Women and Their Body Rights — Seems Like it’s Always an Issue? Here’s How We Can Step Up
A woman in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to 34 years in prison for “Twitter activity.” The Taliban says men will represent women in religious gatherings. To “produce a male heir,” the mother was forced to “abort” five times in Uttar Pradesh, India. The US Supreme Court kills abortion rights, and we still think that we have attained our pinnacle state of women and their body rights.
This does not stop here; 1 in 10 girls under the age of 18 globally have reported being forced to engage in sexual activity, and believe me when I say that the actual statistics may be far more terrifying. 40% of women of childbearing age reside in nations that forbid, restrict, or make abortion inaccessible. Despite wanting to delay or stop having children, 215 million women do not utilize contraception because their partners won’t let them or because their families won’t support them. We fight for the fundamental right to make decisions about our bodies without being subjected to violence, discrimination, or fear even in the year 2022.
Our initial discussions about our bodies and relationships frequently take place in our brains. We frequently conceal these thoughts. Why? Maybe it’s because the society in which we live defines what we feel we may say in public. Our families, communities, and even our governments all have a say in these social standards. We feel guilty and ashamed when we defy those conventions. We worry about disgrace and perhaps imprisonment. And as a result, many of us remain mute since we are unable to assert our rights because we are unaware of them.
Here are certain steps which you can take to encourage women and their body rights!
1. Encourage a conversation:
Women and girls’ voices are too frequently silenced, which is a basic reason why gender equality has not yet been realized in every area of life. Only when you are aware of your body’s rights will you fight for them, yet most women aren’t even aware of this idea. As a result, anytime you bring up this subject in conversation with someone else, educate both of you about the rights of women in terms of their bodies. Try to start it among your circle of people, including your family, friends, neighbors, and users of social media. People can develop and learn to fight for what they deserve if this topic is discussed openly. The most crucial aspect of being an advocate is speaking up, whether it be through conversations with close friends and family members or participation in advocacy groups. You may raise awareness and dismantle barriers by speaking out for women’s rights and gender equality.
2. Speak and stand up:
Let’s use a very straightforward example: if your relative body shames your cousin and you generally avoid the conversation to avoid conflict and drama, to fit in with a particular group, or even when you yourself comment on the bodies of others and yourself, that is where these small drops multiply and create an ocean of toxicity. Even if it’s a very basic type of humiliation, stand up. Defend the rights of those who can’t speak for themselves and their bodies! Why would I do this, you might ask? It’s because we won’t be able to fully reap the benefits of women’s bodily rights until we help one another. Therefore, by speaking up and taking a stand, you can start to change things while also strengthening yourself. The first and most important step in the fight for our rights is standing up for oneself and others.
3. Educate the next generation:
Youth activists are stepping up their efforts for gender equality all across the world. We can create a better future for everyone by empowering young activists and teaching them about women’s rights. Delivering knowledge on matters of health, sexuality, and human rights in a stigma-free and rights-affirming manner will empower young people worldwide. The Preamble to The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, states that “every individual and every organ of society shall endeavor through teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms.”
To Conclude
These may appear to be simply three basic stages, but trust me, if we follow these three steps alone, we’ll be thousands of steps ahead in just a few years. Every girl and woman should have the chance to live a life free from abuse and prejudice against their bodies and to be informed of their rights. You might not need to go out of your way to complete these tasks if you’re highly practical. Simple as starting with your friends, family, and neighborhood, these measures can be taken.