Today is International Women’s Day, a day for celebrating how far we have come in securing women’s rights, but also for thinking about all those who have been left behind.
Despite Eleanor Roosevelts affirmation that human rights begin “in small places, close to home”, so too do discrimination and violence against women.
The current UK immigration system routinely detains vulnerable women – often those who were victims of torture or trafficking and slavery in their home countries. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women, pregnant migrant women, victims of trafficking and survivors of gender-based violence, are still being refused access to basic health services on a regular basis.
It is true that much progress has been made for women and women’s rights. But rights must be fought for and preserved. Through the promotion of human rights, we must continue to push back against discrimination and violence. Because, of course, women’s rights are human rights.
International Women’s Day 2019: Fundraising for Freedom
To Advance Women’s Rights, We Must Promote Human Rights – By Mia Hasenson-Gross, René Cassin Director
The Women Behind The Universal Declaration of Human Rights – René Cassin’s Hannah Swirsky writing on RightsInfo
