By Liza Black
The views expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy or Harvard Kennedy School. These perspectives have been presented to encourage debate on important public policy challenges.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor the remarkable achievements of all women and girls in the ongoing fight for equality, justice, and empowerment. From securing the right to vote to breaking barriers in the workplace, women have made indelible contributions to society. In the United States, landmark legislation such as Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) have advanced protections for women, while globally women’s movements have amplified voices against gender-based violence and discrimination. Despite these strides, women continue to be harmed with impunity. Women continue to face systemic barriers, including over-policing, racism, homophobia, classism, gendered and racialized wage gaps, family and domestic violence, and limited access to healthcare. Moreover, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the continued crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women underscores the fragility of hard-won protections and the urgent need to safeguard women’s autonomy over their bodies, especially poor women and women from marginalized populations in the United States.
Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue, exacerbated by cultural norms and inadequate legal protections.
Internationally, the fight for women’s rights faces obstacles similar to those of women in the United States, especially impoverished women. In many global regions, women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict, poverty, and climate change, with limited access to educational and economic opportunities. Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue, exacerbated by cultural norms and inadequate legal protections. These challenges highlight the interconnectedness of the global struggle for gender equality and the importance of solidarity across nation-state borders. On this International Women’s Day, we can reaffirm our commitment to advancing women’s rights and protections, both in the States and globally, and call on leaders, organizations, and individuals to take concrete actions to ensure a future where every woman and girl can thrive free from discrimination and violence.
Liza Black, Associate Professor of History and Native American and Indigenous Studies, Indiana University; Racial Justice Fellow, Carr Center
Lorie Shaull - flickr
