Running head: ANALYSIS OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACROSS THREE NATIONS
Analysis of Women’s Rights Across Three Nations
Julia C. Williams
Western Washington University
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ANALYSIS OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACROSS THREE NATIONS
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INTRODUTION
Every day, all over the world, women face discrimination and hardships as a result of
their gender. These inequalities and injustices prohibit women from basic human rights,
including access to healthcare and education, personal safety and food security, and equal
employment and political rights. According to Amnesty International,
Most of the casualties of war are women and children; most of the world’s refugees and
displaced people are women and children; most of the world’s poor are women and
children. Still, because of persistent discrimination against women and women’s virtual
invisibility, these human rights violations continue with no clear sign of abatement.
(“Women’s Human Rights,” n.d.)
Despite the fact females make up almost half of the world’s population (“Sex Ratio,”
n.d.) they have historically been viewed and treated as less than human – only useful for sex,
childbearing, hard labor, and exploitation. Today, these biases still exist and most women
around the world are forced to surrender to the unfairness if they wish to survive. In this paper, I
will examine women’s treatment and rights across three countries and conduct a comparative
analysis of social, political, and economic variations. I will also address solutions for women’s
rights that have been implemented or attempted in each country, and share a brief conclusion.
ANALYSIS
For my analysis, I chose to focus on the countries of Peru, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan.
Each country is located on a different continent, and each demonstrates a unique reality of
women’s disadvantages. I will explore the major discriminations against women in these
countries including abuse, controlled rights, and poverty. Each country will be presented, and
followed with a discussion of facts and issues regarding central unequal rights and treatment of
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women. The discussion will consider the country’s background, political setting, and economic
climate, and how they impact women’s rights. With this analysis, I hope to provide a
comprehensive overview of a complex issue, which affects millions of women in every region of
the world.
Peru
Peru is a country in Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean and the
countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. It has a population of 30,147,935, which
includes 15,302,353 females, and a birth rate of 18.57 births per 1,000 persons. The average age
of women at first birth is 22.2 years, the maternal mortality rate is 89 deaths per 100,000 live
births, and the infant mortality rate is 20.21 deaths per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the life
expectancy of women in Peru is 75.33 years (“CIA World Factbook: Peru,” n.d.).
According to a 2005 World Health Organization report on women’s health and domestic
violence against women in Lima and Cusco, Peru, findings show a strong prevalence of partner
and/or family member physical and sexual violence against women, and approximately half of
those interviewed reported injuries. Women reported violence during pregnancy (15% and 28%,
Lima and Cusco respectively), physical and sexual violence since the age of 15 years (28% and
32% physical, and 1 in 10 sexual), sexual abuse under 15 years (1 in 5), and forced first sex
(40%). These experiences caused pain, dizziness, problems walking, vaginal discharge, suicidal
thoughts, induced abortions, and miscarriages. One-third of the women never reported the
violence to anyone, one-third sought help from a service provider (police or health care worker),
and over one-quarter stated they did not seek help because the violence was “normal” (not
serious), they felt shame, or they didn’t think they’d be believed (“WHO Multi-country Study,”
2005).
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Peru is governed by a constitutional republic and follows a civil law legal system.
Government officials are elected into office and typically serve a 5-year term – with the
exception of Supreme Court justices, who may be appointed for life or until the age of 70 (“CIA
World Factbook: Peru,” n.d.). Although women are authorized to run for office, a 2014 report
by Social Institutions & Gender Index states,
Women still face discrimination in the political sphere, despite legislation designed to
increase their membership in the national government. The Law of Political Parties
mandates that at least 30% of candidates on the party lists be women at both the national
and sub-national levels, and there are also voluntary quotas maintained by three of the
major political parties. While parties abided by the legislation, the country’s report to
CEDAW [The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women] (in
2004) found that many women candidates were included at the bottom of the party lists,
reducing their likelihood of winning seats on regional and municipal councils. (“Gender
Index: Peru,” n.d.)
Peru bears a steadily changing economy due to fluctuations in world prices. Their main
exports are minerals and metals (60%) and their main imports are foodstuffs. They have a labor
force of 16.55 million with 25.8% of occupations in agriculture, 17.4% in industry, and 56.8% in
services. Their unemployment rate in 2014 was 7.6% and 25.8% of the population lives below
the poverty line (“CIA World Factbook: Peru,” n.d.). Women in Peru are at the highest risk for
unemployment and poverty, and many struggle with restricted resources and assets. In the
previously mentioned 2014 report by Social Institutions & Gender Index, it states,
Peruvian Civil Code upholds the right to ownership for all citizens and Article 2 of the
Constitution guarantees gender equality under the law. However, according to data
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gathered by the FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations],
women’s access to land is hindered by several factors, including illiteracy, displacement,
and lack of knowledge about land rights. Indigenous women’s – and peoples’ more
broadly – rights to land have been seriously impeded by the logging and oil industries. In
2002, only 25% of land title deeds were granted to women. (“Gender Index: Peru,” n.d.)
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is located in Southern Africa, is landlocked, and borders Mozambique,
Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa. It has a population of 13,771,721, which includes
6,900,821 females, and a birth rate of 32.47 births per 1,000 persons. The average age of women
at first birth is 20.5 years, the maternal mortality rate is 470 deaths per 100,000 live births, and
the infant mortality rate is 26.55 deaths per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the life expectancy of
women in Zimbabwe is 55.97 years (“World Factbook: Zimbabwe,” n.d.)
Females in Zimbabwe experience physical and sexual violence, at home and in their
communities. According to a 2003 Bulletin of the World Health Organization regarding
women’s attitudes towards wife beating in Zimbabwe, more than half of all Zimbabwean women
believe that wife beating is justified if a women burns the food, goes out without telling her
spouse, argues with her spouse, refuses to have sex, or neglects her children. The report goes on
to discuss increasing violence in society, severe droughts, and exceptionally high levels of HIV
that often result in orphaned children and companionless women. The report states,
In this type of setting, it has been suggested that violence is more likely to be accepted as
a social norm. Women might not be empowered enough to refuse sex or negotiate for
condom use, or they might be unwilling to be tested for HIV for fear of abuse.
(“WHO Understanding women’s attitudes,” 2003)
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Furthermore, in 2010 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security found that 42% of women in
Zimbabwe had experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime and 21.6% of
women aged 15-49 were subjected to forced first sex (“Gender Index: Zimbabwe,” n.d.).
Zimbabwe is governed by a parliamentary democracy and follows a mixed legal system
of English common law, Roman-Dutch civil law, and customary law. The president can be
nominated for candidacy with as little as 10 registered voters’ support, and the candidate with the
popular vote serves a five-year term. Presidency carries no term limits and as a result, President
Robert Mugabe has been in power since December 31, 1987. The Supreme Court chief justice
and 4 judges are appointed by the president and typically serve until the age 65 (“World
Factbook: Zimbabwe,” n.d.)
Women are authorized to run for office in Zimbabwe and the Constitution mandates
gender balance in government. Seats are reserved for women in the National Assembly and
candidates are listed alternatively by gender, females heading every list. Even so, according to a
2014 report by Social Institutions & Gender Index states,
Reports by Amnesty International in 2007 and, most recently in 2013, describe the
targeting of women engaged in peaceful protests and harsh treatment of women in
detention by police. The U.S. Department of State has also reported sexual violence
against women associated with political violence. For instance, one local NGO reported
that at least 50 women were raped during the 2008 election-related violence. (“Gender
Index: Zimbabwe,” n.d.)
Zimbabwe carries a struggling economy due to poor harvests, low diamond revenues, and
decreased investment. According to the CIA World Factbook, “Infrastructure and regulatory
deficiencies, a poor investment climate, a large public and external debt burden, and extremely
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high government wage expenses impeded the country’s economic performance” (“World
Factbook: Zimbabwe,” n.d.). Its main exports are platinum, cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys,
and textiles, and its main imports are machinery and transport equipment, manufactures,
chemicals, fuels, and food products. They have a labor force of 5.63 million with 66% of
occupations in agriculture, 10% in industry, and 24% in services. Their estimated
unemployment rate in 2009 was 95% and 68% of the population lives below the poverty line
(“World Factbook: Zimbabwe,” n.d.).
Women are constitutionally granted equal rights to land in Zimbabwe but customary law
is often used to limit their rights – awarding primary land rights to husbands and sons. This
results in loss of property for loan collateral, which creates an economic inequality for women.
In the same 2014 report by Social Institutions & Gender Index, it states,
Although financial institutions are prohibited from discriminating against women in
granting loans, the government’s most recent report to the Convention on the Elimination
of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) indicated that many women are
disadvantaged because they lack collateral security due to their weaker economic
position. It is reported that women have benefited from government programmes
providing small loans, however women’s access to larger loans remain limited. (“Gender
Index: Zimbabwe,” n.d.)
Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a country in Southern Asia, is landlocked, and borders Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan, and small stretches of China and India. It has a
population of 31,822,848, which includes 15,682,479 females, and a birth rate of 38.84 births per
1,000 persons. The average age of women at first birth is 20.1 years, the maternal mortality rate
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is 400 deaths per 100,000 live births, and the infant mortality rate is 117.23 deaths per 1,000 live
births. Additionally, the life expectancy of women in Afghanistan is 51.88 years (“World
Factbook: Afghanistan,” n.d.).
Despite the Taliban takedown in 2001, females in Afghanistan continue to fall short of
basic human rights and securities. These women often face threats to their personal safety
(including beatings and other physical abuse), harassment, sexual assault, and restriction of
employment, education, health care, behavior, dress, expression, and movement. Although the
government has criminalized 22 acts as violent against women in Afghanistan, data gathered by
the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and women’s rights organizations
show violence is common and harshly carried out. Of the 3331 reported violent occurrences
against Afghan women in 2012, the data reveals 256 were sexual in nature (“Gender Index:
Afghanistan,” n.d.).
Sexual violence was experienced in many ways, such as forced sexual violence (71),
demand for illegal sex/anal sex (62) and acts of sexual insult/humiliation (50), forced
prostitution (18), extramarital affair (27), forced abortion (8), forced to watch
pornographic movies (1) and other ways of sexual violence (16). (“Gender Index:
Afghanistan,” n.d.)
Afghanistan is governed by an Islamic republic and follows a mixed legal system
of civil, customary, and Islamic law. Government officials are elected into office and serve
terms varying from 3 years to 5 years; the president serves a 5-year term and is eligible for a
second term. The Supreme Court Chief and 8 justices are appointed by the president and serve a
single 10-year term (“World Factbook: Afghanistan,” n.d.). A 2013 survey suggests 44% of
Afghans support gender-equal representation in government, and the Afghan constitution
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requires 68 of the 249 seats in the lower house of the national assembly be occupied by women,
and 50% of the president’s upper house appointees must be women (“Gender Index:
Afghanistan,” n.d.). Yet, according to a 2014 report by Social Institutions & Gender Index,
“…traditional societal practices, including the need for male escorts or permission to work, that
limit women’s participation in politics and activities outside the home community likely
continued to influence the central government’s male-dominated composition.” The report went
on to state, “Women active in public life continue to face levels of threats and violence and are
often the target of attacks by the Taliban and other insurgent groups (“Gender Index:
Afghanistan,” n.d.).
The economic climate of Afghanistan has somewhat improved since 2001, but the
country still remains very poor and dependent on foreign aid. Widespread lawlessness, sluggish
administration, and an absence of economic framework, result in inadequate housing, and lack of
clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. The country’s main exports are opium, fruits and
nuts, hand-woven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, and precious and semi-precious gems,
and its main imports are machinery and other capital goods, food, textiles, and petroleum
products. They have an estimated labor force of 7.51 million, with 78.6% of occupations in
agriculture, 5.7% in industry, and 15.7% in services. Their estimated unemployment rate in
2008 was 35%, and 36% of the population lives below the poverty line (“World Factbook:
Afghanistan,” n.d.).
According to the previously mentioned 2014 report by Social Institutions & Gender
Index,
Women in Afghanistan greatly contribute to the economy; for instance, 2008 data reveal
that women represent 65% of the agricultural workforce and play a significant role in the
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non-agricultural exports of the country, primarily carpets. However, very few women
own land or livestock, and when they do own land and livestock in rural areas, their level
of control over their property/assets varies markedly. (“Gender Index: Afghanistan,”
n.d.)
The Afghan constitution permits women to own or gain land but due to governing laws, “Afghan
women are practically denied their legal rights to inheritance and ownership over land or any
other immoveable property by culture, traditional, and societal pressure” (“Gender Index:
Afghanistan,” n.d.). Afghan women have limited access to financial services and many can only
apply for a loan with the permission of their husband or in-laws. Due to their lack of land and
property for collateral, “Access to loans and other forms of financial support from extended
family and friends is also difficult for women due to their inability to use traditional male social
networks” (“Gender Index: Afghanistan,” n.d.).
SOLUTIONS
Peru
Violence against women in Peru is deeply rooted, and polices against domestic violence
only took shape in 1988 as a result of the feminist movement and grass roots organizations.
Unfortunately, the implementation of the policies lacked resources and enforcement, and
discrimination and corruption ensued. According to Boesten (2006),
The legal and institutional framework in question was implemented at a time when Peru
was undergoing a process of pacification following twelve years of internal conflict that
left almost 70,000 victims and brought the country to virtual collapse. Its implementation
coincided with an increase in male violence towards women in areas that had been
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particularly affected by the political violence, as reported by the Truth and Reconciliation
Committee. (p. 356)
Interestingly, Boesten points out that after interviewing Peruvian women, it appears some
women themselves have created and used shared solutions to combat violence, slowly resulting
in new forms of communication. Various organizations are dedicated to empowering women
and ending domestic violence in Peru, including Womankind and DEMUS (a Peruvian feminist
organization). They work to increase public awareness of sexual violence and the forced
sterilizations against women that occurred during Peru’s internal conflict. They also work to
empower women survivors of violence and improve access to justice (“Empowering woman
survivors,” n.d.).
Zimbabwe
Considering President Mugabe has been in power for 27 years and extreme violence and
human rights violations continue in Zimbabwe, it appears that implementing or attempting
solutions to combat issues is a difficult task. But Osirim (2001), concludes,
Despite the economic crisis and the more recent political challenges faced by the Mugabe
government, two women’s organizations have emerged in Zimbabwe in the past decade
that serve as models to other women’s NGOs on the continent – the Zimbabwe Women’s
Resource Center and Network, and the Musasa Project Trust. (p. 179)
The organizations focus on poor and low-income women, and design programs that directly
assist grassroots women. They are recognized for energizing and empowering women, and
“giving voice” to women’s concerns in Zimbabwe (Osirim, 2001, p. 179).
Afghanistan
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It is clear from the CIA World Factbook report that women in Afghanistan face high
maternal mortality rates, high infant mortality rates, and a low average life expectancy.
According to Wilson (2011), she spent 8-months providing healthcare to Afghan women and
children, often facing danger, sleeping in substandard conditions without electricity or showers,
and eating freeze-dried meals. Following her stay, she concluded, “Afghanistan’s health status is
the poorest in the world” and “In the villages, the health status of women and children has not
changed significantly in the past 40 years” (p. 261).
UNICEF is a leading organization improving access to healthcare for women and
children in Afghanistan with mobile health teams. According to UNICEF’s website,
The mobile team includes a midwife, two vaccinators, a community health supervisor and
a community health worker. The team provides a variety of services for free. They
check who has been vaccinated and give vaccination. They screen for malnutrition and
other health complications and provide basic medical treatment and give nutritional
advice. (“Health care for children and women,” n.d.)
As a result of UNICEF’s mobile units, even women in the most remote regions of Afghanistan
can receive healthcare, and more mothers and babies are able to survive.
CONCLUSION
The analysis of Peru, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan indicate various levels of violence and
rights violations against women confined to the countries. Although all three countries allow
women to participate in government and land ownership, women are grossly underrepresented in
office, they are often threatened with violence for engaging in politics, and most do not possess
any land or assets. Solutions presented for the countries show some promise for a better future,
but it is clear these shifts won’t happen swiftly and require long-term investments of service. I
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hope to be in a position one day to assist and use my voice to help bring needed change (of any
size) to the unwavering women in these countries, and watch them thrive as equals socially,
politically, and economically.
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