15 Troubling Trends We Are Facing Regarding Women’s Rights

It is pretty hard to believe the major setbacks women’s rights have faced in the past few years. Some of these changes have threatened decades of hard-fought progress. From restrictive laws to shifting political agendas, evolving cultural norms, and deepening economic divides, these changes have been both widespread and profound. But the fight for equality is far from over! Just look at these troubling trends, which reveal how urgent it is to take action and turn the push for women’s rights around. Now more than ever, we need to stand together, advocate for change, and ensure the momentum for gender equality continues to move forward.

reproductive health

Funding for reproductive health has been reduced. Population Institute outlined that investment in family planning is nowhere near being sufficient. This includes funding for contraception. This basic need gives women more control over their own bodies.

Women Underrepresented In Politics

UN Women has highlighted the importance of women’s equal participation and leadership in both political and public life, yet we are still massively underrepresented at all levels of decision-making. This underrepresentation not only perpetuates gender inequality but also undermines the effectiveness and inclusivity of governance structures worldwide.

Financial Independence, But At What Cost?

Now that more and more women are working and have much more financial independence, it’s undoubtedly a good thing. However, there is still an expectation for women to take full responsibility for household chores and childcare. Furthermore, the unequal distribution of household and caregiving responsibilities reinforces gender stereotypes and limits women’s opportunities for career advancement and leadership roles. Addressing this issue is crucial for realizing the full potential of women’s economic empowerment and leadership in society.

The Decriminalization of Domestic Abuse

In Russia, any domestic violence that does not lead to ‘substantial bodily harm’ has been decriminalized, meaning that more and more women are suffering and, ultimately, not being protected. Urgent measures are needed to address this alarming trend and ensure the safety and well-being of women affected by domestic violence.

Women’s Choices Eliminated in Family Planning

A woman’s right to an abortion is unfortunately still up for debate in many states, meaning women are often forced to take unsafe measures to terminate a pregnancy. In fact, many anti-choice states want to impose a punishment on women who are traveling outside of the state to fulfill their right to an abortion.

Online Abuse of Women in the Public Eye

This isn’t just reserved for women in the public eye, nor is it reserved for only women. The lack of regulations and laws in place to protect people from online trolls who boldly dish out threats of violence and sexual harassment is astounding.

Dissolution of a No-Fault Divorce

A no-fault divorce means that either party can file for a divorce without having to place any fault. There are conversations in place by certain people that believe a no-fault divorce should not be allowed. While this isn’t currently the reality, the fact that it’s even being brought up is unbelievable.

The Notion That Women Shouldn’t Work

This takes us all the way back to the 1950s. Some people believe that a woman’s place is at home while the man goes out and has a career. If that suits you, fine. But that life isn’t for everyone. Please leave this in the past. Embracing diverse paths and choices for individuals, regardless of gender, is essential for progress and equality in society. Let’s work towards a future where everyone can pursue their aspirations and contribute to society in ways that align with their talents and ambitions, free from outdated gender expectations and constraints.

Women Tearing Down Women

There’s nothing worse than seeing women constantly tear down other women. This happens enough without us turning on each other. It’s vital that we celebrate one another’s successes and lift each other up during times of need.

The Majority of Sexual Assaults Are Still Unreported

According to Brennan Center for Justice, almost 80% of rapes and sexual assaults go unreported. This also includes male victims. It may sound incredible that only around 23 percent of survivors report such crimes to police, but it’s true. This staggering underreporting underscores the pervasive culture of silence, fear, and stigma surrounding sexual violence. It’s imperative to address these barriers to reporting and ensure survivors feel supported and empowered to seek justice and assistance.

The Majority of Sexual Assault Perpetrators Will not Go To Prison

And those that do report a sexual assault, aren’t necessarily guaranteed to see their abuser charged. This could be one of many reasons why so many victims choose to stay quiet. Factors contributing to this issue include underreporting of sexual assaults, lack of evidence, societal attitudes towards sexual assault survivors, and challenges in the legal process, such as obtaining convictions beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Gender Pay Gap

COVID-19 had a huge impact on the economy, which ultimately also affected any progress made toward gender equality in the workplace. Women, on average, are still earning around 28 cents less for every dollar a man earns.

Afwul Maternity Leave Policies

Unlike plenty of other rich countries, the US still has awful maternity leave policies. Plenty of women in Europe can now take several months off after the birth of a child while still getting most – if not all – of their pay, in the US, this is still a dream.

Maternal Mortality Rates

Despite the advancements in the medical field, pregnant women seem to be dying at higher rates. On top of this, these percentages increase drastically for Black women, who are way more likely to die during pregnancy compared to White and Hispanic women.

Pushback Against Women’s Rights

It seems hard to believe that there are still people out there who are not supportive of equal rights for women. Nevertheless, there’s been a noticeable cultural pushback against feminism in recent years, with some groups and individuals actively resisting gender equality initiatives. This backlash often portrays feminism as unnecessary, and it undermines years of progress that then can create barriers to starting discussions about women’s rights. This resistance has slowed the momentum of essential reforms and discouraged many from openly advocating gender equality.