n February of 2022, Freedom House issued a warning about the global order being close to a tipping point and a call to action to democracy’s defenders to unite and commit to protecting rights of self-determination. The subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine served as a catalyst for greater unity and commitment to defend freedom; however, the rights of women around the globe continue to plunge in countries where authoritarian governments and religious extremism preside.
Through increased restrictions and physical violence, non-democratic governments are taking aggressive action to diminish the worth of women, denying their entitlement to recognition, and depriving them of the right to express themselves. Women’s growing power in elected office and business elsewhere has made it unsurprising that their accomplishments are highly feared, prompting repressive governments to suppress it.
With the G7 convening, it is imperative to highlight the increasing trend of dehumanizing women, a worrying feature of the current surge in authoritarianism.
Private Networks are Taking Action…
One initiative, End Gender Apartheid, emphasizes that the situation of women in Iran and under the Taliban in Afghanistan is not just a matter of gender discrimination but rather a deliberate and systematic effort by these regimes to oppress women to reinforce their authority. The campaign’s aim is to expand the scope of moral, political, and legal approaches that can be deployed to galvanize international efforts and ultimately eradicate gender apartheid systems.
In 2021, educated Afghan women witnessed their aspirations and expectations shattered in a matter of hours. Today, women in Afghanistan are not allowed to leave their homes without a male escort, are no longer issued identification cards, and are denied the opportunity to attend school.
Iranian mothers send their daughters to school with the constant worry of whether they will come back safely each day. There are reports of schoolgirls being subjected to poison gas attacks and instances of violence by morality police in Iran. One specific case that gained attention and led to the #WomenLifeFreedom movement was the beating of Mahsa Amini, who was accused of dressing inappropriately.
The incidence of sexual assault as a means of domination is also increasing. In countries like Belarus, a “sisterhood behind bars,” consisting of businesswomen, elected officials and bloggers, has been documented by Eurozine. The BBC reports these dissidents are subjected to severe forms of torture, including rape.
In response to this growing trend, the WDN 10 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence advocacy campaign was launched by the Women’s Democracy Network last year, with a focus on addressing violence against women in politics (VAWP).
“Violence against women in politics is a moral and ethical failure on us as a society,” states Abdulla Shahid, UN General Assembly President.
The campaign emphasizes that VAWP is a form of gender-based violence (GBV) that poses a significant threat to women’s political participation worldwide. Women activists, candidates, elected officials, and voters are targeted both online and offline. These violent attacks constitute direct infringement on women’s human right to participate politically and have their voices heard. VAWP takes various forms, including physical assault, sexual violence, forced disappearances and coercion. Not surprisingly, the increasing violence reduces participation levels of young women in the democratic process.
…So Must Governments
Today, the resurgence of authoritarianism poses a significant threat to global stability and the protection of basic human liberties. As the G7 leaders convene to address this issue, they must prioritize the protection of the fundamental human rights of women to ensure global stability. The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and other authoritarian regimes is a stark reminder of the consequences of denying women their freedoms. It is a wake-up call for the world to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that women, who constitute half of the global population, are not deprived of their natural rights.
Actions governments can take include:
- Officially acknowledge women’s resistance movements and support through funding and intelligence operations helping to amplify their message and increase their effectiveness.
- Use both traditional and social media, as well as official statements, to reveal and widely publicize the double standards of authoritarian regimes.
- Call for the institution of laws to protect women activists, political party supporters, candidates, judiciary members, voters, and politicians.
Supporting women who resist authoritarian regimes is not only a moral imperative, but it is also a practical one. Promoting gender equality and empowering women is essential for reducing poverty and conflict. It is a crucial step towards building more peaceful, stable, and prosperous societies.
By prioritizing women’s rights and freedoms and supporting their active resistance to authoritarian regimes, we can undermine these corrosive governments, build popular support for democratic values, and promote greater participation in the political process. Let us join hands and work towards a future where all women are protected and empowered to play their full role in building prosperous and democratic societies.
a global affairs media network
Protecting Women’s Voices to Safeguard Resistance Movements
Image by Maruf Rahman from Pixabay
May 16, 2023
One worrying feature in the current surge in authoritariasm has been an increasing trend of dehumanizing women. The G7 should take steps to protect women's voices as they are key players in resistance movements against authoritarianism and extremism, writes World in 2050 Chair Lisa Gable.
I
n February of 2022, Freedom House issued a warning about the global order being close to a tipping point and a call to action to democracy’s defenders to unite and commit to protecting rights of self-determination. The subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine served as a catalyst for greater unity and commitment to defend freedom; however, the rights of women around the globe continue to plunge in countries where authoritarian governments and religious extremism preside.
Through increased restrictions and physical violence, non-democratic governments are taking aggressive action to diminish the worth of women, denying their entitlement to recognition, and depriving them of the right to express themselves. Women’s growing power in elected office and business elsewhere has made it unsurprising that their accomplishments are highly feared, prompting repressive governments to suppress it.
With the G7 convening, it is imperative to highlight the increasing trend of dehumanizing women, a worrying feature of the current surge in authoritarianism.
Private Networks are Taking Action…
One initiative, End Gender Apartheid, emphasizes that the situation of women in Iran and under the Taliban in Afghanistan is not just a matter of gender discrimination but rather a deliberate and systematic effort by these regimes to oppress women to reinforce their authority. The campaign’s aim is to expand the scope of moral, political, and legal approaches that can be deployed to galvanize international efforts and ultimately eradicate gender apartheid systems.
In 2021, educated Afghan women witnessed their aspirations and expectations shattered in a matter of hours. Today, women in Afghanistan are not allowed to leave their homes without a male escort, are no longer issued identification cards, and are denied the opportunity to attend school.
Iranian mothers send their daughters to school with the constant worry of whether they will come back safely each day. There are reports of schoolgirls being subjected to poison gas attacks and instances of violence by morality police in Iran. One specific case that gained attention and led to the #WomenLifeFreedom movement was the beating of Mahsa Amini, who was accused of dressing inappropriately.
The incidence of sexual assault as a means of domination is also increasing. In countries like Belarus, a “sisterhood behind bars,” consisting of businesswomen, elected officials and bloggers, has been documented by Eurozine. The BBC reports these dissidents are subjected to severe forms of torture, including rape.
In response to this growing trend, the WDN 10 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence advocacy campaign was launched by the Women’s Democracy Network last year, with a focus on addressing violence against women in politics (VAWP).
“Violence against women in politics is a moral and ethical failure on us as a society,” states Abdulla Shahid, UN General Assembly President.
The campaign emphasizes that VAWP is a form of gender-based violence (GBV) that poses a significant threat to women’s political participation worldwide. Women activists, candidates, elected officials, and voters are targeted both online and offline. These violent attacks constitute direct infringement on women’s human right to participate politically and have their voices heard. VAWP takes various forms, including physical assault, sexual violence, forced disappearances and coercion. Not surprisingly, the increasing violence reduces participation levels of young women in the democratic process.
…So Must Governments
Today, the resurgence of authoritarianism poses a significant threat to global stability and the protection of basic human liberties. As the G7 leaders convene to address this issue, they must prioritize the protection of the fundamental human rights of women to ensure global stability. The ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and other authoritarian regimes is a stark reminder of the consequences of denying women their freedoms. It is a wake-up call for the world to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that women, who constitute half of the global population, are not deprived of their natural rights.
Actions governments can take include:
- Officially acknowledge women’s resistance movements and support through funding and intelligence operations helping to amplify their message and increase their effectiveness.
- Use both traditional and social media, as well as official statements, to reveal and widely publicize the double standards of authoritarian regimes.
- Call for the institution of laws to protect women activists, political party supporters, candidates, judiciary members, voters, and politicians.
Supporting women who resist authoritarian regimes is not only a moral imperative, but it is also a practical one. Promoting gender equality and empowering women is essential for reducing poverty and conflict. It is a crucial step towards building more peaceful, stable, and prosperous societies.
By prioritizing women’s rights and freedoms and supporting their active resistance to authoritarian regimes, we can undermine these corrosive governments, build popular support for democratic values, and promote greater participation in the political process. Let us join hands and work towards a future where all women are protected and empowered to play their full role in building prosperous and democratic societies.
