Discrimination Against Women

in

Millions of girls and women throughout the world suffer from discrimination, deprivation, and the denial of their human rights based on their gender. Throughout the world, women and girls often face systematic discrimination in legal, political social, economic and cultural settings.  

Discriminatory laws and cultural norms in Pakistan render women unequal before the law.   In cases of rape for example, the Hudood Ordinance requires a confession or the testimony of witnesses other than the victim to secure a conviction for rape, and rape victims can find themselves being punished for fornication if rape is not proved.   In India and throughout many poverty-stricken areas, male children often receive food, education and healthcare before female children.   Throughout Europe and North America, women are grossly under-represented in decision-making and continue to face discrimination at home and in the workplace.  

"I remember seeing a mother walking with two children. When her son asked her for a banana, she gave him one, and when her younger daughter did too - the mother slapped her and said no. I'll never forget this and how it motivated me to correct this deep problem in our culture".

- Sr Stella Baltazar, FMM, India

Franciscans International calls for an end to discrimination at all levels, specifically using international tools such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  

CEDAW is often described as an international bill of rights for women. It defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. Despite some regrettable reservations to key treaty provisions, 180 States have ratified this Convention, committing them to undertaking a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:

  • incorporating the principle of equality of men and women in legal systems, abolishing all discriminatory laws and adopting appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
  • establishing tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and
  • ensuring the elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organisations or enterprises.

Franciscans International encourages all Franciscans to work for the implementation of the Convention and to use it as a tool to hold their country accountable for achieving gender equality.