All women are entitled to human rights. These include the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage.

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However, across the globe, many women and girls still face discrimination based on sex and gender. Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare.

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As the United Nations says, “Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is not just a goal in itself, but a key to sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and security.” The universal truth is that we cannot have a free and equal society until everyone is free and equal. Until women around the world enjoy the same rights as men, this inequality is everyone’s problem.