The Global Rollback of Women's Rights and its Impact on Local Societies

Starting with Afghanistan:

Women enjoyed considerable freedoms in the mid-20th century, particularly under the progressive constitution of 1964. Women could attend school, enter the workforce, and hold government positions. This period of relative freedom ended with the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s, when women were banned from public life, education, and employment. After the U.S. invasion in 2001, many of these rights were restored, but only briefly. With the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Afghan women once again face severe restrictions.

Impact on Society:

The exclusion of women from education and the workforce has devastating consequences for Afghanistan’s economy and social fabric. Without the participation of half the population, the country's development is severely stunted. Moreover, the suppression of women’s rights perpetuates cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and dependency, further entrenching Afghanistan’s fragile status as one of the poorest nations in the world. The societal regression is stark, as girls are denied the opportunity to learn while entire generations grow up without the contributions of educated women in public life.

Iran:

Women’s Rights in the Shadow of Revolution

Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iranian women enjoyed significant freedoms, including access to education, employment, and family rights. Following the revolution, these rights were swiftly curtailed as Sharia law became the basis for the legal system. Mandatory veiling laws were introduced, and women were increasingly excluded from public life. Despite ongoing protests and resistance from Iranian women, many legal restrictions on their rights remain in place today.

Impact on Society:

The forced rollback of women’s rights in Iran has led to a deeply polarized society, where women continue to fight for the freedoms they lost. Women’s participation in education and the workforce remains relatively high compared to other conservative societies, but their exclusion from politics and decision-making processes has created a deeply unequal power dynamic. The repression of women has also sparked global movements of solidarity, as the protests in Iran have garnered international attention. This societal tension between progressive forces and the conservative government continues to create instability in the country.

Poland:

The Battle Over Reproductive Rights

Poland was once known for its progressive stance on women’s reproductive rights. However, in recent years, the government has imposed some of the strictest abortion laws in Europe. The 2020 ruling by Poland’s Constitutional Court, which effectively banned abortions in cases of severe fetal defects, sparked nationwide protests. Many women now face limited access to abortion services, even in cases of rape or danger to their health.

Impact on Society:

Poland’s restrictions on reproductive rights have created deep divisions within society. The government’s conservative stance is at odds with a large portion of the population, particularly younger generations and urban communities, who have mobilized in massive protests. The restrictions have also led to dangerous situations where women are forced to seek illegal abortions or carry pregnancies to term despite severe health risks. This has placed additional strain on Poland's healthcare system and intensified the emotional and financial toll on families. Furthermore, the country’s international reputation as a progressive member of the European Union has been damaged, highlighting the tension between national policies and broader European values.

The United States:

The Aftermath of Roe v. Wade’s Overturn

The U.S. had long been a beacon for women’s reproductive rights, with the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing a woman’s right to abortion. However, in 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned this decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, allowing states to set their own abortion laws. This led to an immediate wave of restrictive abortion laws across many states, particularly in the South and Midwest, effectively curbing access to reproductive health services for millions of women.

Impact on Society:

The reversal of federal abortion rights in the U.S. has had a profound impact, not only on women's health and autonomy but also on the political landscape. States with restrictive abortion laws have seen increased travel for women seeking care in neighboring states, creating disparities in healthcare access based on geographic location. This division has deepened political polarization in the U.S., with reproductive rights becoming a major issue in elections. Moreover, the legal and social upheaval has disproportionately affected low-income women and women of color, who already face systemic barriers in healthcare and economic stability. The rollback has also sparked fears that other hard-won rights, such as access to contraception or same-sex marriage, could be similarly threatened.

Turkey:

A Return to Conservative Values

Under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the early 20th century, Turkey became one of the most progressive nations in the Islamic world regarding women's rights. However, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Turkey has seen a return to more conservative values, especially regarding women’s roles in society. In 2021, Turkey withdrew from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty designed to protect women from violence, raising concerns about the safety and status of women.

Impact on Society:

The rollback of women's rights in Turkey, particularly the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, has sparked widespread protests and criticism, both domestically and internationally. The move has left women more vulnerable to domestic violence, as legal protections are weakened. Additionally, the return to conservative values has eroded women’s participation in public life, leading to greater inequality in both economic and political spheres. This societal shift has also contributed to Turkey’s growing isolation from Europe, as the country moves further away from the democratic ideals it once aspired to.

Russia:

Erosion of Domestic Violence Protections

Russia has long struggled with gender inequality, but recent years have seen a disturbing rollback of protections for women. In 2017, the Russian government decriminalized certain forms of domestic violence, making it harder for women to seek protection from abusive situations. This legal shift reflects a broader societal movement towards traditional gender roles, encouraged by the government under Vladimir Putin.

Impact on Society:

The weakening of domestic violence protections has left millions of women vulnerable to abuse, with few legal avenues for recourse. This regression has also reinforced harmful stereotypes about women’s roles in the family, undermining efforts to achieve gender equality in the workplace and public life. Russian society has become more patriarchal as a result, with limited opportunities for women to challenge traditional norms. This has further isolated women from positions of power and decision-making, entrenching gender inequality across the country.

The rollback of women’s rights in these countries has far-reaching consequences. Economically, excluding women from education and the workforce stifles growth and innovation, as half the population is prevented from fully contributing to society. Socially, these reversals reinforce harmful gender stereotypes, perpetuate inequality, and fuel cycles of poverty and abuse. Politically, the erosion of women’s rights often coincides with authoritarianism or religious conservatism, leading to broader restrictions on personal freedoms and democratic values.

Women’s rights are a barometer of a society’s overall health. As countries regress in this area, they risk not only harming women but also weakening the fabric of their societies as a whole. The fight for women’s rights is far from over, and the consequences of rolling back these hard-won gains will reverberate for generations.