Essay by Roha Nasir

As a society, we have come a long way from the mistreatment and abuse of women in the ancient society. In those days, the status of a woman was nothing more than the possession of a man, whether it was her father or her husband. A female’s intellect and existence was considered nothing, compared to men.

Living in the 21st century, it can be seen that feminism has spread out across the world and so has the concept that women can live their life, just as any other human being. However, there is still room for improving the position of women even today.

The global literacy rate for women is 82.7 % whereas for males it is 90% - evidently, this is not much of a difference and it is a sign that day by day, women are being assigned to a higher role in society. We are now present in the culture where women can openly express themselves and speak up their mind (in most parts of the world). With time, many things have evolved, for example: Poor women gaining greater access to savings and credit mechanisms, worldwide ; Women gaining more positions in the parliament throughout Africa, India has accepted legal obligations to eliminate discrimination against women.

Despite the success of women gaining these rights in society today, there are still traces of patriarchy present in the society to some extent. This can be seen through typical roles in a marriage, obscurity in the market, biased parents, etc.

It should be openly known to all that education and jobs are not gender specific. Instead, they are open to everyone. It is good news that in modern society, a woman going out of the house or even abroad, to study or to work, is not something uncommon anymore. Both genders must have equal right to acquire knowledge and pursue a career.

However, at some points, men are still considered the powerful gender so they tend to be valued more and are given greater privilege. However, they (both genders) must have a platform on which everyone has equal opportunities and chances for success.

Personally, I think men and women, both are powerful and strong, in their own way, for example it is a woman who brings a new being into this life by giving birth. Further, it is women in most cases who fully nurture their children and make them into who they are. This is one of the many things they deserve appreciation and credit for.

Back in the day, women were not even allowed to vote which shows that a woman’s opinion was equivalent to nothing and made no difference. A big change has been brought about in the many years: women are now permitted to vote- this is supported by law and local custom.

Modern natural law theorists and advocates of natural rights, claim that all people have a human nature, regardless of gender, ethnicity or other qualifications; therefore all people should have natural rights.

Nowadays, there are several movements (e.g.: women’s movement) to secure legal, economic and social equality for women. In the long run, equal rights are better for the whole society, because there will not be any sort of discrimination.

 ‘A state that does not educate and train women is like a man who only trains his right arm’ is a quote by Jostein Gaarder, a Norwegian author.

Also, a very important saying is ‘men and women should own the world as a mutual possession’ said by Pearl S. Buck. This shows that neither of the genders should be superior or inferior.

Females should not have to work ten times harder to get the same position which men make a fair effort for.

If there is gender equality present, each person, whether male or female, will know where they stand and what they are capable of in life.

Barack Obama, once the president of United States said ‘Women are not an interest group. They are mothers and daughter and sisters and wives. They are perfectly capable of making their own choices about their health’ which again proves that women should be allowed to do what they want because they can make decisions for themselves, just like men.

Even though, society has thankfully gotten rid of the typical values and norms that women are of no use and should just sit at home, being a house wife- we still need to work harder to create a better true image of women and the rights they deserve.

We all must remember that women’s rights are human rights.