Historically, women have been discriminated in many ways. Modern societies pride themselves of equality, but there is still a lot of ground to be covered. The story to fight for women's right is as old as humankind. In certain parts of the world there are still some traditions that denigrate women in many ways.
Women are as valuable as any men. Many women have done important things throughout history, but they are not recognized just for their gender. Civil rights have been different for centuries, and only in the last 100 years the right to vote has been granted.
But the true battle is when it comes to the access to public health services, education, and equal opportunities. In development countries is where the most improvements need to be made. Certain areas with particular religious constrains are tying women to behaviors that were valid a hundred years ago. It is time to do something. That is why organizations around the world are engaged on fighting for women's rights.
To learn more about the historical role of women and the fight for their rights, visit the following links:
The National Women's History Project: The slogan of this project is "Writing Women Back into History". They honor this statement by gathering together detailed information about important women who made a change and others that are still working and making a difference in the world. This is a must visit site to learn more about women's value for humankind.
Women in Congress: As part of the History, Art & Archives of the United States house of representatives, there is a section devoted to women. In here you will find the historical and current role of women in the expedition of laws in the United States of America.
Women's Rights article by Anup Shah at the globalissues.org site: This is a reliable source of information about the general environment around the world involving issues related to women. It includes a wide investigation about gender discrimination, feminicide, reproductive issues, and more.
The Women's Right Movement in the U.S.: This page depicts the history of all the movements to fight for women's rights starting in 1848 until today. It is a good compilation of information in one place. Their timeline shows how women's rights have improved, empowering women.
News on women's rights: Check the latest news on woman's rights at the BBC on this link. There is plenty information updated on a regular basis, so don't forget to step by often.
The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has 4 mini sites about women, including:
The Committee on the elimination of discrimination against women: This makes actionable plans and monitors the commitment of different governments and organizations throughout the world.
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences: If you are looking for literature, you will find current information on this site with statistics and reports on the concerns of women's wellbeing.
Women's Human Rights and Gender Equality: Is a special site with information about the current issues women face today. It includes a lot of related international statements and real stories about how women are fighting for their rights.
Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice: Highlights the work done internationally to promote women's rights. It includes media, documents, visits, standard development, and their methods of working.
Other organizations that are working to deliver dignity to women in need around the world include:
Women's Rights at the American Civil Liberties Union: Among other issues, women's rights are identified as a top priority by the ACLU organization. They seek to defend, empower, and influence the decisions around women's rights within the United States.
Women's Rights at the Human Rights Watch site: The HRW site is engaged with fighting the excess of governments who are violating human rights around the world. In particular, their site devoted a special section to women. There are public denounces about policies that are affecting women.
The Global Fund for Women: The site reports the activity of this organization that is meant to expand the respect for women and make a change in laws and policies that affect women.
The Womankind organization: They are engaged with giving a respectful treatment to women in some development countries. They work in various places like Afghanistan, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nepal, Peru, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Women's Rights Online: This is an initiative of the web foundation to deliver access to the Internet to the women who are banned from it. This is a way to promote inclusion.
AWID site: This is a global organization that is fighting for gender equality. It is working to resource women's rights, get economic justice, change the religious fundamentalisms affecting women.