago, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini lost her life after she was arrested for violating the dress code set for women in Iran. Ever since then, Iranian women are protesting against the dress code which forces them to wear hijab. Amid the anti-hijab protests in Iran, women have become a soft target. In fact, reports from the country claim that women protestors are being shot in the face, breasts and genitals by the security forces.
2. US Abortion Rights
Earlier this year, US Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade judgement that provided women across the US the right to abortion. Ever since then, women in the US have been denied the right to get an abortion. These women don’t get to choose what they want to do with their bodies, what human rights are we talking about?
3. Shraddha Walker Murder Case
A few weeks ago, the murder of Shraddha Walker sent shock waves across India. The woman was murdered by her live-in partner, who then chopped her body into 35 pieces and disposed them off in different areas of Delhi. Why are we celebrating human rights day in a world where a woman cannot be safe with her partner?
4. Bilkis Bano’s Rapists Release
The Gujarat Government released the rapists who gang-raped a pregnant woman, Bilkis Bano during the Godhra riots and left her to die. These men were released on account of “good behaviour”. While we observed human rights day, a rape survivor cannot feel safe in her own home because her rapists have been released and have been welcomed with sweets and garlands by society.
5. Taliban Rule In Afghanistan
Last year, the Taliban took over Afghanistan and since then, every single day, there’s a new rule for the Afgan women to abide by. Afghan women have been denied education, and career opportunities and have been forced to keep their faces covered. What’s worse is that these women aren’t even allowed to go out of their homes without being accompanied by a close male relative.
Also Read: Is Iran’s Morality Police Really Abolished? Iranians Declare Three-Day Strike Amidst Conflicting Reports
6. Karnataka Hijab Row
India is no better when it comes to women’s rights to dress as per their choice. While we don’t have a dress code here, several schools and colleges in Karnataka have banned female students from wearing hijab and these women have been denied their right to education because they refuse to dress as told by the authorities. Whatever happened to their right to dress as per their choice?
7. War Crimes In Russia-Ukraine War
This year, Russia invaded Ukraine which led to war. Amid the war, several horror stories of war crimes came to light. Chilling details of gang rape and torture of women were reported. While we talk about human rights, women’s bodies continue to be violated again and again.
Also Read: 17 YO Raped By Father, Grandfather, And Uncle Reveals About The Trauma During A Sexual Harassment Session In College.
What human rights are we talking about and promoting when women across the globe cannot even feel safe within their homes, let alone outside? What human rights are we celebrating when women have no bodily autonomy?
