GENDER RIGHTS FOR ALL

Welcome to our online learning blog that focuses on gender rights across the world. Our mission is to provide you with detailed information on gender rights and how they vary based on different cultures and regions. We have spent countless hours researching and compiling this information to share with you. Read on to explore the importance of gender rights.

Explore Our Topics

Explore Our Topics

Transgender Rights in the UK

FGM in Tanzania

Ugandan LGBT Rights

Reporoductive Rights in US

Clothing and Gender in Japan

Collective / Manifesto

Transgender Rights

Transgender rights are really important for everyone. They help make sure that everyone, no matter who they are, is treated fairly and kindly. Just like anyone else, transgender individuals deserve to be happy and safe. When we support these rights, we make our world a better place for everyone.

Dignity and Equality

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Denying or ignoring the rights of transgender people can lead to severe mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and a higher risk of suicide. When transgender individuals are supported and affirmed in their gender identity, they exhibit significantly improved mental health and overall well-being.

Ugandan LGBTQ Rights

The Anti-Homosexuality Act

During the 21st century, the world has made a lot of progress in recognizing and affirming the identities of people who identify as LGBTQ. However, a lot of this progress has only been made socially and culturally, and there are still cases of abuse and homophobia in other parts of the world. In 2014, the Ugandan government proposed the Anti-Homosexuality Act for their people. This legislation criminalized all acts of same-sex relationships, some of which are punishable by death. This act was officially passed in May of this year, 2023. It is now illegal for anyone in Uganda to engage in any act that is viewed as homosexual. It is also illegal to support members of the LGBTQ community. This directly abuses the human rights which protect discrimination, wrongful imprisonment, liberty, and privacy.

Impact and Responses

The most obvious result of the Anti-Homosexuality Act is the criminal implications. People have wrongfully prosecuted, arrested from protests, and physically abused under police jurisdiction. Many people have reported being forced to undergo excessive anal examinations after being arrested under the Anti-Homosexuality Act. More pressing than the criminal implications are the social consequences of this act. Some Ugandan citizens who view homosexuality as “un-African” or sinful have taken this legislation as permission to attack their neighbors. There have been 180 cases of evictions and banishments, 176 cases of torture or cruel and inhumane treatment, 159 cases of discrimination, and 102 mental health cases directly caused by these violations, according to the Kuchu Times, a magazine promoting tolerance and education across Africa.

There is very little international support for this act. President Biden condemns the Anti-Homosexuality Act, and has addressed it as an endangerment for the people of Uganda. Several members of the United Nations, such as the secretary general and the human rights chief, have also called for justice on this matter, claiming it to be a gross infringement on human rights. LGBTQ organizations across the world are also retaliating against this, but most have little luck within the nation’s borders due to the danger of being arrested for “promoting homosexuality”.

Solutions and Strategies

Our best hope in remedying the abuses in Uganda is by educating its citizens to tolerate and accept their neighbors, and educating the world on the situation within the nation. Much of the basis for the act is religious and patriotic, as it is believed that homosexuality is a sin that was imported from the western world. In order to ensure that this religious basis doesn’t impact the functions of the government, I believe in instating a separation of church and state within Uganda. Through the use of media, both to spread the word and to educate the people of Uganda, I think it is possible to help the people understand the consequences of this legislation. The power of the people may be enough to convince the government to overturn the act and instate a separation of ideologies. In doing so, the Ugandan people will be further protected in their rights to love who they want to love.

Clothing and Gender in Japan

Japanese gender non-conforming and transgender people face a unique struggle in a homogenous society. Historical context shows gender discrimination and disparity as a prevailing issue, especially regarding the treatment and exclusion of women. For gender non-conforming individuals, becoming a television personality, a nightlife host, or working primarily in the entertainment sector are the only viable, safe options for employment. Legal discrimination against transgender individuals is rampant, leading many of those existing outside of the gender binary to hide their true identities. Given these social realities, membership of subcultural fashion groups in the Japanese context is within itself an act of resistance against the social norms that govern broad society. Several subcultural fashion groups stemming from Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood have created unique expressions of gender that help reinforce their rights to full, authentic expression, dignity, and self-determination. Using these subcultures as case studies, I explore the implications of gender expression through dress and appearance in the urban Japanese context.

Japan's Unique Context

Gender is viewed through traditional, conservative lens
History of gender-based social and economic disparity
Women and gender-nonconforming people at disadvantage in almost all sectors

Facts and Figures

World Economic Forum placed Japan in 121st out of 153 countries in gender equality
Women in leadership roles make an average 43.7% less than male counterparts
Only 2% of corporate directors are women
Only 11% of corporate managers are women
Women make up a significantly lower proportion of students in STEM fields. To balance the gap, in 2018 the University of Tokyo’s College of Medicine artificially lowered female students’ grades to make male students look better, raise male attendance

Importance of Issue at Hand

Those who do not fit into their gender role are ostracized. Women who do are at an economic disadvantage
If women are treated as less-than, these issues are compounded for those outside of the gender binary
Subcultures create safe spaces for alternative expressions of gender. Allow nonbinary, transgender, and other identities to flourish

Subcultures Included in Research

Dansō/Genderless

Visual Kei

Genderless Kei

Proposed Recommendations

Higher Japanese youth voter turnout could lead to socially progressive politicians in power
Financial and social support for LGBT organizations in and working in Japan
Success in other countries, protections based on gender presentation to prevent legal discrimination

FGM in Tanzania

This study unveils the deeply rooted practices of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and its significant impact on young women, particularly those under 18. Despite being outlawed in Tanzania in 1998 (UNFPA), the persistence of FGM/C prompts a critical examination of its prevalence and the infringement on the fundamental rights of young women to lead authentic lives.

FGM/C is deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and traditional beliefs. Legislative efforts notwithstanding, prevalence remains notably high, especially in rural areas. This practice, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO 2023) as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons,” affects over 200 million girls globally.

In places like Tanzania, FGM/C intertwines with religious customs. Although not endorsed by religious scriptures, some communities associate it with their religious identity, contributing to the paradoxical nature of its persistence (Klouman, et al. 2005, 112). Moreover, FGM/C is embedded in traditional initiation ceremonies, including education and marriage preparation, adding layers of complexity to its eradication.

Despite variations between urban and rural areas in Tanzania, where 17.3% of women in rural settings and 7.8% in urban regions report experiencing FGM/C (DHS 2011, 296), a concerning commonality emerges. Ninety percent of women in both settings report having flesh removed without subsequent sewing, emphasizing the need for comprehensive efforts to address this practice across all societal strata (DHS 2011, 296). Notably, a recent study by Mwanja (2023, 9) found that 68.8% of individuals were willing to practice FGM (Figure 1), highlighting the persistence of this deeply rooted cultural tradition.

The long-term effects of FGM, including painful urination, discomfort during intercourse, an elevated risk of childbirth complications, and psychological issues like depression and low self-esteem (WHO 2023), underscore the enduring consequences faced by those subjected to this practice.

I strongly argue against FGM/C due to its violation of fundamental human rights, especially health and the freedom to live authentically. Girls undergoing FGM/C before the age of one face immediate and enduring health complications. Survivors often grapple with long-term effects, including painful urination, discomfort during intercourse, an elevated risk of childbirth complications, depression, and low self-esteem.

Unequal distribution of labor and rights teaches girls that they are less valued in the family and society, emphasizing the societal implications of FGM/C perpetuating gender-based discrimination. The intertwining of FGM/C with religious identities and initiation ceremonies in specific Tanzanian communities adds layers of complexity to its elimination.

In conclusion, urgent intervention is essential to combat FGM/C. Efforts must extend beyond legal measures, advocating for a culturally sensitive approach that respects

traditions while prioritizing human rights. Join the call to end Female Genital Mutilation, supporting a world where every young woman can make informed choices about her body and life, free from harm and discrimination.

Figure 1 (Mwanja, Charlotte H., et al. 2023)

Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States

Roe’s establishment

The legal right of a woman to choose to have an abortion was established by the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling by the Supreme Court and this historical lawsuit continues to be the pillar of reproductive rights.

The broader human rights framework needs to include protections for women's reproductive rights. They currently include the values of individuality, gender equality, thorough healthcare, and social justice. Recognizing and upholding these rights is still crucial in the current global context for furthering the equality and well-being of people and society everywhere; however, expansion is crucial.

By The State

States have enacted a complex web of laws and rules pertaining to abortion that limit or permit whether, when, and under what conditions healthcare practitioners can provide abortion services and a pregnant person can get an abortion.

Most restrictive: Abortion is completely banned with very limited exceptions.
Very Restrictive: Abortion is banned at 12 weeks and later
Restrictive: Abortion is banned at 22 weeks and later
Some: Abortion is banned starting at the third trimester
Protective: Abortion is banned at fetal viability, generally 24–26 weeks of pregnancy
Very protective: Abortion is not restricted based on gestational age
Most protective: Abortion is not restricted based on gestational age. Funds available to help pay.

Current Issues

On June 24th, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned not only Roe v. Wade, but also Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

There is a division in the country between pro-choice advocates and pro-life advocates. Pro-choice activists support a woman’s freedom to choose—this means the choice of whether or not to have an abortion. Pro-life activists are opposed to abortion and fight for the rights of the fetus. These organizations frequently fight for their rights in court.

These closures are typically in areas where healthcare access is already limited. Low-income persons, those living in rural areas, and members of marginalized communities may have restricted access to reproductive healthcare, which exacerbates the gaps in women's reproductive rights.

Call to Action - "What you can do"

We would like to present an easy first step that nearly everyone could take to create a global conversation about gender: We encourage everyone to create a post on their social media platform of choice that explains how their gender identity has allowed them (for better or for worse) to have experiences unique to their circumstances. This would create an open dialogue between those experiencing gender discrimination and those who have never experienced hardship based on their gender, allowing for the sharing of ideas and bolstering a global movement toward gender equality.