Feminist Theory and Activism - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages The issue of women's rights in reality is at least comparable to the importance of civil and political rights that should be afforded to all human beings. Charlesworth clearly points out that there is a significant imbalance concerning the manner in which international human rights are defined and implemented in the public and private sphere.
Until there is meaningful discussion as to the way international human rights articulates its concern for the protection of women's rights, women in divergent regions across the globe will continue to suffer from abuse and oppressive doctrine in non-progressive nation-states. These factors can lead to societal deterioration and reversion to the mistakes of the past that has plagued nations while preventing their ascension into the modern era of nations who are benefiting from a culture of inclusion, tolerance, and societal interaction with one another. These are the building blocks for success at home and abroad amongst respectable members of the international community. These members of the international community must also play a
more active role in developing legislation that is more demanding of societies that have a history of abuse and oppression. Also, there must be an honest and frank discussion of the problems that have prevented the acceptance of women in all societies across the globe in order to find the solutions to these problems, as the lives of countless millions of women hang in the balance.



Feminist Theory and Activism 4

A major effect of the gender nature of the public/private split is that human rights violations of women that occur between "private" individuals have been made invisible and deemed to be beyond the purview of the state. It is particularly important to note that gender is a significant factor in the decisions of governments to intervene in the so-called private sphere to prosecute human rights violations. For example, many activities that take place in the private sphere, such as murder between siblings or the systematic enslavement African peoples in the ...Download file to see next pagesRead More