Human Rights and Women

VOA Editorial

The United States is very concerned about the rights of women and girls around the world. The
latest State Department human rights report points out that the overall economic standing of
women has improved. But the report makes clear that a great deal remains to be done.

The plight of women in Afghanistan is a case in point. Afghan women continue to suffer some
of the most serious abuses of women anywhere in the world. The ruling Taliban have restricted
women from working outside the home except in very limited circumstances such as in health
care and humanitarian assistance. They also severely restrict access by women and girls to
many levels of education.

Elsewhere, women continue to face a wide range of human rights abuses. Many governments
still fail to act against "honor killings," domestic violence, and even rape. In China, many women
are subjected to coercive family planning practices, including forced abortion and forced
sterilization. The trafficking of women and girls remains a serious problem in many parts of the
world, particularly in Southeast Asia. In India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, dowry-related violence
remains a serious problem.

Another abuse of women's rights is female genital mutilation. It is practiced in much of
Sub-Saharan Africa and to varying degrees in Egypt, Oman, and Yemen. This practice can
cause severe health consequences for women and girls.

No society is truly free until the rights of all its citizens -- including women and girls -- are
respected. This includes elimination of violence against them. It is hoped that by highlighting
these abuses, changes will be made and the lives of women and girls will be improved.