After all the progress we’ve made in terms of human rights over the years, you’d think we’d be living in a world without discrimination by now. Sadly this isn’t the case. Here are just 5 ongoing human rights battles that are still being fought today:

1. Rights of Women

This includes fair pay, participation in decision-making positions and positive portrayal in the media.  Issues such as rape, sex-based elimination, violence against women and access to education are also at the forefront of the campaign for women’s rights.  The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the UN Commission on the Status of Women and other NGOs are actively working to make sure women are protected, empowered and represented.

2. Rights of Minorities

Minority groups include ethnic peoples, those who prefer alternative sexual identities and orientations, various religious groups, citizens from various nations, linguistic minorities and disabled peoples.  In International Law it is illegal for any group to be actively marginalized.  Other protections include the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, the European Charter for Regional or Minority languages and the Yogyakarta Principles.

3. Rights of Indigenous Populations

The UN recognized the rights of indigenous people as the preservation of their land, language, religion and cultural heritage.  Colonialism and modern-day imperialism have overlooked the claims indigenous populations have to these rights.

4. Right to Education

The right to primary education is recognized by the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.  Research shows that education lifts people out of poverty by teaching them how to provide for themselves, increase their earning power and become economically stable.

5. Right to Housing

People in impoverished communities often lack adequate housing.  This is a health and safety hazard that can stop a family from rising out of poverty.  The Universal Declaration of Human rights recognizes that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family.”

– Stephanie Lamm

Sources: The Nation, FoR, UN