Women are treated with disrespect in many parts of the world. Whether it is paying them less than men for the same work, physically abusing them, or categorizing them as weaker than men, women are looked down upon. They are seen as lesser than men and in some countries, are treated as objects.

In the United States alone, 683,000 American women are raped on a consistent basis, which equates to 78 afflicted individuals per hour. One in four women will be sexually harassed in her life. About 32,000 pregnancies in America are rape-related. Society continues to say that feminism is not relevant to our generation anymore. People say that genders are equal and there is no need for any more movements that fight for equality, but that just proves injustice for all the suffering women who have been disrespected and looked down upon to this day.

In Afghanistan, two young girls, ages 16 and 18, were walking to school calmly as they went on their way to learn. School is where they get an education, where they learn about the world and what is happening around them. Education teaches them and helps their minds grow stronger. Education is such a precious opportunity that everyone human being deserves. However, there are many who think differently, specifically two men who believe that women do not deserve an education. As a reflection of their perspective, they purchased a bottle of acid and threw it at the female students’ faces. The acid creates burns on the area that it touches and leaves eternal scars as well as physical impairments. This horrifying and life changing form of violence is mainly used against women. Some other reasons for acid attacks include a woman’s refusal of a marriage proposal or because they refused to sleep with them.

This is a sickening act of sexism that they justify by saying women are less, that women do not deserve human rights. But why are women not as “good” or “strong” as men? Women have the same will power, if not more; they have strength, and they have passion. They are not objects, but instead beautiful human beings that are intelligent and brave. Just like every male, females should be treated with respect because they possess the same human rights as much as the next person.

There are have been organizations and gender movements that are essential to gender equality. For example, HeForShe is a gender equality movement started by the UN Women. Their goal is to take action on discrimination against women and involve men in the movement as well. They call it “A Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality.” Emma Watson, a key figure in the HeForShe movement and also a British actress, has spoken about gender inequality and was able to effectively address the problem as well as encourage people to engage in the movement.

As the world is evolving, the past stereotypes and limitations we put on each gender should be stopped. Every human being deserves the equal right to live and express him or herself without society restricting them due to one’s gender.