Global Q&A: ‘Do you think there is a need for more emphasis on women’s rights in your country?’

Quratallann Haq, Lahore, Pakistan

Depending on the country, women still need greater protection, better work opportunities, and more recognition of the important role they play. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Peru to Pakistan found out when, in honor of International Women’s Day, they asked women “Do you think there is a need for more emphasis on women’s rights in your country?”

Lahore, Pakistan Quratallann Haq, 65, University Professor Yes, there is a need for greater emphasis on women’s rights in all respects in this country. Starting inside the home, boys and girls should get equal opportunities and choices. Generally, girls from poor or economic classes and tribal families do not get to choose their husbands, or if they will get an education; the family, meaning the father, brother, or husband has the say. In upper class/wealthy families, women generally, have all their rights available to them. Women have more rights now than they did when I was young, and there are also women publicly speaking out for women’s rights.

Lima, Peru Vanessa Agurto, 19, University Student Yes, I think we still need to improve the rights of women. There are battered women, single mothers, and there is not much protection for them. Today, women have to go to work like men to provide financial assistance to their homes, but I see that now, laws are beginning to support them.

Toronto, Canada Danielle Haigh, 27, Flight Attendant No, not really. I don’t really follow women’s rights movements or anything, but I don’t feel like I’ve been disadvantaged at all. I have had the same education and employment opportunities as men, the same political rights.

Wellington, New Zealand Patricia Lara, 30, Chef from Chile Yes, I think here, [New Zealand] the women have … more opportunity for study and for work. I think in a company it’s not very different—the salary of a man and a woman. But in my country [Chile] for the same work, the woman is always paid less.

Medellin, Colombia Tatiana Bermudez Arango, 20, Secretary Student Yes, especially because we are in a chauvinist society where even if women and men are legally equal, in a lot of companies or institutions, these rights are not respected. Women are harassed and suffer psychological and sexual abuse. We need a real equality, and better job opportunities, and support their potential.

Igogwe, Tanzania Sr. Eyodia Mwiho, 43, Lab Technician Yes, because women are the only ones who take care of the family, of the community, so if you emphasize women, you will do good for the society. And women can be good leaders.

Brooklyn, New York, USA Celia Faussart, 32, Artist I think that every country should work on equal rights for women. I think it’s not bad here. More support should especially be given to single mothers. They are the most in need.

Mooloolaba, Australia Jessica Ruby Davis, 25, Sales Representative Equal rights should be first and foremost in any country, no matter where it is. I don’t feel in any type of business or social statuses that there should be any difference between men and women. Opportunity should be there for everybody no matter what race or gender. I think peoples’ perceptions should be changed. Everybody has a different view, and perception is not reality. Everybody has a different side to their story, and if that was taken out and everybody was looked upon equally then it wouldn’t be an issue at all.

Eksjö, Sweden Eva Ekelund, 53, Cake Shop Assistant I don’t think we need that, compared to others. We are not locked in our relationship with men. I cannot think of one thing now where we are not equal to the men. When it comes to gender, it is another thing.

Puerto Montt, Chile Laura Carrillo Nayncucheo, 28, Travel Agent Of course, there is so much work to do both on a social level, and in terms of career. Sometimes the same job would be paid less if it is done by a woman. At the social level, generally the activities for women have a different connotation than those for men. At a human level, single mothers are discriminated against—even if for making a baby there is the participation of a woman and a man, but it’s the woman who has to raise the child alone, so in conclusion in my country, women do need more rights.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “If you had to lower your personal spending, what would be the first thing you’d cut?”