Women’s Rights

On this year’s 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, carrying the legacy of our namesake, Monsieur René Cassin, women’s rights are fundamental to the enjoyment of all human rights.
“Where after all do human rights begin if not in small places, close to home” (Eleanor Roosevelt, 1958).
“Gender equality is the unfinished business of our time” (UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 2018).

At a time when women and girls are facing harassment and assault on a large scale across the UK, it is important to remind society about the universality of fundamental human rights and their Jewish legacy. Though women seem to have these rights on paper, in practice they are restricted, especially for women from marginalized groups such as women refugees, Roma and Gypsy women and disabled women.
All women should be able to walk home, go to school and work without the fear of being harassed. From the police, local authorities, and government policies, they are failing in their positive obligations to ensure women’s and girls’ safety. Addressing this has never been more urgent. Women and girls deserve better. The police, government and workplaces must do better.
We stand up for the rights of ordinary people against power perpetuating hate and violence. Safety for women is necessary for equality, including in their homes, their neighbourhoods, the schools they attend and their workplaces, ‘where after all do human rights begin if not in small places, close to home’ (Eleanor Roosevelt, 1958).
“Women’s rights are universal!”

René Cassin Women’s Seder
Campaign priorities include:
- To protect existing (e.g. Human Rights Act; Public Harassment Bill) and ensure new legislation (e.g. Online Harms Bill) promoting women’s safety.
- To stand in solidarity with marginalised women’s groups.
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