Archive for category: Women’s Rights

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How Kashmiri Women Stand up for Their Rights in a Conflict Zone

Kashmiri WomenIn a world filled with constant fear of militarization and disregard for women’s rights in conflict zones, Kashmiri women have resisted in pursuit of their moral, political, legal and economic rights. Their constant fight and struggle are a testament to the power of standing up for yourself and showing up every day. 

According to a study published in Contemporary South Asia, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) is one of the most powerful symbols of standing up for women’s rights in conflict zones. Parveena Ahangar, a mother searching for her son who was abducted and mistaken for a militant, started this initiative with the hope of bringing wives, mothers and daughters together to create a political movement. 

Their Form of Resistance

There is a Kashmiri concept called thakawath, which refers to being exhausted from waiting. The APDP reversed this idea by adopting a tactic called “active waiting.” For decades, these women have refused to give up, consistently showing up in society through sit-ins and by holding photographs of their loved ones who went missing.

What makes this brave is how such a simple act of appearing in society challenges the status quo. They prevent society from forgetting their loved ones while also raising international awareness of the human rights violations occurring in their community.

Half-Widows

Half-widows are women whose husbands have disappeared but have not been declared dead. These women face constant uncertainty and economic and social vulnerability. According to Diaspora in Action for Human Rights and Democracy (DAHD), while widows can receive compensation, half-widows cannot. Their in-laws do not support them, do not grant them property rights and do not provide aid to support their children.

Bravery

In response to this issue, Kashmiri women refused to give in to societal expectations. They bravely entered military sites and courts to fight against the government in search of their husbands. They also began relying on their talents, such as agriculture and artistic crafts, to become breadwinners for their families.

Other women, such as Zamruda Habib, founded another organization called Muslim Khawateen, which advocates for women’s voices. According to a report, “[Ahangar] and Zamruda founded activist platforms and organized public resistance because of their own suffering at the hands of the State and their determination to highlight the injustices that they and women like them had suffered. They inspired a generation of young Kashmiri women to highlight social issues and build networks of women to address them.”

Despite mainstream media often overlooking women’s rights in conflict zones, the stories and resistance of Kashmiri women have reached the world in powerful ways. Whether it is a mother holding a photograph in a public space or another woman fighting the legal system, Kashmiri women continue to stand up bravely for their rights. They strive every day to be heard and seen.

– Hasini Muddapu

Hasini is based in Princeton, NJ, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Telemedicine: Health Care access for Afghan Women

Health Care access for Afghan WomenAfghanistan, a country beset by constant, unequivocal political unrest, faces a time of profound inequality. When the Taliban reasserted control over the country in August 2021, a cascade of reactions found the country’s health care system on the verge of collapse. In the first half of that year alone, Taliban forces attacked health care facilities, leaving 12 health care workers dead and damaging more than 25 buildings.

The impact on Afghan women has cut the deepest. Now lacking almost all fundamental rights, health care has taken a backseat. Not a single woman received screening for any cancer form and less than 10% received screening for sexually transmitted infections. Even where diagnosis is possible, treatment for these demographics remains virtually inaccessible. 

Barriers to Health Care Access for Afghan Women

These obstacles to health care access for Afghan women are not accidental but structural. The Taliban’s governance has systematically dismantled the conditions in which women can safely seek and receive medical attention. At the center of this is the Mahram Policy, which requires female health workers to be accompanied by a male guardian at all times outside the home.

On December 21, 2022, women were banned from working with NGOs nationwide, except in health care. Yet the requirement for them to be chaperoned now hinders their ability to provide and receive adequate health care. Even when women reach a facility, barriers persist; whether they would like to or not, male doctors can scarcely provide the necessary care except in life-threatening conditions. 

Additionally, medicines are in short supply and the financial burden of travel pushes families to impossible decisions, leading women to disregard their health and rely on traditional cures. 

The Organizations Still Showing Up

Despite the deteriorating environment, the international humanitarian response has been remarkable. In 2024 alone, nearly one million patients, 65% of whom were women and children, received primary care across 47 implemented health facilities. Alongside these infrastructural changes, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has upgraded equipment, improved staff competency and educated hospitals on mass-casualty incidents. 

Through expanding services into urban areas, organizations like the ICRC are pivotal in improving access to health care and alleviating difficult living conditions in Afghanistan. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has equally refused to retreat. Operating across eight provinces, MSF has seen the number of patients it treats double in the last three years. 

The organization prioritizes the most acute needs: emergency trauma care, maternal health and malnutrition. In 2024 alone, the organization admitted more than 400,000 emergency patients and assisted in more than 45,000 births. Despite attacks from the Taliban, the remaining feeding center and trauma facility in Kunduz have become vital for Afghanistan’s health care infrastructure.

What makes these organizations so significant is not just the scale of their operations but the conditions under which they persist. They hold together the health care system in a place of such turmoil, despite uncertain funding, restrictions on female staff and the collapse of broader public health systems. 

Telemedicine: A Bridge No Wall Can Close

Among the most promising developments for Afghanistan’s health care system is the expansion of telemedicine. When physical access is blocked by Taliban restrictions, a mobile phone may still get through. Telemedicine is being pursued by many organizations and charities, with evidence of its impact.

The Central Asia Health Systems Strengthening project connected seven tertiary care facilities with 14 secondary care facilities across the region. The project enabled more than 6,000 teleconsultations and delivered 52 e-learning sessions to more than 2,000 health staff. A tele-ICU service running from 2020 to 2023 provided the same number of teleconsultations to nearly 1,600 patients. 

This began as a response to COVID-19 before expanding into neonatal, pediatric and surgical critical care. Researchers found that increased consultation frequency was associated with reduced patient mortality, demonstrating clinical applicability. 

Arian Teleheal

Dr. Waheed Arian grew up in Afghanistan during the Soviet conflict, sheltering in cellars from rockets and bombs. Later, his family fled to Pakistan, where he contracted malaria and tuberculosis in a refugee camp. He arrived in the U.K. at 15 with $100 in his pocket, went on to study medicine at Cambridge and is now the founder of Arian Teleheal.

Founded in 2015, Arian Teleheal began by connecting Afghan hospitals to a global network of volunteer specialists via smartphones and tablets. As expensive medical systems are inaccessible to medics in these low-resource settings, this enables medical personnel and patients to receive appropriate care by being routed to a network of more than 150 international volunteers. The results have been unparalleled, with a three-year study finding that Arian Teleheal’s volunteers have helped care for thousands of patients. 

The organization has also since partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide emergency, mental health and psychosocial support to people in need across the globe.

Final Remarks

Initiatives such as these show great promise for those in need in Afghanistan, who face a health care system rocked by political repression, stripping the right to provide medical care freely. As humanitarian organizations struggle to fill the gap, telemedicine is emerging as a quiet revolution. Where Taliban restrictions try to block the door, a smartphone may still get through.

 – Juliette Dall’Aglio

Juliette is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Top Facts About Gender Violence in Morocco

Gender Violence in MoroccoMorocco is a sovereign nation in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Located on the northwest coast of Africa, it borders the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas, bridging Africa and Europe. It is a constitutional monarchy with a rich, diverse culture, known for its mix of Arab, Berber and European influences, with its capital being Rabat.

Contributing Factors

  1. More than half of women report experiencing violence. As of 2019, about 57% of women in Morocco have been or are currently victims of domestic violence. This translates to six million individuals being abused at the hands of their partners.
  2. Society is not concerned. According to the U.S. Department of State, Moroccan police treat domestic violence as a social issue rather than a criminal matter.
  3. Violence takes many forms, not only physical. These include sexual assault, as well as psychological and emotional abuse. Psychological abuse is the most common, affecting more than 95.8% of non-single women in 2018.
  4. Domestic environments are a major site of abuse in Morocco. A large share of violence occurs within family or intimate partner relationships. Among teenage girls, more than half report experiencing some form of violence. This highlights domestic abuse as a major driver of gender-based violence in Morocco.
  5. Underreporting is common. Only about 3% of survivors formally report violence, often due to stigma or fear. This is often linked to family pressure, where abuse is treated as a private matter that should not be disclosed publicly. Survivors are discouraged from reporting, especially through legal channels, due to concerns about the consequences. These include children growing up without a father and the loss of perceived protection or financial support from husbands.
  6. Cultural norms contribute to silence. Economic dependency and unequal gender power dynamics are frequently cited as barriers to leaving abusive relationships.
  7. Tens of thousands of cases are recorded annually. Between July 2024 and June 2025, 28,980 cases of violence against women were reported in Morocco.

Call to Action

To address gender-based violence, Morocco has implemented policies regarding child and forced marriage laws following the Amina Filali case. Filali was a 16-year-old who killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist. The Moroccan government reformed its penal code to raise the legal age of marriage, criminalize forced marriages and increase protections for victims of sexual violence. 

Beyond legislation, Morocco has also established shelters for survivors, hotlines for reporting abuse and awareness campaigns to educate the public about gender-based violence. Furthermore, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Democratic Association of Moroccan Women provide legal aid, psychological support and vocational training to help survivors gain independence and escape abusive environments. 

Conclusion

Violence against women in Morocco has prevailed for centuries. It dates back to historical social structures shaped by patriarchal family systems, tribal and kinship traditions and legal norms that gave men greater authority within households. For much of Morocco’s history, women’s economic dependence, limited access to education and social expectations around marriage and obedience reinforced unequal power dynamics. 

Domestic matters were often treated as private family issues rather than legal concerns. However, recently, efforts have been made to change this, including the passing of Law 103-13 (Morocco) in 2018. The law criminalizes certain forms of violence against women and aims to improve protection and prevention efforts. 

However, despite these legal reforms, historical social structures continue to influence attitudes toward domestic violence today.

– Veda Mungara

Veda is based in Cupertino, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gender Inequality in Azerbaijan

Gender Inequality in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan, in southwestern Asia, has a population of more than 10.2 million people, with more than 5 million women. While progress has been made through projects by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and the Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD), patriarchal values and gender stereotypes continue to hinder socioeconomic and political equality.

Gender Disparity in the Workforce

Azerbaijan has made legal progress on women’s employment, but gender segregation and pay inequality limit women’s economic participation. Women make up 17% of the workforce in transport and storage, 11% in energy and 8% in construction. According to the World Bank, women in Azerbaijan earn 35% less than men on average.

According to the United Nations (U.N.) Women’s data, gender inequality in Azerbaijan remains a structural problem across both public and private sectors. Women and girls aged 15 and above spend an average of 25.4% of their daily time on unpaid care and domestic work. This unequal burden limits women’s ability to participate in paid employment, education and public life.

Women in Politics

According to the Baku Research Institute, the level of women’s political participation remains low. In 2024, women’s representation in Milli Majlis, the national parliament, reached 20.8%. In 2025, women’s representation in municipalities was 39.34%. According to 2025 statistics, there are no female heads of executive authorities or ministers in Azerbaijan, and there are only six female deputy members. According to the Global Gender Gap Index, Azerbaijan ranked 133rd out of 146 countries in 2024 in terms of political participation.

Gender stereotypes, women’s economic dependence and the political environment in Azerbaijan function as interconnected factors that affect women’s political participation. Society often perceives a woman’s place as being in the family and at home, while men are regarded as the main decision makers.

Women-Led Initiatives to Tackle Gender Inequality

In Azerbaijan, efforts to address gender inequality have taken the form of women-led civic initiatives. UNDEF has funded a project to establish Azerbaijan’s first women’s parliament, giving female leaders a platform to push for stronger rights and better governance. The initiative brings together women from civil society, business and academia to address issues such as girls’ education, maternal health, early marriage and support for female entrepreneurs. The project aims to turn women’s participation into influence on public policy.

WARD is an independent nongovernmental organization in Azerbaijan dedicated to advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development. Over the years, WARD has launched the country’s first maternity school, the first Women’s Resource Center, the Women’s Dialogue School and its first expert group on gender. The organization has also led several awareness-raising campaigns across the country.

In an interview with U.N. Women, WARD chair Shahla Ismayil said that women-led think tanks occupy a space where expertise meets empathy and where knowledge becomes a tool for change. She added that initiatives such as the Women’s Dialogue School prepare a new generation of women leaders to enter public life and propose practical solutions, ensuring that women’s leadership becomes institutional rather than episodic.

Looking Ahead

Women in Azerbaijan have made measurable efforts to address gender inequality despite societal challenges. NGOs and activists continue to work toward structural change, with initiatives such as the women’s parliament and WARD’s programs offering pathways for greater representation and economic participation.

– Bonnie Parkinson

Bonnie is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women-Centered Approaches: Countering India’s Gender Gap

India's Gender GapIn the past century, research and individual experiences have revealed the vast impact of gender inequality on women worldwide. India’s poverty landscape reflects this reality. As a result, experts and policymakers consistently stress the importance of reducing India’s gender poverty gap.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted earlier progress and deepened disparities between men and women. Many women, including those who were the sole breadwinners of their families, lost their jobs. This subsequently led to more families being pushed below the poverty line.

Since then, the issue has called for strategic initiatives and approaches to address the widening gender inequality in India.

India’s Gender Gap in Poverty

The poverty gender gap in India is deeply rooted and begins affecting women from birth. A 2021 study conducted by the World Bank found that among children from low-income households, the number of girls was higher than that of boys. While the study uses data from more than 90 countries, the difference mainly occurred in India. 

Moreover, this difference only persists in the older age groups. The International Labor Organization (ILO) discovered in 2022 that Indian women earn 20-30% less than their male counterparts. Additionally, social impediments, such as the nature of jobs, complicate women’s efforts to achieve financial independence. 

Other societal differences, such as class and caste, further widen the gender gap. One study, focusing on Scheduled Castes (SC) and on Urban versus Rural poverty, from 2021 identified this difference. The study states that SC women earn only 55% of what women from other castes earn. 

Additionally, there also arises a difference within this subset when considering urban and rural differences. SC women in urban areas earn slightly more than their rural counterparts. However, it remains lower than that of urban women from other castes. Furthermore, according to another 2023 report, female-headed households showed higher odds of becoming urban poor than male-headed households. 

Why Are Women Becoming More Vulnerable to Poverty?

When analyzing the reasons behind India’s gender gap in poverty, several causes come to light. As mentioned earlier, social impediments pose a major difficulty for women. For instance, in Indian society, women often work as domestic help, as in other countries. Domestic work, apart from paying less, is also not included in the national GDP. 

This indicates that women’s earnings go unaccounted for in national and international statistics. Relatedly, due to the existing patriarchal model, women also face difficulties due to male-favoring inheritance laws. Studies showed that only 13% of women in India own agricultural land, compared to men. Due to the aforementioned laws, women find it harder to gain control of their assets. 

However, one of the major drivers of rising poverty among women is limited access to education. In India, school dropout rates are often alarmingly higher among girls than boys. Early marriages in families residing below the poverty line result in many women not having their high school diplomas. 

The Indian Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MOSPI) released a detailed education report in 2016. In this report, females account for higher numbers in nearly every category of student dropouts aged 5 to 29, with only a few exceptions. Additionally, according to the 2020 census, the female literacy rate was 70.3%, 14.4 percentage points lower than the male literacy rate of 84.7%. The lack of education hinders a wide range of opportunities that could help women become financially independent. 

Government Initiatives and Programs Aiding Women in Poverty

Women’s empowerment has been an integral part of the Indian government’s agenda in the last few decades. From abolishing Sati to providing education for girls, Indian lawmakers have always focused on opening new avenues of concession for women. While there are implementation issues, the government provides funding for new women-centered initiatives every year. 

In 2026, leaders announced schemes for girl child, for women entrepreneurs and capital development. The “Lakpathi Didi Scheme” aims to help women in self-help groups earn more than $1,000. This strategy, when effectively implemented, can alleviate poverty largely among women. 

Another economic development initiative, the Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme, aims to support the growth of women entrepreneurs. Under the scheme, the government enables eligible women to access business loans of up to $3,224 to establish their enterprises. 

Thirdly, officials also announced the “Stand Up India Mission,” focusing on lower-strata social groups. Women from the SC and the Scheduled Tribes are the target audience for this initiative. It provides loans ranging from $12,900 to $129,000. Through this, the government claims to cover nearly 75% of the production costs for these women’s startups.

Finally, in the spirit of providing financial security, parents of newborn girls can now open bank accounts offering high interest rates. This program, called the “Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana,” was launched as part of the Girl Child Scheme from 2015. 

Other Gender Gap Reduction Strategies

Experts and lawmakers have stated that reducing the gender gap requires more than a single approach. The above governmental schemes directly address women’s economic deficiencies, aiming to elicit long-term solutions. For this reason, world changemakers believe that education is a powerful tool for women’s empowerment.

Shivani Nithyanandhan is a member of Kongu Business Forum, a platform that aims to empower individuals in business in the Kongu region. She spoke to The Borgen Project about different strategies that could help women become financially secure. Speaking of education, Nithyanandhan stated, “Access to education and skill development is key. When women are equipped with relevant skills, whether in business, digital literacy or vocational areas, they gain the confidence and ability to earn independently.” 

Nithyanandhan also discussed the need for a supportive community for women in poverty to help them set up businesses. The Kongu Business Forum regularly conducts knowledge-sharing sessions to educate women about business opportunities in their locale. Since the Kongu region’s major source of income is agriculture, Nithyanandhan says that the forum aims to help women explore opportunities in agri-related enterprises.

Looking Ahead

India’s gender gap in poverty, similar to that of other countries, has received focus over the last few decades. While visible results do exist, women’s lack of awareness about upliftment schemes continues to hinder widespread growth. Nithyanandhan from the Kongu Business Forum discusses the need for financial and digital literacy that could help prevent this issue. 

She also discussed how women’s empowerment within impoverished populations can have a ripple effect. When educated and financially empowered, the female population can positively impact the growth of their community. In this manner, reducing the gender gap also contributes to reducing global poverty.

– Shafika Fathima 

Shafika is based in Chennai, India and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women in South Sudan Are Creating Their Own Financial Futures

Women in South Sudan Since gaining independence in July 2011, South Sudan’s women have remained on the front lines of the country’s struggles. Deep-rooted patriarchal norms, gender-based violence and financial exclusion continue to limit their full participation in society. Despite these challenges, many women persist, advocating for peace, stability and progress.

In response, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has recognized both their resilience and the urgent need for reform. It implemented a multifaceted strategy to advance gender equality, support women’s development and position women as central to the country’s future.

South Sudanese Women Are Shaping Their Financial Futures

Across South Sudan, women have long sustained households and communities through farming, harvesting and trade. Yet conflict, limited access to education and finance and widespread gender-based violence have repeatedly constrained their progress. For decades, many women’s ambitions have far exceeded the opportunities available to them.

That reality is beginning to shift. In 2023, the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP) launched as a four-year, $52 million government-led initiative funded by the World Bank. The project is expanding opportunities for women by providing business skills training and financial support to help them start, sustain and grow their own businesses.

NGOs Expand Economic Opportunities for Women in South Sudan

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are also helping expand economic opportunities for women in South Sudan. Groups such as the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), the Women’s Peace and Development Initiative and Women for Women International focus on strengthening women’s entrepreneurial capacity. In 2025, WPDI celebrated 150 women who graduated from its entrepreneurship program in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. 

As more women launch businesses, many are gaining greater financial stability for themselves and their families. NGOs continue to play a critical role in advancing women’s rights in South Sudan, especially in areas where government support remains limited. Several organizations are working directly to improve women’s access to justice, economic opportunity and community support:

  • Women for Justice and Equality (WOJE) focuses on gender justice, peacebuilding, health and economic empowerment. The organization has reached more than 110,000 people through programs that support women’s rights and livelihoods.
  • South Sudan Women Empowerment Network (SSWEN) prioritizes women’s rights advocacy, financial empowerment and anti-violence initiatives. It has become a key civil society network promoting women’s participation and equality across the country.

How Entrepreneurship Is Changing Lives in South Sudan

One recent success story is that of Rose Juru Chaplin, a South Sudanese entrepreneur who owns a boutique in Munuki Market. With support from the SSWSEEP, she gained the training and assistance needed to strengthen her business skills and expand her enterprise. Her boutique now serves as a key source of income for her family while helping her build greater financial security.

Chaplin’s experience reflects a broader shift taking place across South Sudan, where hundreds of women-owned businesses have received similar support. Her story highlights how access to training and financial assistance is helping women strengthen not only their own livelihoods but also those of their families, local economies and communities.

Conclusion

The resilience of South Sudanese women continues to drive a powerful shift from survival to economic participation and growth. While challenges such as weak infrastructure and ongoing economic instability remain, the progress women are making highlights the impact of investing in female entrepreneurship. Programs that combine education, financial access and peer support are proving to be effective tools for long-term development.

As South Sudan continues to rebuild, women entrepreneurs are playing a critical role in shaping the country’s future. Through determination and increased access to opportunity, they are improving their own lives while driving meaningful change across their families, communities and the wider economy.

– Erin Sian Mongillo

Erin is based in North Haven, CT, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Strengthening Legal Framework Against Forced Marriages in Italy

Forced Marriages in ItalyItaly is located in Southern and Western Europe, with a population of 59.5 million as of 2023, according to the World Health Organization. Situated in the Mediterranean, its mountainous and hilly terrain contributes to a diverse climate year-round. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality, an estimated 27% of women in Italy have experienced violence.

With violence against women still a central issue, the Istanbul Convention aims to strengthen the legal framework against all forms of gender-based violence, including forced marriage. 

The Istanbul Convention: Article 37

The Council of Europe Convention, under Article 37 of the Istanbul Convention, defines a forced marriage as: 

  1. Intentional conduct of forcing an adult or a child to enter into a marriage.
  2. Intentional conduct of luring an adult or a child to the territory of a Party or State other than the one in which they reside, to force that adult or child to enter into a marriage.

Forced Marriages in Italy

Women and girls across Italy have experienced and continue to experience forced marriage, often imposed by parents, relatives and even religious leaders. These marriages may be enforced through coercion, including threats and violence.

The legal marriage age in Italy is 18. However, according to Juma Map Services for Refugees, a juvenile court may authorize exceptions, allowing minors of at least 16 years to marry legally.

Italy, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, is committed to eliminating child, early and forced marriage by 2030, according to Girls Not Brides. The country signed the Istanbul Convention on September 27, 2012 and it entered into force on August 1, 2014.

The Istanbul Convention: Ongoing Targets

The convention aims to prevent violence against women, protect victims and those at risk and prosecute perpetrators. Key protection and prosecution measures outlined by the European Commission include:

  • Accessible shelters: Member states must ensure shelters are readily accessible to victims and fairly distributed nationwide.
  • Helplines: A free, 24/7 helpline must be available across all member states, providing safety and professional support.
  • Violence against women as a crime: This includes psychological and physical violence, sexual violence and rape, stalking, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, forced abortion and forced sterilization.
  • Thorough investigations: Authorities must carry out prompt and effective investigations into all forms of violence against women, ensuring immediate protection.
  • Protection for migrants and asylum seekers: Women in these groups are particularly vulnerable and must receive targeted protection.

A Successful Prevention Method in Italy

In 2014–2015, the Italian government launched an initiative to educate the public on violence against women, with a particular focus on engaging men and encouraging behavioral change. The program was later introduced in schools, where it helped educate young students on preventing gender-based violence.

Looking Ahead 

Forced marriages have prompted stronger legal responses to violence against women across Italy. The Istanbul Convention, adopted by multiple countries, has contributed to efforts aimed at reducing the vulnerability of women and girls to violence. Education initiatives, such as those described above, remain key to ensuring awareness continues to spread among younger generations.

– Zara Ashraf 

Zara is based in London, UK  and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Gender Inequality and Women’s Rights in Ghana

Women’s Rights in GhanaGhana is a beautiful country in Africa, full of life, located on the coast, rich in history and known for its delicious cuisine. All of these desirable factors make it a location worth visiting, as it attracts many tourists. Many tour websites go into detail about the friendliness, hospitality and use of English as a main language, all of which are intriguing and important to know about a location, whether traveling or not.

However, what is also important is understanding a place beyond the surface and the infrastructure set up for tourists to see. Here’s something to know about women in Ghana.

Women’s Rights in Ghana

Being a woman living in Ghana has not always been sunshine and rainbows. Women’s rights in Ghana started strongly, as pre-colonial society showed more optimistic outcomes. Women were central to agriculture, excelling in farming and trading.

They were also seen as leaders and, in some cases, ruled over others, including men. However, in the ‘50s, when the British colonized Ghana, there was a drastic shift in how women were perceived. They were pushed to the bottom of the social hierarchy, marginalized and excluded from many job opportunities.

After Ghana gained its independence, the fight for women’s rights continued. Violence against women remains common and job scarcity is still something they struggle with. In the ’90s, equal rights laws were passed to address these issues. However, because these reforms are relatively recent, women are still pushing for better representation and stronger policies.

Gender Inequality in Ghana

Women’s rights in Ghana go hand-in-hand with the poverty the country faces. According to the Human Rights Index, Ghana still has a significant gap in gender equality compared to global figures, with a GII value of 0.514, while the world average is 0.455. With the gender social norms score at 98.97% and with higher scores indicating worse outcomes, the data shows how deep the problem runs.

Gender gaps and inequality can directly worsen poverty because they exclude a whole group of people from economic rights, resources and education. When women are unable to help provide for their families, this creates broader insecurity that extends beyond the marginalized group itself.

Women’s Groups Addressing the Gender Gap in Ghana

People in Ghana recognize these issues and have established many organizations to address and change them. These include MamaCare Ghana, which helps educate and support women in marginalized communities and the Alliance for African Women Initiative, which supports women financially by helping them access credit and business education. They also include Women’s Trust, which promotes economic independence and Global Mamas, which provides jobs for women who need to support their families.

These groups have created a meaningful shift in how equality is advancing. There are now job opportunities to pursue, educational gaps to close and a stronger sense of belonging within communities. Global Mamas has made a significant impact by providing training to 62 apprentices and helping its members earn 2.5 times the minimum wage.

Final Remarks

Women’s rights in Ghana have followed a long and emotional journey. Women have been leaders, fighters and now advocates. This struggle does not diminish the country’s beauty, which remains known for its joy, hospitality and strong sense of community, even amid ongoing challenges. People continue to come together through it all, making that beauty even more apparent.

– Danielle Johnson

Danielle is based in Knoxville, TN, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Rights Initiatives in India: The Tamil Nadu TiC Council

Tamil Nadu TiCIn India, authorities often discuss gender inequality as a multifaceted problem, requiring a multifaceted solution. The existence of multiple social differences, such as caste and class, makes it more complex. Governmental programs such as the Tamil Nadu Textile Industry Coalition (TiC) aim to address this difference.

Over the years, the Indian government has become sensitive to the multidimensional aspects. It has worked to introduce solutions which address not just the issue but also encompass all its nuances. The Tamil Nadu government’s multistakeholder TiC is one such initiative launched in association with the U.N. Women.

The government announced the Council in February 2024. Through this initiative, the state aims to create a safe, secure workspace for women in the textile industry.

What Is the Tamil Nadu TiC?

The TiC, as described by U.N. Women, brings together personnel from multiple sectors with a single goal: women’s safety. It involves brands, textile manufacturers, policymakers, the Tamil Nadu Department of Textiles, service providers and researchers to prevent and address sexual harassment in the workplace.

Tamil Nadu’s textile industry is vast and includes more women in lower-skilled positions. The state hosts nearly 70% of the country’s fabric knitting capacity and 46% of the loom capacity. In fiscal year 2025, the state contributed 26.81% of the national market share. In this booming sector, Tamil Nadu women also account for 40% of the national workforce.

Owing to this high concentration and the existing gender disparity in wages and benefits, solutions seemed necessary. As a result, the government departments of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment and the Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles & Khadi, introduced this solution. The TiC holds a zero-tolerance policy toward the mistreatment of women in the workplace.

On initiation, the TiC planned to introduce standard industry guidelines which ensure implementation of stated measures.

TiC’s Vision for Women’s Rights in India

During its launch in 2024, the Tamil Nadu TiC Council members presented several aims for the committee to focus on. First, they planned to conduct safety audits across textile factories in major cities throughout Tamil Nadu. These cities are key textile hubs in the state and are home to the majority of textile factories and production units.

The initiative aimed to reach more than 16,000 factory workers and more than two million “linked community members.” The council plans to educate textile industry workers and members about women’s rights through outreach initiatives. The program is designed to empower girls and women by promoting safe and sustainable livelihoods.

Transforming policies, increasing the number of female workers in the industry and raising awareness are among the council’s primary implementation methods. At the July 2025 committee meeting, members of the Tamil Nadu TiC discussed the council’s accomplishments. According to the press release, it undertook interventions including safety audits, the distribution of training materials and tools and community engagement.

TiC & The PoSH Act Review

Another key component that the TiC prioritizes is the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) Act. Over the past year, the TiC has introduced PoSH compliance across diverse textile work centers, including factories, units and small-scale industries. Through its inter-departmental collaboration with global brands such as the H&M Group and nonprofits such as U.N. Women, the council draws on diverse sources and has varied impacts.

The TiC utilizes this sectoral convergence to expand its sphere of influence. It does so by reaching out to more women in need and by working to reduce gender disparity in the textile industry. Geetha Jeevan, the committee’s chair, in the July 2025 meeting, emphasised zero tolerance toward violence against women. She also spoke about how the Tamil Nadu government aims to empower women by prioritizing their needs and safety in the workforce.

Women’s Rights Initiatives in India

While the TiC stands out prominently in the present, India has seen several such initiatives in the past years. Many women-centric government schemes and programs exist. However, only a small portion of the general public is aware of them.

These schemes focus on girls’ education, maternity-related financial support, accommodation for working women and more. Additionally, under the PoSH Act, the government has established Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in every state. Tamil Nadu has 5,493 ICCs in government organizations and more than 10,000 ICCs in private establishments.

Final Thoughts

The existence of initiatives such as the Tamil Nadu TiC underscores the commitment of global and particularly Indian lawmakers to addressing women’s rights issues in the country. However, limited public awareness of these programs remains a significant barrier preventing women and girls from benefiting from them. As a result, the TiC and similar initiatives require greater visibility and education efforts, especially for communities living below the poverty line.

Increased funding and targeted support could help address the multidimensional nature of gender disparity. Given how deeply rooted these challenges are, modern solutions are essential, chief among them being sustained advocacy, visibility and widespread awareness.

– Shafika Fathima

Shafika is based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Actions Against Femicide in Latin America

Femicide in Latin America

Latin America struggles with a patriarchal system that is plagued by the gender-motivated murder of women and girls. The United Nations (U.N.) recognizes many countries in Latin America, from Mexico to the Caribbean, as having the highest global rates of femicide. In 2021, it was estimated that around one woman is killed every two hours in Latin America. Feminist movements, such as “Ni Una Menos” (Not One Less), have pushed for legislation to protect women.

​What Is Femicide?​

Femicide is a term that defines the killing of women and girls based on their gender. According to the Human Rights Research Center, there are three main types of femicide: intimate femicide, familial femicide and non-intimate femicide. Intimate femicide is murder by a current or former partner, while nonintimate femicide is committed by someone with whom the victim did not have a relationship. Familial femicide occurs when a male family member murders women or girls.

Human Rights Violation​

Femicide is the most extreme form of gender-based violence against women that threatens the dignity, security and equality rights. Global organizations recognize the issue in Latin America as a violation of women’s human rights. In 2021, U.N. Women found that out of the 25 countries with the highest rates of gender-based violence, 14 were in Latin America. As of 1994, the Organization of American States (OAS) adopted the Belém do Pará Convention. This is an inter-American convention that is supposed to focus on the prevention, punishment and eradication of violence against women.

On International Human Rights Day 2025, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) expressed its concern over the increasing rates of gender-based violence. It reaffirmed the OAS’s obligation to protect women from violence, as established in the Belém do Pará Convention. The IACHR declared femicide as a violation not only of Human Rights but as a threat to democracy. In its press release, the IACHR stated that it will continue to work with the OAS to ensure the safety of women and girls.​

Causes of Femicide

​Evidently, femicide is motivated by gender stereotypes and discrimination against women and girls. Femicide is especially prevalent in Latin America due to the machismo culture. Machismo refers to traditional masculinity beliefs that men are superior to women and presents itself through emotional insensitivity, womanizing, physical strength and aggression.

Historians trace machismo back to European colonialization, which introduced patriarchal systems. Power structures that reinforce gender inequality and misogynistic views further aggravate the issue of femicide. It is believed that the rates of femicide are much higher than what is estimated, since stigma prevents women from recognizing and freely discussing gender-based violence.

Additionally, in many Latin American countries, domestic violence is considered a private matter and is rarely reported. Thus, resulting in the killing of women by their partners, not to be recognized as femicide. Further contributions to femicide include government inaction and flawed justice systems. For example, in Mexico, less than 3% of cases of femicide are prosecuted and only 1% lead to sentencing.

Some Latin American countries did not criminalize femicide until the 2010s and each country has a different legal definition for femicide.

​The Fight To End Femicide​

The “Ni Una Menos” protests began in Argentina in 2015 and spread to other Latin American countries, including Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and Peru. In 2020, thousands of people protested against femicide across Mexico, asking the government to take action. There was also a nationwide strike in which women stayed at home.

Awareness of femicide has also recently reached Hollywood. “La Cazadora” premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The film follows a Mexican factory worker in Ciudad Juárez who becomes a vigilante, killing a serial rapist to protect her 14-year-old daughter and other young women. It is based on the true story of Diana Cazadora de Choferes (Diana Huntress of Bus Drivers).

Diana killed two bus drivers in Ciudad Juárez after women factory workers filed 12 complaints of sexual violence against bus drivers and authorities failed to take action.

Looking Ahead

All countries in Latin America have laws to prevent and end violence against women, but only 19 have laws penalizing femicide. Despite these laws, women are unable to access protection or get justice. Movements like “Ni Una Menos” are necessary for social awareness and holding governments accountable.

The goal is to reinforce policies that prevent gender-based violence, such as protective measures, shelters, economic autonomy groups and community support systems. However, beyond systemic reform, there is also a need to transform societal and cultural norms around machismo through education, public awareness and behavioral shifts grounded in respect and equality.

– Thirza List

Thirza is based in the United States and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik