The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has caused immense suffering, with countless individuals displaced, harmed, and killed over the years. Tensions heightened on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, leading to Israeli retaliation and worsening the conflict. This escalation has created a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with 2.8 million people, including 1.2 million children, in need of assistance amidst airstrikes and bombings.

This moment demands our collective attention, solidarity, and action. As the global community bears witness to the unfolding tragedy, it is crucial to extend support where needed most. This can be done, for example, through donating to established and well-coordinated organisations that work on the frontlines to provide aid and relief. Below we have compiled a list of 14 well-established and trusted charities that help civilians in Palestine.

#1 UN Crisis Relief – Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund

The Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, offers one of the quickest and most effective ways to provide urgent relief on the ground. The Fund consistently collects contributions, enabling it to swiftly aid a diverse range of partners in addressing the high priority humanitarian activities. Managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on behalf of the Humanitarian Coordinator, your donation plays a crucial role in alleviating the immediate needs of those affected by crises in the region.

Donate here: UN Crisis Relief Donation

#2 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

As the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA focuses on ensuring safe pregnancies and fulfilling the potential of young people. Expressing deep concern for women and girls in Gaza, of whom 50,000 are pregnant, UNFPA addresses the critical need for reproductive health supplies and services during the conflict. For every dollar contributed, 92 cents directly fund program and service delivery, while a modest 8 cents cover administrative costs—a testament to the organisation’s efficiency and impact.

Those wishing to support UNFPA’s efforts can contribute directly through their donation page.

#3 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) 

Guided by the Geneva Convention of 1949, ICRC is a humanitarian organisation aiding those affected by global conflicts. Partnering with the Red Cross and Red Crescent chapters, ICRC facilitates neutral humanitarian work in Israel and Palestine. Having maintained a presence in Israel and the occupied territories since 1967, ICRC, as a neutral and independent humanitarian entity, conducts essential work by visiting detainees in Israeli and Palestinian places of detention. Beyond this, the organisation actively contributes to enhancing access to vital services such as water and electricity in Gaza, while simultaneously supporting livelihood projects throughout the occupied territories.

To contribute to ICRC’s impactful initiatives and support its humanitarian mission, donations can be made through its dedicated donation page.

#4 UNICEF (United Nations Children Educational Fund)

Founded to help children in the aftermath of World War II by the UN Relief Rehabilitation Administration, UNICEF has evolved into a global leader in social welfare. Their commitment to humanitarianism is demonstrated through the continuous delivery of medical supplies, fuel, water, and financial support to conflict-affected children and their families. UNICEF has been at the forefront of responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, distributing emergency family kits, medicines, and medical supplies to those in need. UNICEF received a 92% score from Charity Navigator and received four out of four possible stars.

Contributions can be made through the UNICEF website.

#5 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors Without Borders)

Internationally acclaimed for its proficiency in medical humanitarian aid, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders, specialises in delivering immediate and impartial medical care to individuals confronted by conflicts and crises. The organisation’s humanitarian commitment is evident through its emphasis on addressing the most critical medical needs in challenging and high-risk environments. MSF has been actively operating in Gaza and the West Bank for two decades, focusing on regions where the health systems face significant challenges. MSF also extends its support to Israeli hospitals handling a substantial number of casualties. Recognized for its excellence, Doctors Without Borders received an impressive 98% score from the Charity Navigator evaluator, which affirms MSF’s efficacy as a highly impactful organisation.

For those keen on supporting MSF’s crucial medical interventions, donations can be made directly through their official website.

#6 Oxfam International 

Oxfam, a global organisation, works towards addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality. They implement various programs to bring about positive and sustainable change in affected communities. Operating on the ground in Gaza, Oxfam provides essential humanitarian aid, including clean water, food, and hygiene items to address immediate crisis impacts. Additionally, efforts are underway to repair critical water and wastewater systems damaged in recent bombings. Responding to the challenges of a 14-year Israeli blockade that has rendered Gaza “unlivable” per the UN, Oxfam’s interventions are crucial.

Support their ongoing efforts through donations, contributing to meaningful change in the region.

#7 Anera (The American Near East Refugee Aid)

Anera, with a history dating back to 1968, is a dedicated charity responding to critical needs in the Middle East. They focus on providing both emergency relief and long-term solutions to humanitarian crises in Palestine, Lebanon, and Jordan. In response to the current situation, they have distributed over 4 million meals, 19,850 hygiene kits, and 607,963 medical kits to Palestinian refugees.

Contributions can be made directly through the Anera website or the Palestine Emergency Fund.

#8 Direct Relief

Direct Relief, founded in the aftermath of World War II, specialises in providing targeted medical aid following major emergencies, such as the current war between Israel and Hamas. They collaborate with global agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to bring medical aid into conflict zones and financially support regional partners on the ground.

Individuals can contribute to Direct Relief’s ongoing efforts through their official website.

#9 Save the Children 

Save the Children is a global organisation committed to securing the rights of children—ensuring their survival, protection, development, and participation. With a particular emphasis on conflict zones, the organisation tailors its programs to address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of children. Since their founding after World War I, the organisation has provided aid for every major humanitarian crisis, helping 118 million children in 116 countries. Actively involved since 1953, Save the Children has been supporting Palestinian children affected by ongoing conflict. Right now, their teams are working on distributing essential supplies such as water, food, toiletries, and household essentials. Additionally, efforts include providing fuel and water infrastructure for hospitals, delivering mental health and psychosocial support services for children and caregivers, setting up temporary learning spaces, repairing damaged schools, and identifying the most at-risk children for child protection services.

Donations can be made through the Save the Children website.

#10 World Vision

World Vision, founded in 1950, is a Christian international non-governmental organisation committed to improving the lives of children and those in need globally. They respond to humanitarian crises by supporting vital needs in local communities. Operating in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank since 1975, World Vision has created an extensive community-based presence. In 2023, they assisted more than 136,000 people in 150 villages across the West Bank, providing rapid emergency supplies to families who have lost their homes, creating safe spaces for community members to support each other by restoring spaces destroyed by conflict, as well as offering psychological services.

You can donate to World Vision via their website, or donate directly to the Middle East Crisis Response. You can also support the charity by sponsoring a child.

#11 Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS)

PRCS is the Palestinian affiliate of the Red Crescent movement, providing healthcare services, emergency medical response, and humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict in Palestine. As part of the Red Crescent movement, PRCS operates under the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, instilling trust in its humanitarian mission.

To contribute, visit: PRCS Donation Page

#12 Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund – PCRF

PCRF is a non-political humanitarian relief organisation with 30 years of providing tens of thousands of children with free medical care and supplying necessities to those most in need. PCRF’s impactful initiatives include the establishment of two paediatric cancer departments in Palestine, a new Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), and a paediatric cardiology department in Ramallah, among other critical projects aimed at sustainably strengthening the region’s healthcare system. The foundation relies on grassroots efforts, supported by a global network of thousands of volunteers, to fulfil its humanitarian mission.

To contribute to their efforts, you can donate at PCRF Donation

#13 MECA – Middle East Children’s Alliance

As a non-profit organisation dedicated to the well-being and rights of children in the Middle East, MECA supports numerous community projects for Palestinian children and refugees from Syria. Since its inception in 1988, MECA has delivered $31 million in food and medical aid to Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon. Amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the MECA team and its partners are actively engaged in providing emergency assistance to families displaced from their homes, seeking refuge with relatives. MECA is also involved in procuring emergency medical supplies for hospitals and clinics in the affected areas.

Support MECA in its mission by visiting the MECA Website

#14 Alliance for Middle East Peace (ALLMEP)

ALLMEP stands as a coalition of over 160 organisations, uniting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis in the pursuit of cooperation, justice, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and lasting peace within their communities. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Washington, DC, ALLMEP envisions a Middle East where its community of Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilders takes the lead, guiding their societies toward and beyond sustainable peace. Operated by a diverse team of both Palestinians and Israelis, the Alliance for Middle East Peace is dedicated to assisting families affected by the ongoing conflict on either side. At present, they are actively mobilising emergency funds for NGOs to provide aid to those facing the hardships of the conflict.

Donate to support ALLMEP’s peacebuilding efforts: Donate here

The post 14 Trusted Charities Helping Civilians in Palestine appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Between 1910 and 1970, around six million Black Americans moved from the Southern states to the Northern, Midwestern and Western parts of the country. According to experts, it’s one of the largest movements of people in the nation’s history. Why did so many people move? In this article, we’ll explore the history of this phenomenon, which is known as “The Great Migration.” We’ll also examine its causes and the most significant facts about this six-decade period.

The Great Migration refers to the period of 1910-1970 when around six million Black Americans moved from the South to the North, Midwest, and West. This movement was a response to the racial violence, discrimination and limited opportunities of the American South, and while the other parts of the country offered the hope of safety and better jobs, systemic racism remained a problem.

What’s the history of the First Great Migration?

Historians divide the Great Migration into two parts. World War I sparked the First Great Migration, which is believed to have lasted from 1910-1940. As fighting in Europe broke out, white men left to join the military, while immigration from Europe stalled. Factories, especially those in the North and Midwest, needed new workers, but thanks to bans on hiring people of color from other countries, recruiters didn’t have a lot of options. According to information from the National Archives, Black people began to move North in 1910 in search of job opportunities and freedom from the Jim Crow system of the South.

Things weren’t always safer in the North. In 1919, around 500,000 Black Americans had moved to Northern cities, but many of their white neighbors weren’t happy. When Black veterans returned home from WWI, they were often mistreated. Racist sentiments reached their peak during the Red Summer of 1919. Mobs of white people began attacking Black people. Some riots got so violent that President Woodrow Wilson had to send out troops. Washington D.C., Virginia and Chicago saw some of the worst violence, but Black people defended themselves and refused to be driven from their new homes.

What’s the history of the Second Great Migration?

According to the National Archives, the Second Great Migration began at the start of World War II and ended around 1970. Because of the war, the expanded defense industry needed more workers, and once again, many Black Americans from the South took the opportunity this presented. After the war ended, migration steadily continued. Millions of Black Americans moved North, as well as West into cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland

The biggest difference between the First and Second Migration is where people moved. During the First Migration, the vast majority of people moved to Northern and Midwestern cities. During the Second, a lot more people moved West to pursue jobs in the defense industry. California, which had just 50,200 Black Americans living in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland in 1930, experienced an increase to over 250,000 in just 20 years.

What caused the Great Migration?

At the dawn of the First Great Migration, life was very difficult for Black Americans living in the South. While the Civil War had ended slavery, the United States faced an uncertain future. According to the Library of Congress, the Reconstruction era (1866-1877) was meant to ease the South back into the Union and define how white and Black people could live together. While many worked to ensure full equality and freedom for the recently freed Black population, many Southerners and even Northern leaders resisted. While they couldn’t enslave Black people again, they searched for other ways to discriminate and erase the handful of gains in voting rights, land ownership and employment. The Jim Crow laws, which have origins as early as 1865, codified a system of racial apartheid that oppressed Black people. Here are some of the effects of the Jim Crow system:

• Made it much harder to vote thanks to “the grandfather clause,” which stated that men could only vote if their ancestors had been voters before 1867
• Required more difficult literacy tests only for Black voters
• Legalized racial discrimination in movie theaters, hotels, restaurants and other public spaces
• Segregated public schools and underfunded schools for Black students
• Restricted Black workers to certain professions
• Banned interracial marriage

Restricted economic opportunities and racial segregation weren’t the only causes of the Great Migration: racial violence was also prevalent. Between 1882 and 1968, the NAACP recorded 4,743 lynchings, although with no formal tracking system, it’s difficult to know just how many people were killed. Most lynchings occurred in Mississippi, while Georgia and Texas had high numbers, as well. While some Black people were lynched based on often false allegations of robbery, murder and other crimes, many weren’t even accused of doing anything illegal. Life in the South could be terrifying, so it only made sense to move North in hopes of a better life.

The Jim Crow system is one of the clearest examples of systemic racism. While these laws no longer exist, systemic racism is still a problem in many places.

What facts should everyone know about the Great Migration?

The Great Migration covers 60 years of history, but here are five critical facts everyone should know:

#1. The North offered better, although still limited, economic opportunities

Many Black Americans left the South to flee racial violence, but they were also hoping for better job opportunities. Before WWI, jobs in the North were few and far between, which was why there wasn’t a larger migration earlier. However, the war changed things, which made the region more appealing. According to a 1987 article in Monthly Labor Review, many Americans who traveled North at this time remembered hearing about job availability from friends and family who’d already moved. The jobs weren’t always ideal as many Black Americans were only offered the jobs white people didn’t want to do. Many Black migrants worked as servants, janitors, cleaners and so on. While the jobs didn’t pay much and many unions didn’t allow Black members, the jobs were still better than what could be found in the Southern states.

People who moved during the Great Migration wanted their civil rights protected and respected. Check out our article on what civil rights are and why they matter.

#2. Finding good housing was a big challenge

While leaving the South gave Black people an escape from Jim Crow laws, the rest of the country wasn’t exactly welcoming. Housing could be especially hard to secure, and while segregation wasn’t the law of the land, many white neighborhoods did not want Black people. Black Americans were often forced to live in the worst parts of a neighborhood despite issues like overcrowding and deteriorating conditions. The practice of redlining, which denies people access to credit based on where they live, began in 1934. The group responsible for redlining, the Federal Housing Administration, decided that home loans couldn’t be “economically sound” if Black people were living in a neighborhood. Their reasoning, which was based on pure racism, was that property values would decline. The Fair Housing in 1968 banned discrimination in mortgage lending and real estate, but the legacy of redlining still reverberates to this day.

#3. The Great Migration changed the political landscape of the US

Millions of Black Americans moved out of the South during the Great Migration. A movement this large always has political ramifications. What were the effects of the Great Migration? The biggest is that while Black Americans were severely restricted from voting in the South, moving to the North gave them more voting rights. According to an article published online by Cambridge University Press, this led politicians to adapt their existing approaches and appeal specifically to Black voters. The article’s author, Keneshia N. Grant, argues that the increased presence of Black migrants made Black voters essential to presidential campaign strategies after WWII. This would mark a huge shift in electoral politics. While once the interests of Black people were ignored or actively fought against, they now had more power.

#4. The Great Migration and the Civil Rights Movement are closely linked

Many historians believe the Great Migration helped fuel the Civil Rights Movement, which was an intense period of civil rights activism that ran from 1954-1968. As Black people moved North and gained more rights, their influence on politics and culture on a national scale also expanded. The Harlem Renaissance is a key example. During this era (1918-1937), Harlem, New York became the center of Black culture, creativity and artistry. It was closely linked to civil rights organizations like the NAACP, Black labor unions and prominent activists. The Harlem Renaissance had a major impact on Black literature and thought around the world. While it was hardly the only spark for the Civil Rights movement, it played a key role made possible by the Great Migration.

#5. A new Great Migration is happening now

Something interesting has been happening in the United States. According to data from Brookings and other sources, many Black Americans are moving to the South in a reversed Great Migration. It began in the 1970s right at the end of the Second Great Migration, and increased in the 1990s as more Black people began leaving Northern and Western cities. Areas in Texas and Georgia grew. Why? The North changed. The jobs in industry that had once attracted Black Americans disappeared, while the impact of redlining and underfunded neighborhoods took its toll. The South was recovering, too, which made a return more economically advantageous. According to Pew Research, 56% of Black people lived in the South in 2021, while 17% lived in the Midwest/Northeast and 10% lived in the West. What will be the long-term impacts of the new Great Migration? It remains to be seen.

Learn more about racial justice and anti-racism with these online courses.

The post The Great Migration: History, Causes and Facts appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Societies change all the time. If you talk to someone born just a few decades before you, they most likely remember very different trends, cultural norms, ideas and so on. Some social changes take centuries to settle in, and while many offer clear benefits to the world, others are more complicated. In this article, we’ll define social change, provide four key examples of social changes, and offer learning opportunities for those interested in digging deeper.

Social change refers to how institutions, cultural norms, behaviors, ideas and values transform over time. Some changes appear suddenly, while others take years to fully manifest. Social movements – like the abolitionist movement and women’s suffrage – often drive social change, but advances in medicine and technology create change, too.

What does “social change” mean?

There are a few definitions of social change, but for our purposes, we like the definition given by The University of the People, a tuition-free, nonprofit university based in the US. According to their blog, social change is “the way in which human interactions, relationships, behavior patterns, and cultural norms change over time.” Every part of society – including the economy, culture, technology, environment and political sphere – experiences social change. Philosophers, politicians, scientists and others have developed theories of social change since ancient times. In ancient Greece and Rome, three main ideas about social change emerged: decline or degeneration, cyclic change, and continuous progress. The continuous-progress conception of social change has arguably been the most influential. It teaches that humans and society are naturally moving toward a better, more improved state, but this idea has since fallen out of favor.

What about the other theories? The theories of decline and cyclic change claim society is bound to periods of regression or predictable cycles. While regression and cyclical patterns are present in every society, they’re not identical everywhere and they’re not always predictable. We can try to explain social change using different theories, but it’s a complex phenomenon. This is due to the causes of social change, which include technological advances, demographic shifts, changes in the natural environment, political conflict, new ideas and social movements.

What are examples of social change?

There have been many social changes throughout history and the world. Here are four the biggest examples:

The abolitionist movement

The transatlantic slave trade lasted for 366 years. Many people believed it would never end, but there was always opposition to slavery. In the late 18th century, anti-slavery campaigners sent around petitions, held meetings and pushed the government to end the unjust practice. Meanwhile, enslaved people in places like Jamaica and Haiti rebelled against the system. In 1804, the revolution in Haiti was successful, and the first independent Black state outside of Africa was established. Three years later, the UK abolished the transatlantic slave trade. However, while it was illegal to sell slaves, people could still own enslaved people. The British abolitionist movement continued to work, founding the first Anti-Slavery Society in 1823. The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 finally freed all slaves throughout the British Empire, with a few exceptions.

In the United States, it took a war to end slavery. Tensions reached their climax under President Abraham Lincoln, and in 1861, the Civil War began. In 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, calling for the freeing of all enslaved people. In 1865, the 13th Amendment abolished all forms of slavery in the US. There was one important caveat. The 13th Amendment reads: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction [emphasis added].” Modern-day abolitionists call for more social changes, such as an end to slavery as a punishment for crimes.

Learn more about ending racism and discrimination.

Women’s suffrage

The women’s suffrage movement was a global movement dedicated to equal voting rights for women. New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote in 1893, followed closely by South Australia a year later. The most famous suffrage movements were based in the United Kingdom and the United States. In the UK, campaigners used tools like educational pamphlets, petitions and public meetings to explain why women deserved equal voting rights. Opposition could be fierce, but many suffragettes adopted radical tactics such as breaking windows, setting fires, destroying post office boxes and even planting bombs. Finally, in 1918, about ⅔ of women in the UK got the right to vote. In 1928, the right to vote was finally extended to all women over 21, giving them the same voting rights as men.

Suffrage also progressed slowly in the United States, proving how social change often operates in starts and stops. Beginning in the mid-19th century, the American suffrage movement focused on recruiting middle and upper-class white women who were also interested in abolition, better education and prohibition. Women of color also worked in the suffrage movement, but after Black men got the right to vote before white women, the movement split due to racism from white suffrage leaders. The 19th Amendment, passed in 1920, finally gave all women the right to vote. The right to vote wasn’t fully secured, however, until racial discrimination in voting was outlawed in 1965.

Check out our article on why gender equality is important.

The eradication of smallpox

Smallpox, which is an extremely contagious airborne virus, tormented humanity for thousands of years. Around 3 in 10 people infected die, leading to the deaths of hundreds of millions of people. Many places developed unique ways to deal with the disease. In China and India, people would practice inoculation, which transfers ground-up scabs or materials from the pustules to healthy people in an attempt to trigger immunity. The Western world experimented with inoculation, as well, and in 1796, Edward Jenner developed the first successful vaccine.

Despite the creation of the vaccine, smallpox continued to kill millions. Around 300-500 million people died in the 20th century alone. In 1967, the World Health Organization launched a global campaign to eradicate smallpox. For 10 years, the organization increased vaccinations and monitoring. By 1980, smallpox was eradicated. Smallpox is one of just two infectious diseases humans have eliminated, making the WHO’s campaign the most significant public health success in history. Advances in medicine, technology, public health and education made this major social change possible.

Vaccine access is a big part of health equity, which we explore in this article.

The rise of the internet

The story of the internet goes back to the 1960s. According to the Computer History Museum, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which was part of the U.S. Department of Defense, began building an early version of what would become the internet. Advances in technology and knowledge helped experts create a network that let interconnected devices (like computers) pass around data and media. Other groups began experimenting with the technology, while companies created better computer chips and hardware. On January 1, 1983, the internet as we know was officially born. The Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP) lets different types of computers on different networks communicate with each other, creating a “universal language.”

According to the Data Report Portal, around 5.30 billion people use the internet. The technology has had a profound impact on global communication, information access, the economy, politics, culture, entertainment and much more. Because of how the internet connects the world, it has played a big role in globalization, which refers to the interdependence of the world’s economics and the flow of goods, information, jobs and so on. While it’s challenging to summarize the full impact of the internet, it’s undeniable that the technology has created massive social changes in less than a hundred years.

How does technology impact social change and human rights? Check out our article on the topic.

Where can you learn more about social change?

There are many places to learn more about what social change is, why it matters and how you as an individual can contribute to the changes you want to see in the world. Here are three learning opportunities:

Classes

Taking a class is a great way to study social change in a more participatory, in-depth way. Platforms like edx, Coursera and FutureLearn offer classes from great universities around the world, while you may also be able to find local classes and workshops taught at NGOs, libraries and schools.

Books

Books are a great place to learn more about social change. You can find books on theoretical aspects of social change, specific social movements and individual social change activists.

Websites and online platforms

Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to learn more about social change through websites, blogs and other online platforms. You can find more information about the history of social change and social movements, as well as opportunities for volunteering and careers at social change NGOs.

• The Commons Social Change Library (online library and educational resources)
• UN News (human rights and social change news content)
• VolunteerMatch (volunteering platform)
• Idealist (jobs platform)

The post Social Change 101: Meaning, Examples, Learning Opportunities appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, a Black woman named Rosa Parks finished her work day and caught a bus home. Segregation was the law of the land in Montgomery, so while the front of the bus was available to white citizens, Black people had to go to the back. When all the white seats were taken, the bus driver told all the Black people they needed to give up their seats to add an extra row for white people. Rosa Parks stayed seated. The police were called and she was arrested. This defiant act sparked a nationwide campaign to end segregation, protect the rights of Black people and usher in a new era of equality and freedom. In this article, we’ll explore who

Rosa Parks was, what she had to say about her activism and beliefs, and the impact she had on the United States.

By refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus, Rosa Parks is known as “the mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” Her decision sparked campaigns around the country, which eventually led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

Who was Rosa Parks and what did she do?

Rosa Parks was born Rosa McCauley on February 4, 1913. She received her early education at a private school, but while caring for both her grandmother and mother, Rosa had to delay completing her high school credits. In 1932, she married Raymond Parks and then received her high school diploma in 1934. Raymond had less formal education than Rosa, but was an extremely intelligent, activism-minded individual. Both Rosa and Raymond worked with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

In 1955, Rosa was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat. Anti-segregation activists organized a boycott of Montgomery buses for the day of Rosa’s trial. She was given a suspended sentence and a fine, but the boycott was more successful than anticipated. Activists decided to keep boycotting the bus system, electing Martin Luther King Jr., who had just arrived in the city, as the boycott’s manager. Over 70% of Montgomery’s bus patrons were Black, so the impact was immediate. To sustain the boycott, 200 people volunteered their cars while 100 pickup stations were established. Churches also held fundraisers to fund the carpool. On November 13th, 1956, after more than a year of the boycott, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional.

Systemic racism is still a problem in the United States. Check out our article of 10 examples.

What happened to Rosa Parks after the boycott?

During the bus boycott, Rosa lost her job and faced severe harassment, including death threats. Things didn’t improve after the boycott’s success, so in 1957, Rosa, her husband, and her mother moved to Detroit, Michigan. As the Civil Rights movement continued, so did Rosa’s activism, despite the personal costs she and her family endured. From 1966 until her retirement in 1988, she worked as an administrative aid in Congressman John Conyers’ office. She also co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development. The nonprofit served young people. Rosa and Raymond never had children of their own, but young people were always important to Rosa. Before Rosa’s arrest, 15-year Claudette Colvin had been arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat. This injustice did not spark a boycott, but Rosa reached out to Claudette. For a while, they were close.

In 1999, Rosa was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor a US civilian can earn. She received many other awards and honorary doctorates from universities around the world. In 2000, Troy University in Montgomery, Alabama established the Rosa Parks Library and Museum. In 2005, Rosa died at age 92. She became the first woman in American history to lie in honor at the Capitol.

Learn more about racial justice and anti-racism by taking these online courses.

What are some of Rosa Parks’ best quotes?

Throughout her many years of activism, Rosa Parks offered countless words of wisdom that resonate to this day. Here are five of her most powerful quotes:

“The time had just come when I had been pushed as far as I could stand to be pushed, I suppose. They placed me under arrest. And I wasn’t afraid. I don’t know why I wasn’t, but I didn’t feel afraid. I had decided that I would have to know once and for all what rights I had as a human being and a citizen, even in Montgomery, Alabama.”

This quote comes from a 1956 radio interview with Rosa Parks, which is one of the earliest interviews she gave. Democracy Now uploaded the audio, as well as a transcript. In this quote, Parks recalls her protest and her lack of fear despite being arrested. The phrase “even in Montgomery, Alabama” is especially striking as it shows the severity of racism and discrimination in that era.

“As I look back on those days, it’s just like a dream. The only thing that bothered me was that we waited so long to make this protest and to let it be known wherever we go that all of us should be free and equal and have all opportunities that others should have.” 

Found on Digital History, this quote comes from a 1995 interview with the iconic activist. In the interview, she reflected on her protest and arrest. When asked if she remembers feeling anger as she chose to not give up her bus seat, she recalls feeling determination, not anger. She wanted to take the opportunity to make it clear she was not going to be treated poorly and that people had endured such treatment for too long.

“I would like to be remembered as one who has always cared for people. I have more concern for people than material things. I have always wanted to help people.”

The Library of Congress has a collection of Rosa Parks’ papers, and among them is a 1975 interview with a college student. The interviewer asks Parks how she wants to be remembered. The activist gives a simple, but powerful answer consistent with the values Parks’ lived with her whole life. She was never someone who sought fame or attention. While her refusal to give up her bus seat is regarded as the spark for the Civil Rights Movement, she never used her position to gain more power. She just wanted to care for people.

“As long as people use tactics to oppress or restrict other people from being free, there is work to be done. Although we made many gains, racism is still alive.”

In 1994, Rosa Parks wrote a book with Gregory J. Reed called Quiet Strength. Published by Zondervan and reprinted as Reflections by Rosa Parks, it offers a series of reflections from the activist on topics like fear, injustice, faith and the future. The quote above, which is from the chapter on injustice, acknowledges the progress made, as well as the progress still needed to secure the freedom and equality of all. While Parks spoke of racism specifically, her remarks apply to all forms of oppression.

“It is better to teach – and live – equality and love than it is to teach hatred.”

In Reflections, Rosa Parks discusses her concern about racial violence and white supremacy on college campuses. However, she expresses hope and a belief that teaching and living out the values of equality and love is better than teaching hatred. She doesn’t want to dwell “on the horrors of the past.” That doesn’t mean she doesn’t want people learning about the past, of course; she encourages young people to learn their history. She wants people to focus on equality and love while doing so.

Interested in more quotes about activism, social justice and human rights? Check out this article.

What impact did Rosa Parks have on the world?

Rosa Parks has been called “the mother of the Civil Rights Movement.” While the fight against racial segregation had been building for years, her decision sparked a massive wave of activism and support not seen before. Her quiet defiance gave the movement something concrete to mobilize around. What was unique about her? Parks was always a humble woman, but Martin Luther King Jr. said it was because “her character was impeccable and her dedication deep-rooted.” Everyone respected her.

The success of the bus boycott turned the tide for Black people in America. President John F. Kennedy introduced the Civil Rights Act of 1964 but was assassinated before it could be made a reality. His successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed the bill into law. What did it achieve? It banned discrimination based on race, color, religion or national origin in public facilities, which ended the Jim Crow system. It also made discrimination in hiring practices illegal and established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which is responsible for enforcing the law. The law wasn’t perfect, however. It didn’t address voting rights. In 1965, Martin Luther King, Jr. led a march from Selma to Montgomery to draw attention to this error. They were met with fierce and often violent opposition, but the march successfully increased support for the Voting Rights Act. In August of that year, Johnson signed the act into law. Rosa Parks was among those at the event. What began as the simple act of refusing to give up her seat led to the end of legalized racial segregation and discrimination.

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Women’s rights have improved over the years, but continued progress is not guaranteed. In a time of escalating conflicts, rising authoritarianism and devastating climate change impacts, women face many issues related to education, work, healthcare, legal rights, violence and much more. By understanding these issues, the world can work together to achieve gender equality, stronger human rights protections and safety for all people. In this article, we’ll explore 20 of the most important issues affecting women and girls today.

#1. Unequal pay

For centuries, society has undervalued the work women perform. Women are even paid less than men for the same work. According to the International Labour Organization, there has been some progress, but gender wage gaps still exist and are widening in certain jobs. Gaps can’t be blamed on educational differences, which means that in most countries, men still earn more than women. Factors include gendered job segregation (women tend to dominate jobs with lower salaries) and unjust pay practices. According to data from Moody’s Analytics, the gender pay gap could be costing the economy as much as $7 trillion.

#2. Racial injustice

All women face discrimination, but women belonging to ethnic minorities face compounded inequalities. According to expert groups like the UN, race and gender intersect in employment, housing, poverty and more. As an example, while no group of women makes the same wage as non-Hispanic white men in the United States, the gender wage gap is significantly wider for most women of color. Over a 40-year career, Hispanic women lose over $1 million in earnings, while Native women lose $986,000 and Black women lose $964,000.

#3. Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to acts that cause (or are likely to cause) physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. According to experts, over ⅓ of women and girls experience some kind of violence during their lifetimes. The risk increases during conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies. Intimate partner violence is the most common form of GBV. Around 1 in 4 women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner. While anyone can experience GBV, young people, older women, refugees, ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ people are most vulnerable.

#4. Inadequate healthcare

Healthcare access is a human right, but women face unique stigmas and discrimination. According to the World Economic Forum, there are persistent gaps in research and treatment for things affecting women, such as maternal healthcare. This leads to worse health outcomes for conditions that should be treatable and preventable. Women are also undervalued in the healthcare profession. According to reporting from NPR, women hold just 25% of senior leadership roles despite making up 70% of the global healthcare workforce. The pandemic also increased burnout rates for women healthcare workers, added to their workloads and exacerbated gender biases.

#5. Threats to reproductive rights

According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, 40% of women live under restrictive laws, which represents over 750 million women of reproductive age. 6% of women live in countries where abortions are prohibited completely. Access to contraception increased from 900 million in 2000 to almost 1.1 billion in 2021, but barriers like misinformation about contraception, fear of side effects and access remain. According to the UN Populations Fund, around 257 million women who don’t want to become pregnant still aren’t using safe and modern contraception.

#6. Lack of education

All children deserve access to education, but girls have historically faced more discrimination. Progress has been made, but according to UNICEF, 129 million girls are still not in school. Reasons include poverty, gender-based violence, early marriage and a lack of safety, hygiene and sanitation resources. Low-income countries have the widest gaps, according to the World Bank. While the world average of girls enrolled in primary school is 88%, it’s 78% in low-income countries.

#7. Food insecurity

Women face more food insecurity than men, Research from the World Food Programme identifies a few reasons why. The first is that women are more likely to live in extreme poverty. Globally, women earn just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Women also face unequal treatment during times of crisis and are more vulnerable to malnutrition during pregnancy. All these factors contribute to a lack of food security, which in turn negatively impacts other areas of a woman’s life.

#8. Climate change

Research consistently shows that women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. One reason is that women depend on natural resources, so during times of famine or other disasters, women face the added burden of trying to obtain food. In lower-income countries, women also make up a large percentage of the agriculture industry, which is hardest hit by climate change. Women also face increased risks of violence and sexual exploitation during climate-related emergencies.

#9. Unequal political representation

Society can’t achieve gender equality until there’s equal political representation. According to a survey conducted by Plan International, women still feel “consistently excluded” from politics. Half of the survey participants lived in communities where they felt like it wasn’t okay for girls and young women to be involved in politics. 19% said they had been actively discouraged from getting involved. The UN estimates that it will take 130 years for the world to reach gender equality in the highest positions of power.

#10. Discriminatory social institutions

Social institutions are the laws (formal and informal), norms and standards that determine how society functions. Unfortunately, gender inequality is embedded into just about every country’s social institutions in one way or another. According to the OECD, many countries have instituted legal reforms that untangle gender discrimination from their institutions, but 40% of women and girls still live in countries with “high or very high” discrimination. Social norms have progressed the best, but economic empowerment got worse between 2014 and 2022. Until discriminatory practices are eliminated, gender inequality will persist.

#11. Human trafficking

All genders can be victims of human trafficking, but women and girls are especially vulnerable. According to research from 2017, girls and women made up 71% of all victims of trafficking. They also make up 96% of the victims trafficked for sexual exploitation. Causes of gendered trafficking include poverty, a lack of employment opportunities for women, limited access to education and gender-based violence. Conflict also makes women more vulnerable.

#12. Limited freedom of movement

Freedom of movement is an individual’s right to live, travel and move within a country or between different countries. According to Human Rights Watch, many countries in the Middle East and North Africa still have laws requiring women to get permission from a male guardian before traveling abroad or even traveling within their own country. This violates a woman’s right to travel and increases her risk for exploitation and abuse. Activists had been fighting for more rights for years, and while some progress has been made, restrictive laws remain.

#13. Threats during migration

Migration – forced and voluntary – can be risky. Women face more threats than men due to discrimination, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. According to the International Organization for Migration, more women are migrating independently, especially from the Caribbean and Central America. While moving can provide opportunities, it’s also dangerous. Displacement, which can be caused by conflict and climate change, is especially dangerous for women who are traveling alone, pregnant, heads of households, disabled, or older.

#14. Discrimination based on disability

Human Rights Watch estimates there are around 300 million women with mental and physical disabilities. In low and middle-income countries, women represent 75% of people with disabilities. Women are more likely than men to become disabled and face increased discrimination due to the intersection of their gender and disability. According to research, women with disabilities are more than 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual abuse by an intimate partner than women who don’t have disabilities.

#15. Poor mental health

The state of mental health can be difficult to measure, but according to data, more women are diagnosed with mental health conditions. In a 2017 report from the UK, women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Young women are also more likely to experience anxiety-related conditions than any other population. This disparity could be due to stigma, as men may feel less comfortable seeking help. In the United States, while more men die by suicide, more women attempt to take their own lives.

#16. The digital divide

Access to technology increases a person’s opportunities for employment, education, public resources, and more. Women don’t get equal access. According to UNICEF, up to 90% of girls and young women in low-income countries can’t access the internet, compared to 78% of boys and young men. Girls also have weaker digital skills and less access to mobile phones. This inequality disadvantages women and costs the global economy billions of dollars in GDP every year, according to the World Economic Forum.

#17. Online harassment

Online harassment is hard to measure, but there’s little doubt it disproportionately affects women and girls. According to one study from Europe, women are 27 times more likely to experience online harassment than men. Online harassment has a terrorizing effect which damages a person’s mental health, discourages them from spending time online and frightens them away from other public spaces. Online harassment can also translate into real-life violence.

#18. Unpaid labor

Women aren’t only paid less than men in most places; they also take on more unpaid labor. Globally, women take on three times more unpaid work than men, while women in low and middle-income countries do more unpaid labor than their peers in high-income countries. Unpaid labor includes tasks like household chores and caring for family members. In Japan, women lose around $761 billion a year through unpaid tasks, while men take on less than a third of what women do. Consequences aren’t limited to the economy. According to research, the added burden of unpaid labor is associated with worse mental health in women.

#19. Inadequate maternal healthcare

Pregnancy and childbirth are inherently risky, but maternal healthcare is inadequate for many people. According to the WHO, almost 800 women died in 2020 from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. A striking 95% of these maternal deaths occurred in low and middle-income countries. 75% of deaths result from issues like severe bleeding, high blood pressure, infections and complications from delivery. These conditions are preventable and manageable with the proper care.

#20. Period poverty

Periods are a fact of life for many people, but about 500 million women and girls don’t have the supplies they need, according to the OHCHR. “Period poverty” is defined as a lack of access to products, hygienic spaces, education and other resources. Along with feeling ashamed or embarrassed, a girl may experience violations of her human rights when her period comes. Early marriage, sexual violence, unintended pregnancy and disrupted education are some of the more serious effects.

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There are billions of children living in the world today, many of whom are vulnerable and disenfranchised. Because kids are physically smaller than adults and still developing mentally and emotionally, they face the most challenges from things like poverty, famine, war, climate change and exploitation. Many countries also don’t give children the human rights they deserve. In this article, we’ll go over 20 of the most urgent and serious issues facing kids today.

#1. Poverty

Poverty is one of the most significant issues facing children today. According to UNICEF, around 333 million children live in extreme poverty. While kids only make up ⅓ of the global population, they represent half of people living on less than $2.15 a day. Poverty affects every area of a child’s life, including their health, their access to basic services like clean water and food, their education and much more. Poverty also makes kids more vulnerable to death at a young age.

#2. Hunger

According to Save the Children, 153 million kids are facing food insecurity. While everyone needs food to live, kids are more likely to die from malnutrition and nutrition-related diseases. Around 1 in 5 deaths of kids under five can be traced back to a lack of nutritious food. For those who survive, hunger harms cognitive and physical development. Poverty, climate change, forced migration, and war and conflict are just a few of the drivers of hunger.

#3. Lack of access to clean water

According to 2021 data from UNICEF, around 450 million children live in areas with “high, or extremely high, water vulnerability.” Broken down, this means 1 in 5 kids lack the water they need. This can lead to serious issues, like water-borne illnesses. The World Health Organization lists many diseases spread by contaminated water, such as cholera, dysentery, polio and diarrhea. Children are especially at risk.

#4. Death by preventable illnesses

There’s been significant progress in reducing deaths of kids under five years old, but millions still die from illnesses. In 2021, UNICEF found that 5 million kids under five died, many from preventable conditions like malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea. Vaccines can save the lives of millions of kids, but in 2022, 20.5 million kids did not get life-saving vaccines. This represents a decline from 2019 as factors like the COVID pandemic, supply issues, misinformation and conflict made global vaccination more difficult.

#5. Lack of education

Education access is a human right, but many children don’t get the schooling they deserve. In 2022, the UN estimated that 244 million children between 6-18 years old were not in school. Sub-Saharan Africa struggles the most as it has the most kids and youth out of school. Central and Southern Asia has the second-highest out-of-school population. In better news, the gender gap in education is resolving, though there are still regional differences that need to be addressed.

#6. Child labor

All over the world, children are forced to work in industries like agriculture, mining, domestic work and more. Child labor is a violation of a child’s human rights as it threatens a child’s well-being and health, as well as their access to education. According to UNICEF, more than 1 in 5 kids ages 5-17 years old are forced into labor in the world’s poorest countries. Causes of child labor vary, but poverty is the most common driver. When families and communities live in extreme poverty, everyone – including very young kids – must contribute to the household by working.

#7. Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) affects boys and girls, but in different ways. According to Save the Children, violence against girls includes sexual violence, harassment, female genital mutilation, abuse and intimate partner violence. Boys are often targeted for labor trafficking and detention, as they’re seen as violent or a threat to security because of their gender. GBV gets worse during times of conflict.

#8. Child marriage

When a child is forced to marry before age 18, it’s a violation of their rights. For girls, early marriage can lead to social isolation, a disruption of education, career limitations and an increased risk for domestic violence. The impact on boys is less studied, but they face negative effects such as increased career pressure, an increased risk for exploitation and disrupted education. More girls than boys are forced into early marriage; UNICEF estimates that in West and Central Africa, around 4 in 10 girls are married before age 18.

#9. Early pregnancy

In 2022, about 13% of adolescent girls gave birth before they turned 18. Pregnancy before age 18 has a variety of negative impacts. The disruption to education is a major one, as it can limit future economic prospects. Girls who become pregnant young may also face social stigma, violence by family members, forced marriage and serious health issues. The causes of early pregnancy include childhood sexual abuse and early marriage. The social pressure to become a mother can also influence the age at which a girl gets pregnant. In certain societies, early marriage and pregnancy may be the best and only option for a young woman.

#10. Effects of war and conflict

During times of war and violent conflict, children are the most vulnerable. According to UNICEF, over 400 million kids live in countries affected by war and violence. Children also make up half of the civilians killed by landmines and explosives. In many places, violent conflict is escalating. In Ukraine, children are affected by death, injuries, mass displacement and an increased risk of abuse, abduction, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In the Gaza Strip, half of the 1.9 million displaced people are children, while thousands have been killed or injured.

#11. Exploitation of kids in war

Children aren’t only killed, injured and displaced during war; they can be forced to participate in violence. According to UNICEF, over 105,000 kids were recruited and exploited for conflict between 2005 and 2022. Boys and girls are both targeted for fighting, scouting, cooking, sending messages and sexual exploitation. Armed groups often kidnap kids from their homes and force them to fight, but some join groups to try and earn money for their families. Child soldiers endure both physical and psychological wounds.

#12. Climate change

Climate change harms everyone, but children are especially vulnerable. The United States Environmental Protection Agency lists a few reasons why, such as the fact that developing bodies are more susceptible to things like heat and waterborne illnesses. Kids are also dependent on adults during extreme events, so without an adult’s help, they are very vulnerable during floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other disasters. UNICEF estimates that around 1 billion kids (which is nearly half of the world’s 2.2 billion children) live in one of the 33 countries considered “extremely high-risk” for climate change impacts.

#13. Air pollution

Air pollution damages everyone’s health, but children are especially vulnerable. The World Health Organization lists six main reasons, including the fact that children’s brains are still developing, their bodies are less effective at managing toxins and they breathe in more air per unit of body weight than adults. According to data, air pollution could be causing over 1,200 deaths of kids under 18 in EEA member and collaborating countries every year. Things like traffic, heating and industry cause the most air pollution. Because children can’t vote on air pollution policies, adults must take steps to reduce air pollution and protect kids.

#14. Family separation

A variety of things can separate families: natural disasters, trafficking, war, poverty and migration. It’s difficult to know exactly how many kids experience separations, but at mid-2023, 110 million people were displaced. Many of those individuals are kids, and family separation is often a result of displacement. Kids separated from their families suffer severe psychological and emotional effects that can follow them the rest of their lives. According to a PBS interview with developmental psychologist Hirokazu Yoshikawa, family separations can even cause impaired memory, reduced auditory processing and an increased risk of physical disease.

#15. Human trafficking

Human trafficking is an illicit practice and therefore hard to track accurately, but data suggests kids make up 27% of all trafficking victims. Both boys and girls are targeted, but boys are less likely to be identified. They’re also more likely to be forced into labor or recruitment by armed groups, while girls are more likely to be sexually exploited and forced into marriage. Children who are trafficked endure physical, sexual, emotional and psychological injuries, many of which extend into adulthood.

#16. Increased risks for LGBTQ+ kids

LGBTQ+ kids face the same vulnerabilities as kids who aren’t LGBTQ+, but their risks are often increased. According to the CDC in the United States, LGBTQ+ young people face higher health and suicide risks than their peers. Around 43% of transgender youth were bullied at school, while 29% attempted suicide. Expanding out to the rest of the world, about 64 countries still have laws criminalizing homosexuality, while discrimination can affect a person’s ability to access healthcare, get a job, get housing and so on. LGBTQ+ kids can see how people like them are treated and face significant mental health challenges.

#17. Racism

Racism places extreme stress on the human body, while racial discrimination also affects a person’s access to good healthcare, housing, food, education, work and so on. According to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, Black, indigenous, and other people of color have worse health issues and shorter lifespans than white people across all income levels. This affects every member of a family or community, including children. One study even found that childhood stress caused by traumas like poverty and racism can change the structure of a child’s developing brain. To protect children’s rights, societies need to address racism.

#18. Lack of mental health treatment

Children go through a lot of changes in their adolescent years, which makes them more vulnerable to mental health struggles. According to UNICEF, about 1 in 7 kids experienced a mental disorder in 2019. Depression is very common for kids aged 10-19 years old, while self-harm is among the top causes of death. Without proper treatment, kids can experience serious issues that affect adulthood, including their job opportunities and health.

#19. Lack of access to justice

Children deserve legal rights, but many countries fail in their duty to provide kids with access to justice. According to UNICEF, law enforcement officials deprive over 1 million kids of their rights to liberty. Once in the justice system, kids are often not given the education or resources they need to contact a lawyer, access money for legal fees or get other necessary support. Kids who witness crimes or who are victims of crimes like trafficking are often oppressed, as well. As human beings, kids should be treated equally under the law.

#20. Lack of birth registration

Birth registration is an official record of a child’s birth. It is a human rights matter because birth registration proves the existence of a child, establishes who their parents are and helps ensure a child’s other rights are respected. According to UNICEF, birth registration has increased over the years, but around 1 in 4 kids worldwide are not registered. Reasons include expensive fees, penalties for late registration, long journeys to registration facilities and a lack of knowledge about how to register a birth. Affordable, accessible birth registration is a vital part of protecting the rights of all children.

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Climate change is the long-term shift of temperatures and weather patterns, leading to things like a warmer planet wracked with more volatile hurricanes, floods and droughts. While climate change can be natural, human-driven climate is one of the most serious emergencies facing humanity today. For decades, researchers have studied how the release of greenhouse gasses like methane and carbon dioxide (C02) impacts the planet. What are the 15 root causes of climate change?

#1. Developing fossil fuels

Burning fossil fuels releases lots of greenhouse gasses, but first, they have to be extracted and developed. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, oil and gas development is a serious root cause of climate change. Drilling, fracking, transporting and refining release emissions every step of the way. Methane is especially concerning since it traps more heat than C02 in the atmosphere. Wells continue to leak methane even when they’re abandoned. In 2018, over 3.2 million oil and gas wells released 281 kilotons of methane in the United States.

#2. Producing electricity and heat

According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, oil, coal and natural gas have been fueling the world for over 150 years. Fossil fuels supply around 80% of the world’s energy. In the United States alone, coal supplied 19% of energy in 2020, while oil and natural gas each made up around ⅓ of energy consumption. While alternative energy sources, like solar and wind power, have been expanding, the world is still too dependent on fossil fuels for our electricity and heat.

#3. Cars and planes

In 2010, transportation made up around 15% of global greenhouse emissions. That includes fossil fuels burned for air travel, cars, ships, trains and trucks. C02 is the most prevalent gas thanks to the use of gasoline and diesel fuel. In the United States, most greenhouse gasses from transportation come from passenger cars and trucks. Planes pollute a lot, too, while private planes symbolize why the behavior of the wealthy matters to the climate. According to one study, a person who flies on a private plane emits 10-20 times as much carbon pollution as someone on a commercial flight.

#4. Buildings

Buildings use a lot of energy. They need to be heated, cooled and lit, while any machines in the building need power, too. The construction of buildings, which requires materials like concrete, steel and cement, also releases a lot of C02 and other greenhouse gasses. In 2021, investments in energy-efficient construction increased by 16%, but a new report found that the building and construction sector was still releasing too many C02 emissions. That year, building and construction emissions accounted for a troubling 37% of energy and process-related emissions.

#5. Road construction

Roads connect the world, but they’re a big contributor to climate change. In the United States, pavement covers almost 2.8 million lane-miles. In one study from MIT, the construction materials needed for all this pavement generate between 11.9-13.3 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Road expansion not only releases gasses through material production and the destruction of natural habitats, but roads also encourage the use of more cars and trucks. While roads are a way of life now, we need to think of better ways to produce and use materials.

#6. Plastic

Plastic is one of the single-most destructive materials contributing to climate change. First of all, plastic is made from fossil fuels. In fact, around 99% of plastic comes from chemicals made from fossil fuels. Once plastic is used, it’s rarely recycled (the World Bank estimates that just 9% of the world’s plastic is recycled) while the rest gets thrown into landfills, forests, the oceans and other natural environments. Plastic then releases greenhouse gasses into the air and water, contributing to pollution and climate change.

#7. Industry

In layman’s terms, “industry” refers to the manufacturing of materials like cement, steel, iron, electronics, clothes and basically every other product. The machines that make products release a lot of greenhouse gasses. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), industry is responsible for around 24% of global greenhouse emissions. That includes the burning of fossil fuels for energy at facilities, as well as emissions from chemical, metallurgical and mineral transformation systems. As the world’s population grows, industry grows, too, so it’s vital to reduce the amount of emissions generated by this sector.

#8. Fluorinated gasses

C02 and methane are the most commonly discussed contributors to climate change, but there are others to be concerned about: fluorinated gasses. Also known as F-gasses, these are human-made gasses used in certain products and industrial applications. According to the European Commission, you can find these types of gasses in refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, the electronic industry, the pharmaceutical industry and during the production of aluminum. While they don’t damage the atmospheric ozone layer and account for just 3% of greenhouse gas emissions, they’re 23,000 times stronger than C02.

#9. Livestock farming

The production of meat, eggs and dairy have a big impact on the climate. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, which is one of the many organizations that try to track the causes of climate change, recently estimated that livestock is responsible for about 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. Methane is the big reason why. All livestock emit methane because of their unique digestive systems, while their manure releases the gas, as well. Atmospheric and soil methane sinks, like upland soil and forests, as well as better grazing management, can help offset the impacts of livestock farming.

#10. Food production

According to one study, plant-based food is responsible for around 29% of the 17 billion metric tons of greenhouse gasses released from global food production. That includes farmland activities, land-use changes, transportation, product processing and fertilizers and pesticides. The farming of rice is the highest plant-based offender, followed by wheat, sugarcane and maize. Food waste causes problems, too. According to the World Wildlife Fund, we could reduce around 6-8% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions if we stopped food waste. By eating what is produced, we aren’t releasing greenhouse emissions for no reason.

#11. Fertilizers

Fertilizers have played an important role in feeding the world’s growing population. According to Carbon Brief, nitrogen fertilizers have helped food production expand, but there’s a downside. Producing synthetic fertilizers causes around 1.4% of yearly C02 emissions, while the use of fertilizers contributes to non-C02 emissions, as well. Simply stopping production is a challenge considering around 48% of the global population eats food grown with synthetic fertilizers. Using natural fertilizers, limiting the negative impacts of nitrogen fertilizer and developing sustainable alternatives can help reduce the world’s reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

#12. Landfills

Landfills, which are also called dumps, are sites where people dispose of waste. They’re supposed to mitigate the effects of waste on the environment and humans, but they contribute to climate change. The biggest issue is how many greenhouse gasses they release. According to the Environmental Center at the University of Boulder, landfills release a significant amount of methane, C02, water vapor and other gasses. The use of land for landfills is also an issue; in the US, there are as many as 3,000 active landfills, which equals almost 2 million acres of habitat. Too many landfills harm everyone, but they’re especially damaging to people and animals living nearby.

#13. Deforestation

Deforestation is the intentional clearing or thinning of the world’s trees. The largest forests, which are tropical, are found in South America, Central Africa and Southeast Asia. Forests are cleared for a variety of agricultural purposes and other human activities, but deforestation plays a huge role in climate change. Why? Forests store carbon. When they’re cut down, that carbon is released back into the atmosphere. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, C02 from tropical deforestation makes up less than 10% of global warming pollution. Reducing deforestation and protecting forests would go a long way in slowing the effects of climate change.

#14. Overconsumption

Overconsumption drives climate change. The more plastic packaging we produce, the more food we waste, the more cars we build – it all has an impact. While individual behavior matters, we’re not all equally responsible for the impacts of climate change. According to a PLOS Climate study, America’s wealthiest people cause almost half of the greenhouse gas warming in the US. This isn’t just because of their lifestyles; they’re also investing in companies that produce fossil fuels. Overconsumption isn’t just about how much stuff we buy. It’s also tied to the pursuit of excess wealth at the expense of other human beings and the environment.

#15. Natural causes

Not all climate change can be blamed on human activities. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, natural causes like volcanic eruptions, solar radiation and tectonic shifts can impact the warmth of the planet. However, super volcanoes, which release the most C02 emissions, only erupt every 100,000-200,000 years. NASA estimates that the human impact on the carbon cycle is 100 times greater than the impact of all the world’s volcanoes combined. Natural climate change causes would not lead us to the climate crisis we’re in today.

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In 1955, Rosa Parks was on her way home from her job at a department store. It had been a long day, but as Parks would later explain, she wasn’t more tired than usual. Her source of exhaustion came from years of enduring racial discrimination and hatred. When the bus driver told her to give up her seat so white passengers could get an extra row, Rosa decided she had had enough. Her refusal to move sparked a national surge of activism against the systemic racism infecting the United States. In this article, we’ll explore 15 of the most important facts about Rosa Parks, one of the most important Civil Rights icons.

#1. Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat in 1955

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was returning home from work. The bus system was segregated, which meant white people got the first rows on the bus, while Black people were made to sit at the back. Rosa was sitting where she was supposed to, but the driver told her she needed to move further back to give white riders more room. When she refused, the police arrived and arrested her.

#2. Because of her protest, Rosa Parks is known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”

The Civil Rights Movement was the most significant time for equal rights in 20th-century America. For over a century of discrimination, legalized segregation and racial violence after the Civil War, Black Americans and their allies fought for equality, but from 1954-1968, a massive wave of activism and progress ushered in a better era. Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat represented a major turning point. It led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a year-long protest against segregation, and eventually, a court case that ended bus segregation in Alabama.

#3. Rosa lost her case 

After Rosa’s arrest, E.D. Nixon, the president of the Alabama NAACP, and a few friends paid her bail. Just four days later, Rosa’s case went to trial. The NAACP organized a boycott of the bus system and encouraged people to either stay home, walk or take a cab in support of Rosa. Rosa lost her case and was fined $14.00. While she may have lost in court, Rosa’s story was far from over.

#4. Rosa’s protest sparked the Montgomery bus boycott

After Rosa’s case ended, activists decided to keep protesting the segregated bus system. They formed the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA), which was designed to organize and manage the boycott. Martin Luther King Jr, who was just 26 years old at the time, was elected president. Rosa served on the executive board of directors and worked briefly as a dispatcher. In this role, she helped connect boycott participants with the rides they needed to get to work, school and other commitments. As part of their work, the MIA created a carpool system. Over 300 private cars were available at any one time along with 22 station wagons provided by churches. Thanks to this system, around 30,000 people were helped every day.

Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure in the Montgomery bus boycott. Here are 11 facts about the Civil Rights icon.

#5. Rosa was arrested again in 1956

On February 21, 1956, a Montgomery grand jury indicted Rosa Parks, E.D. Nixon, Martin Luther King Jr, and 86 other people for violating Alabama’s Anti-Boycott Act. By participating in the bus boycott, they were technically breaking the law. The two most famous pictures of Rosa Parks – her mugshot and a photo in which she’s being fingerprinted – are from this arrest, not her original December 1, 1955 protest.

#6. Rosa Parks was not the first woman to stand up against bus segregation

Rosa Parks is the most famous person to refuse to give up her seat, but she wasn’t the first. Earlier in 1955, a 15-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to give up her bus seat when told to make room for a white woman. She was arrested. Rosa Parks was among the activists raising money for Claudette, but other civil rights leaders decided the “feisty” teenager wasn’t the right plaintiff for a larger case against segregation. According to Claudette, Rosa was the only adult to keep up with her the summer after her arrest. While Claudette’s story is not as well-known as Rosa’s, she still made an impact. In 1956, Claudette was one of the plaintiffs in Browder v Gayle, the federal case that led to the desegregation of the Montgomery bus system.

#7. Rosa knew about racism from a very young age

Rosa Parks, then Rosa McCauley, was born in Pine Level, Alabama. She grew up with her mother, brother and grandparents. When racial violence increased after World War I, Rosa’s grandfather would watch for the Ku Klux Klan, armed with a shotgun. In addition to learning to sew, cook and clean, a young Rosa would “keep vigil” with her grandfather on the porch. Rosa’s grandfather taught her to never accept poor treatment. When she was a child, a white boy threatened her. In response, Rosa picked up a brick, frightening the boy away.

#8. Rosa had one brother

Rosa’s brother, Sylvester James McCauley, was two years younger than her. He served during World War II in both the European and Pacific theaters. When the war ended, he moved to Detroit with his wife, Daisy, where they had thirteen children. Sylvester worked as a carpenter and employee of the Chrysler Motor Company. One of his daughters, Sheila McCauley Keys, wrote a book about her aunt called Our Auntie Rosa: The Family of Rosa Parks Remembers Her Life and Lessons, which was published in 2015.

#9. Rosa Parks’ husband was an activist, too

Raymond Parks proposed to Rosa on their second date and they married in 1932. At the time, Raymond was working with the Montgomery labor rights and fundraising for the defense of the Scottsboro Boys, nine Black teenagers falsely accused of rape. The work was so dangerous that supporters needed to meet secretly. According to Raymond, he would communicate a meeting’s day and time by standing in front of a specific street light and tying his shoe a certain way. Rosa called her husband “the first real activist I ever met.”

The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most famous social movements in history. Here’s our list of nine other human rights movements.

#10. Rosa worked in a variety of jobs

Rosa earned a high school diploma in 1933, which was fairly unusual for Black people at the time. However, it was difficult for Rosa to find a job worthy of her education. She worked as an insurance agent, office clerk, nurse’s aide and domestic worker. She also did sewing work at home to earn more money. Her mother and maternal grandmother, who made quilts, had taught her to sew. Rosa also received formal sewing training at the Montgomery Industrial School for Girls before her graduation.

#11. Rosa worked for the NAACP years before her bus protest

Rosa Parks is best known for refusing to give up her bus seat, but she’d already been involved in activism for decades. In 1943, she became a secretary for the Montgomery NAACP. She would investigate cases involving police brutality, murder, rape and racial discrimination. One of those cases involved the kidnapping and rape of a 24-year-old Black woman. When local police refused to prosecute the men, the Montgomery NAACP sent Rosa to investigate. She worked to form the Committee for Equal Justice and organized a letter-writing campaign to the Alabama governor. While a special grand jury was eventually created, the attackers were never indicted. In 1948, Rosa became the first NAACP state secretary.

Are you inspired by Rosa Parks’ activism? Here’s our list of courses on taking action for activists.

#12. After the Montgomery bus boycott, Rosa had to leave her home state 

While the Montgomery boycott was successful and segregation on public transport was declared unconstitutional, Rosa faced many challenges. She and Raymond both lost their jobs and couldn’t find work again. They received death threats. Eight months after the boycott, Rosa, Raymond and Rosa’s mother moved to Detroit, Michigan, where Rosa’s brother lived. While some things were better, racism still infected the North, making it difficult for Rosa and Raymond to find consistent work and housing. Despite these challenges, Rosa continued to work for racial equality and freedom.

#13. Rosa worked for John Conyers’ office until her retirement in 1988

John Conyers was a young lawyer in Michigan, and when he began running for a new Michigan Congressional seat, a win was considered unlikely. In favor of his pro-labor beliefs, Rosa Parks volunteered for his campaign. In 1965, Conyers won his election and promptly hired Rosa to work in his Detroit office. This was her first steady job after the bus boycott. She worked for Conyers until her retirement in 1988.

#14. Church and religion were very important to Rosa

Understanding Rosa’s Christian faith is essential to understanding her as an activist. As a child, she attended the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in Pine Level. Faith remained important to her as an adult. In her book, Quiet Strength: The Faith, the Hope and the Heart of a Woman Who Changed a Nation,” Rosa names the church as the one place where people can meet and educate themselves without unfair treatment. She describes the church as “the foundation of our community.”  

Interested in other quotes about civil rights and freedom? Here’s our list of 10 of the most memorable.

#15. Rosa Parks died in 2005 at age 92

In 2004, Rosa Parks was diagnosed with progressive dementia, and in 2005, she died of natural causes at age 92. Several memorials were held. She also lay in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington. She was the first woman and second Black person to lie in the Capitol. In Detroit and Montgomery, the front seats of buses were reserved with black ribbons. Rosa was interred between Raymond, who had died in 1977, and her mother.

The post 15 Facts about Rosa Parks appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

The abolitionist movement was a social movement dedicated to ending the slave trade and freeing enslaved people. The most memorable figures come from the United Kingdom and the United States, but abolitionists were active in every nation that enslaved people. In this article, we’ll focus on the history of the abolitionist movements in the UK and US, as well as their main ideas and what abolitionism looks like today.

The transatlantic slave trade was legal for almost 400 years, but by the 18th century, the movement to abolish slavery grew in influence. In the UK, it took campaigners decades to finally abolish the slave trade and emancipate enslaved people, while in the United States, slavery ended with the Civil War and the Thirteenth Amendment. 

The history of the abolitionist movement

The transatlantic slave trade existed for almost 400 years. While records are imperfect, the United Nations estimates that around 15 million people were victimized by this cruel institution. According to Slavery and Remembrance, Portugal and Spain began using enslaved people first to work sugar plantations, and eventually, crops like tobacco and rice. Other countries followed suit, and soon, the transatlantic slave trade was a huge enterprise. Not everyone supported slavery, however, and over time, the abolitionist movement grew in power and influence. Let’s talk about abolitionism in the two countries where it was most significant: the UK and the United States.

The abolitionist movement in the UK

According to information from the UK Parliament, the British got involved in the transatlantic slave trade in 1562. By the 1730s, the UK was the largest slave-trading nation in the world, but people were starting to express a desire to end slavery. In the 1780s, the abolitionist movement kicked off with a focus on London. The Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which eventually became Anti-Slavery International, was founded in 1787. Thomas Clarkson, a campaigner against slavery, collected data on the brutality of slavery. Meanwhile, in Parliament, William Wilberforce brought bill after bill to end slavery, but none of them passed. In Haiti, where Spain had enslaved native people since 1492, freedom fighters fought back against Spanish, French and British forces. While the Haitian freedom leader, Toussaint Louverture, died in 1803, his lieutenants continued the war. In 1804, Haiti was established as an independent republic. It’s the only successful slave rebellion in history.

In Britain, the campaign against slavery continued into the early 19th century. In 1807, William Wilberforce made a twelfth attempt in Parliament, and this time, it passed. King George III signed the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, which banned the trading of people in the British Empire. It didn’t free those already enslaved, however. Full emancipation was not achieved until 1838.

Racism and the slave trade are inseparable. Where does racism come from? Here are 10 root causes.

The abolitionist movement in the United States

The abolitionist movement in the United States used similar tactics as their counterparts in the UK, but progress looked different. The North was decidedly more opposed to slavery than the South, whose economy depended on enslaved people working in agriculture. According to History.com, anti-slavery sentiment increased after the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which made Missouri a slave state. The abolitionist movement spread to New York, Massachusetts and other Northern states. The movement grew more outraged when Congress passed the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, which required the capture of escaped enslaved people, even if they’d made it to free states. The infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision, which denied Black people legal citizenship rights, also motivated abolitionists. Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved writer and speaker, was one of the best-known abolitionists. Harriet Tubman, who helped enslaved people escape to freedom, and William Lloyd Garrison, who published the anti-slavery paper “The Liberator,” were also influential.

While the UK ended slavery with the passage of a law, the United States went to war over the fate of the practice. In the late 1850s, tensions between the North and South were nearing a boiling point. There were a few reasons for the conflict, but they centered on slavery. The Southern states wanted the power to abolish federal laws they didn’t like, including laws that disrupted slavery. They also wanted to expand the practice of slavery into western territories. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected president. The Southern states, who had opposed him, decided to secede from the United States. The Civil War began in 1861. Two years later, President Lincoln released the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared “all persons held as slaves” would be free. The Thirteenth Amendment, which was added to the Constitution in 1863, officially abolished slavery.

Slavery was abolished thanks to the persistent work of activists. Want to learn more about activism and how to get involved? Here’s our Activism 101 article.

The main ideas of the abolitionist movement

The abolitionist movements in the UK and the United States wanted the same thing: to end the slave trade and free enslaved people. While there were different ideas about how to accomplish these goals and what should happen after slavery ended, all abolitionists generally agreed slavery was wrong for humanitarian and religious reasons.

Slavery as a humanitarian issue

People who were pro-slavery often argued that enslaved people were treated well. Images of the kind-hearted plantation owner and happy slave were common, as was the belief that life would be much worse for Black people if slavery came to an end. Abolitionists spent a lot of time and effort educating people on the harsh reality. There was nothing kind or happy about slavery. In the late 18th century, abolitionists in England began collecting research on the slave trade, including how horrific the journey from Africa was. The ships were packed from stem to stern with people, many of whom were shackled. Ship captains cared little for sanitation and healthcare, while torture was a standard punishment for any type of resistance or complaint. Data estimates that around 2 million of those kidnapped for slavery died on the journey. Images of the ships, along with descriptions of the conditions on board, were an important tool for abolitionists.

Formerly enslaved people also played a key role in revealing the cruelty of slavery as they had personal experience. Many wrote what are known as “slave narratives,” which were pamphlets or books detailing a person’s life as a slave. Fredrick Douglass’ 1895 book, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, was one of the most popular. In this book, Douglass describes the horrific treatment he endured and witnessed while enslaved in Massachusetts, which included physical, emotional and psychological abuse. The authors of slave narratives often traveled and lectured around the United States and Europe, sharing the truth about slavery. The abolitionist movement’s goal was to provoke outrage and sympathy, so those who had once accepted slavery would feel compelled to fight against it for humanitarian reasons.

Slavery as a moral wrong

Educating people on the cruelty of slavery was a common tactic for both UK and US abolitionists, but many of them also argued against slavery for religious reasons. This placed them on the opposite side of Christians who used religion to argue for slavery. Pro-slavery Christians would point to Bible verses, claiming they shone a favorable light on slavery, while abolitionists argued that God made all people, including enslaved people, worthy of rights. While not all abolitionists were religious, there was a powerful religious thread through the movement in the UK and the United States. Some of the most prominent abolitionists, such as William Wilberforce in England and Sojourner Truth in the United States, frequently spoke of their religious faith and how it motivated them.

The Quakers had once been prominent slave traders, but they emerged as one of the first religious groups to argue against slavery. In 1688, four members sent a petition against slavery to their local meeting, but it wasn’t released until 1844. According to Stephen Angell, from the Earlham School of Religion, this petition could be the first direct protest against slavery. From the 17th century on, Quakers were the most vocal religious group to speak against slavery, arguing that slavery was a moral wrong incompatible with the Christian faith.

The abolitionist movement today

The abolitionist movement is still active today, albeit in a different form. With the transatlantic slave trade no longer operating, the trafficking of persons is a secretive, illegal practice. This makes it much harder to address. According to the International Labour Organization, there were almost 50 million trafficked people in 2021. That includes people in forced labor, forced marriages and forced commercial sexual exploitation. Activists raise awareness of the many forms of human trafficking, strengthen anti-trafficking laws, support survivors and more. In the United States, the abolitionist movement also works on ending legal exploitative labor, which affects people in prison. The Thirteenth Amendment may have abolished formal slavery, but it left an exception for slavery as a punishment for a crime. According to the ACLU, incarcerated workers earn an average of just 13-52 cents an hour nationwide, while in seven states, they’re not paid at all for most work assignments.

Interested in learning more about human trafficking? Here’s our article on Human Trafficking 101.

Many activists also push back against terms like “modern slavery.” There are many reasons why, including the differences in legality between the slavery of the past and human trafficking, as well as the causes of trafficking. By using the terms of the past in a modern context, activists also run the risk of whitewashing the abolitionist movement of the 18th and 19th centuries. Despite the importance of their work, abolitionists like William Wilberforce stopped short of accepting full equality between people of different races. They may have despised slavery, but many white abolitionists did not recognize their own racism. The fight against human trafficking requires different tools than the abolitionist movement of almost two centuries ago, so our language should reflect that.

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“NGO” stands for “nongovernmental organization.” The United Nations Charter, written in 1945, was the first document to include the term. While vague, the text established NGOs as nonprofit groups independent from governments. Today, the term NGO has an even more flexible meaning, but nongovernmental organizations play a vital role in today’s world. They’re dedicated to causes like fighting poverty, achieving gender equality, preserving natural habitats and much more. In this article, we’ll describe 15 of the biggest NGOs in the UK, which is home to some of the world’s oldest and largest charities.

#1. Amnesty International

Headquartered in London, Amnesty International is a global nongovernmental advocacy organization. It was founded in 1961 to support political prisoners, but it has since expanded to promote awareness of all human rights. Areas of focus include armed conflict, child rights, the death penalty, torture and police brutality. The NGO works through research, advocacy and lobbying, and campaigns and action. As an international organization, Amnesty International works in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa. Information on current campaigns, donations, volunteer opportunities and careers can be found on the website.

#2. Anti-Slavery International

Founded in 1839, Anti-Slavery International (then called the Anti-Slavery Society) was the project of abolitionists committed to ending slavery worldwide. While the Transatlantic slave trade is over, modern slavery remains a persistent problem. Anti-Slavery International works to free everyone from slavery by raising awareness, acting as an ally to survivors and those at risk of slavery, and working on laws, policies and practices that keep everyone safe from slavery. Its 5-year priority areas include ending child and youth slavery, responsible business, migration and trafficking, and slavery and the environment. The NGO focuses on capacity building, collaboration, learning and influencing. You can find more information on impact, accountability and ways to take action on the website.

#3. British Heart Foundation

The British Heart Foundation is a cardiovascular research charity. It funds around £100 million in research every year, making it the largest independent funder of research in this field. Its goal is to reduce deaths caused by heart and circulatory diseases by more than half. By 2030, the NGO hopes to see advances across diseases, including better prevention and better, longer lives for those with existing conditions. To learn more about the foundation’s work, visit its website for resources on donations, careers and other ways to take action.

NGOs address issues like poverty, gender inequality, climate change and more. Here are 15 examples of the social issues facing the UK.

#4. British Red Cross

The British Red Cross Society is the UK’s branch of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. In the UK, the NGO offers mobility support, cost of living support, refugee services, UK emergencies and international services. It also conducts research, advocacy and education. The Red Cross also operates charity shops and an online store. Visit the NGO’s website to learn more about donations, fundraising, volunteering and jobs.

#5. ChildHope

Established in 1989, ChildHope works toward a world where children are free from abuse and injustice. Priorities include street-connected children, child labor, modern slavery, early marriage, gender equality and so on. Its projects focus on improving math education, harnessing community action to fight against trafficking, and providing water sanitation and hygiene. The NGO’s approach is based in local partnerships and collaboration. To learn more about ChildHope’s work, leadership and finances, visit the website.

#6. Equal Rights Trust

Established in 2007, The Equal Rights Trust fights discrimination and promotes equality as a basic human right and principle of social justice. In 2008, the NGO worked with 128 experts from over 40 countries to launch the Declaration of Principles on Equality. Since then, the NGO has conducted research and established projects that support civil society movements. According to its website, the Equal Rights Trust is the only international organization focused exclusively on the right to equality. It has identified four gaps in protection, implementation, application and practice that must be addressed. You can find information on donations, partners and opportunities on the NGO’s website, as well as reports and a copy of the Declaration of Principles on Equality.

Check out our article on 10 online courses on fighting inequality and discrimination.

#7. Macmillan Cancer Support

In 1911, after his father died of cancer, Douglas Macmillan founded the Society for the Prevention and Relief of Cancer. The organization has changed its name a few times – it became Macmillan Cancer Support in 2006 – but its mission has remained consistent. It provides practical, emotional, physical and financial support, raises money, runs advocacy campaigns, performs research and much more. In 2022, the NGO reached around 2 million people living with cancer and raised more than £221. The website offers reports, resources and information on jobs.

#8. National Alliance of Women’s Organisatons

The National Alliance of Women’s Organisatons (NAWO) was founded in 1989. It’s an umbrella organization under which 100 organizations and individuals work to ensure women’s access to their human rights. Membership includes specialist organizations, faith groups, health centers, arts organizations and more. The group uses a Four Nations approach, performs research on the best strategies, builds alliances and works with young women to develop a Young Women’s Alliance. Information on the group’s members, campaigns and reports can be found on the website.

#9. Oxfam UK

Established in 1942, Oxfam is a British-founded confederation of 21 independent charities focused on ending global poverty. Priority areas include climate change, women’s rights, water, food and emergencies. Oxfam UK was also home to many charity shops, though many have closed following a sexual abuse scandal. The shops have traditionally offered a variety of goods like clothing and books. Its current campaigns focus on climate justice, a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict, and equality. Information on donations, Oxfam’s work and impact can be found on the charity’s website.

Check out our article in 5 essays about poverty.

#10. Save the Children

Established in 1919, the UK-founded Save the Children Fund works to improve the lives of children around the world. It operates around the world on priorities like education, health, hunger, children’s rights and emergencies. Through its programs and over 600,000 supporters, it’s helped 45 million kids across the 115 countries it works in. The organization also has general consultative status in the United Nations Economic and Social Council. You can visit the website to learn more about the NGO’s impact, finances and donation opportunities.

#11. SolarAid

Founded in 2006, SolarAid is a London-based international charity working to fight poverty and climate change. Through its social enterprise, SunnyMoney, it provides access to solar lights in Zambia and Malawi. The charity also has partner organizations in Uganda and Senegal. Because of this approach, the money is reinvested back into SolarAid’s work and the local economy. Agents reach rural communities with safe, affordable, and clean solar lights, which can replace candles and kerosene lamps. SolarAid has distributed 2.3 million worldwide, reached 12 million people with light and averted 2.4M tonnes of C02 from the atmosphere. Learn more about the charity’s impact, partnerships and careers on the website.

#12. The Aegis Trust

The Aegis Trust campaigns to prevent genocides around the world. It’s based at the UK’s National Holocaust Centre but has its largest presence in Rwanda, where it established the Kigali Genocide Memorial. In the UK, the trust provides the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Genocide Prevention. Other activities include research, evidence-based policy and advocacy, genocide remembrance, education and more. Its website offers educational resources and ways to get involved.

#13. The Refugee Council

The UK-based Refugee Council works with asylum seekers and refugees. Every year, the NGO works with over 13,000 women, men and children seeking safety in the UK. Its services include crisis advice, mental health counseling and practical support. The Refugee Council also advocates on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees. Its research examines emerging issues, provides evidence for change and works with decision-makers to influence policy. Supporters can participate in campaigns, donate money, organize fundraisers and so on. The charity’s website also offers information for those seeking assistance.

#14. WaterAid

Established in 1981, WaterAid is a UK-based international nonprofit working to make clean water, good toilets and good hygiene accessible to everyone. With supporters and partners, the NGO has reached almost 30 million people with clean water, 30 million with decent toilets, and over 20 million with good hygiene. Water, sanitation and hygiene affect – and are affected by – issues like climate change and gender inequality, so WaterAid also works on climate justice and empowering women and girls. Visit WaterAid’s website to learn more about how to get involved.

#15. The World Wide Fund for Nature

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which is a Swiss-based environmental charity, works to preserve nature and reduce the human impact on the environment. For more than 60 years, WWF has worked with communities, governments, companies and individuals to tackle climate change, create a sustainable food system and restore threatened habitats. In the UK, the WWF has the Living Planet Centre, which its website says is one of the greenest buildings in the nation. You can learn more about the charity’s work, impact, leadership and careers on its website.

Interested in learning more about environmental issues? Here’s our article on 20 of the most important ones.

The post The Biggest 15 NGOs in the UK appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

NGOs operate in virtually every corner of the world. While exact numbers are impossible to know, there could be millions of them working to eradicate poverty, protect children, empower women, achieve gender equality and make the world a better, safer place for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore 15 of the biggest and most influential NGOs in Canada.

#1. CARE Canada

Established in 1945, CARE is a global confederation investing in women and girls.. CARE Canada is based in Ottawa, but it works with the global community and women’s rights organizations. The NGO’s work focuses on safety, health, livelihood, advocacy and emergency response. In 2022, CARE reached over a million direct participants, 60% of which were women and girls. The NGO was also active in 30 countries with 50 projects and initiatives. You can find annual reports on CARE Canada’s website, as well as information on donations, fundraising, partnerships and careers.

#2. Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society is Canada’s largest national cancer charity. It was first formed in 1938, and today, its work includes funding research, educating the public, running support services and providing information on cancer. The NGO’s goal is “uniting and inspiring Canadians to take control of cancer.” The Canadian Cancer Society also works on health equity; it has a 5-year goal to reduce health inequities in underserved communities such as young adults, Indigenous communities, older adults, racialized communities and others. The NGO’s website offers annual reports and resources about events, donations, fundraising and careers.

Check out our article on the 15 biggest NGOs in the world.

#3. Canadian Centre for Child Protection

The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is a national charity focused on children’s safety. It was founded in 1985 following the disappearance and murder of a 13-year-old child. The child’s mother and several volunteers started the organization to provide services they did not have. The Centre’s goal is to reduce the sexual exploitation and abuse of kids, help locate missing children and prevent child victimization. Its programs include critical assistance, as well as education and prevention. Every year, the NGO supports over 3,000 survivors, youth and caregivers and distributes over 1 million education and prevention resources. You can find research, resources, donation links and career information on the NGO’s website.

#4. Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 Canadian Christian churches and church-based agencies. This partnership focuses on ending global hunger with locally-based organizations in developing countries. Founded in 1983, the NGO has expanded to over 30 countries with over 100 international partners. The NGO also benefits from community-growing projects. To start these projects, a group of people buy a plot of land together, grow a harvest, sell it on the Canadian market, and donate proceeds to the Foodgrains Bank. Canada currently has over 200 growing projects. The NGO’s website has information about donations, additional resources, financial accountability and careers.

#5. Greenpeace

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network founded in Canada in 1971. It’s now headquartered in Amsterdam, but it’s made up of 26 independent national/regional organizations across 55 countries. Its goal is to protect life on Earth, so it focuses on climate change, deforestation, nuclear weapons, overfishing and other environmental issues. As an independent organization, it does not accept funding from governments. It has a general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Activities include direct action, research, and advocacy. For more information on the NGO’s work, campaigns, petitions, volunteer opportunities and careers, please visit the website.

#6. Heart and Stroke Foundation

For over 60 years, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has been a leading funder of research into heart health. With the help of volunteers, donors, researchers, healthcare professionals, governments and others, the organization works to reduce deaths from heart disease, stroke and related conditions. Its areas of focus include equity, transparency and curiosity. The foundation’s goals include protecting kid’s health through a nutrition plan, improving the health of Indigenous communities, educating Canadians on what strokes look like, partnering with survivors and funding stroke recovery research. You can find resources for the media and patients on the website, as well as information about donations, financials, leadership and careers.

The NGOs on this list deal with many social issues affecting Canada. Here’s our article on 15 examples of social issues.

#7. Islamic Relief Canada

Islamic Relief is an international relief organization founded in 1984. It has since grown into the world’s largest Islamic NGO. It now works in 40 countries around the world and has 100 offices. Priority areas include water, food, shelter, education, healthcare, economic empowerment and emergency relief. In 2022, Islamic Relief reached 3.3 million, funded over 170 projects, sponsored 22,000 orphans and helped provide sustainable food, clean water and livelihoods to 1.3 million people. You can find information on charity events, volunteer opportunities, donation links, emergency campaigns and more on the Islamic Relief Canada website.

#8. Médecins sans Frontières (MSF)

Founded in 1971, this French-based organization, which is also known as Doctors Without Borders, has national offices around the world. The Canadian office is based in Toronto. According to the website, MSF Canada contributes to medical humanitarian activities and provides leadership in climate environment and health, transformation and innovation, telemedicine, the safety of project staff and medical advocacy. Like all MSF offices, MSF Canada works in areas like disasters, conflict and war, disease, epidemics, pandemics and people on the move. The website has information on ways to take action, career opportunities, impact and accountability, and more.

#9. Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is a nongovernmental group representing Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and transgender and gender-diverse people in Canada. NWAC was established to “enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well-being” of all Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. They have a series of programs (such as the NWAC National Apprenticeships Program), a magazine, a journal, scholarships, and a Knowledge Centre. The group works in policy areas like economic development, social development, health, legal affairs and more. You can find more information on NWAC’s advocacy, education and careers on their website.

You may also like: Indigenous Canada (Online Course)

#10. Oxfam Canada

Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the International Oxfam Confederation, which is present in 87 countries. Canada has been involved with Oxfam since 1963. The NGO works directly with communities, partners and women’s rights organizations to end poverty with a focus on empowering women and girls. It works on ending violence, women’s economic justice, humanitarian assistance, climate justice and much more. The NGO’s website offers resources and information on donations, volunteer opportunities, a policy hub, careers and other ways to take action.

#11. Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is part of a global organization dedicated to children, especially girls. Plan operates in more than 80 countries and partners with children, families, supporters, local organizations and governments. The NGO works in education, health, protection from violence, youth leadership, economic empowerment and humanitarian response. Because girls are among the most vulnerable groups, Plan also focuses on girl’s education, child marriage and gender-based violence. In 2022, Plan reached 1.3 million children, adolescents and adults with healthcare and education, as well as 382,996 children and adults with food support. You can find resources on fundraising, active campaigns, donations and financial opportunities on the NGO’s website.

#12. SickKids Foundation

The SickKids Foundation began in 1875 with a commitment to fight for the health and well-being of children. Their principles are collaboration, integrity, excellence, innovation and inclusion. The NGO partners locally and globally through the integration of care, research and education. Its approach is based on Precision Child Health, which seeks to diagnose faster, treat conditions faster and predict illnesses before they begin affecting kids. Their website includes information on fundraisers, events, donations, volunteer opportunities and careers.

Interested in working for an NGO in Canada? Check out our article on 10 organizations offering jobs in Canada.

#13. The Winnipeg Foundation

Established in 1921, the Winnipeg Foundation is Canada’s first community foundation, which are organizations based on pooling and permanently investing gifts. The interest from these investments provides sources of support for charitable projects. As a Winnipeg group, it focuses mostly on that area in areas like education, employment, health, environment, heritage, arts and culture, recreation and more. In 2022, the foundation distributed $85 million to the community based on $50 million in gifts. You can find information on the foundation’s grant programs, leadership, youth programming and more.

#14. United Way of Greater Toronto

United Way is a worldwide nonprofit, but within Canada, it operates in over 100 countries. Each United Way raises support locally and is governed by an autonomous Board of Directors. It focuses on ending poverty through philanthropy, grants, convening, research, and public policy and mobilization. Poverty is complex, so the United Way works on food security, early learning and parenting, inclusive employment, mental health, youth development and much more. The website has information for donors, volunteers, community agencies and media.

#15. World Vision Canada

World Vision is an international NGO with over 70 years of experience. Globally, the NGO reached 13 million people in 2022. That same year, Canada’s branch reached over 17,000 people through its programs that focus on emergency relief, transformational development and the promotion of justice. World Vision is a Christian organization, but serves everyone in the communities it operates in. You can find information on accountability, sponsorships and careers on the NGO’s website.

The post 15 Biggest NGOs in Canada appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) serve millions – if not billions – of people each year. These organizations, which are independent of governments, work on ending poverty, protecting kids, improving food security, providing healthcare, achieving gender equality and much more. Many NGOs are international. Australia, which is home to over 26 million people, has many NGOs based in or conducting activities within its borders. Here are 15 of the biggest examples:

 #1. Action on Poverty

Founded in 1968 by an Australian actress and Marist priest, Action on Poverty reaches millions through its programs, global network and local organizations. It currently works in 14 countries addressing climate resilience, food and water security, governance and social accountability, gender equality, livelihoods and economic empowerment, and health. The NGO connects philanthropists, corporations, other non-profits and innovators with developing communities and local NGOs. The organization is fully accredited with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Evaluations on various projects can be found on the NGO’s website, alongside information on donations, volunteer opportunities and careers.

What is poverty? Read our article to learn what poverty is, its causes, and how you can take action.

#2. Amnesty International Australia

Amnesty International, which is based in the UK, has organizations around the world, including in Australia. The NGO was founded in 1961 and has grown into one of the world’s largest advocacy organizations. It has several campaigns addressing areas like refugee rights, climate justice, child rights, the death penalty and much more. Amnesty’s “Write For Rights” campaign, which is the NGO’s flagship letter-writing campaign, has been in operation for over two decades.

#3. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) began in 2001. Once a student-run and community-funded food bank, ASRC has grown into an independent, community-led organization. It’s now the largest human rights organization supporting people seeking asylum in Australia. Its 40 programs address food and material aid, healthcare, support services, legal aid, education and training, and more. Thanks to community support, staff and volunteers, the Centre helps around 7,000 people each year. As an independent organization, ASRC does not accept government funds.

#4. Australian Human Rights Commission

The Australian Human Rights Commission is a bit different from the other organizations on this list because it was established by an act of Federal Parliament. Despite this, it is an independent, third-party organization. As Australia’s National Human Rights Institution, its work includes investigating and conciliating discrimination and human rights complaints, providing guidelines to employers, advocating to the government and others for human rights, and providing legal advice. They also promote human rights through training and education, events and discussion, media outreach, digital resources and social media communication.

#5. Australian Red Cross

The Australian Red Cross is part of a worldwide humanitarian aid network that reaches millions of people each year through National Societies. The Australian Branch of the British Red Cross Society was founded in 1914 after WWI began. Australia was recognized as its own national society in 1927. The organization mobilizes during natural disasters, war and other emergencies. The website offers resources for students, parents, educators, businesses and journalists, as well as information on how to become an Australian Red Cross member, how to donate, and how to volunteer.

You may also like: Global Health and Humanitarianism (Online Course)

#6. Australia for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTAR)

Australia for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTAR) describes itself as a “trusted Ally and Thought Leader” that offers information on First Nations rights and works for First Nations rights and justice. Since 1927, the organization has campaigned on key issues for First Nations people and communities, such as truth-telling, cultural heritage, justice, racism, voice and more. The NGO’s ultimate goal is creating a just Australia where the rights of First Peoples are “recognized, respected and enjoyed.” ANTAR is a non-partisan, independent non-profit affiliated with a national network of state and territory groups.

#7. CARE Australia

CARE Australia is an international humanitarian aid NGO focused on ending global poverty and addressing the needs of women and girls. It’s been operating for over 70 years across 94 countries. In 2019-2019, CARE Australia helped over 2.7 million people across 25 countries and responded to 14 emergencies across 21 countries. Because women and girls are among the most vulnerable groups in the world, CARE works to empower them through healthcare, education, employment and so on. The organization prioritizes good governance, disability inclusion, climate change resilience, and lessons and impact.

#8. Caritas Australia

Caritas Australia is an aid agency of the Australian Catholic Church. It focuses on eradicating poverty and injustice. The NGO is a member of Caritas Internationalis, which is one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world. Through locally-led programs, the NGO responds to emergencies, provides education, implements sustainable development, advocates for fair policies and addresses water sanitation issues. Its website offers resources and toolkits for schools, parishes, individuals, corporations, philanthropists and others. The NGO’s work is based on courage, compassion, stewardship and partnership.

#9. ChildFund Australia

ChildFund Australia is an independent international development NGO focused on children and young people. It’s part of the ChildFund Alliance, which is a global network of 11 organizations assisting almost 36 million kids and families in 70 countries. Its programs address child safety, education, public health, food security, empowerment and much more. ChildFund Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development, a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct and the ACFID Fundraising Charter, and a member of Accountable Now, which is a platform committed to transparency and impact. The organization used to employ child sponsorship as a strategy but is now transitioning to different methods.

Interested in learning more about NGOs that protect children’s rights? Here’s our article on 11 organizations offering children’s rights jobs.

#10. Human Rights Law Centre

The Human Rights Law Centre is an independent organization dedicated to human rights. Using strategic legal action, advocacy and policy solutions, the NGO works to end inequalities and injustice in Australia. Its impact areas include protecting democratic freedoms, partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, promoting the rights of asylum-seekers and refugees, and strengthening the legal and institutional protection of human rights. The Centre takes on a few cases each year, which are developed with other organizations according to the Centre’s strategic priorities. You can find resources on the website, such as reports and explainers, as well as information about donations, careers and volunteer opportunities.

You may also like: International Human Rights Law (Online Course)

#11. Oaktree

Oaktree is a youth-run organization focused on empowering kids to make an impact in their communities and the world. The NGO does this by providing resources, connecting youth-led organizations, advocating and campaigning for sustainable development and children’s rights, and providing skill-building opportunities for kids. Through the Oaktree Youth Solidarity Fund, Oaktree partners with youth-led organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region. Every year, Oaktree selects members based on the project they want to run. Members are given flexible grants and become part of the OYSF Network. In 2022, the fund launched with five partners who met through the year to share skills and support one another. Oaktree is a member of the Australian Council for International Development.

#12. Oxfam Australia

Oxfam Australia is part of Oxfam International, one of the world’s largest anti-poverty organizations. With partners, allies, communities and supporters, Oxfam Australia uses a human rights-based approach to development. Its priority areas include climate change, gender equality, economic inequality, humanitarian aid, safety and First Peoples justice. In 2021-2022, Oxfam Australia helped over 14 million people in crisis, raised more than $1.3 million through Trailwalker, and raised more than $30,000 at the NGO’s annual Comedy Gala. Oxfam Australia’s website offers impact reports and information on donations, volunteering and careers.

#13. Partners in Aid

Established in 1962, Partners in Aid provides support for communities in countries like India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Once focused on shipping livestock, the organization has since expanded to community health and economic development. Today, Partners in Aid partners with the All Bengal Women’s Union and Social Education and Development Society in India; the Singanpad Association in the Philippines; and Y Gro in Sri Lanka. The website offers detailed reports on the NGO’s projects, as well as resources and information on membership, donations, careers and volunteering.

#14. Refugee Migrant Children Centre (RMCC)

The Refugee Migrant Children Centre supports school-aged kids from refugee and migrant backgrounds as they begin a life in Australia. RMCC partners with schools that have large numbers of kids from migrant and refugee backgrounds. They host after-school programs, which makes it convenient for kids to attend and strengthens communities. Programs are specialized and co-designed with the kids and families RMCC serves. Examples include after-school mentoring programs for secondary-school and primary-school students, school holiday programs, a supporting prep program, and educational material aid. RMCC also runs programs online and works with support services and local councils. You can find more information about donations, volunteer opportunities, and careers on the NGO’s website.

Australia is facing many social issues. Here are 15 of the most important examples.

#15. Transform Aid International

Transform Aid International is an anti-poverty Christian organization partnering with other Christian organizations around the world. It works with 36 in-country project partners in 20 countries through Baptist World Aid, which is supported by Australians. The NGO’s goal is to build leadership and capacity at a grassroots level. Partners and alliances include ACFID, Integral Alliance and the Australian government. You can find policies, documents, career, and board member information on the NGO’s website.

The post The 15 Biggest NGOs in Australia appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Slavery was a part of American life since the nation’s foundation. While it took the Civil War to end the institution, enslaved people had been taking matters into their own hands for years. At great risk, they would escape from their enslavers and seek freedom in the Northern states and Canada. Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery as a young woman, became one of the most famous guides on this dangerous journey. In this article, we’ll explore 15 facts about Harriet Tubman, including who she was, what she did and how she is remembered today.

#1. Harriet Tubman was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a network that led enslaved people to freedom

In the early to mid-19th-century, a massive network of safe houses and people helped guide escaped enslaved people from the South to Canada. According to information on a PBS blog, the system probably began toward the end of the 18th century. As it grew, it became known as the Underground Railroad. Many who participated were unaware of the network’s full scale; it wasn’t until later that its size and power became clearer. Harriet Tubman was one of the most famous “conductors,” who were the people responsible for guiding groups to safety.

#2. Harriet Tubman was enslaved from birth but escaped

Harriet Tubman was born Arminta Ross around 1822. Life as an enslaved person was horrific, so Tubman began trying to escape. A “runaway slave” ad in 1849 names her and her two brothers. At this time, the three of them were working on a large plantation. After running away, they hid for about three weeks but eventually returned. In the ad, Tubman is referred to as “Minty,” her childhood nickname. She’s described as being around 27 years old and about 5 feet tall. The ad promised $100 each for Tubman and her brothers if they were found out of state, and $50 if they were caught in the state. Not long after this ad, Tubman successfully escaped on her own with the help of the local Underground Railroad.

#3. Harriet Tubman personally rescued around 70 people

According to legend, Harriet Tubman rescued around 300 people, but she probably

rescued around 70 of her friends and family over 13 trips. That was the number she repeated during meetings, while people who knew Tubman agreed. Sarah Bradford, a friend of Tubman’s who wrote a biography in 1868, was the one who provided the inaccurate, exaggerated number. Because Tubman also gave advice and helped others learn how to be conductors, she played an important role in the rescue of more than 70 people.

#4. Harriet Tubman deployed many strategies to elude authorities

Harriet Tubman returned to Maryland around 13 times, risking her own freedom to save her family and friends. She used several strategies, including disguises. She would pretend to be a man or an elderly woman. She also preferred to travel during the winter, which provided longer nights perfect for moving in the darkness. To protect herself, she carried a pistol, as well as drugs that could sedate a crying baby. According to Tubman, she never lost any of the people she was guiding north.

Slavery was a grave injustice. To learn more about racial injustice, check out our article.

#5. Like many conductors, Harriet Tubman used songs to signal when enslaved people should run

Songs played an important role in the Underground Railroad. They would signal when it was safe or unsafe. Sarah Bradford, who was Tubman’s friend and first biographer, listed two songs Tubman would sing: “Go Down Moses” and “Bound for the Promised Land.” She would change the tempo to let people know if it was safe or not. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is often mentioned as another song used by Tubman, but it’s unclear if that’s true. Many African-American spirituals were passed down orally, so it’s very difficult to identify specific songwriters or composition dates.

#6. Harriet Tubman experienced seizures, which she interpreted as visions from God

When Tubman was 13 years old, she was hit in the head with a weight. It took her months to recover, but for the rest of her life, she experienced what experts believe are epileptic seizures. With no treatment available at the time, Tubman would occasionally collapse and appear to be asleep. She reported having vivid visions and dreams, which she said came from God.

#7. Harriet Tubman was known as the “Moses of her people”

In her lifetime and to this day, Tubman is widely revered for her extraordinary courage. She was called “the Moses of her people.” It’s a Biblical reference to Moses, the prophet who led the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt into the Promised Land of Canaan. Moses has since become a powerful symbol for people fighting for equality and freedom. Tubman literally led people out of slavery, but Martin Luther King Jr. is often compared to Moses, too. In his last sermon, a day before he was assassinated, King made a comparison to Moses, saying “I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.”

#8. Harriet Tubman left her first husband when she escaped slavery

In 1844, Harriet married John Tubman, a free Black man. It wasn’t unusual for a free person to marry an enslaved person, but it did complicate the relationship. If the couple had had any children, the kids would have legally belonged to Harriet’s enslaver. When Harriet began making plans to escape five years after they married, John did not go with her. He would later remarry. According to Sarah Bradford’s biography of Tubman, John was not a good husband. Bradford describes John as someone who “did his best to betray her, and bring her back after she escaped.” It’s unclear if this is true, however, as Bradford’s biography is not considered the most accurate account of Tubman’s life.

#9. Harriet Tubman tried to rescue her sister, niece and nephew for ten years but was not successful

Tubman rescued her parents and brothers, but her sister Rachel and Rachel’s two children remained enslaved. Rachel had been separated from her kids, a son and daughter, and refused to leave without them. In 1860, Tubman made yet another attempt to save her sister, but Rachel had died. As described in Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman: Portrait of an American Hero by Kate Clifford Larson, Tubman was unable to save her niece and nephew. She guided another family – a couple and their three children – but this mission was Tubman’s last.

#10. During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman was the first woman to lead an armed military operation in the United States

Because of Tubman’s experience in the Underground Railroad, she was the perfect choice for a spy. In 1863, she was put in charge of a secret military mission in South California. With Colonel James Montgomery, the commander of a Black regiment, Tubman planned a raid around the Combahee River. Tubman led 150 men toward the fugitives they wanted to rescue. By the end, more than 700 people reached safety on the gunboats. While Tubman was recognized by the press, she was not paid for her work as a soldier because she was a woman.

Despite her work for the Union, Tubman faced gender discrimination. Check out our article on gender discrimination to learn more about this issue.

#11. Harriet Tubman never stopped advocating for freedom and equality

After the Civil War ended, Harriet Tubman kept working as an activist. She raised funds to help newly freed people, advocated for women’s suffrage and cared for older people in her home. She also adopted a daughter with her husband, a Union soldier. In 1898, she used land near her house for the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged. After she died in 1913, she was buried with military honors in Auburn, New York.

#12. Harriet Tubman couldn’t read or write

As an enslaved person, Tubman was not given a proper education. She could not read or write. That did not limit her intelligence, however, as she was a brilliant strategist as a conductor with the Underground Railroad and a soldier. Because she didn’t leave behind any of her own writings, historians have to depend on what other people said about her. Some people no doubt transcribed exactly what she told them, but others exaggerated aspects of her life or failed to clarify information. The result, in the words of Tubman biographer Kate Clifford Larson, is “a variety of contrived and incomplete portraits.”

#13. Harriet Tubman’s story has become sensationalized

Harriet Tubman is one of the most mythologized figures in American history. That means her already impressive story is often exaggerated or reported inaccurately for the sake of drama and style. Sarah Bradford, Tubman’s first biographer, mused that Tubman might have saved as many as 300 people, but that number didn’t come from Tubman herself. Later, people would claim that Tubman had a $40,000 bounty on her head. That number seems to have come from Sallie Holley, who wrote a letter to a newspaper in 1867 in support of Tubman getting a pension from the Union Army. The only recorded bounty for Tubman, however, is from the runaway slave ad which offered $100. People who shared inaccurate stories weren’t malicious, but in trying to capture just how important Tubman was, they made things much harder for future historians.

#14. Historians are still unearthing information about Harriet Tubman

According to National Geographic, the farmland where Tubman grew up is still farmland. Those interested in learning more can explore the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, which features a visitor center and more information about Tubman’s early life. In 2021, historians identified the site of Harriet Tubman’s childhood home with the help of broken pottery, glass, and a coin. Archaeologists are still working on the site, hoping to learn more. The park’s goal is, according to the park website, to “recall the landscape that shaped Harriet Tubman’s life as an enslaved child, young woman, and freedom seeker.”

#15. Harriet Tubman will be on the $20 bill…eventually

In 2016, the Treasury Secretary announced new plans for the $5, $10, and $20 notes. Among the changes? Harriet Tubman’s portrait would now be on the $20 bill, replacing President Andrew Jackson. This change was a long time coming as many people criticized the famously racist Andrew Jackson’s inclusion on money. However, the new $20 kept getting delayed. The newest update came in 2022. Janet Yellen, the current Treasury Secretary, said the new bill should be released in 2030.

Harriet Tubman fought against racism her whole life. Here are 10 of racism’s root causes. 

The post 15 Facts about Harriet Tubman appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Every March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. It’s a day to recognize how far women’s rights and gender equality have come, but it’s also a time to admit the world still has a long way to go. According to 2022 data, it could take 286 years to end gender discrimination and achieve full legal protection for women and girls. Originally, International Women’s Day was a call to action for universal suffrage and equal economic rights. That message still resonates today. In this article, we’ll explore the history of International Women’s Day, where you can learn more and how everyone can participate.

With roots in 20th-century socialist politics and revolutionary action, International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women’s rights and work for gender equality. 

What’s the history of International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day has deep roots in socialist, working class politics. In 1907, the International Conference of Socialist Women held their first gathering. According to Jacobin, their goals included universal female suffrage, which they advocated for without barriers regarding property ownership, tax, education and so on. In 1909, thanks to a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the United States held the first National Women’s Day on February 28th. The next year, at their gathering in Copenhagen, the International Conference of Socialist Women agreed to recognize an International Women’s Day.

The first International Women’s Day celebration took place on March 19th, 1911. Over one million women and men participated in rallies across Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. They advocated for women’s right to vote, the right to hold public office, and women’s right to work. In 1913-1914, women in Russia celebrated their first International Women’s Day on February 23. In 1917, Russian women went on a strike for “Bread and Peace.” It was the end of February on the Julian calendar, which Russia used at the time, but the protest fell on March 8th on the Gregorian calendar. The crowds quickly grew to around 150,000 people, all holding banners reading “Bread” and “Down with the Czar.” Just days later, Czar Nicholas abdicated, ending the Romanov family’s three-century rule. The provisional government quickly gave women the right to vote. International Women’s Day was recognized by the United Nations for the first time in 1975. It’s now celebrated around the world every year on March 8th.

Why is International Women’s Day important? This article explains why.

What International Women’s Day resources are available?

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a great opportunity to learn more about women’s history, women’s rights, and the people – both past and present – who have fought for gender equality and freedom around the world. Here’s a list of 10 resources:

The United Nations

The United Nations is a good source for information about IWD’s background, gender equality, human rights and much more. On the main page, the UN explains what this year’s current IWD focuses on. The theme for IWD 2023 was “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” The UN held an event on March 8th with technologists, innovators, gender equality activists and entrepreneurs invested in improving access to digital tools. Because technology can either close or widen economic and social inequalities, it’s essential to protect the rights of women and girls in digital spaces. The UN’s IWD page also features websites, publications, stories and messages from various UN bodies on that year’s topic.

UN Women

UN Women is the UN entity responsible for working toward gender equality and empowering women. It’s a great resource for information about gender equality year round, not just on March 8th. You can find messages from the executive director, press releases, media advisories and other resources. On its digital library, you can find reports like the Gender Snapshot for the year, case studies, policy briefs, brochures and handbooks.

UNESCO

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized UN agency focused on promoting world peace through education, arts, sciences and culture. It offers Sustainable Development Goal resources for educators on gender equality, as well as all the other SDGs like zero poverty, zero hunger, quality education and climate action. With the gender equality resource, you select which learning level you want resources for (early childhood care and education, primary education or secondary education ) and check out pedagogical resources, classroom activity ideas and multimedia educational resources.

The Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organization promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It offers a variety of resources covering gender equality and women’s rights on its website. You can search by theme, type of resource, language and year going back to 1953. Publications like infographics, fact sheets, guides, handbooks and studies are available.

Harvard’s Gender Action Portal

The Harvard Kennedy School Women and Public Policy Program created the Gender Action Portal (GAP). It’s a useful tool for researchers, policymakers, students, journalists and other practitioners interested in gender equity. It includes information on experimental methodologies in gender equity research, intersectional research and summaries on various topics like health, education and development. The portal also lists impact evaluations, gender data, gender indexes and publications on women’s rights and gender equity.

Classes are another great way to learn about women’s rights. Here’s a list of 8 courses about women’s empowerment.

Focus2030

Focus2030 is an organization focused on boosting “the impact, visibility and influence of the international development community.” It tracks the progress of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It also hosts an overview of the data on gender equality across the world. It includes data from places like the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and other respected entities. A variety of topics are covered, including economic justice, gender-based violence, reproductive health and education. At the time of writing, the overview was last updated in March of 2023.

Ethical Trading Initiative

Founded in 1998, the Ethical Trading Initiative is a UK-based body consisting of companies, trade unions and NGOs. The goal is to ensure member companies meet global supply chain and labor standards. The ETI Base Code includes standards such as no discrimination and no harsh or inhumane treatment. You can find resources on gender equality on the ETI’s website, such as a resource kit on gender-based violence, materials on trade union activities around women’s rights, case studies and more.

The International Center for Research on Women

Since 1976, the International Center for Research on Women has operated as a non-profit with offices in several countries. Their mission is to promote gender equality, inclusion and prosperity in international development. You can find a variety of resources on their website, such as infographics, policy briefs, case studies, fact sheets, toolkits, articles and much more.

Oxfam International

Oxfam is a confederation of independent charitable organizations focused on eradicating global poverty. Its website offers a series of International Women’s Day resources for students aged 9-14. It includes a PowerPoint on gender equality issues, classroom activity suggestions and an assembly and activity pack. You can also sign up for Oxfam’s education newsletter

Equality Now

Equality Now is an NGO founded in 1992. It advocates for the promotion and protection of women’s rights with a network of lawyers, activists and supporters. Its website offers a library of resources on women’s rights issues like sexual violence, legal discrimination, family law, child marriage and more. Resource types include court documents, fact sheets, toolkits and manuals. You can search the library by resource, language, issue and region.

To learn more about gender equality, check out our Gender Equality 101 article.

What activities can you do for International Women’s Day?

If you want to participate in International Women’s Day, there are lots of activity options. Here are three:

Donate to a women’s rights organization

Countless organizations are working to promote and protect the rights of women and girls. In recognition of International Women’s Day, consider setting up a one-time or even monthly donation to a legitimate organization. If you’re not sure about the impact of an organization, check out their annual reports or research what others are saying about the organization.

Support women-owned businesses

Owning a business is hard enough, but women-owned businesses face unique obstacles due to gender discrimination and inequalities. According to the World Economic Forum, male business owners outnumber women by about 3-1, so support is very important. On March 8th, identify the women-owned businesses in your area or with products available online. While these businesses need support year-round, International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to show you care about women’s empowerment and economic rights.

Watch a film about women’s rights and gender equality

There are many films about women’s rights, gender equality, important feminists and other related subjects. For the most accurate information, choose documentaries like 9to5: The Story of a Movement, My Name is Pauli Murray, End of the Line: The Women of Standing Rock, and What Happened, Miss Simone? You can watch the movie by yourself or with a small group at home. See if any organizations in your area are holding movie screenings. If you want to host your own screening, you will likely need to get permission to show the movie.

The post International Women’s Day 101: History, Resources, Activities appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

As the year 1948 drew to a close, the newly established United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document, which represents the strongest affirmation of universal human rights in history, sets the standard for treaties and constitutions around the world. Every year on December 10th, the UN recognizes Human Rights Day. In this article, we’ll discuss the day’s history, its themes, what resources are available and what activities people can do to celebrate and promote human rights.

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on December 10th in recognition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It’s a great day to learn more about human rights, including what they are, why they matter and how everyone can protect them.

What’s the history of Human Rights Day?

The modern concept of universal human rights is fairly new to the world, but cultures around the world have recognized rights in some form for thousands of years. The majority of the time, rights were something only owed to select groups in society, such as men who owned land or citizens of a nation. The Magna Carta and the United States Constitution are just two examples of documents outlining rights like the right to a fair trial and equality before the law. The need for something more international and standardized became clear following the two World Wars. Those wars represented the largest military conflict in history. The true toll will never be known, but estimates for WWII alone put deaths between 35 to 60 million. Six million Jewish people died in the Holocaust.

Want to learn more about what human rights are? Check out this article. 

Scarred by the violence and death of the past decades, the international community came together to recognize the universality of human rights. This was done through the United Nations, whose goal was to stop future wars. The UN replaced the world’s first intergovernmental organization – the League of Nations – which failed to protect peace. The writing of a human rights document began in 1946 with representatives from the United States, China, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and other countries. Once a version was written, it went to all the members of the UN Commission on Human Rights. In 1948, the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the General Assembly invited all Member states to celebrate December 10th, the day of the UDHR’s adoption, as Human Rights Day.

What are the themes of Human Rights Day?

When the United Nations first invited Members and all “interested organizations” to celebrate Human Rights Day, its stated goal was to raise awareness of the UDHR. Every Human Rights Day, people are encouraged to reflect on their rights and what they can do to empower themselves and everyone around them. While human rights are important every day of every year, December 10th, 2023 marked the 75th anniversary of the UDHR. In the seven decades since the document’s creation, a lot of progress has been made on human rights, but, as the UN puts it, “the promise of the UDHR, of dignity and equality in rights, has been under a sustained assault in recent years.” The year’s theme was “Freedom, Equality and Justice For All.”

Human Rights Day is just one of the many international holidays observed by the UN. These days, weeks, years and even decades help the organization promote awareness of specific topics like human rights, gender equality, clean energy, languages and much more. The UN and other entities, such as NGOs, set up resources, activities and events that educate people and mobilize action.

What Human Rights Day resources are available?

Human Rights Day is all about raising awareness of the UDHR, human rights and what everyone can do to protect them. There are countless resources available for December 10th and for the rest of the year. Here are seven examples:

The United Nations

The UN has a page dedicated to resources for Human Rights Day. You can find the full Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as translations, sign language versions, audio recordings in 80+ languages, an illustrated flipbook and much more. There are also links to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, human rights quizzes, various UN campaigns and a list of past Human Rights Day observances.

OHCHR External Resources Collection

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is a department of the UN’s Secretariat. Established in 1993, it’s the office responsible for promoting human rights. Its page of external resources features links to Ottawa’s Human Rights Research and Education Centre, the University of Minnesota’s Human Rights Library and more. You can also find links to conventions, treaties and other human rights instruments.

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch is a non-governmental advocacy organization. Through its research and human rights advocacy, it serves as an essential resource for governments, policymakers, activists and others. It has a web page for students and teachers interested in learning more about human rights. Explainer videos, a reading list, a film list and accessible reports are available.

Human Rights Education Associates

HREA is a non-governmental, human rights education organization. It focuses on developing educational materials and programming, as well as training for human rights professionals and groups. You can research its resource center by human rights themes, such as peace education, democracy, right to housing, anti-racism and much more. You can also learn more about e-learning opportunities, research and evaluation, policy and advocacy and so on.

HRE USA

Human Rights Educators USA is a network promoting human rights education in the US. It consists of educators, students, higher education faculty, NGO members and others. Its resources page offers HRE’s collections on topics like democracy and racial justice. Within the collections, you can find teaching guides, interactive guides, toolkits, lessons, podcasts, articles and much more. The website also features information on national human rights education organizations and a discussion forum.

Looking for kid-appropriate human rights resources? Here’s our article on 10 of the best.

The Advocates for Human Rights

The Advocates for Human Rights is a US-based NGO committed to international human rights, civil society and the rule of law. The website offers a selection of free classroom resources like lesson plans for grades K-12 and teaching guides, as well as reports, factsheets, manuals, training, resources for lawyers and a deadlines database for human rights bodies.

Amnesty International

Amnesty International is a global advocacy organization with millions of members. Its work includes producing “how-to” toolkits.” These help individuals and groups take action on important issues such as organizing campaigns, attending protests, letter-writing and more. The Amnesty International site is also home to research reports, training manuals, contacts and ongoing campaigns.

What activities can you do on Human Rights Day?

When the UN announces its Human Rights Day theme for the year, events and campaigns take place during the whole 12 months. You can arrange or participate in activities throughout the year because human rights always matter. Here are five ideas on how to celebrate:

#1. Learn more about human rights issues where you live

In recognition of Human Rights Day, start learning more about the human rights issues affecting you, your loved ones, and the community you live in! You may already be very familiar, in which case you can use Human Rights Day to raise awareness, talk to people about what they can do and build solidarity. While human rights are important to everyone, many people don’t have good information about their rights and why they matter.

#2. Get involved with a human rights organization

Human rights organizations are constantly working to solve issues like poverty, gender inequality, racial injustice and so on. If you aren’t already involved with an organization, do some research on local or international NGOs you can donate to or volunteer with. When everyone works to protect human rights in whatever way they can, the world is a better and safer place.

#3. Read articles and books about human rights

Articles and books are great resources for learning more about human rights. There’s a lot of poorly researched work and misinformation out there, so be sure to rely on reputable NGOs, respected authors and established, fact-checked media outlets. If you’re ever unsure about a piece of information, you can look it up online to see if it’s been debunked or confirmed in other places.

Check out our article on 13 inspiring human rights books.

#4. Attend a community event about human rights

Many organizations, such as libraries, universities and NGOs, regularly hold public events about human rights and social justice issues. You can often find information posted at your local government buildings, libraries and online. Most public events about human rights are free, but in cases where there’s an entrance fee, you may be able to find discounted rates or recordings at a later date.

#5. Create or share art about human rights

Art can be a powerful tool for human rights. In recognition of Human Rights Day, consider creating or sharing a piece of art about a social justice issue, empowerment or equality. It can serve as a tool for private reflection or as something you share with your community. Art can be either personal or public. Art also takes many forms, including music, paintings, photography, poetry, dance, crafts, cooking and much more.

Want more activities for Human Rights Day? Here’s our list of 15 ideas.

The post Human Rights Day: History, Themes, Resources and Activities appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Every month, women, girls, trans men, and nonbinary persons have a period. According to UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people menstruate. Stigma, discrimination, poverty and other issues can make this time of the month difficult and even dangerous. Experts refer to these challenges and barriers to care as “period poverty.” In this article, we’ll explore the definition of period poverty, the facts everyone should know and the best ways to take action.

Period poverty happens when someone can’t access menstrual products, good sanitation, social support and education. While it’s a serious public health issue, many people are unaware of its extent or how to address it.

What is period poverty?

Before discussing period poverty, let’s review what a period is. A period is a part of the menstrual cycle, which is a part of the reproductive system. It affects people who can become pregnant. Typical cycles last between 24-38 days, and when a person gets their period, the cycle begins again. During a period, a person sheds the lining of their uterus, causing bleeding from the vagina. Typical periods last between three days to a week.

When people who ovulate get their first periods, which is usually around 12 years old, they often face new challenges. The first is access to menstrual products and education. If someone can’t get pads or tampons – or doesn’t know how to use them – their period is a very stressful time. School, work and other opportunities are often disruptive. A person’s physical health can suffer as well. As an example, heavy periods, which are periods that cause too much bleeding or bleeding for too long, can lead to complications like anemia and severe pain.

People can also face increased mental and emotional stress, which may be heightened by stigma and discrimination. As the International Planned Parenthood Federation explains, many communities see periods as being “unclean.” This discourages people from seeking help when needed, visiting public spaces or going about their lives as normal. According to the United Nations Population Fund, the onset of menstruation can also increase a person’s sexual vulnerability. They may be viewed as “ready” for sex and marriage even though periods can start as young as seven years old. According to the World Health Organization, period poverty affects at least 500 million women and girls. True numbers are hard to identify.

What should everyone know about period poverty?

Period poverty is a major public health issue around the world, but many people don’t know what it is or the extent of the problem. Here are the most important facts:

#1. Period poverty happens everywhere, but it’s harder to have a period in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa, which includes countries like Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, faces significant barriers to proper menstrual hygiene. According to the World Bank, 35% of the population in 2019 lived in extreme poverty. It makes sense that period poverty would be an issue, too. Sanitary pads and other supplies are often too expensive. According to a survey by the BBC, women working minimum wage jobs in Ghana spend $1 out of every $7 they earn on pads. In contrast, people earning minimum wage in the United States spend $3 out of every $1,200.

#2. Period poverty has a huge impact on the right to education

People of any gender can get a period, but period poverty affects more women and girls, which in turn affects their ability to access education. Globally, around 129 million girls are not going to school. Period poverty is one of the reasons why. The World Bank reports that in South Sudan, 57% of girls said they stayed home during their periods, while in Kenya, 70% of girls said their periods hurt their grades. Education is key to a girl’s future, but when their periods disrupt their attendance and grades, a bright future may be dimmed. Girls may even drop out of school entirely, which reduces their employment opportunities.

#3. Period poverty can cause serious health problems

When having a period, people need access to appropriate supplies, such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups and so on. However, when these supplies are unaffordable or otherwise inaccessible, people use what they can find. According to an editorial in The Lancet, makeshift supplies include newspapers, rags, leaves and even breadcrumbs. The resulting health issues, like infections, can be debilitating and even fatal. Even when people do have access to reusable pads or cups, they can be hard to clean without clean water, electricity or gas.

#4. Period poverty, stigma and discrimination affect people’s mental health, too

Period poverty doesn’t only impact physical health. The stress of trying to access appropriate supplies, as well as the stigma and discrimination surrounding bleeding, can cause severe anxiety and depression. According to an article in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, one study in Nepal revealed that girls were forced to sleep outside or in separate huts while having their periods, creating “severe psychological outcomes.” Even in places without such extreme practices, stigma still exists in the embarrassment people feel when buying supplies, the coded phrases for periods and the general lack of education about menstruation. This sends the message that periods are shameful and disgusting.

Addressing period poverty is part of improving health equity. Here’s our article on what health equity is and why it matters.

#5. Incarcerated people face worse rates of period poverty

The rights of incarcerated people are frequently violated. They’re physically and psychologically abused, given arbitrary punishments, denied medical care and so on. The United States, which has the highest incarceration rate in the world, also has a period poverty problem in its prison system. According to a story reported by USA Today, pads in one prison cost $2.63, but jobs paid as little as 30 cents an hour. Instead of saving pennies to afford pads, some people would try making their own supplies, or, with no other options, they would just bleed through their clothes. People with heavy periods or other health issues face even more barriers to care. At the time of writing, more than 35 states don’t have menstrual care protections for incarcerated people, and in the states that do, enforcement of those protections is lacking.

How do you take action against period poverty?

With hundreds of millions of people affected, period poverty is a global health issue. Everyone, including those who don’t get a period, can find ways to take action. Here are five examples:

#1. Talk about period poverty

Many people don’t know about period poverty due to the stigma around the topic. If you want to take action against it, the first step is to get comfortable talking about it. Bring it up with your social network, find advocacy organizations and identify ways to raise awareness. Every community has period poverty to some degree, so it shouldn’t be hard to find opportunities to talk about it.

#2. Donate to organizations focused on period poverty

Most women’s rights and gender equality organizations address period poverty in some way, but there are organizations focused on the issue. The Alliance for Period Supplies, the Pad Project and Project Dignity are just three examples. These organizations raise awareness of period poverty, hold educational workshops, distribute supplies and much more. By donating, you can help support their mission to end period poverty and protect the rights of millions. What about donating supplies? Many local groups accept pad, tampon and cup donations, but financial donations are often preferred as they help address the surrounding issues, such as a lack of clean water and education.

Check out our article on menstrual justice organizations working around the world.

#3. Research what specific period poverty issues affect your community

Period poverty affects every community, but the specifics vary significantly. As an example, a lack of clean water is one of the biggest barriers to menstrual hygiene in sub-Saharan Africa, while in the United States, most people can access safe water and good sanitation. If you want to take action on a local level, research what specific issues are making life harder for people who menstruate. With more detailed information, any work you do will have a greater impact.

#4. Support legislation addressing period poverty

Laws that address the gender pay gap, workplace discrimination, school funding, the rights of incarcerated people and more all have the power to help or harm the battle against period poverty. While the legislative process varies from country to country, everyone can find ways to make their opinions heard. In places like the United States, which uses a representative form of government, people can write to politicians encouraging action on laws impacting period poverty. By increasing legal protections, communities can improve the lives of people for years to come.

#5. Host a fundraiser

Fundraisers are a great way to raise awareness and money for a good cause. You can use the opportunity to connect with local businesses and social justice organizations, as well as people who share your values. Depending on what needs you want to address, you can also invite people to donate supplies rather than money. Food banks and shelters always need pads, tampons, and cups, but they’re often not donated because people don’t realize how important they are. Keep track of your donations carefully, and if possible, let participants know the impact of their gifts.

Interested in becoming a community activist? Check out our article on how to get started.

The post Period Poverty 101: Definition, Facts, Ways to Take Action appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Deserts, which are found on every continent, stretch across more than ⅕ of the globe’s total land area. While many think of deserts as barren wastelands devoid of life, deserts are home to some of the most specialized organisms on the planet. Around 1 billion humans also live in deserts. Plants, animals and humans have adapted to these harsh environments, but that doesn’t mean they can survive anything. As human activities like agriculture and mining cause land degradation, deserts are getting dryer while lusher, greener areas are transforming into deserts through a process called desertification. In this article, we’ll define what desertification is, its different types, its causes and its effects.

Desertification is a type of land degradation where once-productive and thriving land transforms into dry, desert landscapes. Features include a loss of plant life, soil erosion, degraded soil quality, water scarcity and so on. The effects on plants, animals and humans can be devastating.

How is desertification defined?

Deserts are extremely dry areas of land that, according to data from National Geographic, get no more than 10 inches of rain every year. Because deserts are so dry, living things like plants and animals must adapt to the area’s harsh conditions. During long stretches without rain, many plant seeds can lie dormant until a light sprinkle of rain triggers fast growth. Animals, which can include camels, foxes, snakes, lizards, rabbits and rats, tend to be nocturnal, which helps them avoid the hot sun. Humans can adapt, as well. In fact, around 6% of the human population lives in deserts. Life in the desert can be very difficult as food, water and shelter are hard to come by. Heat, desert dust and dehydration can also harm human health.

Desertification may sound like it refers to the expansion of existing deserts, but it also means land degradation that causes harm to soil, water, plants, wildlife and so on. Desertification has happened throughout time, but in 1994, the United Nations recognized it as a serious issue. They established the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which is the only legally binding international treaty that connects environment and development to sustainable land management. The treaty defines desertification as “land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.” The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is the UN body focused on climate change research, uses the same definition. Their 2019 special report on climate and land found with high confidence that desertification has increased in some drylands, while climate change will increase the risks from desertification.

Check out this online course on understanding and protecting the environment. 

What are the types of desertification?

There are two main types of desertification: desertification as a natural process and desertification as a result of human activity. Because humans have such a significant impact on the climate, the types of desertification often v. Let’s explore both:

Natural desertification

According to Britannica, most deserts form on the eastern sides of big subtropical high-pressure cells. These are wheels of wind that move clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the South. When moist air rises near the Equator and cools down, it turns into clouds and rain. As this air moves toward the pole, it releases its rain, but when it starts wheeling back to the Equator, the air starts descending. The air becomes warmer and more compressed, which does not allow for cloud and rain formation. Without much rain, the areas below become deserts. The world’s oldest desert is likely the Sahara Desert, whose origins remain a mystery. At its youngest, this North African desert could be thousands of years old, but many believe it’s around 5 million years old.

Human-driven desertification

Humans are responsible for the second type of desertification. Without activities like poor land management, overconsumption, agricultural land expansion and so on, this type of desertification would not be as severe. According to Britannica, desertification affects four main areas: irrigated croplands, rain-fed croplands, grazing lands and dry woodlands. We’ll discuss specific causes and effects of human-driven desertification in the next section of this article.

Desertification is just one environmental issue we need to address. Here’s our article on 20 other issues.

What causes desertification?

Desertification has many causes that play off one another. As an example, experts talk about climate change and desertification as a hand-in-hand relationship. Climate change makes desertification worse, while desertification also exacerbates the effects of climate change. That means most of the factors causing desertification are driving – and reinforcing – climate change. Here are five specific causes:

Overgrazing

When plants are exposed to grazing for too long or without rest periods, the land starts to degrade. This became clear in Mongolia in 2013. Known for its large grasslands, Mongolia has depended on animals like sheep and goats. Overgrazing has led to serious issues. In a study published by Global Change Biology, researchers discovered that overgrazing by sheep and goats degraded about 70% of the grasslands in the Mongolian Steppe. That meant overgrazing was responsible for 80% of the vegetation loss, while the remaining 20% was lost because of a decrease in rain. Desertification is making the Gobi Desert, a desert larger than France and Germany combined, grow.

Mining

Mining is the extraction of valuable materials and minerals like coal, gold and cobalt from within the Earth. According to research, around 40 million people are involved in large-scale mining, while 13 million work in “artisanal” mining. While mining has been essential to the economy, especially the economies of developing countries, it’s causing desertification. Specific consequences include deforestation, water and air pollution, soil erosion, increased dust, greenhouse gas emissions and so on. The impacts don’t stop even when mines are abandoned, which makes mining a complex and persistent problem.

Water extraction

Water extraction is when water is taken from a source for purposes like irrigation, flood control, drinking water and so on. Water is essential to life, but it’s possible to extract too much and cause serious issues. The over-extraction of groundwater, which is the world’s largest supply of fresh water, is one example. According to the Groundwater Foundation, groundwater depletion leads to issues like water scarcity, soil collapse and contamination from saltwater. All these issues have a severe impact on plants, wildlife and the land as a whole.

Deforestation

Deforestation is the clearing of forests to turn the land into something else, like farms, ranches, cities, grazing land and so on. When too many trees are destroyed, it affects the soil quality and soil erosion. Forests provide vital nutrients to soil, while their roots help hold the land together. When those trees are suddenly gone, the soil suffers. Forests, especially tropical forests, are also vital to the water cycle. According to Carbon Brief, clearing forests could lead to a dryer, more desert-like climate.

Want to learn more about deforestation? Here’s our article on its negative effects.

Wildfires

Wildfires can be frightening, but fire is part of the natural world. Vegetation has adapted to fires as part of their normal routines, but when patterns are disrupted, plants can’t adapt quickly enough. What disrupts fire? Climate change is one of the big culprits. According to research, climate change leads to warmer, drier conditions and higher temperatures, which extends normal fire seasons and makes forests and grasslands easier to burn. According to the IPCC, wildfires drive desertification because they destroy vegetation cover, increase soil erosion and degrade soil quality.

What are the effects of desertification?

Desertification has serious consequences for things like the environment, the economy and human health. Here are five effects:

Reduced biodiversity

One of the clearest effects of desertification is the loss of plant and animal life. When once-thriving habitats like forests and grasslands become deserts, the organisms that live there suffer. Places like the Amazon Rainforest are home to millions of species, some of which are only found there, while existing deserts also protect thousands of plants and animals. Desertification, which also makes deserts more hostile, threatens everything in a habitat.

Food and water scarcity

Deserts are famous for not having much food or water, so when these areas start spreading, it threatens the food and water security of even more places. Expert groups like the IPCC pay close attention to desertification’s effects on food and water scarcity, and the data is grim. In a 2023 policy brief, the OHCHR reported that between 2015 and 2019, at least 100 million hectares of land were lost, impacting food and water around the world. If desertification isn’t seriously addressed, 95% of the world’s land area could be degraded by 2050.

Poverty

Desertification and poverty have a close relationship. According to the IPCC, desertification – along with factors like climate variability – will contribute to poverty, while climate change will worsen poverty for some dryland populations. Reasons vary, but in general, poverty gets worse when people can no longer grow crops or access enough water. It doesn’t help that those already living in poverty depend the most on agriculture, which desertification threatens.

Harmful health effects

Desertification harms human health in a few ways. The first is through food and water insecurity, but researchers are also raising the alarm about dust. According to an IPCC report, dust storms are becoming more frequent and intense. These storms carry harmful substances like pathogens and allergens over large distances, threatening the health of anyone in their path. Desertification can also contribute to water pollution and contamination, which is linked to several serious diseases like cholera, typhoid, cancer, liver damage and much more.

Increased forced migration

When productive land becomes desert, people living there often have no other option but to leave. Forced migration linked to climate change is becoming more common. According to Migration Policy, more than 1 million people in Somalia were displaced in 2022 because of drought. People often migrate within the same country, but if desertification continues to get worse, entire regions will become unlivable.

Can we fight desertification?

Deserts are part of the world’s ecosystems and far from the lifeless voids people often picture, but desertification is a devastating process we can prevent. Experts advocate for strategies such as better land and water management, improved soil quality, forest protection, different irrigation methods and so on. Anything that addresses climate change, such as a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, will also help combat desertification. With critical thinking and commitment, the world can hold back the desert.

The post Desertification 101: Definition, Types, Causes and Effects appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Every day around the world, gender discrimination impacts girls, women, and anyone who doesn’t fit into society’s idea of what a “man” and “woman” should be. Discrimination threatens a person’s access to career opportunities, good healthcare, housing, justice, safety and much more. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of gender discrimination, including what it means, what it can look like and how you can take action to end it.

Gender discrimination is the unjust and unequal treatment of individuals and groups based on gender. It primarily affects girls and women, but because it’s based on restrictive gender norms and prejudices, it hurts everyone. The gender pay gap, job segregation and gender-based violence are just a few examples of gender discrimination. 

What is gender discrimination?

Gender discrimination is the act of giving unequal rights, treatment and opportunities to a person or a group based on their gender. Anyone can be the target of gender discrimination, but girls and women are primarily affected. As the “inferior sex,” the needs and interests of girls and women have been systematically oppressed and dismissed for centuries. Entrenched prejudices, restrictive gender norms and institutionalized discrimination have led to widespread gender inequality.

Gender discrimination impacts every area of society. According to the UN, there are 122 women aged 25-34 living in extreme poverty, compared to every 100 men from the same age group. In power and leadership, there are wide gaps. The next generation of women will spend, on average, 2.3 more hours every day on unpaid work and domestic work compared to men. On a global level, women hold only 26.7% of seats in parliament, 35.5% in local government and 28.2% in management positions. Without increased investments and commitment to gender equality, it could take the world about 300 years to achieve gender parity.

What can gender discrimination look like?

Gender discrimination is a multifaceted system of oppression touching every area of society. Here are seven examples of what it can look like:

Paying someone less because of their gender 

Around the world, women are paid less than men for doing comparable work. In the United States, the gender pay gap has changed very little even as the problem gets increased attention. According to Pew Research, women earned about 80% as much as men in 2002, while in 2022, they earned 82%. That same year, the World Bank found that out of 178 countries, just 95 protect equal pay for equal work. Gender discrimination also factors into how certain types of work are undervalued. Returning to the United States as an example, research from the Economic Policy Institute found that 2.2 million domestic workers are underpaid, three times as likely to live in poverty than other workers and unprotected by labor laws. 90.2% of those domestic workers were women, specifically Black, Hispanic, or Asian American and Pacific Islander women.

Segregating types of work based on gender

The prevalence of women in underpaid and unprotected domestic work is an example of gendered job segregation. Job segregation leads to male domination in fields like engineering and construction, while women tend to fill jobs in domestic work, nursing, teaching and other “feminine” careers. Employers rarely say they only want men or women applying to certain jobs, but discrimination takes many forms. In a report on the “glass ceilings” women encounter in business, the International Labour Organization describes how gender bias, which affects how women and men are viewed, leads to men getting more responsibility and promotions over women. This applies even when men and women have similar skills and experience. According to the Center for American Progress, when a marginalized group – like women – is overrepresented in a job field, it leads to reduced wages and worse working conditions for everyone in that field.

Purposely misgendering someone

Cisgender women and girls aren’t the only people affected by gender discrimination. Trans people, which includes trans women, trans men, non-binary people and others, are often targeted. Intentional misgendering is just one form of discrimination. What does it mean? Misgendering is when a person uses the wrong pronoun for someone, e.g. calling someone “she” when they use “he/him” pronouns. When someone is repeatedly corrected and still insists on using the wrong pronoun, that’s discrimination. Whether or not misgendering breaks a law depends on where you live. In Canada, the Ontario Human Rights Code added protection for gender identity and expression in 2012. The law now recognizes misgendering as a form of discrimination, especially in areas covered by the Code, like employment, housing and educational services.

Discriminating against someone for becoming pregnant

According to global data from 2021, 38 out of 190 economies don’t protect women from being fired for being pregnant. Even in places that do provide legal remedies, the discrimination continues, but it’s more subtle. The United States has three federal laws that protect job applicants and employees, but in a 2019 New York Times article, journalists found that some of the country’s biggest companies were engaging in discrimination. Pregnant women were passed over for promotions and raises, and fired when they complained. In jobs that included physical labor, like lifting heavy boxes, pregnant women were not given reasonable accommodations like rest or extra water. Because pregnancy primarily impacts women, pregnancy discrimination is a form of gender discrimination that limits job opportunities, access to justice and so on.

Sexually harassing someone in the workplace

Everyone deserves a safe workplace free from discrimination. Unfortunately, work is often a place where people’s rights are threatened. According to a global analysis, almost 23% of people experience physical, psychological or sexual violence and harassment at work. Women are more likely to share their experiences than men and more likely to report sexual harassment, but regardless of a person’s gender, harassment in the workplace is discrimination. Because many people never report the harassment they’ve faced, the true numbers are likely much higher. Protections vary by country, but in the United States, harassment can include requests for sexual favors, making unwanted sexual remarks and making unwelcome sexual advances. The law also defines harassment as “offensive remarks about a person’s sex.” It doesn’t need to be overtly sexual. Sexual harassment can involve anyone, including two people of the same gender.

Ending gender discrimination is critical to achieving gender equality. Check out this article on what gender equality is.

Limiting educational opportunities because of gender

Whether or not someone gets a good education has a huge impact on the rest of their life. According to the World Bank, every extra year of schooling results in a 9% increase in hourly earnings, while it also improves economic growth, innovation and social cohesion. Girls have historically been restricted from educational opportunities, but while there’s been significant progress, the gap isn’t closed yet. UNICEF estimates that about 129 million girls aren’t in school. Strict gender norms about girls, motherhood, and work factor into why many girls aren’t educated, but conflict, poor hygiene and sanitation at schools, and poverty are responsible, too. Discrimination isn’t always intentional, but when girls and women are the ones primarily not getting an education, it still counts.

Inflicting violence based on gender 

Gender-based violence is the most deadly form of gender discrimination. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women around the world experience physical and/or sexual violence, usually inflicted by an intimate partner. The intentional murder of women and girls, known as “femicide,” is prevalent globally. 2022 marked the highest number of total intentional femicides. Transgender and gender-nonconforming people are also targeted. In 2023, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation reported yet another year of disproportionate killings of trans people. Most victims were young people of color, specifically Black trans women. Accurate numbers are hard to come by as killings are underreported. Misgendering by police and the media also makes it hard to identify victims.

How can you take action against gender discrimination?

Gender discrimination may feel embedded in society, but we can take action against it. Here are three ways:

Create safe spaces where people can talk about gender discrimination

It’s difficult to get a full picture of gender discrimination because talking about it is still so stigmatized. In some places, talking about topics like workplace harassment, sexual assault and intimate partner violence can put people’s jobs and even physical safety in jeopardy. One of the best things you can do is create and protect spaces where it’s safe to talk about discrimination. These spaces empower people to share their stories, support each other, collaborate and build networks that make real change in their communities. Spaces like survivor groups, internet safety classes, self-defense classes and so on can be good forums.

Support women’s organizations

Many governments are working to improve gender equality, but their current efforts aren’t enough. There are many NGOs around the world addressing poverty, children’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights and other issues that connect to gender discrimination. You can support these organizations by donating money, volunteering your time, sharing campaigns or applying for jobs. If you’re interested in establishing your own NGO focused on gender discrimination, here’s our article on how to start an NGO.

Increase leadership and economic opportunities for women

The gap between male and female leadership, economic and political opportunities is still quite wide. You can take action by focusing your efforts on things that empower girls and women, such as education, healthcare, mentorship and training, childcare, workplace protections and so on. When women are empowered, everyone benefits, including men, families and children. To learn more about women’s empowerment, check out this list of eight classes available online.

Need more ideas on how to stop gender discrimination? Check out our article here.

The post Gender Discrimination 101: Meaning, Examples, Ways to Take Action appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Every four years, the United States holds an election for president. Congressional elections occur every two years, while various state and local elections happen every year. While some rules vary, you’re typically eligible to vote if you’re a U.S. citizen, meet state residency requirements, register to vote, and are 18 years old on or before Election Day. Why is it important to vote? In this article, we’ll explore 15 reasons why you should vote in US elections, including elections in 2024.

 #1. Voting impacts the future

In the US, one person gets one vote. It may feel like your vote doesn’t matter. What can one person do to change the future? Voting for things you believe in does matter. The main reason is that when people organize around an issue and all make their voices heard, society changes. The other reason is that while your vote can feel meaningless in federal elections, it has a huge impact on smaller, local races. NPR listed a series of races determined by just a few votes, like a 2017 Virginia House of Delegates race. The election was a tie. Officials chose the winner by pulling a name out of a bowl. The Republican was declared the winner, giving the party control of the state House by just one seat. If one more person had shown up to vote in that race, the winner wouldn’t have come down to random chance.

#2. Voting isn’t a right Americans have always had

Millions of Americans vote in elections, but in the past, the number of those eligible was much smaller. In 1789, the U.S. Constitution didn’t even detail specific voting rights, instead leaving it up to the states. Most states only let white, male landowners vote. In 1868, the 14th Amendment established birthright and naturalized citizenship. While the amendment also gave freed enslaved people and Black people citizenship, they still weren’t given voting rights until two years later. Women weren’t given the right to vote until 1920, and in 1965, the Voting Rights Act passed, finally providing more voting right protections. Many people take voting for granted, but it’s the result of centuries of activism and progress.

#3. Voting rights are under threat, and voting can help protect them

Even after years of positive change, voting rights are still under threat. Things like gerrymandering, which is the redrawing of district lines to favor one party over the other, and stricter eligibility requirements are undemocratic. According to a piece from Human Rights Watch, voting rights are also threatened by misinformation, election interference and the intimidation of election officials. In 2023, at least 14 states passed laws making voting harder. Everyone eligible should take advantage of their right to vote and make it clear they want their representatives to protect voting rights. The right to vote is something everyone, regardless of their other beliefs, should fight for.

#4. Voting is an important tool for civic engagement

According to Robert Longley on ThoughtCatalog, civic engagement is “participating in activities intended to improve the quality of life in one’s community.” That includes political activities like voting, as well as non-political activities like volunteering at nonprofits, contributing to food banks, cleaning up public spaces and much more. When everyone participates in civic engagement, more problems are solved, people are more educated on issues in their communities and politicians are held to higher standards. While voting is just one aspect of civic engagement, it’s one of the most important.

#5. Voting is essential to a representative government

In a pure democracy, every American would be responsible for writing legislation, but the US uses a representative form of government. The nation is technically a “republic,” which is a form of government where voters choose representatives. These representatives then write and establish laws. A representative government is only successful if as many people as possible vote. This helps create a government truly based on what the people want and need.

#6. Voting holds politicians accountable

Politicians often get a bad rap, and often for good reason. Some get into government just for the money, power, business connections and other perks, while even politicians who started with good intentions can turn their backs on their constituents. When a politician fails to represent the best interests of voters, gets involved in a scandal, or is otherwise doing an unsatisfactory job, voting is the best way to hold them accountable. Before an election, you can make it clear you won’t vote for a politician unless they take certain actions on the issues you care about. If they fail to meet your standards, you can vote them out.

#7. Voting in local elections has direct impacts

Federal elections get the most coverage in the United States, but it’s the smaller state and county-level ones that have the most direct impacts on individual voters. Things like school funding and tax increases are determined locally, so if you want to make your voice heard, you should vote in local elections. As an example, a county in Oregon recently approved a school levy that will pay for classroom teachers and keep class sizes “steady” for the next five years. Homeowners were asked to pay $1.63 out of every $1,000 of assessed property value. Measures like this have a clear impact, so every affected voter should participate in the final decision.

#8. Voting impacts international relations

The outcomes of local elections arguably impact individuals more than federal elections, but that doesn’t mean big elections aren’t important, too. Congress and the president make decisions that affect the country as well as the world. According to the BBC, the US is the “world’s most foremost economic and military power.” It provides ⅕ of the United Nation’s entire budget, while it spent over $816 billion on defense in 2023. On a cultural level, the United States is also one of the most influential nations. By voting and staying engaged politically, you can have a say in the United States’ impact on international relations.

#9. Voting helps you stay informed on issues

Politics can be stressful and confusing. Many people don’t pay close attention to all the issues, so when elections come around, they don’t vote because they don’t feel informed. It’s never too late! When elections are approaching, take a little time to research the candidates and ballot measures in your area. Resources like Ballotpedia, which provides unbiased information on policy, politics and elections, are useful because they’re accessible and free. You don’t have to understand everything about an issue to have an opinion, so use election time to get just enough information to feel comfortable voting.

#10. The United States, which is facing more threats, needs informed voters

As we described earlier, voting rights have been under threat lately, but that’s not the only reason the United States is struggling. America is facing worsening climate change effects, rising homelessness rates, and more bankruptcies, among other issues. Experts have also expressed alarm with the Republican Party’s shift toward authoritarianism.  Former president Donald Trump, who is currently the leading Republican candidate and defendant in four criminal cases, has talked about wanting to be a dictator “for one day” and indicting political opponents, who he’s called “vermin,” if re-elected. Everyone eligible should vote if they care about where the United States is headed.

#11. Many experts – and voters – believe the future of democracy is at stake

Democracy is never a guarantee, but it’s become a central issue for the United States in recent years. According to the Brookings Institution, “democratic erosion” has two main sources: election manipulation and executive overreach. Donald Trump’s attempt to undermine the results of the 2020 election is the clearest example, but state legislatures have been making it harder to vote for years. When polled, Americans are concerned about the future of democracy. According to one survey, 62% of adults believed democracy will be threatened based on who wins the 2024 presidential elections. With the stakes so high, voting is more important than ever.

#12. Climate issues are on the ballot

Climate change is the world’s most serious problem, and as reports from groups like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change continue to confirm, human activity is driving climate change. Countries like the United States bear the most responsibility. Every election has consequences for climate change policy, so it’s one of the most compelling reasons to vote. Research what candidates on a county, state and federal level believe about climate change and what they plan to do.

#13. Many elections involve reproductive rights

In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe. v. Wade, taking away the federal right to abortion and flipping it back to the states. Several ballot measures either protecting or restricting abortion rights have come up. According to Ballotpedia, Maryland and New York will vote on ballot measures involving reproductive rights in November 2024, while others will no doubt emerge. A politician’s stance on reproductive rights and plans to address them matter more than ever, so it’s important to consider these rights when voting.

#14. Immigration is another important issue

The United States has more immigrants than any other country. The system is overwhelmed. According to NPR, as many as 10,000 people a day reach the US-Mexico border. Immigrants from other places, often forced by conflict and climate change to move, are also arriving in larger and larger numbers. Both of America’s main political parties – the Republicans and Democrats – have struggled to respond, leading to issues like inhumane conditions, family separations, hateful rhetoric and much more. Who Americans elect and what legislation they approve of matter, so immigration is another good reason to vote.

#15. LGBTQ+ rights need protection  

According to NBC, 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills became law in 2023. They include restrictions on transition care for minors, bans on transgender athletes from school sports, limits on teaching about LGBTQ+ issues and more. While those 75 laws represent just 15% of the 500 proposed anti-LGBTQ+ laws proposed in 2023, they still have a significant impact. In a piece for Them, Nico Lang lays out how Republican politicians will continue to threaten LGBTQ+ rights while expanding their fight against transition care to adults. Ballotpedia already lists six ballot measures involving LGBTQ+ rights that will need voter approval in 2024. If you care about LGBTQ+ rights, voting is one of the best ways to protect them.

The post 15 Reasons Why You Should Vote in the US Election appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Forests cover 31% of the world’s land surface. They’re home to millions of species of trees, flowers, birds, amphibians, mammals and much more. Millions of people also depend on forests for food, medicine and their livelihoods. While areas like rainforests are called “the lungs of the world,” deforestation threatens the future of forests and every living thing. In this article, we’ll describe the effects of deforestation, where deforestation is happening and how you can take action.

Deforestation is the removal of trees for purposes like agriculture, mining, grazing, construction and fuel. While humans have used trees for thousands of years, tree-clearing is happening too fast and without proper management. Deforestation has many harmful effects, such as carbon release, soil erosion and the acceleration of climate change.

What are the effects of deforestation?

When trees are cleared for purposes like agriculture, mining or urban development, harmful effects ripple through the whole ecosystem. Here are seven of the most significant consequences:

#1. Forests absorb carbon (and deforestation releases it)

When it comes to carbon, forests are nature’s sponges. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees pull carbon dioxide from the air and bind it with sugar. The trees then use this sugar to build their roots, branches, and trunks. While trees release some carbon when they decompose, trees are a natural carbon capture system. According to the US Forest Service, forests in the United States store around 800 million tons of carbon every year. Without these forests, that carbon would remain in the atmosphere. Deforestation also releases the carbon that trees have already captured. According to one paper, tropical deforestation accounts for around 20% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions.

#2. Deforestation makes air pollution worse

Trees don’t only pull carbon from the air, they remove pollutants from the air, too. According to the United States Forest Service, computer simulations revealed that forests and trees took 17.4 million tonnes of air pollution in 2010. That contributed to the avoidance of more than 850 deaths. When too many trees are cleared, air pollution is allowed to thrive. The burning of trees can cause issues, too. In Brazil, fires burned to clear land for grazing, agriculture or land speculation cause severe air pollution. According to Human Rights Watch, children, older people, pregnant people and people with lung or heart diseases are most vulnerable.

#3. Deforestation disrupts the water cycle

Trees pull water through their roots and release water vapor into the atmosphere. This makes forests a vital part of the global water cycle. According to YaleEnvironment360, forests in one part of the world can play a part in rainfall thousands of miles away. When trees are cleared, the water cycle gets disrupted. One study found that tropical forest loss in any of the tropical zones, which includes the Congo basin, southeast Asia and the Amazon Rainforest, could threaten agriculture in the world’s “breadbaskets,” Breadbaskets are especially fertile areas responsible for growing wheat and other grains. Without enough rain, the world’s food security is threatened.

#4. Deforestation hurts the soil

Without soil, there would be no life on earth. This may seem like an overstatement for something as simple as dirt, but soil is a complex material made from minerals, living organisms, water, gas and organic matter. Soil, alongside carbon, nitrogen, water and the other basic building blocks of life, contributes to the cycles that let plant life grow. Plant life – which includes forests – protects soil. When deforestation occurs, soil becomes vulnerable to erosion, which is when dirt gets exposed to winds, rain and flowing water. Erosion damages the quality of soil, which hurts productive farmland and biodiversity. Dangerous floods and mudslides are also harmful.

#5. Deforestation reduces biodiversity

The world’s forests are home to millions of living creatures, including plants and animals. According to the UN’s Environment Programme, forests are home to 80% of amphibian species, 75% of bird species and 68% of mammal species. This type of biodiversity is key to an environment’s health and sustainability. Deforestation threatens all these living things and reduces the world’s biodiversity. According to a study published in Sciences Advances, deforestation, specifically for agriculture and livestock, is “the biggest direct driver” of biodiversity loss.

#6. Deforestation negatively impacts health

Deforestation narrows the boundary between humans and pathogens carried by animals. National Geographic describes one example from 1997. In Indonesia, forest land was cleared for agriculture, driving fruit bats closer to humans. Disease spread first to pigs and then to pig farmers. By 1999, almost 300 people had become ill with the Nipah virus. It was the first example of this disease in humans. Deforestation also destroys plants used in traditional medicines, which is a serious issue considering how many people depend on herbs for medicine. According to the World Health Organization, 70-80% of people in sub-Saharan Africa use herbs as their primary healthcare. Many medical breakthroughs – such as the creation of Aspirin – also come from working with plants, so deforestation threatens future healthcare.

#7. Deforestation contributes to climate change

Deforestation has many consequences, such as releasing carbon, causing soil erosion, hurting biodiversity and disrupting the water cycle. In combination, all these things contribute to climate change. How big is the impact? According to the World Wildlife Fund, deforestation is responsible for about 10% of global warming. Global warming is currently the greatest emergency facing the world. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change could cause about 250,000 extra deaths from heat stress, undernutrition, malaria and diarrhea. If drastic action isn’t taken, the effects of deforestation and climate change will only get worse.

What are examples of deforestation?

Where is deforestation happening? Here are four places where deforestation is the most severe:

#1. The Amazon Rainforest

According to Britannica, the Amazon Rainforest covers about 40% of Brazil’s total area. As the world’s largest rainforest, it’s home to the world’s richest source of biodiversity among trees, plants, and animals. Scientists are frequently discovering new species. Tragically, the rainforest has lost about ⅕ of its forest cover. In 2021, deforestation in the Amazon reached a 15-year high. Factors like ranching and farming are responsible for big chunks of forest clearing.

#2. West Africa

West Africa, which includes countries like Ghana, Mali, Niger and Guinea, is home to many forests. In Guinea, forests are home to more than 9,000 vascular plant species, almost 400 terrestrial species and a diverse selection of freshwater fish. According to the World Economic Forum, agriculture, the international trade of cocoa, displacement and the growth of cities have driven a lot of deforestation. A 30-year satellite study found that deforestation was responsible for an increase in storms, especially near the coast. Heavy rainfall and flash floods can threaten the lives of people in surrounding areas.

#3. Australia

According to the Australian government, the country’s forests make up 17% of Australia’s land area. Their health is threatened by land clearing, urban development, mining, extreme weather, drought, invasive weeds, grazing and more. Eastern Australia is especially at risk. According to the World Wildlife Fund, the area ranks with the Amazon as one of the most vulnerable places. Satelitte analysis found that beef farming in Queensland, Australia, was driving deforestation, despite the passing of laws in 2018 meant to reduce tree-clearing. Many landowners have continued to clear trees, even in areas where threatened species are likely to live.

#4. Russia

Russia is home to the largest area of natural forests. Around 49% of Russia’s total landmass is forest. According to Earth.org, Russia lost 64 million hectares from 2001 to 2019. The state of Russia owns the forests, but the private sector uses them for commercial reasons. Illegal logging is a persistent issue, leading to widespread deforestation. Wildfires have also been a problem. According to a Human Rights Watch report in 2023, almost 4 million hectares burned by late September, while almost half of the forests were “excluded from fire-fighting measures.”

What can individuals and governments do to take action against deforestation?

Forests are vital to the health and safety of countless species, including humans, so what can individuals and governments do to curb deforestation? Here are three examples:

#1. Fight for legal protections

According to a piece on Conversation.org, establishing protected areas like national parks and wilderness preserves is the most effective way to reduce deforestation. Protections are most effective when they protect forests close to cities, roads and other places with a high human population. When protections are only extended to remote forests, where the risk of deforestation is already low, the laws aren’t quite as effective.

#2. Empower Indigenous forest management

Studies show that forests managed by Indigenous groups are healthier and better protected. Fire is one tried-and-true strategy. According to the University of California, fires have always been used in California, and burns by the Karuk and Yurok tribes were vital in preserving forests and biodiversity. Giving land rights and management back to the Indigenous groups that cared for forests for thousands of years can reduce deforestation and its harmful effects.

#3. Change your shopping habits

Individuals affect deforestation through their shopping habits. According to one report from the Environmental Audit Committee, shoppers in the UK were putting “pressure on forests” by buying soy, cocoa, palm oil, leather and beef. This information lines up with earlier findings identifying beef, soy, palm oil and wood products as the biggest commodities behind tropical deforestation. Shoppers can fight against deforestation by adjusting their habits and demanding corporations make more socially responsible, sustainable choices.

The post Deforestation 101: Effects, Examples, Ways to Take Action appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Weather like sunshine and rain happen around us all the time, but climate refers to long-term patterns within a particular area. As an example, places like Antarctica are known for having a cold climate, while southern regions like the Caribbean are warm. Climate change occurs when an area experiences long-term change. Today, the entire world is going through a big climate change: the planet is getting warmer. In this article, we’ll explain the basics of climate change, what facts everyone should know, key examples and ways for individuals and countries to take action.

Climate change refers to long-term changes in local, regional and global weather patterns. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels, have caused the planet to get warmer. 

What is climate change?

According to NASA, climate change is a “long-term change in the average weather patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates.” Currently, the biggest concern with climate change is “global warming.” The term has come to mean the same thing as climate change, but global warming is the long-term heating of the planet’s surface. Experts have identified human activities, like the release of greenhouse gases through burning fossil fuels, as the primary cause of this heating.

How does global warming work? When gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane gather in the atmosphere, they absorb the sunlight bouncing off the earth. The gases trap the heat, creating what’s known as “the greenhouse effect.” Like a greenhouse flooded with sunshine, the world’s average temperature gets warmer and warmer.

What facts should everyone know about climate change?

Climate change can be confusing, but as the planet continues to warm, everyone should understand at least a few facts about it. Here are five:

#1. Climate change was “discovered” in the 19th century

According to NASA, in 1856, American scientist Eunice Foote discovered that gases like carbon dioxide heat up when exposed to sunlight. She reasoned that an increase in carbon dioxide would affect Earth’s atmosphere and climate. Other scientists, like John Tyndall, continued to develop climate science. Additional research has only confirmed what we know about the atmosphere, greenhouse gases and global warming.

#2. Humans are causing climate change – and it’s getting worse

In 1988, the United Nations Environment Programme and World Meteorological Organization established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Since then, the group has released six reports on climate change, its impacts, future risks and options for adapting to and reducing climate change’s harms. These reports confirm what other experts have been finding for years: human activities have “unequivocally caused global warming.” Greenhouse gas emissions are the primary culprit. They’ve caused the global surface temperature to rise, causing what the IPCC calls “widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people.” If significant changes aren’t made, these adverse impacts will increase in every region.

#3. Not everyone is equally responsible for climate change

While everyone has a carbon footprint, it’s inaccurate to blame every region equally for climate change. According to data from CNN, China generated around 30% of global emissions in 2022. The United States, India and the European Union came in second, third and fourth place. When we look at per capita, however, the average person in America is responsible for almost twice as much climate pollution as the average person in China. According to the IPCC and other experts, the communities who have contributed the least to climate change end up impacted the most.

#4. Climate change impacts food production, human health, the economy and much more

While tiny increases in global temperature may not seem like a big deal, they have an outsized impact. By causing more extreme weather events, like droughts and floods, climate change threatens food production. According to NPR, temperature and rainfall changes affect crops, while the presence of carbon dioxide in the air can dilute essential nutrients like zinc and iron. The World Health Organization also reports that between 2030 and 2050, climate change could cause around 250,000 additional deaths per year. The health costs could be around $2-4 billion every year by 2030.

#5. Climate change disinformation threatens progress 

For as long as scientists have been warning the public about climate change, other actors have been denying its reality. Some of the most persistent and effective attacks have come from fossil fuel companies. According to one analysis, ExxonMobil has engaged in a “long history of attacking science and scientists in order to undermine and delay climate action.” Attacks once included public denial of climate science, but they’ve since shifted into less obvious forms of propaganda. The goal is the same: cast doubt on the science and solutions that don’t involve oil companies controlling the narrative. Unfortunately, climate disinformation has been effective. A 2023 Pew Research Center survey found that just ⅓ of Americans think climate scientists “understand very well” whether climate change is occurring. The reality is that 97% of scientists agree that humans are causing global warming.

What are examples of climate change?

Scientists can study climate change based on many signs and impacts. Here are three of the most important examples:

#1. Higher average temperatures

Global warming causes the planet’s average temperature to rise. According to research, the average has risen an average of 0.14° Fahrenheit (or 0.08° Celsius) per decade since 1880. Since 1981, the rate of warming has increased more than twice as fast per decade. In 2023, the world’s average land and ocean surface temperature was 2.12 degrees F above the 20th century. That makes 2023 the world’s warmest year on record. While Earth still has huge temperature variations, even tiny increases in the average have serious consequences.

#2. Rising sea levels

When Earth’s average temperature goes up, the sea rises. According to the World Wildlife Fund, glaciers and sea ice have been melting since the early 1900s. Even with significant reductions in greenhouse gases, more than ⅓ of the world’s glaciers will be gone before 2100. Already, 95% of the thickest ice in the Arctic has melted. Melting ice causes the sea to rise, which causes erosion on coasts, worse coastal storms, disrupted weather patterns and habitat loss for animals like polar bears and walruses. Entire islands, which many people call home, will disappear into the sea. In 2013, the UN estimated that sea levels could rise between 1.5-3 feet by 2100, but many experts now believe the sea could rise by as much as 6.5 feet by the end of the century.

#3. More extreme weather events

The IPCC reports that global warming has increased the frequency and intensity of events like heat extremes, wildfires, droughts, tropical cyclones, floods and more. The impacts on infrastructure, animal habitats and human health can be catastrophic. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, people can experience physical injuries, mental health injuries and death. Children, pregnant people, older adults, people experiencing poverty and people with preexisting health conditions are most at risk. The aftermath of extreme weather, which includes power outages, water-borne illnesses, air pollution and more, also causes significant harm.

How can people take action?

While the IPCC writes some future changes due to climate change can’t be avoided or reversed, hope is not lost. The key is to significantly and consistently reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. How can individuals and countries accomplish this goal?

Individuals: Adjust your transportation choices

Transportation, which includes vehicles and planes, releases a huge amount of greenhouse gases. Individuals can reduce their carbon footprint by adjusting how they travel. If possible, you can leave your cars at home and walk, bike or take public transport. Switching to an electric vehicle is another way to reduce air pollution and emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Countries: Invest in climate-resilient infrastructure

Even if the world cut its greenhouse gas emissions down to nearly nothing tomorrow, there would still be climate change impacts. Countries need to invest in infrastructure that can survive extreme weather shocks. That includes bridges, power lines, roads, water systems and so on. It may seem expensive now, but dealing with the aftermath of extreme weather is much more costly and deadly.

Individuals: Watch your energy usage at home

In many places, fossil fuels like coal, gas and oil power a home’s electricity and heat. Individuals can reduce their impact by using more energy-efficient appliances, washing laundry in cold water, always turning off lights when not in use and insulating their homes. You may also be able to switch your energy source from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Countries: Enforce regulations on polluting corporations

There are dozens of climate laws and treaties countries have signed, but few of the world’s biggest polluters are on track to hit their goals. Corporations could be holding the world back. According to a report from 2017, just 100 companies have been responsible for more than 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988. The companies include ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and Chevron. In 2023, another report found that most of the world’s biggest companies have “done almost nothing” to cut back greenhouse gas emissions since 2018. Until governments enforce more aggressive regulations, corporations will continue to emit dangerous levels of greenhouse gases.

The post Climate Change 101: Facts, Examples, Ways to Take Action appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Music has always been important to social movements dedicated to human rights, equality and peace. Some songs have been around for so long, their authors are unknown, but even the oldest songs still resonate today. In this article, we’ll explore 15 songs about human rights, equality, world peace, resistance and freedom.

#1. “We Shall Overcome” (1963)

Multiple artists/Pete Seeger

Considered the theme song of the Civil Rights Movement, “We Shall Overcome” has a long, complex history. Its melody may be related to two European songs from the 1700s, while enslaved Black people also contributed to the song’s evolution. It first emerged as a protest song during a labor strike in 1945-1946. Folk singer Pete Seeger eventually heard the song. His version is one of the best known. Soon, “We Shall Overcome” embedded itself into the soul of the Civil Rights Movement. It still makes frequent appearances at social movement protests around the world.

#2. “A Change is Gonna Come” (1964)

Sam Cooke

American singer Sam Cooke (1931-1964) was one of his era’s most famous performers, but during his 8-year career, he faced racism. After a whites-only hotel refused to serve him, Sam Cooke wrote “A Change is Gonna Come” to express his hopes for a better future. He describes the challenges he’s faced and how long he’s been waiting, but in the song’s refrain, he sings: “I know, I know a change is gonna come.”

#3. “The Times They Are A-Changin” (1964)

Bob Dylan

Written as an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam war protests, “The Times They Are A-Changin” is one of Bob Dylan’s most iconic songs. It calls on everyone – from writers and critics, to senators to mothers and fathers – to pay attention and not get in the way of progress. “The order is rapidly fadin’/And the first one now/Will later be last,” Dylan sings. “For the times they are a-changin.’”

#4. “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (1970)

Gil Scott-Heron

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” is a spoken word poem by American poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron. Recorded for a 1970 album, it’s one of the most famous and powerful examples of protest art. In the poem, Scott-Heron lists examples of what the revolution will not be. It will not be brought by Xerox or make you look thinner. It won’t have a theme song written by Francis Scott Key, Tom Jones or Johnny Cash. The song calls on people, especially young people, to get away from TV because “you will not be able to stay home, brother, you will not be able to plug in, turn on and cop out.” In a time dominated by media and entertainment, the song has only become more relevant.

Many songs about human rights and equality became popular protest songs. Here’s our list of 10 historic resistance songs.

#5. “Bella Ciao” (19th century)

Unknown

Created by farm workers over a hundred years ago, the Italian folk song “Bella Ciao,” which means “Goodbye, Beautiful,” is believed to have been sung by Italians fighting Nazis. Now, it’s sung by freedom fighters and anti-fascists around the world. According to America Domani, it’s made appearances in Ukraine and Iran. Translated, the song tells the story of a young man leaving his girlfriend to join a resistance. He asks her to bury him under the shade of a beautiful flower so that people who pass will know he died for freedom. People around the world record their own versions, but no matter the language, “Bella Ciao” has come to symbolize freedom from tyranny.

#6. “We Got To Have Peace” (1971)

Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999) was an American singer-songwriter known as the “Gentle Genius.” He performed with The Impressions, a group famous during the Civil Rights Movement, and then went solo. “We Got To Have Peace” appears on his 1971 album Super Fly. The lyrics present a simple message: “We go to have peace/To keep the world alive/And war to cease.”

#7. “When Will We Be Paid” (1970)

The Staple Singers

The Staple Singers were an American gospel and R&B group. One of the members, Mavis Staples, would go on to have a successful solo career. In 1970, the group released “When Will We Be Paid,” a song describing the discrimination and hardships inflicted on Black people. “We have worked this country from shore to shore,” they sing. They have fought wars in every land and given everything they had, so “When will we be paid for the work we’ve done?”

#8. “People Have the Power” (1988)

Patti Smith

Patti Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet and artist famous in the New York City punk rock movement. “People Have The Power,” released in 1988, is a powerful, optimistic song declaring that people have the power to change the world. It’s a much-needed sentiment during times of hardships and hopelessness when everything feels like it’s breaking. “My senses newly opened,” Smith sings, “I awakened to the cry/That the people have the power/To redeem the work of fools.”

#9. “Justice” (1989)

Ziggy Marley

Ziggy Marley, the son of Bob Marley, is a Jamaican reggae musician whose music includes social and political themes. The song “Justice,” which was released in 1989, explores waiting for justice and liberty, witnessing and experiencing oppression, and determination. “Justice, they are on my back/Justice, the more the tears/The more, the more we want, justice, justice.”

#10. “People Help the People” (2007)

Cherry Ghost/Birdy

The band Cherry Ghost released “People Help the People” on their first album. The song was a hit in 2007, and then again when singer Birdy released a cover in 2011. The lyrics share a simple message of pain, feeling lost, and helping the people around you. “People help the people, and if you’re homesick, give me your hand and I’ll hold it/People help the people, and nothing will drag you down.” In a world where institutions frequently let us all down, we can ease each other’s burdens by reaching out.

#11. “Through the Eyes of a Child” (2014)

AURORA

Norwegian singer, songwriter and producer AURORA has been involved in several social justice causes such as anti-racism and climate action. The song “Through the Eyes of a Child,” released in 2014, describes a longing to see the world with innocence. When human rights violations and inequalities are rampant, it’s common to feel a desire for innocence and hope. While the world needs us to fight, we also need time to rest and feel optimistic.

#12. “Fight Like A Girl” (2020)

Raye Zaragoza

Raye Zaragoza is an American singer-songwriter. She has a mixed racial heritage (Japanese, Mexican and O’Odham), and many of her songs explore themes about identity, social justice and being a woman of color. “Fight Like A Girl,” which appears on her sophomore album, is an intersectional anthem for all women. The chorus cries, “Take me to the water, take me to the snow/Where all the souls our mothers had to go/Take me to sweet sights, teach me your battle cries/Take me to the front lines of the war, to fight like a girl.”

#13. “Rise Up” (2015)

Andra Day

Andra Day is an American R&B singer and award-winning actor. In 2015, she released her debut album, on which appeared the song “Rise Up.” An inspiring and powerful song, the lyrics talk about moving mountains, rising like the day, and doing it a thousand times, again and again, even though “you feel like dying.” While Day wrote the song in response to personal struggles and a friend’s cancer diagnosis, it quickly became a theme for the Black Lives Matter movement.

#14. “White Man’s World” (2017)

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

With his band the 400 Unit, American singer-songwriter and actor Jason Isbell is known for writing deep, politically resonant music. In 2017, the band released “White Man’s World,” which appeared on The Nashville Sound Album. It focuses on Isbell’s reckoning with his white male privilege. The song’s most powerful lyrics come from the chorus: “There’s no such thing as someone else’s war/Your creature comforts aren’t the only things worth fighting for.” It calls to mind the activist Fannie Lou Hammer’s famous quote, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

#15. “Get Together” (1967)

Dino Valenti/The Youngbloods

The Youngbloods were an American rock band active in the 1960s. This era was a time of immense change and struggle in the form of the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the hippie movement and more. The song “Get Together,” originally performed by Dino Valenti, encourages people to “get together” and “try to love one another right now.” Jesse Colin Young, one of the members of The Youngbloods, heard the song and was struck by the opening lines, “Love is but a song we sing, fear’s the way we die.” The song has since come to symbolize unity and a persistent longing for peace.

The post 15 Inspiring Songs about Human Rights and Equality appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

International Women’s Day is a global holiday that takes place every year on March 8th. It emerged from the suffrage movements of the early 20th century, as well as labor movements. According to the UN, the Socialist Party of America organized the first National Woman’s Day in recognition of the 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York. The day has since gone international, achieving official recognition by the United Nations in 1977. It is an opportunity to recognize all women for their achievements. How can you celebrate it? Here are 15 ideas:

#1. Host a film screening

Watching a film is a great activity for International Women’s Day because movies appeal to a lot of people and can provoke great discussions. Your film screening can be as simple as getting a few friends together to watch a movie at your house or something more elaborate, like organizing a larger, more official screening and a panel discussion. With a little tech-savvy, you can even organize a virtual movie night. Don’t forget about copyright laws! They vary based on country, but in the United States, if you’re screening a film outside of your home or any place where you’ve gathered people who aren’t family members (that includes schools, libraries and meeting rooms), you need to get a special license. Vendors like Ambrose Video and Discovery Education sell movies with these licenses included.

#2. Assemble a book club

There are countless books written by, about, and for women. If you’re already in a book club, suggest reading a book for International Women’s Day. Penguin Random House, a major publisher, has a list of recommended reads on their website, but you can also find ideas by searching “books about women’s rights” or something similar. Our list of 13 inspiring books about human rights includes books by activists Grace Lee Boggs, Tricia Hershey and Malala Yousafzai. If you’re not currently part of a book club, consider assembling one or even joining a virtual book club. Your local library may also have resources.

Why is International Women’s Day important? Here’s our article on why it matters.

#3. Attend an art exhibit

Women have always created art, but their achievements have historically been dismissed or ignored. For International Women’s Day, consider learning more about great female artists through history! Many museums have exhibits curated specifically in recognition of women artists, while others have resources that help museum attendants find all the art made by women. Research exhibits in your area or explore a gallery online, like this one hosted by the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

#4. Attend a poetry slam

Poetry slams are art events where poets perform spoken word in front of an audience. The format can be flexible, but slams can include audience participation. Slams are energetic, dramatic and moving. You may not be able to find a slam specifically for International Women’s Day, but there are lots of recorded slams online. The International Women’s Day website even features several poems from 2021. You can also find a handful of feminist slam poems on Power Poetry.

#5. Organize an open mic night

Open mics take place at comedy clubs, pubs, coffeehouses, and other places, usually at night. The idea is that anyone from the audience, including amateurs, can go up to the microphone and perform songs, readings, comedy routines, and so on. One idea for International Women’s Day is to hold an open mic night for women. They’ll get a chance to showcase a skill, whether that’s by performing something original or something that means a lot to them. You can hold an open mic night at a traditional venue – like a cafe – or set up a gathering at someone’s home. Depending on the size of the space, you may not even need an actual microphone!

#6. Host a trivia night

Lots of people love trivia, so think about hosting a trivia game night for International Women’s Day. If you want to blend fun with fundraising, consider charging a small cover fee you can donate to a women’s rights organization. To fit with the day’s theme, write trivia questions about International Women’s Day, women’s rights, famous women, and so on. If you don’t have time to write all your own questions, you can find prewritten trivia quizzes online.

Interested in hosting more regular fundraisers or raising awareness of women’s rights issues? Here’s our article on how to become a community activist.

#7. Attend or organize a charity walk

Charity walks (also known as walk-a-thons) are a type of fundraiser. People collect donations for walking or running a certain distance. To improve access as much as possible, good walkathons allow for low-intensity options or donations based on minutes, not miles. See if your area is holding any charity walks in recognition of International Women’s Day or to benefit an organization that helps women or girls in some way.

#8. Attend an educational workshop

NGOs, associations, universities and other institutions regularly hold educational workshops for the community. Research local events or workshops about International Women’s Day, feminism, gender equality or related topics. You can find workshops through online searches while your local library or college is also a good resource. If you can’t find any local workshops, consider joining a virtual event. If you have children, you can find workshops designed for elementary and high school girls, too!

#9. Research what upcoming legislation affects women

You may have the opportunity to vote on issues that directly impact women. If you’re able to vote where you live, take the time to research how upcoming legislation affects girls and women. As an example, a proposed healthcare law might claim to save you money on your taxes, but in exchange, it cuts funding for important preventative care. When you’re researching legislation, always check in with women’s rights organizations to see what they’re saying the impact could be.

#10. Write letters about women’s rights and legislation

Many countries use representative forms of government, so while you may not be able to vote directly on legislation, you can let officials know what actions you want them to take. Letter-writing is one way to communicate. Even if you can’t send letters directly to a leader for one reason or another, you can write open letters, which you can post online or send to newspapers. To celebrate International Women’s Day, research what is affecting women in your area and write letters to government officials encouraging them to take action. If there’s specific legislation on the table, let them know how you want them to vote.

What gender issues are most important right now? Here’s our article on 15 of the most urgent examples.

#11. Recognize the achievements of women in your workplace

International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women in your workplace. Organizations can amplify the stories of important women in the organization’s history, bring in a guest speaker, send employees gifts from women-owned businesses, or host a special lunch catered by a woman-owned restaurant. While International Women’s Day is a good time to do something special, organizations should always work to improve gender parity and inclusion in the workplace.

#12. Research and support mentorship programs

Mentorship programs play a big role in increasing gender parity, closing educational gaps, enhancing a person’s skills, and achieving better inclusion. There are mentorships designed for professional development, but there are also mentorship programs for kids. To celebrate International Women’s Day, consider researching mentorship programs for women and girls in your area.

#13. Use social media to advocate for women’s rights

At the time of writing, the state of social media was in flux, but it still remains an accessible, convenient way to share your thoughts with a broad audience. For International Women’s Day, harness your social media to discuss women’s issues and how people can support women’s rights. You can keep it simple with a short paragraph or use tools like Canva to create compelling graphics. If you own a business, celebrating International Women’s Day on your social media is a great way to share your values.

Writing something for International Women’s Day? Our article on writing a women’s day speech has tips that apply to writing letters and social media posts.

#14. Support women-owned businesses

According to the World Economic Forum, women started 49% of new businesses in the United States in 2021, which is a big jump from 2019. Female entrepreneurship is increasing around the world, but men still outnumber women 3-1 in business ownership. For International Women’s Day, consider supporting a woman-owned business! Not every business advertises itself as woman-owned, but some put that information on their websites or social media accounts. To fully embody the values of International Women’s Day, check if the business you’re interested in treats its employees equitably and equally, supports other causes you’re passionate about, and donates money to NGOs.

#15. Donate and/or volunteer at an organization addressing women’s needs

NGOs serving women and girls always need donations and volunteers. For International Women’s Day, consider giving a monetary donation to a local, national, or international NGO working to protect women’s rights around the world. You can also consider volunteering at an organization! Many organizations need help with daily operations, fundraising campaigns and other activities. If you’re unable to volunteer in person, you can find virtual volunteer opportunities with many NGOs.

Here’s our article on 25 organizations fighting for women’s rights and gender equality.

The post 15 Ideas to Celebrate International Women’s Day appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

The right to vote is a basic human right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guides human rights law around the world, says everyone has the right to take part in government either directly or through freely chosen representatives. It also states that the government’s authority should come from the will of the people, which entails free and fair elections through “universal and equal suffrage.” That means people of all genders must be free to vote. For centuries, women either did not have the right to vote at all or the restrictions were so rigid, the right could hardly be considered universal and equal. In this article, we’ll explore the history of women’s suffrage, what countries achieved it first, and what challenges face women’s rights to vote.

New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893 followed by Nordic countries like Finland and Norway. The United States and the United Kingdom achieved suffrage in 1920 and 1928, respectively. Though voting rights are threatened in many places, women’s suffrage is essentially present in every country. 

What countries gave women the right to vote first?

New Zealand was the first country to achieve women’s suffrage. For years, campaigners like Kate Sheppard petitioned Parliament to give women the right to vote. In 1893, the governor finally signed a new Electoral Act, which made New Zealand the world’s first self-governing country to give women the right to vote in parliamentary elections. Just a year later, the South Australian Parliament passed legislation that gave women both the right to vote and to stand for elections, the latter of which New Zealand had not yet achieved. This made South Australia the first electorate in the world to give women equal political rights. Most Nordic countries gave women the right to vote in 1906 (Finland), 1907 (Norway), and 1915 (Denmark and Iceland).

Women weren’t always forbidden from voting before New Zealand and Australia’s legislation. As an example, Sweden gave some women the right to vote in elections as early as 1718. Female taxpaying members of city guilds had this right until 1772 when it was rescinded. It wasn’t until 1921 that all women in Sweden got the right to vote. In the United States, the state of New Jersey allowed single women who owned property to vote in 1776. The state was also unique in that it let African Americans vote if they met residency and property requirements. Both eligible women and people of color living in New Jersey were later stripped of the right to vote in 1807.

Interested in learning more about women’s rights. Here are 11 facts.

When did the United States and the United Kingdom give women the right to vote?

The best-known women’s suffrage movements were based in two places: the United States and the United Kingdom. When the United States developed its constitution, it gave the states the power to set voting requirements. This resulted in states limiting the right to vote to white men. The women’s suffrage movement in the United States began in the mid-19th century. In 1848, the first women’s rights convention took place in Seneca Falls, New York, where the group agreed to advocate for voting rights for women. Progress was slow, but by 1896, four states had given women the right to vote. Women’s clubs worked on voting rights alongside issues like better education, liquor prohibition and unionization. The 19th Amendment finally gave women the right to vote in 1920.

As in the United States, women in the UK started pushing for voting rights in the mid-19th century. According to Historic England, the London National Society for Women’s Suffrage and the Manchester National Society for Women’s Suffrage launched the first campaigns. They released pamphlets, petitioned supporters and held public meetings. As the movement expanded and unified, the suffragettes faced increasingly hostile resistance. Some suffragettes responded with more extremist methods such as breaking windows and going on hunger strikes. Many were jailed, which led to tensions within the movement, but when World War I broke out, the movement for women’s rights was interrupted. By the war’s end, sentiments toward women’s suffrage had changed, so that by 1928, the UK based the Equal Franchise Act. All women over 21 were given the right to vote.

When did other countries give women the right to vote?

While several countries, especially those in Europe, granted women the right to vote in the late 19th and early 20th century, some places followed much later. France gave women the right to vote in 1944, while countries like Indonesia, Japan, and Senegal achieved women’s suffrage in 1945. Mexico granted women the right to vote in 1953. In a very unusual move for that part of the world, Switzerland did not give women the right to vote in national elections until 1971. Some countries’ rights are also affected by the form of government and when nations become independent. As an example, Namibia gave women the right to vote in 1989, which seems late, but the nation had been colonized first as a German protectorate, and then occupied by South African forces during WWI. Namibia officially became independent in 1990.

Countries that give women the right to vote may not have great records on women’s rights overall. Saudi Arabia, where women have technically had the right to vote and stand as candidates since 2015, has a poor record on women’s rights. According to Amnesty International, the nation’s Personal Status Law (PSL), which passed in 2022, codifies the male guardianship system and discrimination against women in “most aspects of family life.” Saudi Arabia also does not hold national elections at all; it’s an absolute monarchy. There’s also not been a municipal election since 2015.

Voting is just one way women are empowered. Here’s our article on women’s empowerment jobs.

Where can women not vote at all?

Women can technically vote everywhere except in Vatican City, where the Pope has been the head of state since 1929. Only cardinals, who are all men, can elect the next pope. They are sealed into the Sistine Chapel for a secret discussion. Once votes are counted, the ballots are burned. The smoke they produce is either black, which means the vote failed, or white, which signals a new pope has been chosen. This is an extremely unique and exclusionary electoral process for a unique type of leader.

Neither women nor men vote in Eritrea, which has been under a dictatorship by an unelected president for three decades. After a long history of colonization and occupation by European and Ethiopian forces, the country gained independence in 1993. While its 1997 constitution guaranteed civil rights and a limit on executive power, there’s never been an election. According to the 2023 Human Rights Watch report on Eritrea, the dictatorship has been consistently oppressing its people with forced labor and conscription into the military or civil service.

What were the challenges facing women’s right to vote?

All countries have faced opposition to women’s suffrage. A CNN article describes just a few of the historical arguments. In the US and UK, religion was often brought up. In the Bible, Eve disobeys God first, which, according to opponents of women’s suffrage, meant women were inherently unequal. Voting would change nothing. There were also concerns about women canceling out their husband’s votes, abandoning their families, and somehow becoming more masculine. Men weren’t the only ones to oppose voting rights for women; there were also groups of women worried about the consequences of voting and how it would impact families, children and traditional gender roles.

Conflict within suffrage movements also presented problems. It often centered on racial discrimination. In Australia, one of the first countries to achieve women’s suffrage, most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (which would include women) weren’t even given the option to enroll and vote in federal elections until 1962. They weren’t required to enroll and vote until 1984, which is required of every other citizen. Racial discrimination also tainted the suffrage movement in the United States. While the movement relied on the support of Black people, leaders like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony unleashed a wave of racist rhetoric when Black men got the right to vote before women. Racism split the movement, and while women got the right to vote in the 19th century, the rights of Black women weren’t fully secured until the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Native American women, who also played an important role in suffrage movements, had limited rights until Native Americans got citizenship rights in 1924.

Restricting women from voting is one form of gender discrimination. Here’s our article about gender discrimination and how it harms everyone.

Could women ever lose the right to vote?

Once human rights are enshrined in international law or national constitutions, it’s generally very difficult to revoke them. People enjoy having rights like the right to vote, and if those rights are threatened, groups tend to mobilize quickly in protest. It would also take a lot of time and legislative action to undo something like the 19th Amendment. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, however. As this article explored in brief, voting rights have been rescinded before. Women and people of color in New Jersey lost their right to vote, as did the few women in Sweden who could vote between 1718 and 1772. The difference now is that voting rights for women are nearly universally considered a fundamental right. While it varies by region, most people are in favor of women’s suffrage, so the thought of taking that right away is unacceptable.

The right to vote can be undermined in a variety of other ways, however. The Taliban’s control of Afghanistan is a prime example. Afghanistan’s constitution gave women universal suffrage and the right to run for office in 1964, but under Taliban control, women’s rights are eroding. In 2023, the UN released a statement calling the country one of the world’s most repressive places for women. The country’s most recent constitution from 2004 is suspended. Whatever new constitution the Taliban eventually establishes is unlikely to respect women’s voting rights. Even in places where an authoritarian regime has not forcibly seized power, women’s right to vote can be threatened by cultural and social norms, lack of education, harassment, economic disparities and a lack of representation in politics. Protecting the right to vote begins with legislation, but goes much deeper. We all have a responsibility to ensure equal rights.

The post When Did Women Get The Right To Vote? appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Prejudice fuels the unfair and unequal treatment of people around the world, and while we may hope we don’t hold prejudiced views, it’s common to see others differently based on their ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion and so on. Acknowledging this fact – and working to reduce prejudice – is the best way forward. In this article, we’ll explore what prejudice is, how it works and what it looks like.

Prejudice refers to negative feelings, attitudes and beliefs toward individuals and groups based on preconceived notions about ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, religion and much more.

What is prejudice?

The word “prejudice” has origins in Latin for “before” and “judgment.” It describes unfavorable feelings toward individuals or groups based on preconceived notions of their ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, age, disability, religion and other characteristics. While every individual is distinct, prejudice lumps all members of a group or classification together.

There are a few theories about why prejudice exists and how it works: social identity theory, realistic conflict theory, scapegoating theory, authoritarian personality theory and culture theory.

Social identity theory

According to social identity theory, people always organize themselves into groups they belong to and groups they don’t belong to. This categorization boosts a person’s self-esteem. Finding community with a group is not wrong, but many people end up looking down on those they deem outside their groups. They may exhibit prejudice.

Realistic conflict theory

This theory focuses on limited resources and what happens when people compete for them. When resources are few and far between, people engage in more conflict. This increases negative feelings and attitudes between competing groups. The theory applies even when a lack of resources is conceptual. As an example, while social status and political power are intangible, people tend to believe there’s only so much to go around.

Scapegoating theory

When individuals or communities experience challenges, they may direct blame to an innocent party. This is known as “scapegoating.” As an example, when it comes to unemployment, immigrants are often scapegoated in the United States. “They’re taking our jobs!” is a common phrase linked to prejudice. Scapegoats tend to be already marginalized and stereotyped groups.

Authoritarian personality theory

This theory wonders if certain people are predisposed to authoritarianism. They tend to be more trusting and respectful of authority figures, and more likely to not question that authority. They exhibit strict, inflexible views of the world and strongly dislike uncertainty or nuance. Because this personality type is so black-and-white, they could be more susceptible to prejudice, as well, since prejudicial views are also clear-cut. They’re also more vulnerable to prejudicial propaganda created by authority figures.

Culture theory 

The culture theory of prejudice theorizes that prejudice is deeply rooted in society. It passes from generation to generation, sustaining itself through stereotypes, institutional discrimination and community beliefs. If someone is surrounded by friends and family who exhibit prejudicial views, they’re more likely to develop and express similar views. What’s considered “normal” or “acceptable” varies from group to group, but the desire to belong encourages people to believe or behave in similar ways.

Many people are unaware of the prejudiced views they hold. Here are ten examples of unconscious bias.

What five facts should everyone know about prejudice?

Prejudice is complicated because people are complicated, but there are certain facts that can help you understand how these feelings work.

#1. Prejudice may serve a biological purpose

There’s lots of research about how prejudices like racism and sexism are taught, and while that’s true, the mechanisms of prejudice may be hard-wired in the human brain. As a blog on The Conversation explains, prejudice may have evolved because, in the past, it helped us avoid danger. How? At its core, prejudice is about quickly associating something – like a visual cue or a sound – with a certain meaning. As an example, our ancestors had to deal with predators on a regular basis, so certain cues always signaled danger. If we were met with something unfamiliar, it was safer to assume the new thing was dangerous. Unfortunately, our brain doesn’t always make correct judgments, which leads to prejudices related to ethnicity, gender, and other characteristics.

#2. You can unlearn prejudice

While the tendency to be prejudiced may be the result of evolution, it doesn’t mean we’re all doomed to think prejudiced thoughts forever. The first step is being aware of our biases and prejudices. Next, research shows prejudices can be reduced when people from different groups interact with each other. Contact reveals the inaccuracy of certain beliefs, while relationships motivate people to more closely examine and eliminate their prejudices. Prejudice can also be reduced when caught early in childhood. While kids are not born with prejudices, they quickly learn based on the views of their parents and close family members, the media and other environmental influences. Teaching kids about tolerance, acceptance and diversity can help reduce prejudices before they become deeply rooted.

#3. Certain groups face more prejudice than others

People can develop prejudices based on just about any characteristic, but certain groups are targeted more often than others. According to the United Nations, people of African Descent are among the most discriminated-against groups around the world. Many also hold prejudices against migrants, refugees, women, people living in poverty, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and ethnic minorities. The reasons vary, but historical oppression plays a big role in which groups receive the most prejudiced treatment. If a group has been the subject of prejudiced beliefs and stereotypes for a long time, they tend to keep being targeted.

Prejudice often leads to racism. To learn more about where racism came from, check out this article.

#4. Prejudice and discrimination are technically different

Prejudice and discrimination are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. Prejudice refers to a person’s feelings and attitudes toward a certain group, while discrimination refers to tangible actions based on those beliefs. Someone can hold prejudiced beliefs and never act on them, although it’s unusual for a belief to not manifest in some way. Discrimination can also be structural or institutional, while prejudice lives inside people’s heads. As soon as those thoughts are expressed outwardly, however, that’s when they become discrimination.

#5. Prejudice and discrimination affect health

Researchers have examined the connections between prejudice, discrimination and health for decades. When people are not treated equally based on prejudiced views about them, it affects their ability to receive services such as a good education, housing and employment. These are important health determinants. Prejudice can also affect the quality of healthcare a person can access. If a health provider holds prejudiced views, it’s likely to affect how they talk to a patient, what treatments they offer and how seriously they take any health concerns. According to the Institute for Health Policy and Leadership, healthcare discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community has become “particularly visible” in recent years. This has led to people delaying or avoiding medical treatment for fear of discrimination.

What are examples of prejudice?

Prejudice affects many individuals and groups, but what are some of the most prevalent examples? Here are seven:

#1. Racial prejudice

Racial prejudice manifests as negative feelings and attitudes towards people based on their ethnicity or perceived ethnicity. It commonly targets ethnic minorities, which manifests as structural or institutional discrimination, but people can hold racial prejudices against any race/ethnicity.

#2. Gender prejudice

Gender prejudice is prejudice based on someone’s gender or perceived gender. Because women and girls are still treated unequally throughout the world, gender prejudice typically targets them.

Interested in learning more about gender prejudice? Check out our article on the subject.

#3. Homophobia and transphobia

Homophobia refers to prejudiced views against gay people. While homophobia targets people based on their sexuality, transphobia targets people based on gender identity. Transphobia is a specific prejudice against transgender people. Homophobia and transphobia can also affect anyone who doesn’t appear to fall within the gender binary, regardless of their actual sexual or gender identity.

#4. Xenophobia

Xenophobia is prejudice against people based on their nationality. It often targets immigrants and refugees, but anyone perceived as a “foreigner” can be affected. Xenophobia is related to racial prejudice, but while racial prejudice can affect people from the same country, xenophobia focuses on nationality, culture and origin.

#5. Classism

Classism is a form of prejudice focused on someone’s socioeconomic status. It affects people experiencing poverty the most. When elevated to discrimination, classism reduces a person’s access to essentials like healthcare, housing, employment, education and more.

#6. Religious prejudice

Religious prejudice refers to negative feelings and attitudes towards people based on their religious beliefs. Prejudice can also affect people based on the fact they follow no religion.

#7. Ageism

Ageism is prejudice based on a person’s age. It can affect people because they’re perceived as either “too old” or “too young.” It’s common in workplace settings, but it’s present in healthcare and social interactions, too.

The post Prejudice 101: Definition, Facts, Examples appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

For decades, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have played a huge role in humanitarian aid and international affairs. They address issues such as poverty, health inequality, gender inequality, natural disasters and much more. While it’s difficult to know exactly how many NGOs there are, there could be millions actively working today. In this article, we’ll list the 15 biggest NGOs based in the USA. “Biggest” has a variety of meanings, but for our list, we’re considering their financials and overall influence. Some NGOs on the list have smaller revenues than others, but their social, political and cultural influence warrants their inclusion.

#1. Feeding America

In the late 1960s, while visiting a local meal program, a mother suggested there should be a place where people could pick up stored food. Her idea ushered in the creation of food banks. Feeding America is part of a nationwide network of food banks, pantries and meal programs. The US-based organization has several programs, including mobile pantries, drive-thru pantries, summer meal programs, a kid’s cafe and a school pantry program. The network boasts 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries that serve 1 in 7 Americans. According to the Forbes 2022 ranking of the 100 largest U.S. Charities, Feeding America’s total revenue is around $4.2 billion.

#2. United Way Worldwide

United Way Worldwide is an international network of over 1,800 local nonprofit fundraising affiliates. According to its website, its goal is to promote equitable communities, improve education, strengthen economic mobility and make communities healthier. It’s been operating for over 135 years. While it’s based in the United States, United Way Worldwide works in 37 countries and territories. It has around 11.5 million volunteers, 6.8 donors and 45,000 corporate partners. On the Forbes ranking, United Way Worldwide’s revenue was around $3.8 billion.

#3. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude is a pediatric research and treatment facility based in Memphis, Tennessee. Entertainer Danny Thomas founded the hospital in 1962. Since its founding, St. Jude has focused on children’s diseases, in particular cancer. It also has treatment programs for infectious diseases, immunodeficiency diseases, blood disorders and sickle cell disease. Patients are not charged for their treatment. St. Jude’s total revenue was just over $2.4 billion according to Forbes’ ranking.

#4. The Salvation Army

While The Salvation Army is based in England, it has a large presence in the United States. It is an international charitable organization and a Protestant Christian church. According to its website, its mission is to “preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.” The organization runs charity shops, homeless shelters, service programs for the elderly, disaster relief programs and food pantries. On the Forbes 2022 ranking, it had a total revenue of $5.8 billion.

Interested in working at an NGO? Here’s our article on NGO jobs. 

#5. Direct Relief

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization operating in every state in the United States and over 80 countries. It addresses issues like health equity, poverty and disaster relief. It’s been active since 1948. According to its website, Direct Relief is the largest charitable medicine program in the U.S. Its nonprofit health centers and clinics provide services to more than 30 million U.S. residents. Thanks to Direct Relief, people have increased access to prescription medicine, emergency medical supplies, IUDs and specialty medications for diseases like cancer and hepatitis. According to the Forbes 2022 ranking, Direct Relief had a total revenue of $2.2 billion.

#6. Good360

For 40 years, Good360’s goal has been to close “close the need gap.” It helps nonprofits get the goods they need, so their budgets can go toward programs and services. The organization, which is based in Virginia, USA, has over 100,000 nonprofit members and 400+ corporate donors. In 2022, Good360 distributed more than $2.5 billion in needed goods, which include mattresses, clothing, protective gear, drinking water and much more. On the Forbes charity ranking for the same year, the organization’s total revenue was $1.69 billion.

#7. Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston, Massachusetts. The organization collects donated household goods and clothing for sale. A portion of the money is then used for Goodwill’s education and workforce-related services. It partners with corporations like Indeed, Walmart, Bank of America and Coursera. In 2022, Goodwill served over 2.1 million people globally and helped almost 129,000 people train for jobs in banking, IT, healthcare and more. Its total revenue was $7.4 billion according to the Forbes ranking.

#8. YMCA of the USA

Often known as “the Y,” the YMCA of the USA is a nonprofit guided by Christian principles. The organization, which was founded in London in 1844, has grown to serve more than 64 million people in 120 countries. Its goal is to strengthen communities and create opportunities for everyone. It works in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Programs include camps, swim classes, meal programs, sports leagues and so on. In 2022, the YMCA’s total revenue was $7.4 billion, according to the Forbes ranking.

Check out our article on 15 of the biggest NGOs in the world.

#9. Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a US-based Christian nonprofit founded in 1976. It operates out of the state of Georgia but is active in more than 70 countries around the world. With families, communities, volunteers and partners, Habitat for Humanity works to increase access to housing. Its advocacy focuses on policy reform, while it’s also famous for building houses. Its other activities include older adults’ home repair, disaster response and neighborhood revitalization. According to the Forbes 2022 ranking, its total revenue was $2.1 billion.

#10. AmeriCares

For over 40 years, AmeriCares has focused on health equity. It works in health crises, medicine security and health services. While based in the United States, the organization provides dozens of countries with medicine, health services and medical supplies. Its goal is to improve the health of everyone it serves because health is a human right. According to its annual report from 2022, the organization responded to 36 emergencies, delivered 172 tons of medicine and supplies to Ukraine, and reached 3 million people with medicine.

#11. Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a New York-based organization that researches and advocates for human rights. It has around 550 people from 70+ countries working as country experts, journalists, lawyers and other professionals who protect refugees, children and civilians during war. HRW investigates human rights abuses, exposes culprits through reports and social media, and meets with governments, corporations, the UN and others to advocate for change and justice. Since its establishment in 1978, HRW has been a part of some major victories for human rights, including the banning of landmines worldwide.

#12. Human Rights Campaign

Established in 1980, the Human Rights Campaign is the largest LGBTQ+ political lobbying organization in the United States. According to its website, it has over 3 million members and supporters worldwide and reaches 9 million people across its digital platforms. Program areas include children and families; public education and research; health and aging; transgender justice; workplace equality; and HIV and health equity. According to the organization’s 2022 990 form, the Human Rights Campaign had just over 20 million in net assets.

#13. Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood is a US-based reproductive healthcare nonprofit founded in 1916. It has grown into a national network of around 600 health centers operated by affiliates. It also works with more than 100 local organizations in Africa and Latin America to improve access to healthcare and education. It provides a range of services such as birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and screenings for cervical and other types of cancer. Some Planned Parenthood health centers can also provide abortions. In 2021-2022, the organization saw 2.13 patients, provided 2.3 million birth control services and performed over 470,000 pap tests and breast exams.

Why should people consider working for an NGO? Here’s our article of 15 reasons.

#14. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross, which was founded in 1881, is a health-focused humanitarian nonprofit that provides disaster relief, disaster preparedness education and emergency assistance. It offers overnight shelters, training services, blood drives and more. While the Red Cross offers services to everyone, it also has specific programs and services for military members, veterans and their families. According to the 2022 annual report, the organization served over 2 million meals and snacks with partners, reached over 1.8 million kids through home fire preparedness programs, and supported 36 countries with disaster response.

#15. International Rescue Committee

Established in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) focuses on people affected by conflict and disaster. The nonprofit provides healthcare, education, and other services that help empower communities and individuals. According to the IRC’s website, the organization reached over 32.9 million people in 2022. Their impact included supporting over 3,000 health facilities, enrolling over 800,000 kids and youth in learning programs, and providing over 8 million primary health care consultations. While IRC is based in New York, USA, it works in over 50 countries.

The post The Biggest 15 NGOs in the USA appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Crises like war, climate change, disease outbreaks and extreme poverty affect people of all ages, but children are uniquely disenfranchised. According to groups like the United Nations, children make up more than 50% of those living in extreme poverty. This makes them more vulnerable to poor health, violence, and exploitation. Governments also often neglect to establish legal protections for children, which makes it much harder for kids and families to obtain assistance and justice. Charities around the world help fill the gaps with humanitarian aid and economic empowerment, while many also provide platforms for young people to speak for themselves. In this article, we’ll go over 15 trusted charities focused on helping children.

#1. Save the Children

In 1919, Eglantyne Jebb witnessed children dying of hunger and disease after the end of WWI. She created the Save the Children fund to raise money. Today, the organization has grown into an international umbrella group with members in 120+ countries. Five core values drive the nonprofit’s work: accountability, integrity, ambition, collaboration and creativity. Programs vary across countries, but Save the Children’s priority areas include hunger and famine, the climate crisis, education, health and poverty in America. The organization has earned many accolades over the years, such as a 2023 top-rated award from the Great Nonprofits Top-Rated Awards and an A- from CharityWatch.

#2. Oxfam

Founded in England, Oxfam is a leading organization fighting poverty and injustice. It works with a global network of local organizations to deliver clean water, food, money and education to communities affected by climate change, disease, war and other urgent issues. While Oxfam doesn’t focus exclusively on children, its work on poverty, gender equality, economic justice and climate action are vital to the rights and safety of kids. CharityNavigator gives Oxfam America a 99% score, which makes it a four-star charity, the highest rating given by Charity Navigator. CharityWatch gave Oxfam a B+ in 2021.

#3. UNICEF

UNICEF (officially called the United Nations Children’s Fund) is an agency of the UN and charity providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children. It works in over 190 countries and territories on areas such as child survival, education, emergencies, gender, child protection and much more. It was founded in 1946 and relies on contributions from private donors and governments. On Charity Navigator, UNICEF USA has a 92% and four-star rating. CharityWatch gave UNICEF USA an A grade in 2021.

#4. Plan International

Plan International, which works in over 80 countries, is a developmental and humanitarian nonprofit working to advance children’s rights and gender equality. Founded in 1937, it works to empower children, make changes in practice and policy, work with kids and communities on crisis response, and support children from birth to adulthood. It has programs focused on education, protection from violence, youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive rights, early childhood development, skills and works, and emergencies. Plan International USA has a 100% score and four stars on Charity Navigator, while Plan International Inc. has an 86%.

Interested in learning more about child rights and protection? Here’s our list of 7 online courses.

#5. Right to Play

For more than two decades, this international organization has worked to help kids stay in school, graduate, stay safe and heal from the traumas of war and abuse. Founded in 1994, Right To Play now reaches millions of kids in 15 countries through programs focused on games, sports, creative play and free play. Right to Play’s goal is to empower 100 million kids by 2030. Through the power of play, the organization wants to empower girls, build peaceful communities, protect boys from violence, prevent HIV and do better in school. Right to Play has a 100% score and a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.

#6. Child Rights International Network

Child Rights International Network describes itself as a “creative human rights organization with a focus on children’s rights.” It seeks to challenge the status quo regarding children and young people’s place in society by advocating for rights – not charity – to shift how governments and culture treat young people. It uses research, art, policy and advocacy to articulate its mission. Its priorities include access to justice, age assessment, bodily integrity, children’s rights in the digital age, sexual violence and more.

#7. Amnesty International

Established in 1961, Amnesty International is one of the world’s largest advocacy NGOs. It may have as many as ten million members and supporters around the world. Through advocacy campaigns, including its famous letter-writing campaign, Amnesty International raises awareness of human rights abuses and petitions governments to take action. Its priority areas include armed conflict, climate change, discrimination, torture, police brutality and child rights. Amnesty International monitors human rights violations against children and hosts a free online child rights education course. Charity Navigator gives Amnesty International a 99% and four-star rating.

According to UNICEF, child labor affects around 1 in 10 children. Here’s our article on Child Labor 101.

#8. International Literacy Association

The International Literacy Association (ILA) is a professional membership organization with more than 300,000 literary educators, researchers and educators from 128 countries. The group advocates for children’s rights to read, as well as excellent literacy instruction and equitable access to education, resources and opportunities. ILA performs its work through publishing research, creating resources for educators, providing professional development and supporting teachers and other literacy professionals. Charity Navigator gives ILA a 100% and four-star score.

#9. Children’s Defense Fund

The Children’s Defense Fund has strong roots in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Marian Wright Edelman, the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, founded the Children’s Defense Fund in 1973 to call on the government to improve its policies and programs for children. Today, the Fund operates a range of programs such as Freedom Schools and Beat the Odds. The organization’s goal is to work directly with kids and youth to help empower them. Its priorities include health, poverty, early childhood, youth justice and racial justice. The Children’s Defense Fund has a 99%, four-star rating from Charity Navigator. CharityWatch gave the charity an A grade in 2020.

#10. Children’s Rights Alliance

Established in 1995, the Ireland-based Children’s Rights Alliance has created a network of over 100 members working to improve children’s rights in Ireland. With 17 other organizations, the Alliance makes up the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership. The group is also a member of the Eurochild network and the Children’s Mental Health Coalition/Mental Health Reform. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guides the charity’s principles. Current projects include children’s access to justice, reform for child refugees, child poverty and early childhood development.

#11. Global Fund for Children

The Global Fund for Children was founded in 1993 by Maya Ajmera, who was inspired after learning a group of children were living, attending school and begging on a train platform in India. The charity takes the approach that innovative, community-based organizations can use small amounts of money to make long-term impacts on children and youth. The Fund finds organizations, funds programs, advises and guides partners, and builds national and regional networks. Charity Navigator gave the Global Fund for Children a 99%, four-star score.

#12. World Vision

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian aid, development and advocacy organization. It operates in over 100 countries with over 33,000 staff members, making it one of the world’s largest NGOs. It doesn’t focus exclusively on children, but child rights and protection is one of its target areas. It also works on education, economic development, health and nutrition, and clean water and sanitation. World Vision has a 94%, four-star score from Charity Navigator. Charity Watch gave the organization an A grade in 2022.

#13. Defence for Children

Defence for Children International (DCI) is a child rights, membership-based grassroots movement. Founded in 1979, the organization believes children should have full human rights and dignity. Its priorities include children affected by armed conflict, children on the move, violence against children and children deprived of liberty. It also pays special attention to gender equality and child participation. Because the DCI has a unique structure, its National Sections operate as grassroots organizations that identify and create programs that directly correspond to what kids in their countries need. The charity also partners with entities like the European Union and the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Women’s empowerment is closely linked to children’s rights. Here’s our article on women’s empowerment jobs.

#14. Children International

Children International began in 1936 as a Christian mission providing food baskets and medical care in Israel. The organization has since expanded around the world, including countries in Asia, South America, Africa, and North and Central America. Its programs focus on health, education, empowerment and employment. Through its work, the organization helps more than 200,000 children and their families break out of poverty. Its recognitions include a 100% from Charity Navigator and an A- from Charity Watch.

#15. Malala Fund

Malala and Ziauddin Yousafzai founded the Malala Fund in 2013. The charity’s goal is to ensure all girls receive their right to 12 years of safe, free and good-quality education. The Fund invests in education advocates and community activists working to improve access to education in places where that right is threatened. Target regions include Turkey, India, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Malala Fund also works in advocacy and research. Charity Navigator gave the Malala Fund a 100%, four-star rating.

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Maya Angelou is one of the United States’ most interesting and important people. Born in 1928, she worked just about every job you could imagine but became best known as a writer. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, plays, films, TV shows and more. She was active during the Civil Rights Movement and remained an activist for racial equality, gender equality, and social justice. Her work has won countless awards, and in 2011, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She passed away in 2014 at age 86, but her words remain. In this article, we’ll explore 15 of her most inspiring quotes found in books and interviews over her lifetime.

#1. “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

This quote is from one of Maya Angelou’s most important books: I Know Why The Caged Birds Sings. First published in 1969, the autobiography describes Angelou’s life starting from when she was a 3-year-old sent to live with her grandmother to when she became a 16-year-old mother. It’s fitting this quote comes from the first of Angelou’s autobiographies, which share the story of a life well-lived.

#2. “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

Letter to My Daughter, Maya Angelou’s third book of essays, was released in 2009. While Angelou has no daughters of her own, she wrote this book in honor of the many women who saw her as a mother figure. Quotes like this emphasize the importance of resilience and hope. As Angelou knows from personal experience, life is full of defeats, but they should not define our entire lives and prevent us from continuing on.

#3. “Nothing will work unless you do.”

This quote is from Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now, Angelou’s first book of essays published in 1993. It takes its title from the African-American spiritual “On My Journey Now.” In the book, Angelou shares insights into topics such as faith, grieving, racism and self-care. It’s considered one of Angelou’s “wisdom books.” In just a few words, the quote above encapsulates how everyone must take action if they want anything to happen in their lives.

#4. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”

Another quote from Letter to My Daughter, these words are especially moving considering Maya Angelou’s life. At age 8, she was abused by her mother’s boyfriend, and after he was killed, Angelou went mute for almost five years. She faced many other difficulties in her life, but as her quote says, she was not reduced by any of them.

#5. “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

The Heart of a Woman was Maya Angelou’s fourth autobiography. It covers her life from 1957-1962 when she traveled extensively through California, New York, Egypt, and Ghana, all while raising her teenage son, becoming a published author, and working in the Civil Rights Movement. Her life during this time sang with courage, and as this quote emphasizes, courage is the foundation of every other virtue.

#6. “Also, I encourage courtesy. To accept nothing less than courtesy, and to give nothing less than courtesy. If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And if we have the effrontery to talk to anybody with less than courtesy, we tell ourselves and the world we are not very intelligent.”

Maya Angelou wrote and spoke often about identity and self-empowerment. In this quote, which is pulled from Psychology Today’s 2009 interview with the author, Marianne Schnall has just asked Angelou what she wished she knew as a child. Angelou first says, “courage,” but then continues with why courtesy matters, too. Accepting anything less than courtesy harms a person’s self-esteem while treating others without courtesy affects both our view of ourselves and how others see us.

#7. “I wish that we could look into each other’s faces, in each other’s eyes, and see our own selves. I hope that the children have not been so scarred by their upbringing that they only think fear when they see someone else who looks separate from them.”

In the Psychology Today interview, Marianne Schnall asks Angelou, “What is your wish for children of the future?” Angelou’s answer, quoted above, represents one of the author’s most enduring sentiments. She always encouraged people to focus on the similarities we share and embrace our identity as humans.

Check out our article on the top 12 quotes about advocacy.

#8. “I know that one of the great arts that the writer develops is the art of saying, “No. No, I’m finished. Bye.” And leaving it alone. I will not write it into the ground. I will not write the life out of it.”

In 1990, Maya Angelou was interviewed on stage at the YMHA in Manhattan, New York, in front of an audience of mostly women. The interviewer, George Plimpton, asked Angelou how she began her work day. While writing, she describes trying to pull the language into shape, into sharpness, and taking a few weeks to describe what she’s seeing. Plimpton then asks how Angelou knows when the work is done, to which she says it’s done when it’s the best she can do. It may not be “the best,” but as Angelou’s quote above says, knowing when to let a piece of writing go is one of a writer’s best tools. This interview appeared in Issue 116 of The Paris Review.

#9. “So I decided to try everything, to keep myself wide open to human beings, all human beings — seeing them as I understand them to be, not as they wish they were, but as I understand them to be.”

The quote above comes from Bill Moyer’s first interview with Maya Angelou in 1973. It’s a response to Moyer’s question about how Angelou stays open to the world and to hope, even when the world was so closed to Black women. She describes coming to a place where she realized she had nothing to lose, so closing herself up was foolish. Instead, she resolved to try everything and stay wide open, while recognizing the reality of what people can be.

#10. “Take as much time as you need to make up your mind, but once it is made up, step out on your decision like it’s something you want.”

Maya Angelou always encouraged people to take action when they could. That doesn’t mean she advocated for quick decisions. Rather, she said people should take as much time as they need, but once a decision is made, it’s time to act. The quote above comes from A Song Flung Up To Heaven, the sixth of Angelou’s autobiographies. It takes place between 1965 and 1968. During these years, Angelou faces the assassinations of both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr while adjusting to her return to the US after living in Ghana.

#11. “Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”

Much of Maya Angelou’s writings focus on womanhood, motherhood, and other aspects of being a woman in this world. According to the New York Times, this quote first appeared in a video endorsement for Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president in 2007.

#12. “You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I’ll rise.”

This is an excerpt from “Still I Rise,” one of Maya Angelou’s most famous poems. It appears in the book And Still I Rise, which is the writer’s third poetry collection from 1978. It acknowledges hatred, racism, and violence, but triumphantly declares “I’ll rise.” The rest of the poem follows a similar structure that recognizes the injustices against Black people but always ends with a deeply hopeful, determined message.

Poetry often centers on deep themes. Here’s our article listing 10 poems about equality.

#13. “History, despite its wrenching pain / Cannot be unlived, but if faced / With courage, need not be lived again.”

In 1993, Maya Angelou read the poem “On the Pulse of Morning” for Bill Clinton’s first inauguration. Her performance became famous. The excerpt above represents Angelou’s deeply held beliefs about facing history and its injustices, but not letting it reduce or defeat us. Courage, which Angelou believes is the most important virtue, is what helps us never repeat the pain of the past.

#14. “One must nurture the joy in one’s life so that it reaches full bloom.”

This quote comes from Rainbow in the Cloud: The Wisdom and Spirit of Maya Angelou. The book collects excerpts from Angelou’s many works on topics like family, community, equality, spirituality, parenting and more. Guy Johnson, Angelou’s son, also contributed with some words his mother would share with him and their family.

#15. What I really want to do is be a representative of my race, of the human race. I have a chance to show how kind we can be, how intelligent and generous we can be. I have a chance to teach and to love and to laugh. I know that when I finish doing what I’m sent here to do, I will be called home. And I will go home without any fear, trepidations, wondering what’s gonna happen.”

This quote appeared in the trailer of Beyonce’s Netflix film Homecoming, which explores the artist’s preparation for her iconic 2018 Coachella performance. According to Oprah Daily, the quote comes from Maya Angelou’s interview with George Stroumboulopoulos in 2014. It was one of her last sit-down interviews.

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The gender binary teaches that people must be either exclusively male or exclusively female, but humans are much more complex and nuanced. This has been the case for thousands of years. Across the world, people have embodied a wide range of gender identities and expressions unrelated to their physical anatomy or genetic makeup. When someone identifies as neither exclusively male nor female, they are nonbinary. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of this term, what everyone should know about it, and examples of nonbinary identities and terms.

Being nonbinary means not identifying as exclusively male or female. A nonbinary person may identify more with a certain gender, with all genders or with no gender at all. Within the nonbinary community, people identify with a wide variety of pronouns, sexual orientations and gender expressions.

What’s the definition of nonbinary?

Before we explore what being nonbinary means, we have to first define the binary. The gender binary is the concept that only two genders – male and female – exist. The binary also assumes that gender is fixed, that gender and sex should always correlate, and that people should conform to expectations of their gender. Western cultures tend to adhere to the gender binary, which leads some to mistakenly believe the binary is ingrained in human nature. There are many examples of multi-gender systems, however, which support the theory that gender is a social and political construct.

When it appears in discussions about the gender binary, the term “nonbinary” refers to gender identities that don’t adhere to the strict male/female system. People who embrace this identity may identify with certain genders more than others, all genders at once or no gender at all. Gender expressions vary significantly, as well. It’s also important to recognize the differences between gender, sex and sexuality. A person’s gender identity is separate from their sexual or romantic orientation. Gender is also distinct from sex, which refers to a set of biological attributes. While sex is usually categorized as either male or female, there’s variation. Gender is socially constructed and flexible, so people who are nonbinary may shift the identities and terms that feel the most comfortable over time.

How are the terms “transgender” and “nonbinary” related?

Many nonbinary people also identify as transgender. How are these terms similar or different from each other? Transgender (abbreviated as “trans”) refers to gender identities that don’t align with the sex a person was assigned at birth. As an example, when someone assigned female at birth identifies as a man, they are a trans man. Conversely, when someone does identify with the sex they were assigned at birth, they are “cisgender.” Because nonbinary people don’t identify exclusively with the sex they were assigned at birth, they are part of the transgender community. Whether or not a nonbinary person describes themselves as trans is a personal choice.

Are you interested in learning more about gender identity? Here’s our list of five gender identity courses available online.

What should everyone know about the nonbinary identity?

A person’s gender identity and gender expressions are deeply personal, but certain facts help increase recognition and acceptance in society. Here are five of the most important:

#1. Nonbinary people have always existed

When it comes to gender diversity, skeptics often question the credibility of identities by pointing out how new the terms are. While the creation of new terms and expressions doesn’t automatically negate their legitimacy, the fact is that nonbinary people have always existed. According to a PBS map of gender-diverse cultures, multiple countries have “recognized, revered, and integrated” more than the male and female genders for hundreds if not thousands of years. Some examples include Hawaii, Thailand, Madagascar, New Zealand and Peru.

#2. Nonbinary people use a variety of pronouns

Using someone’s proper pronouns is respectful. Because nonbinary people don’t adhere to the gender binary, many use the neutral pronouns “they” and “them.” However, not all nonbinary people use these pronouns, so it’s important to politely ask if you’re not sure. Nonbinary people can use any pronoun or no pronouns. Some examples include he/him/his, she/her/hers, ze/zir/zirs, and ze/hir/hirs.

#3. Nonbinary people vary in gender expressions

Nonbinary people can embody a variety of gender expressions as well as pronouns. What is gender expression? It’s how a person publically presents their gender through clothing, hairstyle, makeup, jewelry, body language, voice and so on. While certain gender expressions are associated with specific genders, people can experiment with their gender expression without changing their gender. Not all nonbinary people reject male or female gender expressions; it’s a deeply personal and flexible decision. As an example, a nonbinary person can wear dresses and makeup – which are stereotypically female – and remain nonbinary.

#4. Being nonbinary is not the same as being intersex

Intersex people have genes and/or anatomy that don’t fall into an exclusively male/female binary, but being intersex is not the same as being nonbinary. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the reason why people are intersex (which is not a disease or disorder) is a mystery. It could be because of changes to certain genes or hormone exposure during embryo development. About 2% of people in the world have intersex characteristics. While someone’s genes or anatomy may not fit into a male or female binary, it doesn’t mean they’re nonbinary. Gender identity is different, so intersex people can identify as male, female, nonbinary or any other gender identity.

#5. Nonbinary people often face an increased risk of violence and discrimination

While nonbinary people and other gender-diverse people have lived in societies for thousands of years, they are often treated as an existential threat. According to the United Nations, gender-diverse people are often bullied, rejected by their families and denied access to employment and housing. They also face increased risks for prejudice, harassment and violence, including violence within medical settings. Nonbinary people who are also members of other marginalized groups, like ethnic minorities, are targeted even more harshly. Legal protections, increased awareness of the challenges facing nonbinary people and more acceptance are key to a healthy society.

Interested in learning more about trans rights and why they matter? Here’s our article on the topic.

What are examples of nonbinary identities and terms?

Because it applies to anyone who doesn’t conform to traditional ideas of gender, nonbinary is an umbrella term. There are several examples of identities and terms beneath this umbrella. Here are eight:

#1. Genderqueer

Genderqueer appeared as a term in zines from the 1980s, and was more commonly used before the term “nonbinary.” Like nonbinary, genderqueer describes identities that don’t fall within traditional gender binaries. For some, genderqueer means moving between a variety of gender identities or expressions, while others use it more generally to mean any non-cisgender identity.

#2. Gender fluid

When someone uses the term “gender fluid,” they are most likely describing flexibility regarding gender. They don’t identify with a set gender identity, so their identity and expression can shift and encompass one gender, multiple genders or no gender at all. It’s a fairly new term, and while it sounds very similar to nonbinary, not everyone who identifies as nonbinary also identifies as gender fluid.

#3. Agender

Agender people don’t identify with any gender in particular. They may also use the terms “gender-free” or “genderless.” Regarding pronouns, agender people may have a preference or ask others to avoid using gendered language as much as possible. Being agender is not the same as being asexual; agender people can be any sexual orientation.

#4. Pangender

When someone is pangender, it means their gender identity includes multiple genders. They may identify with all (or some) of them all at once, or in a fluid, flexible way. Pangender people can also be gender fluid.

#5. Demigender

Demigender refers to those who partially or mostly identify both with one gender and other genders (or no gender). As an example, a demiboy identifies at least partially with the male gender, but not completely, which is why they’re still nonbinary.

#6. Bigender

If someone identifies with both male and female genders, they may identify as “bigender.” Bigender identities aren’t limited to just male or female, however. They identify with at least two genders. The term was first coined in 1988. Bigender people may express one gender identity at a time, some of their genders, or all at once.

#7. Gender nonconforming

“Gender nonconforming” is a term referring to gender expression. When someone is gender nonconforming, it means they aren’t adhering to the appearance, behavior or expectations placed on them based on the gender they were assigned to at birth. People of any gender identity can be gender nonconforming, including cisgender people. As an example, a cisgender man can wear makeup or nail polish, which are stereotypically female behaviors, without changing his gender identity.

#8. Two-spirit

Many Indigenous cultures in North America embraced more than two genders. These nonbinary people often fulfilled specific roles, such as caretakers, medicine people, dancers and treaty negotiators. Two-spirit is a term used by some North American Indigenous people to describe this identity. It was coined in 1990, and while it was meant to replace more offensive descriptions, it’s not universally accepted. Many Indigenous cultures have their own terms to describe nonbinary people from their own communities.

The post Nonbinary 101: Definition, Facts, Examples appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Altruism is when people act for the well-being or happiness of others without expecting a reward. It’s a recognized phenomenon in humans but has been observed to some degree in other species, such as monkeys and insects. Altruism is also known as selflessness, and it’s a valued trait in many cultures. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of altruism, five facts everyone should know, and examples of altruistic behaviors.

Altruism is a selfless, voluntary action typically driven by compassion or empathy for others. There are several forms of altruism, which are performed without an expectation of personal gain or recognition.

What is altruism and where does it come from?

When people perform selfless acts for the benefit of others, they’re engaging in altruism.

The origins of altruism could be rooted in human evolution. Because we’re a social species, we do best when living in close community with others. Caring for each other is proven to strengthen relationships and reduce conflict, so by behaving altruistically, ancient humans improved their communities’ chances of long-term health and survival. This biology-driven theory of altruism is just one of many theories, as altruism has been studied in other fields such as science, philosophy, sociology and so on.

The term “altruism” was likely coined by Auguste Comte, a French philosopher who is often called “the father of sociology.” Born in the late 18th century, Comte developed the theory of “positive philosophy,” which posited that a combination of logic, math and sensory experiences could help people understand human relationships and behavior. For Comte, altruism, which he defined as “living for others,” was a vital part of living an ethical life and creating a good world. Empathy and altruism are not the same. While empathy often leads to altruism, it’s a cognitive and emotional trait. Altruism refers to behavior. Altruism can also be motivated by a sense of moral duty or a desire to serve the greater good; people don’t need to feel empathy to be altruistic.

What should everyone know about altruism?

Altruism is a simultaneously fascinating and bewildering phenomenon that philosophers, scientists, sociologists and others have studied for years. Here are the five facts everyone should know:

#1. There are different types of altruism

At its core, altruism is about doing good things without expecting a reward, but there are different types. Experts have identified four main categories: kin, reciprocal, cultural group and pure. Kin altruism is directed toward family members and friends, and while there’s no guaranteed benefit, it often occurs because tight-knit communities frequently help each other. Reciprocal altruism is similar as it consists of trading altruistic acts back and forth. You help someone, but there’s an understanding that they are likely to help you in return at some point. Cultural group altruism is altruism that occurs within the same ethnic and/or social groups, while pure altruism is performed knowing there’s no benefit to yourself.

You may have heard the term “effective altruism” floating around, but what does it mean? Read our article to learn more.

#2. There are benefits to altruism

Altruism refers to actions done without expectation of reward or praise, but there are benefits to seemingly “selfless” acts. According to research, altruistic feelings and behaviors are connected to greater well-being, better health and a longer life. There are a handful of reasons, such as stronger community ties. When people are altruistic, they bond better with others, which has been shown time and time again to improve mental and even physical health. Research also shows that helping others releases chemicals like dopamine and serotonin in the brain. This phenomenon is called “the helper’s high.”

#3. Animals can exhibit altruistic behaviors (but there’s a catch)

Scientists have studied animals for years trying to learn how (and if) altruism occurs outside of the human species. There has been some evidence, especially for animals within the same groups. As an example, insects like ants and bees frequently sacrifice their lives for members of the colony. However, as an article in the Guardian explains, these creatures are most likely not driven by empathy or compassion. They have an evolutionary drive to protect the colony, and if sacrificing themselves accomplishes that, they’ll do it without any emotion attached to the action. Therefore, while altruism is present in other species, human altruism seems to be distinct.

#4. Altruism may be contagious

Does the altruism of one person make a difference? It does for that specific situation, but research suggests helping others is contagious. This is because humans influence each other, and seeing someone else act generously encourages others to do the same. According to one study, a single act of kindness tripled in value because others gave more afterward. In the long term, altruism becomes more normalized, and because humans naturally want to live in connection and community with one another, altruism can become a societal norm.

Participating in Giving Tuesday, which is celebrated on the first Tuesday after American Thanksgiving, is a good way to practice altruism. Check out our article to learn more.

#5. Some people think there’s no such thing as true altruism

If altruism has so many benefits and serves a biological need for connection and community, can altruism really exist? Some philosophers and psychologists believe there is no such thing as “true” altruism because, at the very least, your brain rewards you. However, a person’s intent should matter, as well. If you aim to help others without expecting a reward, the act shouldn’t stop being altruistic because of a chemical reaction you can’t control. It’s also extremely challenging to fully understand a person’s motives when they do something nice for others. Even those who act altruistically may never know their true motivations. The question of whether true altruism is real is an enduring mystery.

I’m not sure if true altruism is real or not

What are examples of altruism?

People can engage in acts of altruism every day, often without thinking about it, while there are larger acts of altruism that take intention. Here are seven examples of small and larger altruistic acts:

#1. Letting someone cut in front of you in line

When you’re waiting in line at a store to buy an item, someone may ask if they can go ahead of you. It could be because they have fewer items than you or they’re running late for something important. Letting them cut in line without any expectations of reward is an altruistic act. If they need to leave the store quickly because of an appointment or an emergency, you’re demonstrating empathy and compassion for their situation. If they just have fewer items, letting them go first is simply a nice thing to do.

#2. Picking up trash in a park

Neighborhood parks can accumulate a lot of trash, especially after big events like holidays or concerts. Taking the time to pick up trash without prompting is altruistic because you aren’t being paid or formerly recognized for your work. You may technically experience a reward (you don’t have to look at the trash anymore), but trash pick-up is a community service everyone benefits from.

#3. Giving money to a charitable organization

Donating money to charity is a classic example of altruism. You aren’t expecting that money back, and depending on how much you give, you’re also selflessly sacrificing something you could have bought with that money. Donating money prioritizes the wants and needs of others.

#4. Volunteering

Financial donations are a common form of altruism, but many people also volunteer their time. It can be done on a regular basis or just once or twice a year. Countless organizations benefit from people volunteering, and because there’s no payment exchanged, volunteering can be altruistic.

#5. Donating blood

According to the American Red Cross, blood donations are used for patients needing surgery, cancer treatments and transfusions after traumatic blood loss. Around 6.8 million people in the US give blood, which adds up to around 13.6 million units. These donors aren’t paid, which means that giving blood is altruistic. This makes it different from plasma donation, which donors are typically paid for. Because there’s a mutual benefit to plasma donation (and many people only donate for the cash), it isn’t altruistic. Blood donation is.

#6. Donating an organ

According to the Health Resources & Services Administration, there are over 100,000 people on the United States’ organ transplant waiting list. However, buying organs is illegal, which means these people depend on others to donate organs. There’s donation after life, but some organs (or parts of organs) can be given from living donors. When living donors give, they’re engaging in a risky and deeply altruistic act.

#7. Putting yourself in harm’s way for someone else’s safety

Everyone has done something altruistic at one point in their life, but some people put their own lives at risk. According to an article from Vox, risking your safety for someone else (especially a stranger) is known as “extreme altruism.” Research suggests these people have unique neurological characteristics. Their empathy could be significantly greater than most people. In one study based on interviews with people who won the Carnegie Hero medal, which is an award given to those who risk their lives for others, researchers found most of the award winners acted without thinking. The decision to risk their lives wasn’t something they thought through; they simply did it.

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The goal of social justice is to end discrimination and achieve equality. Everyone should be able to access opportunities, participate equally in society, and have their human rights respected. Since 2007, the World Day of Social Justice has been celebrated on February 20th. Each year recognizes a different theme, but the focus is always on how social justice reduces poverty, strengthens equality, and makes societies better. What are some ways to celebrate Social Justice Day? Here are 15 ideas:

#1. Donate to a social justice organization

Countless organizations are working to achieve social justice goals around the world. Social Justice Day is a great opportunity to learn more about these groups, what they’re doing, and how you can help their work. Most organization websites make it easy to donate online. They may also run a specific fundraising campaign for Social Justice Day, so you know exactly what your money is going toward.

Here are 10 social justice organizations to consider donating to!

#2. Volunteer

Nonprofits, grassroots community groups, and other organizations need lots of help meeting their goals. Volunteers are essential to the social justice movement, so in honor of Social Justice Day, consider volunteering your time! You don’t need to volunteer on February 20th for it to count, so choose a day that’s convenient for both you and the organization. If you want to participate in social justice more often, organizations love regular volunteers. Can’t volunteer in person? Many organizations offer remote options. Check out the VolunteerMatch website, which helps connect volunteers with organizations with virtual opportunities. You can search by location and cause area.

#3. Create a personal action plan

Social Justice Day is just one day, but the world needs people committed to social justice all year round. To celebrate the holiday, consider creating a personal action plan. What social justice issues matter the most to you? What can you do to promote social justice at work, at school, within your social circles, within your spiritual community, or in any other area of your life? Creating a personal action plan helps you reflect on your values and how you can live them out in tangible ways.

#4. Research your area’s most pressing social justice issues

You’re likely aware of global social justice issues like poverty and gender equality, but what affects your community most urgently? Is a lack of affordable housing a problem? A lack of funds for education? Hunger? On Social Justice Day, take the time to research what social justice issues are right outside your door and what local organizations are doing to address them. If you’re already involved in local social justice work, use Social Justice Day to raise awareness!

Want to learn more about social justice? Read our Social Justice 101: Meaning, Principles, Facts and Examples article.

#5. Write letters or sign petitions regarding a specific social justice issue

There are always social justice issues working through the political system. For Social Justice Day, find out what legislation in your area protects or threatens social justice. With a group of like-minded people, spend a few hours writing letters or signing petitions you can send to your local politicians. There may already be letters or petitions circulating, so be sure to sign your name to those, too. Not sure how to write an effective letter? Amnesty International offers tips such as keeping your text brief, polite and factual.

#6. Host a community panel

Community panels are a great way to bring together various sectors of society to discuss the most urgent social justice issues. They’re based on the belief that the best decisions are made by involving those most impacted by a decision. A panel can focus on specific cause areas – like homelessness or education – or on local issues as a whole. If you’re interested in hosting a panel, you first want to decide on the location. Libraries, universities, religious centers and other places are good choices, although you can also hold community panels virtually.

#7. Host a fundraiser

Do you have a favorite social justice organization? Social Justice Day is a great opportunity for a fundraiser! Thanks to social media, just about anyone can run an online fundraiser, but if you neglect to promote your fundraiser, you likely won’t raise much money. The best fundraisers are carefully planned. As an example, before your fundraiser starts, you can connect to local businesses and ask about matching gifts. These are arrangements where businesses agree to match donations up to a certain amount. This builds your fundraiser on a strong foundation and motivates people to give because they know their impact is doubled.

#8. Organize a food drive

Food insecurity is one of the most persistent issues in many places around the world. Without proper nutrition, every area of a person’s life suffers. It’s especially devastating to children. According to data from the UN, around 45 million kids under the age of five endured the deadliest form of malnutrition in 2021. Food drives, which help collect and distribute food to people struggling to afford items, are a great way to celebrate Social Justice Day. Most communities have some form of food-centered charity, such as a food bank. For a food drive, connect with one of these groups to find out what they need, let people know where they should drop off their items, promote your drive and then deliver your donations.

Here are 30 organizations working to end hunger.

#9. Take a class on a social justice topic

Social justice covers a variety of topics such as tackling poverty, achieving gender equality, fighting racial discrimination and much more. To learn more about social justice on Social Justice Day, consider taking an online class! Institutions like Stanford University and Berkeley offer classes you can audit, while Amnesty International’s Human Rights Academy offers several free classes, too. Most classes are self-paced, so you can learn at your own speed.

We’ve compiled a list of 10 online courses on social justice.

#10. Host a listening party

Music is one of the most powerful tools for social justice, so if you love music, consider hosting a listening party for Social Justice Day! With a group, curate a list of songs about social justice, print out the lyrics, and listen together. Once a song is over, talk about how the music made you feel and what the lyrics mean. As the host, it’s a good idea to provide some information about the song, like who the artist is, why they wrote it, and if it has special meaning to a social justice movement. Don’t forget refreshments! You can provide snacks and drinks, or ask attendants to each bring something.

Not sure what songs to analyze? Here’s a list of 10 social justice songs.

#11. Watch a movie about social justice

Movies often feature social justice topics like poverty, gender equality, racial equality and much more. Social Justice Day is a good day to pick a movie about social justice, watch it with a group, and discuss what you learned and felt. You can keep it small and simple with just a few family members or friends, or host a larger screening with your workplace or a nonprofit. If you want to include kids, just be sure the movie covers topics relevant to a younger demographic.

Here’s a list of 13 social justice movies everyone should see! 

#12. Host an art night

An art night is a fun, meaningful way to celebrate Social Justice Day. It can be a great way to include kids, as well! For your art night, collect a bunch of craft supplies and have participants make art based on prompts such as a world without injustice or specific social justice topics like gender equality or children’s rights. You can show participants examples from other artists and describe what social justice means as they work on their pieces. There’s no wrong way to do art, so let everyone’s imagination flow free!

#13. Host a social justice book club

Countless books – both fiction and nonfiction – have been written about social justice topics. While reading a book is a bigger time commitment than watching a movie, books go more in-depth about issues like gender discrimination, children’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and so on. If finishing a whole book isn’t doable at this time, you can probably focus on one chapter or essay with a reading group. This will increase participation and make the book club more accessible to those who would like to be involved but can’t commit to hours of reading.

Check out our list of 15 of the best books about social justice in the United States.

#14. Bring social justice into the classroom

If you’re a student, teacher, or other education professional, Social Justice Day is a great time to introduce social justice into the classroom! Teaching kids about human rights and social justice is very important as it helps them understand their rights, empathize with others, respect human rights values, and develop skills like critical thinking. There are lots of student-friendly activities and classroom resources available online on websites like Learning For Justice.

#15. Examine your school or workplace’s social justice initiatives

While reducing poverty and achieving gender equality have been important goals for decades, social justice as a concept has become increasingly recognized in recent years. Corporations, universities and other institutions are gradually realizing their roles and establishing initiatives designed to improve social justice. Does your school or workplace have initiatives in place? This Social Justice Day, examine what programs or actions the organizations you’re involved with are undertaking. If applicable, consider participating more in these initiatives. If your organization has been neglecting its social justice duties, now is a good time to see if you can encourage them to do better.

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Health inequities are systematic variations in health between groups in society. They’re driven by differences in the social determinants of health, which are non-medical factors like income, education, healthcare access and economic stability. Understanding these determinants is essential to improving the health of individuals and population groups. What causes health inequity? Here are 15 root causes:

#1. Socioeconomic status

A person’s wealth and access to resources can significantly impact their health. Most obviously, a person needs enough money to afford basics such as food, safe housing and healthcare. The more money a person has, the more access they have. If a person has a lower socioeconomic status, they’re more likely to suffer from malnutrition, live in unhealthy environments and delay important medical care. According to one survey by the Health Foundation, 10% of surveyed adults with the lowest incomes reported having “bad” or “very bad health,” while just 1.5% of those on the highest incomes reported bad health. A high income doesn’t guarantee good health, but research supports wealth as a buffer against factors that negatively affect health.

#2. Employment status

Does having a job protect your health? It depends on the job. Most jobs provide some degree of protection because they’re usually a person’s main source of income. However, jobs can also create health problems if they expose a person to environmental risks, physical danger and high stress. Unemployment can also negatively impact health, especially if a person’s healthcare access is affected. According to a 2021 study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, people who were unemployed for a short time faced the most challenges getting healthcare. Around 1 in 3 survey respondents said they had needed to see a doctor in the past year, but couldn’t because of the high cost.

#3. Racial discrimination

Racial discrimination is a complex system of institutions, practices, policies and social norms. Research shows its negative impact on health. In places where racism has pervaded society for centuries, health inequities have been brewing just as long. According to the CDC, American racial and ethnic minority groups experience higher rates of death and illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, asthma and more. The reasons why are complex, but racial discrimination affects a person’s ability to get an education, healthcare, a good job, safe housing and other basics that support good health.

#4. Sex and gender discrimination

Sex and gender affect health outcomes to a certain degree, but discrimination complicates the connections. According to the World Health Organization, gender has “implications for health” regarding access to healthcare, clean water, hygiene and so on. Gender also influences how a person experiences emergencies and disease exposure. Because of gender inequality, women and girls are more likely to face barriers to healthcare, as well as exposure to violence, harmful health practices, malnutrition and more. Gender-diverse people are also at a higher risk for violence and discrimination, which affects health.

#5. Exposure to violence

Violence, public safety, and health are closely connected. Violence and physical health are most obviously linked as a variety of injuries can cause short and long-term problems. According to the study “The Effects of Violence on Health,” exposure to violence also increases the risk of heart disease, premature mortality, depression, anxiety and suicide. Those who are exposed as children face an increased risk of mental illness, substance use, risky sexual behavior, and certain chronic diseases like migraines and ulcers. Certain factors such as poverty also increase a person’s risk for exposure to violence, which creates health inequities.

#6. Food insecurity

Healthy food is essential to a healthy life. If people can’t access enough food (or food with enough nutrients), they’re at risk for a host of health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, mental illness, cancer, birth defects and other chronic conditions. According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, almost 15% of US households in 2020 were food insecure at some point. Children were especially affected, as were people from racial and ethnic minority groups. Globally, undernutrition is linked to around 45% of the deaths among kids under 5 years.

#7. Housing insecurity

According to a literature review on health and housing, research shows that being without stable housing can cause health issues. When people experience homelessness, they’re more likely to struggle with poor physical and mental health, as well as increased mortality. Some housing is better than none, but unhealthy home conditions, like crowding, water leaks, poor ventilation, and high and low temperatures can also lead to issues such as asthma, cardiovascular events, infectious disease and more. The cost of housing has serious consequences, as well, as those who struggle to afford rent or mortgages have to make hard decisions about food, healthcare, and other essentials.

#8. Access to education

A good education is linked to positive life impacts, such as the increased potential for higher income. When people don’t receive a good education, it affects their health as well as their wealth. According to a study on education’s influence on health, poor education is linked to poor health due to resources, behaviors, neighborhoods, and other socioeconomic factors. People not only expand their job opportunities with a good education, but they also develop skills and behaviors that provide buffers against bad health outcomes.

#9. Exposure to pollution and other hazards

Physical environments contribute to health inequities. People who live in safe environments with clean air and water aren’t guaranteed good health, but it’s an important health determinant. According to the World Health Organization, contaminated water and poor sanitation can cause diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio. Around 1 million people die every year as a result of unclean drinking water, poor sanitation, or poor hygiene. Air pollution, which includes smog and smoke, drives an increased risk for strokes, lung cancer, respiratory diseases and heart disease. Around 2.4 billion people are exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution in their homes.

#10. Climate change

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, climate change is accelerating. Around 3.6 billion people live in areas already highly vulnerable to climate change, and between 2030 and 2050, there will be an increase in deaths related to undernutrition, malaria, heat stress, and other climate risks. Already marginalized groups like lower-income communities, ethnic minorities, migrants, the elderly, women, children and those with underlying health conditions will face the worst health outcomes.

#11. Transportation

Certain health inequities are fueled by peoples’ ability (or inability) to freely travel. According to a 2022 study, a lack of transportation affected 5.8 million Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic; they delayed medical care because of it. A lack of transportation also impacts groups already dealing with access barriers and health inequities, such as people with lower incomes, chronic health conditions, and no insurance. People also need reliable transportation to get to jobs, grocery stores, and other essential social services, which makes transportation a multifaceted health determinant.

#12. Poor cultural communication

Every group has different cultural health beliefs. According to the Culture and Society chapter of the book Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion, cultural beliefs affect things such as how people think about their health issues, when and where they seek treatment, who they respond to, and what treatments they may accept. Culture also affects how people communicate and what communication they respond to, which makes health literacy and communication so important. If healthcare professionals fail to understand cultural beliefs, it creates health inequities based on ethnicity, culture, gender and so on.

#13. Costs of healthcare

Healthcare is expensive, and even in places where there’s universal healthcare, funding distributions can create health inequities. The biggest issues involve countries without universal healthcare. In the United States, a 2020 survey found that 22% of Americans did not seek healthcare because of the cost. Those without insurance face serious medical bills, while those with insurance still have to consider costs such as co-payments, coinsurance costs, and how much they have to pay out-of-pocket because insurance kicks in. On average, an individual pays about $111 a month for employee-sponsored coverage while those with plans from the insurance market pay $456 a month. When access to healthcare is determined by wealth, health inequities are inevitable.

#14. Treatment by the healthcare system

The healthcare system itself is a root cause of health inequity. According to research, healthcare professionals are not immune from implicit bias, which has led to discriminatory treatment against racial and ethnic minorities. In a 2016 study, white medical students would offer Black patients less pain medication, believing the myth that Black people feel less pain. Other studies show this bias is common. Health inequities are also driven by how the American healthcare system works. Workers from low-income racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to be covered by employee-sponsored plans with poor coverage, and while they often end up with higher out-of-pocket costs than those on the insurance marketplace, they’re not eligible for Medicaid or federal subsidies. This creates an unequal, unjust system.

#15. Behavioral differences

While the most serious health inequities are structural, individual behavioral differences do make some impact. Whether a person eats well, exercises, avoids risky behavior, goes to the doctor and so on will affect their risk for serious diseases and health conditions. However, what influences a person’s behavior is complex and connected to things like their level of education, the availability of healthy food, their access to healthcare, whether or not they have stable housing and more.

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According to Amnesty International, more than 1 billion firearms are in global circulation. Most of those guns belong to private individuals while the rest belong to the military and law enforcement agencies. Gun violence is a serious issue in many places. In the United States, guns recently outpaced car accidents as the leading cause of death for children. What drives gun violence? In this article, we’ll explore 15 of the root causes.

You may also like: Reducing Gun Violence in America: Evidence for Change (Online Course)

#1. Poverty

Poverty is a root cause of so many serious issues in society. Gun violence is just one example. According to data from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the United States experienced an increase in firearm homicides between 2019 and 2020. Upon closer examination, the counties with the highest poverty levels saw a higher increase in firearm homicides compared to countries with the lowest poverty levels. The link between gun violence and poverty remains strong even after controlling for race, ethnicity, sex, age, and other factors.

#2. Income inequality

Income inequality is the gap between individuals’ or households’ income. The wider the gap, the more issues emerge. Gentrification, which is when wealthier people move into a lower-income area and displace current residents, is just one expression of income inequality. It can increase the risk of gun violence. According to one study, gentrified neighborhoods have a 62% higher firearm injury rate than non-gentrified neighborhoods. The reasons why are complex, but could include the social disruption that comes with gentrification. People experience higher levels of stress and fear as their neighborhoods undergo change and costs go up.

#3. Poor education

When people receive a poor-quality education, they’re more likely to face limited job opportunities, poverty, poor health and other serious, long-term issues. Education and poverty go hand in hand; poverty makes it hard to get a good education, whereas a good education can help people leave poverty. Because of its strong links to economic instability, poor-quality education also contributes to an environment where gun violence is more likely.

#4. Housing instability

Housing is a human right, but when people can’t access safe, affordable housing, the risk of gun violence increases. According to a Kansas City Star article about the city, experts named housing issues, like blight, evictions and homelessness, as one of the factors driving up gun violence. Without stable, safe housing, people experience high levels of stress and are more likely to arm themselves. People also struggle with more mental health issues, which can increase their risk for suicide.

Interested in housing justice? Read our article here.

#5. Lack of good employment

Unemployment (or underemployment) plays a big role in poverty and income inequality. When people are stressed financially, they may turn to risky, illegal activities that involve firearms. According to a study examining unemployment and crime during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found that “economically motivated” crimes can involve violence. They also wrote that employment can act as a buffer because it generates income, helps people form stronger bonds and reduces how much time people have to engage in crime. Another study found that the increase in unemployment during the first months of the pandemic was associated with an increase in firearm homicide and violence in 16 American cities.

#6. Lack of affordable healthcare

In places without Universal Health Coverage, the cost of healthcare is a serious concern for many people. It not only forces them to delay or avoid care entirely, but it can lead to bankruptcy. According to a 2019 article, medical issues are a key factor for ⅔ of those who file for bankruptcy in the United States. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization estimates that about 20 years of global progress toward Universal Health Coverage was lost. When people don’t have affordable healthcare, they’re more likely to slip into poverty, struggle with poor mental health, turn to substances or deal with other risk factors for gun violence.

Want to learn more about healthcare? Check out our article on health equity.

#7. Gun availability

One of the root causes of gun violence is very simple: the availability of guns increases the risk of violence. According to the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, a review of the literature found that gun availability is a risk factor for homicide in high-income countries like the United States. This makes sense; when something is easily available, it’s more likely to be used. Accidental shootings become more likely, as well. While it’s difficult to collect precise data, children in the US are at a higher risk of unintentional gun injury and death compared to other high-income countries.

#8. Weak gun control laws

The United States has the highest rate of death by firearms, and weak control laws are part of the reason why. The Center for American Progress examined some of the states with the weakest laws and what sort of gun violence they experience. Mississippi, which has the country’s weakest gun laws, also has the country’s highest firearm death rate. In 2020, the state also had the highest rate of crime gun exports. Nationwide, weak gun laws increase the risk of mass shootings. A 2019 study found that states with weak gun laws and higher gun ownership have higher rates of mass shootings.

#9. Gun trafficking

Gun trafficking is the illegal movement of guns. It’s a major issue in the United States. According to American Progress, trafficked guns often appear at crime scenes. From 2010 to 2020, the amount of out-of-state guns involved in violent crimes went up around 10% in New York. In Haiti, trafficked guns and ammunition are a big part of the increase in gang violence, which has contributed to murders, kidnappings and displacements. According to data, homicides and kidnappings doubled in 2022.

#10. Exposure to violence

Violence has a cyclical effect. When people are exposed to violence, they’re more likely to experience – and even perpetuate – more violence in the future. According to research, a study examining 500 Black American youth revealed that direct exposure to violence predicted whether an individual engaged in gun-related crimes at a later time. In another study, ⅓ of survey respondents who had been exposed to gun violence said they were now considering buying a gun. Only 1% already owned guns, which shows how exposure to violence can influence people to purchase firearms and possibly endanger themselves, family and friends.

#11. Poor mental health

Mental health is often scapegoated as the sole cause of gun violence, but the reality is most people with mental illnesses are never violent. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental illness only contributes to about 4% of all violence, not just gun violence. However, the risk for gun violence does increase when people have a history of physical and sexual abuse, or trauma, which can also cause mental illness. Mental illness may not be a significant factor for violence against others, but it is a predictor of suicide. According to a Stanford study, owning a handgun was associated with a “dramatically elevated” risk of suicide. Guns tend to be very effective as a method of death. Using a gun for a suicide attempt results in death nearly 85% of the time.

#12. Drug involvement

Drug involvement and guns have a close association. Many people who are involved with drugs in some way (use and/or sales) also have access to guns, which increases the risk for violence. In one study on opioid use, researchers found that those dependent on opioids were more likely to carry guns, commit gun violence or be victims of gun violence than those dependent on alcohol. The reasons vary but often have to do with feelings of safety. Those who use drugs struggle with fear and stress, so owning a gun can seem like a protective measure.

#13. Alcohol abuse

Drug use comes up a lot in discussions about gun violence, but alcohol is a serious factor, as well. According to research from the Center for Gun Violence Solutions, around ⅓ of gun homicide perpetrators had drunk heavily before the murder, while 30% of gun homicide victims had been drinking. Heavy drinking is also a factor in around ¼ of gun suicides. Research suggests that “acute and chronic” alcohol consumption can reduce a person’s inhibitions, trigger violent impulses and make them less likely to assess threats properly. Alcohol and guns are a dangerous combination, and while the solution isn’t to ban alcohol, it does need to be examined as a factor in gun violence.

#14. Violent misogyny

In the United States, more men than women die from gun violence, but women and girls are often targeted. According to research, around 53 women are shot and killed by an intimate partner every month. If an abusive partner has access to guns, they’re five times more likely to kill their female victim. Violent misogyny is also closely linked to mass shootings. One study found that around ⅓ of mass shooters from 2014-2017 were suspected of domestic violence.

#15. Distrust of law enforcement

Policing in the United States has deep roots in violent racism extending into the present day, which fuels distrust of police within the communities they’re supposed to be serving. According to a report by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, a lack of trust between law enforcement and communities drives gun violence across the United States. Issues like police brutality, unsolved shootings and over-policing make people less likely to trust police and more likely to arm themselves. That distrust continues when police punish gun possession instead of gun violence. In Chicago, a 2017 investigation found that police were dropping off people in dangerous areas to coerce information about guns. This type of behavior contributes to violence.

Read more: 5 Essays about Gun Violence

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“Florida is where woke goes to die,” Governor Ron DeSantis said to the crowd gathered for his reelection celebration in 2022. “Stay woke,” blues musician Lead Belly said in 1938. Depending on who you’re talking to, “woke” can mean staying aware of injustices, believing in politically progressive values, or wanting to control what others say and think. While it’s become hard to avoid debates about “wokeness” in the United States, the term and concept are spreading internationally. What does “woke” actually mean? In this article, we’ll discuss the word’s origins, its fraught evolution, and its impact.

“Woke” has become a complex term that for some means being aware of social justice issues, while for others, it means being obsessively politically correct and judgmental. In the United States, it’s been weaponized against BIPOC, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups.

Where did the word “woke” come from?

Originally, “woke,” or rather, “stay woke” meant to stay aware of the systemic injustices and inequalities targeting Black people. In 1938, American blues singer Lead Belly released a song about the Scottsboro Boys, who were nine Black teenagers accused of rape in Alabama. Despite evidence of their innocence, eight of the nine were found guilty by an all-white jury and sentenced to death. While they escaped execution, they were nearly lynched and ended up imprisoned for years. In an interview about the song, Lead Belly said, “I advise everyone to be a little careful when they go down there (to Alabama). Best stay woke, keep your eyes open.” “Woke” was a term created by and for the Black community; to be woke was to be smart and alert to racism.

The 2010s saw the establishment of the Black Lives Matter organization and increased awareness of police brutality and systemic racism. “Woke” became better known beyond the Black community. It also morphed into a catch-all description for left politics and social justice. It was no longer a piece of advice specifically for Black people, but rather a vaguer, broader summary of what it means to be politically progressive.

How is “woke” used today?

“Woke” originally meant to be aware of injustices, but do people still define the term this way? According to a 2023 USA Today/Ipsos poll, 56% of Americans still believe “woke” means “being informed about social injustices.” 39% defined the term as being “overly politically correct” and policing the words of others. A participant’s political affiliation mattered. 56% of surveyed Republicans saw the term in a negative light. They viewed wokeness as a tool to suppress free speech, control what others say, and inflict moral judgment. These beliefs aren’t limited to Republicans, however. You can find left-leaning groups arguing amongst themselves on whether there’s too much policing, judgment, and division in their communities. These are age-old debates, and many left-wing groups work through their struggles without appropriating “woke.” In recent years, it’s right-wing groups that have weaponized the term most significantly.

Those who see wokeness as a grave threat to society deploy the word freely and without a clear or consistent definition. In a perspective in The Washington Post, Damon Young describes how “woke” has become shorthand for the mere presence of Black people where they (the right-wing) “didn’t expect them to be.” As an example, when the film Jurassic World: Dominion released a promotional image of actor DeWanda Wise, a tweet bemoaning how “woke” the franchise had become went viral. A film simply featuring a Black woman was enough to make the movie “woke,” and according to some, bad. The Little Mermaid remake starring Halle Bailey and Disney as a whole have received similar complaints of having bowed to the “woke mob.” Even financial crises are not immune. When the Silicon Valley Bank collapsed in the 2nd-largest bank failure in US history, many Republicans blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, aka “wokeness.”

What is the impact of attacking “wokeness?”

While labeling movies and banks as woke may seem fairly innocuous, the war on wokeness has serious consequences. Here are four of the biggest impacts:

#1. Attacks on education

In the past few years, attacks on curriculum and books featuring anti-racist teaching and discussions of gender and sexuality have skyrocketed in the United States. The governor of Florida – Ron DeSantis – has been one of the most aggressive anti-woke crusaders. As an article in Vox describes, DeSantis’ actions include legislation that restricts teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ topics and race. Most of the laws are so vague, teachers aren’t sure what they can and can’t say. To DeSantis, “woke” means “the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them.” In one speech, he vowed to “fight the woke” in the legislature, the corporations, and the schools.

The American Library Association revealed that 2022 experienced the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA started compiling censorship data. Of the 2,571 titles targeted, most were written by or for people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. 58% of the targeted books were from school libraries. This attack is coordinated. Censorship groups like Moms For Liberty, a self-described “parental rights group,” pass around lists of books they want to ban. They also run for political office and school boards, so they can fight “wokeness” from within the system.

#2. Boycotts

When a product or company gets labeled as “woke,” there are consequences. In early 2023, Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender influencer with millions of followers, did an ad for Bud Light. Conservative pundits responded with fury, calling for a boycott. It appears to have been successful, at least for a time. Bud Light’s parent company Anheuser-Busch InBev reported a 10.5% decline in April-June compared to a year earlier. Mulvaney also received significant harassment and no support from the company whose ad exposed her to so much hate.

Other companies have faced calls for boycotts, usually for simply featuring LGBTQ+ people in their advertising or expressing the most basic support. Woolworths, a South African fashion retailer, posted a tweet in honor of International Pride Month on June 1. The company was quickly labeled as “woke,” while some claimed they would never shop there again. Woolworths didn’t back down, tweeting that everyone has the right to dignity.

#3. Normalization of hate

While most people recognize the seriousness of book bans, many of the attacks on wokeness seem silly and bizarre. After all, what does arguing about whether a Disney princess movie is “woke” really accomplish for anyone? Individual attacks on wokeness can seem meaningless, but taken together, the anti-woke movement fuels the normalization of hate against the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and other marginalized groups. The anti-woke movement is primarily driven by voices claiming that learning about or simply seeing Black people, trans people, and others will ruin society. This dehumanizes entire groups of people, which normalizes hatred against them.

Normalizing hate encourages hate speech. The Cambridge Dictionary defines hate speech as “public speech that expresses hatred or encourages violence towards a person or group based on something such as race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation,” but legal definitions vary. For the anti-woke movement, there’s often a sense of pride in being as “anti-woke” as possible, which encourages a culture built on prejudice and hate. People can say things most people would consider “hateful” without it qualifying as legal hate speech, but it still feeds the normalization of hate.

#4. Distraction from real issues

Seemingly silly and pointless attacks on wokeness contribute to hate, but they serve another important function: they distract from tangible problems. When people get caught up in debates, real or in jest, about whether it’s “woke” for an M&M mascot to wear sneakers instead of boots, they’re ignoring systemic racism, gender inequality, poverty, poor mental health, and other escalating problems. In the United States, one of the two major parties (the Republican party) has become fixated on complaining about candy and Disney, but not even their own constituents are especially pleased. According to one poll, just 24% of Republican participants said they would choose a candidate focused on eliminating “radical woke ideology” from schools, media, and culture over one who wanted to restore “law and order.”

Toni Morrison said the function of racism was distraction, and that it “keeps you from doing your work.” While she wasn’t talking about “wokeness,” the sentiment rings true. When the presence of Black people and teaching the truth about America’s racism qualifies as “woke,” attacking wokeness is a form of racism. Attacks on the LGBTQ+ community fall into a similar category. This isn’t to say that racism, transphobia, and homophobia aren’t real and serious issues, but the anti-woke movement distracts from real conversations about these issues.

How is “woke” perceived globally?

While the term and its impacts have been concentrated in the United States, concerns and confusion have spread to other countries. In France, where it’s known as le wokisme, wokeness is framed as a US import that could tear France apart. The president, Emmanuel Macron, even told a magazine in 2021 that “woke culture” was racializing the country and causing divisions. In Britain, four out of five people had a positive view of wokeness, saying it meant being aware of race and social injustices. Like the US, however, right-wing groups in the UK are on the offensive. When heritage charity the National Trust reported on the property’s links to slavery and colonialism, Conservative lawmakers threatened its funding. Further east in Russia, Vladimir Putin will often signal “anti-wokeness” as part of his strategy to endear himself to American right-wing groups. Globally, “woke” has evolved just as much as it is in the United States, and while there are legitimate criticisms to be made about how vague and broad even positive definitions of the term are, the biggest issue is how it’s been weaponized by right-wing groups.

The post What Does “Woke” Mean? appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Intersectionality examines how a person’s identities, such as their gender, ethnicity, and sexuality, affect their access to opportunities and privileges. First coined in 1989, the theory has since been applied to employment, housing, healthcare, and so on. In this article, we’ll define what intersectionality is, explain the facts everyone should know, and provide examples of the concept in action.

Intersectionality is an analytical framework used to study how societies treat people based on their various social and political identities, such as their gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. Depending on those identities, a person may be privileged or oppressed.

What is intersectionality and where did it come from?

To understand intersectionality, we must first discuss feminism. In its first and second waves, feminism focused on the goals of cisgender, white, middle-class women. Priorities like the right to vote and the right to own property mattered, but women of color, women living in poverty, and other disenfranchised women faced other struggles, some more urgent than others. Mainstream feminism tended to neglect these concerns.

While mainstream feminists focused almost exclusively on gender, others wanted to recognize and address how race impacted a person, as well. In the 1970s, a group of Black feminists established the Combahee River Collective in response to how white feminists and the Black Liberation movement (which was dominated by men) ignored this fact. In their 1977 statement, the group wrote that they saw their task as “the development of integrated analysis and practice based upon the fact that the major systems of oppression are interlocking.”

In 1989, legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” to define the exclusion faced by Black women. In 1990, academic Patricia Hill Collins introduced the theory of “the matrix of domination” in her book Black Feminist Thought. The matrix describes how social classifications like ethnicity, gender, age, and even religion are interconnected. Thanks to this matrix, people can experience oppression in a variety of ways related to their classifications. Intersectionality and the matrix of domination are closely connected.

Curious about feminism? Here’s our Feminism 101 article.

What five facts should everyone know about intersectionality?

Intersectionality is complex, but here are five of the most important facts you should remember:

#1 The roots of intersectionality go deeper than 1989

The term “intersectionality” was coined in 1989, but people had been experiencing its impacts long before. Consider the story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. She was a journalist and activist in both the suffrage and civil rights movements. As a Black woman, she was fully aware of how having multiple identities affected her experience in the world. When she began a campaign to elect the first Black alderman in Illinois, some Black men protested the involvement of women. Around that same time, Wells-Barnett also faced opposition from southern women in the National American Woman Suffrage Association. These women were white supremacists, but because they represented a powerful bloc, NAWSA would not publicly denounce their beliefs. Through experiences like these, Wells-Barnett faced both gender and racial discrimination.

#2 Intersectionality is not about a person’s moral superiority

One common misconception about intersectionality is that it defines someone’s value. Some think it means that multiple marginalized identities make a person more moral, credible, and important than those who don’t have as many. Intersectionality starts to feel like a competition where people argue about which identities are more oppressed and therefore superior. This is a grave misunderstanding of intersectionality. The theory is centered on discrimination and oppression by the state. It’s not making any claims about an individual’s or even a group’s worth, credibility, or morality. Rather, it’s a framework focused on how power and discrimination work when someone has intersecting identities. The person is not inherently better or more important; their identities simply affect their access to opportunities.

#3 Critics say intersectionality is oversimplified and divisive

Intersectionality has many critics. Some argue that categorizing people based on different identities oversimplifies how power and discrimination work. Others say that emphasizing identity will inevitably lead to divisions and tension within human rights movements, as some will feel certain identities are prioritized over others. The more extreme criticisms, often from people who want to deny the existence of widespread sexism and racism, go so far as to call intersectionality a cult or even a religion. It can be difficult to parse the good-faith criticisms from the bad-faith ones, but in general, it seems that most people won’t deny that characteristics like race and gender do affect how oppression works. What they disagree with are its “implications, uses, and most importantly, its consequences.”

#4 As it becomes more well-known, intersectionality becomes more watered down

For years, the term “intersectionality” was restricted to the scholarly and legal world. As its prominence increased, the definition became warped and watered down. In an article for The Cut, Kory Stamper wrote that when words meant for a specific purpose enter the mainstream, they can get “a little flabby: their sharply delineated corners blur a bit as the word is passed down a long line of speakers.” While intersectionality once specifically described discrimination against Black women, it now covers a vast array of identities such as sexuality, class, age, and so on. Kimberlé Crenshaw agrees that intersectionality can be used to examine identities beyond race and gender, but she’s noticed that people often use intersectionality as shorthand for “it’s complicated.” In her mind, that can be an excuse to not act. When words lose their meaning, they also lose their power.

#5 Intersectionality is not a theory of everything

When certain critics call intersectionality a cult or religion, they’ve misunderstood the concept’s purpose. Intersectionality is a lens, and while it can be used to make sense of society in general, it was designed for lawyers arguing discrimination cases. In an interview, Kimberlé Crenshaw says, “Some people look to intersectionality as a grand theory of everything, but that’s not my intention.” Intersectionality is a tool, and like all tools, we can decide what situations it’s most useful for.

What are examples of intersectionality?

Where can we apply an intersectional lens? Here are four topics where intersectionality brings clarity:

#1 Workplace discrimination

A lot of discrimination happens in the workplace. In fact, the theory of intersectionality came out of a specific workplace discrimination case. In DeGraffenreid v. General Motors (1976), five Black female auto workers accused their employer of discrimination. The courts claimed that because General Motors hired Black male factory workers and white female officer workers, no race or gender discrimination was occurring. The courts did not consider that Black women were being targeted because they were both Black and female. They instead said the lawsuit must be viewed for “race discrimination, sex discrimination, or alternatively either, not a combination of both.” The plaintiffs were not allowed to “combine statutory remedies.” The five auto workers were told to choose between being Black or being women, while in reality, their experiences were shaped by both identities.

#2 The gender pay gap

The gender pay gap remains a persistent issue, but if we only consider gender, we miss the full picture. In the United States, Black women make just 67 cents for every dollar paid to a white, non-Hispanic man. According to the National Women’s Law Center, the gap costs Black women $907,680 over a 40-year career. Education only helps so much. Black women working full-time with a bachelor’s degree earn less than white, non-Hispanic men who don’t have a college degree. It’s only until they earn a Master’s degree do Black women earn more than what a white, non-Hispanic man makes with an associate’s degree. The wage gap becomes more complex when looking at other ethnicities, such as Asian American or Pacific Islander. Within this group, the wage gap varies significantly as multiracial Asian women earn 98 cents for each dollar, but “Asian women alone” earn $1.01 for every dollar. Complexities like this support the need for an intersectional lens.

#3 Discrimination against people experiencing homelessness

People experiencing homelessness face layers of discrimination. They’re most likely experiencing poverty, which can be exacerbated by mental health issues, addictions, disabilities, and more. When governments create harsh laws surrounding homelessness, they’re essentially criminalizing – and discriminating – based on poverty, health, ability, and so on. According to OHCHR, people experiencing homelessness have their political, economic and social rights threatened, such as the right to work, the right to access social benefits and the right to vote. When examined with an intersectional lens, we can see issues related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, and much more.

Homelessness is a complex issue. Here’s our article on its root causes.

#4 Health and healthcare

Race, gender, sexuality, and health collide. According to research, Black women exposed to racism in employment, housing and police interactions could be up to 26% more likely to develop heart disease. The study tracked 48,000 women from 1997 to 2019, and while the study was observational, it supports other research regarding the impact of racism, stress, and health. Black women are also more likely to die in childbirth. According to 2021 data from the CDC, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 2.6 times the rate for white women. The reasons are complex, but other data shows a prevalence of systemic racism and bias in the healthcare system. Black women are more likely to have their health concerns dismissed, while many doctors still believe the myth that Black people have higher pain tolerances. The disparities widen when Black patients are also members of the LGBTQ+ community. Research shows that trans people of color experience worse health outcomes, more stigma, and more discrimination.

The post Intersectionality 101: Definition, Facts and Examples appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

In many places around the world, late November marks the start of the holiday shopping season. On the Friday after American Thanksgiving, millions of people race to stores or open up their computers to hunt for the best deals. Shopping is fun, but it can fuel a culture of consumerism, materialism, and even greed. Giving Tuesday, which takes place the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, offers an alternative worldview based on doing good, giving back, and promoting radical generosity.

Giving Tuesday is a global movement committed to generosity, empathy, and solidarity. Every year, individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and others donate money to social causes, volunteer their time, and build community.

What is the purpose of Giving Tuesday?

Since launching in 2012, Giving Tuesday takes place on the first Tuesday after American Thanksgiving. It was established as a counterweight to the intense materialism and consumerism of the holiday shopping season. According to the GivingTuesday website, this Tuesday is all about “radical generosity.” Radical generosity is “the concept that the suffering of others should be as intolerable to us as our own suffering.” Instead of focusing on presents and hoarding resources for ourselves, GivingTuesday encourages millions of people to do good for others, whether that’s through donations, volunteering, or other forms of generosity.

Who created the concept of Giving Tuesday?

In many places around the world (such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Greece, France, and more), the Friday after Thanksgiving day is called “Black Friday.” Retailers hold special deals and promotions. For decades, Black Friday has been one of the busiest shopping days of the year. To keep business going, small businesses adopted “Small Business Saturday,” while online retailers got into the game with “Cyber Monday.”

The fixation on shopping, materialism, and commercialism has bothered many people. According to a piece from Vox, a cultural and community center in New York partnered with the United Nations Foundation in 2012 to create a day countering consumerism. After some discussion, the center’s director suggested Tuesday, saying that all the other days would be taken. The campaign launched online with the #GivingTuesday hashtag. It quickly went viral. In the years since, GivingTuesday has become an independent organization and a global movement.

Who gets involved in Giving Tuesday?

Anyone can participate in Giving Tuesday. It’s an especially popular day for individuals who want to support their favorite nonprofits and causes. Nonprofits participate by organizing campaigns, fundraisers, and other ways for people to donate. Schools, government agencies, grassroots communities, and corporations also embrace Giving Tuesday by raising awareness of causes and encouraging people to donate money or time. The GivingTuesday organization is a global movement, so countries, nonprofits, and individuals from all over the world participate.

What has Giving Tuesday achieved?

Giving Tuesday has become a global movement that inspires millions. According to the organization’s report from 2022, its network has a presence in over 80 countries and 300+ communities. That year, 9 new countries launched GivingTuesday movements while Africa and India established their own global hubs. The movement is deeply invested in change that goes deeper than just one Tuesday. The organization has The Starling Collective, which is a global fellowship of 50 grassroots activists, artists, organizers, and others working to change their communities, as well as a network for youth.

Giving Tuesday has encouraged record-breaking donations, even in challenging economic times. In 2022, the GivingTuesday organization reported $3.1 billion in 24 hours for causes in the United States. That number is impressive given the rise in inflation, which made it hard for many people to afford basic goods like groceries, rent, and gas. $3.1 billion also represents a 15% increase from 2021. GivingTuesday calculates donations using data sources like community foundations, PayPal, grantmakers, and so on. The day went well in other countries, too. The 2022 report revealed that GivingTuesday Mexico facilitated more than $14.5 million pesos in online donations, while Canada saw more than $50.5 million.

How can individuals participate in Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday has a massive online presence, which is why it’s often stylized as #GivingTuesday. It’s one of the biggest victories for “hashtag activism,” which is a form of activism built on hashtags and social media engagement. Because Giving Tuesday has such a strong presence on the internet, most people participate by donating money online. This isn’t the only way you can get involved! Here are five other ideas:

#1. Donate goods

Lots of people donate goods instead of cash to various nonprofits, community groups, libraries, schools, shelters, food banks, and other institutions. Individuals can give gently used goods or buy new ones, depending on their budget and the needs of their chosen organization. Organizations typically have lists of items they need, but you can also call or email a representative to see what they’re accepting on Giving Tuesday.

#2. Support local businesses who are donating

Many businesses like to participate in Giving Tuesday by donating a portion of the sales for that day. As an individual, you can partner with donating businesses by shopping at their stores! If businesses can attract a lot of customers, they’re more likely to repeat their giving strategy the next year, which fosters a spirit of generosity within the community. Check social media pages to see which businesses are participating in Giving Tuesday.

#3. Attend a fundraising event

Nonprofits often hold fundraising events on Giving Tuesday. They may be online only, but some nonprofits hold in-person events like bake sales, silent auctions, dinners, workshops, concerts, and more. If you’re interested in attending an event, search for “Giving Tuesday events” or “Giving Tuesday fundraisers” in your area. You can also search the social media pages of your favorite nonprofits to see if they’re advertising anything.

#4. Volunteer your time

Nonprofits depend on donations, but volunteers are just as important. Individuals can volunteer in addition to donating or in place of. Because Tuesday is a work/school day, it may be more convenient to volunteer on the weekend. In fact, many nonprofits prefer people to volunteer on a different day since they can get overwhelmed with volunteers eager to sign up for Giving Tuesday. You can use that day to find an organization you want to connect with, and then volunteer later.

#5. Raise awareness

As a primarily online campaign, #GivingTuesday depends on word-of-mouth marketing. Write and share posts about what the day is, what radical generosity means, and how you plan to participate. You can talk to friends and family in person, as well. Giving Tuesday is about building community and solidarity, so you can raise awareness by organizing group activities and encouraging people you know to join.

What can nonprofits do for Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for nonprofits to share their mission with potential donors and raise funds. For many organizations, it’s an essential time for last-minute pushes before the end of the calendar year. Here are five ways nonprofits can participate:

#1. Plan a campaign

Giving Tuesday can serve as an introduction to your organization, its values, and its mission. When planning a campaign, design clear and compelling marketing materials that draw in people who aren’t familiar with you already. Good campaigns also have clear goals. You should share with potential donors how much you’re hoping to raise, where the money will go, and what impact it will have. Transparency improves a nonprofit’s trustworthiness.

Using social media? Here are ten of the best social media tools for NGO workers.

#2. Offer matching gifts

Matching gifts are a great way to get the community involved in your campaign. What are matching gifts? They’re collaborations between nonprofits and corporate partners, big donors, or foundations. As an example, a wealthy donor can agree to match donations up to $10,000, so a $10,000 donation ends up turning into $20,000. Matching gifts are very motivating to donors, especially those who worry they can’t give enough money to make a difference.

#3. Partner with other nonprofits

Many nonprofits run on very tight budgets, so organizing a large-scale campaign is challenging. Joining forces with other nonprofits is a great way to address the lack of resources! You can partner with nonprofits that share your specific goals or that serve the same communities. Working together increases the reach of your campaign and builds solidarity.

#4. Engage existing donors and volunteers

Lots of donors and volunteers will be looking for something to do for Giving Tuesday. Nonprofits can leverage their email lists and ask for help with donations, raising awareness, volunteering, and other activities. Offer your network a variety of ways to participate and be sure to emphasize the impact they’ll have. When launching an email campaign, be sure to personalize the emails, highlight successful Giving Tuesdays from the past, and clearly define your goals.

#5. Follow up with participants

Once Giving Tuesday is over, nonprofits need to thank everyone who got involved. Feeling appreciated is essential to long-term generosity. Participants also want to know the impact of their actions, so nonprofits should track data on how much money was raised, what goods were donated, how many volunteers they had, and so on. Thank you cards and videos, social media shoutouts, certificates and awards, and celebration ceremonies are all good ways to show gratitude.

The post Giving Tuesday 2023: Everything You Need to Know  appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Education is a human right, and teachers play an essential role in ensuring that right is respected. Several holidays honor teachers, but Teacher Appreciation Week takes place every year in the first full week of May. It’s recognized in the United States, but many countries honor the work and commitment of their teachers. Here are 20 ways students, parents, schools, businesses, and nonprofits can celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week:

#1. Write thank you notes

Thank you notes are a simple, but powerful way for students and parents to show their appreciation to teachers. Start with a list of your teachers’ names, stationery, and writing tools. If a child is old enough to write notes on their own, parents can add their own thank you to the note or write a separate card if they want. Young students will need some help from their parents, but knowing a student took the time to sign their names means a lot to teachers.

#2. Give out gift cards

Gifts are a great way to celebrate teachers, but they often get flooded with candy and coffee mugs. Generic gift cards to online retailers, your teacher’s favorite local businesses, or even just prepaid debit cards give people more flexibility to buy exactly what they want and need. If you worry these feel too impersonal, add a note.

#3. Give office supplies

Teachers constantly go through pens, pencils, highlighters, and other basic office products. Because school budgets are very tight, teachers often pay for their own supplies. For Teacher Appreciation Week, you can give supplies as presents. Many teachers share the supplies they have with students, but if you want them to have something nicer just for themselves, buy some higher-end products and add a note suggesting they use it for grading papers or other outside-the-classroom tasks.

#4. Volunteer in the classroom

Teachers often need volunteers to help with classroom setup, classroom management, technology support, and more. While teachers often turn to the pool of parents at a school, other members of the community can volunteer, too! There are certain requirements, such as passing a background check. Volunteers are important partners in the school system as they make life easier for teachers while serving as positive role models for students.

#5. Hold a school supply drive

Teachers earn fairly low salaries, but they often need to pay for school supplies from their own pockets. According to Education Week, teachers earning between $35,000-$50,000 in the United States spend about $715 of their own money every year on school supplies. A school supply drive helps teachers and students. Many schools hold their own drives you can give to, but you can also create your own and promote it on social media and in your community.

#6. Nominate a teacher for an award

Schools, education agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations offer teacher awards. Parents, students, colleagues, administrators, and others can often nominate teachers, depending on the specific award. Nominations may open at different times, but it’s a great way to recognize an exceptional teacher in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.

#7. Make a thank you video

Individuals, schools, businesses, and nonprofits can make thank-you videos that recognize specific teachers, schools, or teachers in general. The filmmaker can contact different community members, like students, and ask what their teachers mean to them. Videos are also a great project for students interested in filmmaking. The final product can be posted on social media and played for schools.

There are lots of video production tools available for people who aren’t experts. Here are 10 tools that work well for small NGOs.

#8. Help with a field trip

Students benefit greatly from field trips, but they’re expensive and hard to organize. Teachers get overwhelmed with all the associated tasks. Community members can offer to help with organizing, costs, or chaperoning. If you have connections to an appropriate field trip location, like a museum, see if you can leverage those connections to get discounts, special activities, or other perks.

#9. Host an appreciation party

Schools can show appreciation to their teachers by organizing a party. It can take place during lunch or after school hours, depending on what makes the most sense and is most convenient for everyone. Teachers have enough to do during the week, so they should not have to plan anything related to their own appreciation party. It can be an event where students are welcome or it can be something reserved for adults.

#10. Put special treats in the teacher’s lounge

To honor all the hard work teachers do, school districts can supply the teacher’s area with special items like high-quality coffee, tea, new snacks, and small gifts. If there’s an area of the lounge that’s old or boring, the administration can also upgrade that section.

#11. Recognize long-serving teachers

Teacher Appreciation Week is a great time to honor the teachers who have been serving students the longest. Students, parents, and administrators can work together to organize a recognition ceremony, awards, refreshments, and anything else that may be needed. If any teachers are leaving or retiring after the school year, they should be recognized, as well.

#12. Offer professional development opportunities

Like any professional, teachers want to strengthen their skills, leadership, and career prospects. Schools can provide opportunities for development through workshops, seminars, courses, and more. The school should always pay for opportunities or at least offer a significant discount. Teachers should ideally not have to pay for their own professional development.

#13. Learn what teacher unions are doing

Teacher unions have a long history in places like the United States. As collective bargaining groups, they represent the needs of teachers regarding pay, benefits, work conditions, and more. If you’re interested in what teachers are fighting for, research the unions in your area and see what issues they’re currently working on.

#14. Offer discounts on products and services

Businesses like restaurants and coffee shops can celebrate teachers in the community through special discounts. They can cut a certain percentage off of purchased items, offer special deals on gift cards, give free products with purchases, and more. Teachers typically need to show a faculty ID. Some places let teachers collect deals all week while others offer one-time deals. Certain businesses offer teacher discounts all year long!

#15. Pay for a catered meal

Individuals and organizations can connect with a school and organize a catered meal for all the teachers and faculty. Restaurants can offer to cater for free, while other entities (like businesses, community groups, and religious organizations) can simply pick up the tab. Any allergies, food sensitivities, and cultural restrictions should be accommodated.

#16. Donate books to school libraries

Buying books is a complicated process for many schools. According to Education Week, 35 states in the United States don’t provide direct aid for school libraries. These schools have to pull from district funds or state funds that aren’t specifically earmarked for books. Many schools don’t even have a librarian. For those that do, librarians often have to use their own money to update their shelves. Book donations, specifically new books that teachers actually want, can help. Always ask before you stop by with a box of books and understand that every book has to be evaluated.

#17. Donate money to schools

Every teacher deserves a well-funded school. Unfortunately, education is overlooked in many places, which leaves teachers scrambling to meet the needs of their students. For Teacher Appreciation Week, individuals, businesses, and nonprofits can make donations to local schools. There’s typically a process you need to follow where the school board can either accept or reject a donation. You can also donate through nonprofits such as DonorsChoose, which lets individuals give to American public school classroom projects.

#18. Pay for teachers to upgrade their classrooms

Teachers spend a lot of time setting up their classrooms. The learning environment is crucial to student success, but if teachers don’t have the funds they need, they’re left with dull, uninspiring rooms. If they want a brighter, motivating space, they often need to spend their own money. Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits can help by offering to pay for upgrades. That can include new seating, supplies, new rugs, new technology, and more.

#19. Host a fundraiser

Fundraisers are a great way to raise money for teachers, build community, and raise awareness of the challenges facing schools. Before Teacher Appreciation Week, fundraiser hosts should talk to schools and teachers to identify their needs, establish clear goals, and discuss strategies. When the fundraiser begins, hosts can market it far and wide with social media, local TV and radio, flyers, and other platforms.

#20. Learn what teachers need from the community

Teacher Appreciation Week lasts just a few days, but teachers need support all year round. To celebrate the teachers of the world, everyone should learn what challenges teachers face, what they need to do their jobs, and how individuals, nonprofits, governments, and others can help. Depending on the area, teachers are often underpaid and overworked. They can even face threats to their lives in places where education is under attack. To truly celebrate teachers, the world needs to understand what they go through.

The post 20 Ways to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Since 1950, December 10 has been recognized globally as Human Rights Day. It’s in honor of when the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on December 10, 1948. All across the world, nonprofits, governments, and individuals hold special events to celebrate the UDHR and human rights activism, while also raising awareness of important human rights issues and trends. How can you celebrate Human Rights Day? Here are 15 ideas:

#1. Volunteer at a local human rights organization

Every community has organizations working on human rights and social justice. A few examples include food banks, free medical clinics, refugee services, homeless shelters, and more. Most of these organizations need volunteers. While you may not be able to volunteer on December 10th, volunteering at least once around this time is a great way to honor Human Rights Day. If possible, consider volunteering on a more regular basis, even if it’s just once a month or a few times a year.

#2. Donate to a human rights cause

Nonprofits operate with tight budgets, while there’s no shortage of people on crowdfunding websites asking for help with medical bills, funerals, and more. If you have some extra cash, consider donating in recognition of Human Rights Day. It doesn’t need to be much. While nonprofits love large gifts, it’s the more consistent, smaller funds that keep their work sustainable. You can vet a nonprofit’s reputation on sites like Charity Navigator and GuideStar. If you want to give directly to an individual or family through a crowdfunding website, read the terms of service carefully. Places like GoFundMe take a percentage of each donation for operating costs.

#3. Attend a local (or online) Human Rights Day event

Nonprofits, government agencies, libraries, and other places often host Human Rights Day events. If you want to attend in person, check your local area for workshops, readings, lectures, conferences, and other activities. You can also find events hosted online, which is more convenient for many people. If you can’t find (or can’t attend) an event on Human Rights Day itself, look for other human rights and social justice activities you can attend at a later date.

#4. Host a human rights book club

If you’re part of a book club, consider asking your group to read a book about human rights for December! There are countless fiction and non-fiction books covering topics like racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, children’s rights, refugee rights, and much more. Take some time to write thoughtful discussion questions. You can also create a list of ideas on how to participate in the promotion and protection of human rights, whether that’s through donating money, volunteering, or more actively engaging in existing human rights activities and programs around town.

Not sure what book to suggest? Here’s our list of 13 inspiring books on human rights.

#5. Host a human rights movie night

A movie night is an engaging, low-commitment way to get people together for Human Rights Day. It’s also a good activity because nonprofits, businesses, religious organizations, and individuals can all host. Whether your event features 100 people or just a few close friends, a human rights movie night is a great way to learn more about human rights, build solidarity, and discuss how your community can make a difference in the world. Every movie night needs snacks! If your event will have lots of people, you can reach out to local restaurants to see if they’ll offer discounts. They’re more likely to accommodate nonprofits.

Need ideas for a movie? Here’s our list of 13 social justice movies.

#6. Write a short blog or social media post about Human Rights Day

If you like to write or are active on social media, you can celebrate Human Rights Day by writing a short blog or post. You can write about what human rights mean to you personally or share an issue you’re passionate about. You can share the post with a few close family and friends, or make the post public. If you enjoy writing or are active on social media, Human Rights Day can be a good opportunity to share a post or a short blog. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate; it could be a simple reflection on what human rights mean to you, or a mention of an issue you care about. Sharing it with family, friends or publicly allows you to express your thoughts and perhaps get others thinking about human rights too. It’s a small but meaningful way to acknowledge the day and the values it stands for.

#7. Organize a fundraiser

You can make a small donation to a human rights cause on your own, but if you want to encourage your community to donate, consider organizing a fundraiser! If you work for a nonprofit, you’re most likely somewhat familiar with fundraising events, but it’s something just about anyone can do with a little research. Websites like Facebook even let individual users set up fundraisers that benefit their favorite nonprofits. If you decide to organize a larger-scale event with entertainment, food, silent auctions, and other more interactive elements, you’ll need to plan. Even if you can’t host a fundraiser for this year’s Human Rights Day, it could be something you organize for next year!

How do nonprofits organize donor events? Here’s our 10-step guide.

#8. Bring Human Rights Day into the classroom

If you’re a student or teacher interested in Human Rights Day, consider recognizing the holiday in your classroom. Places like the United Nations offer lots of potential resources, while you can also host a movie or discussion in class. For more student participation, ask them to research a current human rights issue and present it to the class on or around December 10th. If you’re the parent of a student, contact your child’s school to see if the school is already planning something or if there are ways you can get involved.

#9. Host a library reading for kids

Kids need to learn about human rights, but it should be done in an engaging, inspiring, and kid-friendly way. Luckily, there are lots of human rights books written with kids in mind. The library is a great place to hold a human rights story hour where parents can bring their kids. Story hours can also include interactive activities, songs, crafting, and more. Best of all, library readings are free, so every child is welcome. If possible, libraries can also ask the author of the book to do a reading themselves!

Here’s a list of human rights books for kids from Amnesty International.

#10. Join “Write for Rights”

Every Human Rights Day, Amnesty International holds its famous “Write For Rights” campaign. It is the organization’s largest annual letter-writing campaign. With the toolkit, which is offered on the AI website, participants write letters on behalf of those whose rights are being violated. Hundreds of thousands of people write letters every year. You can join local letter-writing parties (which are tracked on the event map), write as an individual, or host private events.

#11. Organize a ceremony for human rights advocates

Every community has human rights advocates working on issues like gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, houselessness, racial justice, and more. Human Rights Day is a great time to honor their hard work, sacrifices, and achievements. The celebration also lets advocates describe their work and what the rest of the community can do to help. Nonprofits, businesses, and other organizations are great hosts for ceremonies like this. If you don’t have experience planning events, ask around your community for help.

#12. Curate an art exhibit

Art is one of the most powerful tools for human rights. Galleries, art stores, museums, libraries, and other places where it makes sense to display art are great spots for exhibits. There are lots of artists and art pieces depicting various aspects of human rights. Organizers can search for (and get permission) to use art from artists around the world or commission art from members of the local community. You can curate a specific theme (such as human rights and children) or use the exhibit to raise awareness of human rights in general.

#13. Organize a workshop on self-advocacy

Self-advocacy workshops often center on empowering people with disabilities, but they can help anyone understand their rights and how to best advocate for themselves. Discrimination targets people based on their age, race, gender, sexuality, and more. A self-advocacy workshop, which can include role-playing activities, lectures, discussions, and so on, helps people understand the law and their human rights. They also help build communication skills, emotional resilience, and more.

#14. Organize a Human Rights Day festival

Festivals bring community members of all ages together in a fun, interactive way! To ensure the festival is well-attended, it’s a good idea to hold it on the weekend, even if Human Rights Day itself is on a weekday. Ideas for vendors and activities include food carts, live theater and music, activism workshops, book reading, games for kids, art exhibits, and more. Organizing a festival is hard work, so you’ll want to start planning far in advance. Sponsors are also important, so seek out partners who believe in human rights and want to participate in their promotion.

#15. Hold a vigil

Human Rights Day can be encouraging and celebratory, but it also provides opportunities for reflection and remembrance. Lots of people have had their human rights violated. December 10th is a good day to honor them. Vigils, which are often held late in the afternoon or into the night, can recognize specific people or events. They can also honor all victims and survivors of human rights abuses. If you want to hold a public vigil, be aware of any legal requirements or risks to the safety of participants. If you decide to keep the vigil private for safety or organizational reasons, that’s acceptable, too. Vigils often include singing, prayers, short speeches, and moments of silence.

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Feminism believes all sexes and genders are equal and deserve equal opportunities. As a movement, feminism is a multi-faceted series of political ideologies, economic theories, and social identities spanning hundreds of years. To demystify the movement, many experts divide feminism into four waves. The first wave, which was most active in the United Kingdom and the United States, focused on voting rights for women. The second wave, which emerged many years later, had different priorities. In this article, we’ll discuss the wave’s history, its main ideas, and its impact.

Second-wave feminism focused on the legal, economic, and social rights of women. Its top priorities included gender roles, reproductive rights, financial independence, workplace equality, and domestic violence.

History: The first and second waves of feminism

There would be no second-wave feminism without first-wave feminism. While the term was coined in 1968, first-wave feminism was active in the 19th and early 20th-century in the West. Second-wave feminism started in the 1960s.

What was first-wave feminism about?

First-wave feminism focused on legal rights, specifically the right to vote or “suffrage.” In 1848, the Seneca Falls Convention took place. There, three hundred people met to discuss gender equality and what the movement should focus on. Early on, feminism was closely tied to the temperance and abolitionist movements, but while Black activists like Fredrick Douglass and Ida B. Wells-Barnett worked with both the feminist and civil rights movements, the beliefs and interests of white women dominated first-wave feminism. In 1920, the 19th Amendment was added to the US Constitution, giving women the right to vote. In 1928, women in the UK were granted equal voting rights.

What triggered the second wave?

The “waves” metaphor is imperfect as it ignores how complex feminist movements have always been, but generally speaking, second-wave feminism kicked off in the 1960s and lasted for two decades. Thanks to the first wave, women had significantly more legal rights, such as the right to vote and property rights. However, gender inequality persisted. In 1949, French writer Simone de Beauvoir wrote the groundbreaking book The Second Sex, which challenged the idea that biology determines gender differences. She argued that social constructs of gender lead to the view that women are inferior.

The ideas in The Second Sex resonated for years in feminist circles, and in 1963, Betty Friedan wrote The Feminine Mystique. This book criticized the reigning belief that women can only be fulfilled as stay-at-home mothers and wives. In reality, many women were unhappy. While Freidan’s ideas were not new or even especially original, The Feminine Mystique had an enormous reach. Freidan and de Beauvior’s books, along with events like the availability of the oral contraceptive pill, the Civil Rights movement, and legislation like the Equal Pay Act of 1963, formed the backbone of second-wave feminism.

What were the main ideas of second-wave feminism?

First-wave feminism focused on legal rights, but what were second-wave feminists concerned about? Here are five of the movement’s central ideas:

Traditional gender roles restrict women

The suffragettes of feminism’s first wave weren’t focused on expanding gender roles or dealing with stereotypes. Most of the women were very conservative by modern standards. The belief that being a wife and mother was a woman’s ultimate purpose continued for decades. In the 1950s, women were pressured to marry, have children, and take care of the household while their husbands worked. In the United States, it even fused with Cold War propaganda, which proclaimed that the nuclear family (husband, wife, and children) was what gave America the edge over the Communists. While women could technically work (and many did, especially women of color), they were viewed as less “feminine” because of it.

Second-wave feminism challenged stereotypes and gave voice to women who weren’t fulfilled in traditional gender roles. Many sub-types of feminism emerged during this time, with some saying that women couldn’t be liberated until family, private property, and the state itself were broken down. Others advocated for less extreme ideologies, but all activists were deeply interested in analyzing how gender roles restricted women.

Reproductive rights are essential to equality

Reproductive rights were another issue first-wave feminists didn’t spend too much time on. The second wave, however, made reproductive rights one of its pillars. Agency over one’s body and the ability to make decisions regarding children, reproductive health, and more have massive consequences for a person’s life. While abortions have always been performed, they were once illegal in most places around the world. As an example, an 1861 law in the UK made performing an abortion or attempting to self-abort a crime punishable with life imprisonment.

Second-wave feminists focused on reproductive health and abortion rights. In 1960, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States approved the world’s first commercially produced birth control pill. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution protected the right to an abortion. Across the world, feminists lobbied for laws that protected and expanded reproductive rights, circulated literature that educated women and their families, and built networks that supported reproductive health and justice.

Women deserve financial independence

The concept of credit cards, which let you buy goods and services and pay later, has been around since ancient times, but credit as we know it is fairly new. In 1950, the first universal credit card arrived courtesy of Diners Club. It was first used to pay for restaurant meals, but it soon expanded to other services. By 1953, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and the UK accepted Diners Club member cards. American Express launched the first plastic charge card in 1958. Credit cards were convenient as they ended the need to carry cash or a checkbook everywhere. Consumers could also delay payments until they could pay off the debt.

Credit cards weren’t available to everyone when they were first launched. If a woman wanted a credit card, she needed a man to co-sign. It wouldn’t be under her name, either, even if she was the one making all the payments. Women were considered “riskier” for banks. In the US, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in 1974 made this discrimination illegal, while the UK passed a similar law in 1975.

The workplace should be equal

Women have always worked, but their labor has historically been undervalued. They’ve also been restricted from certain careers based on education or perceived ability. During WWII, as men left their jobs to fight, women in the US and UK took their places as mechanics, engineers, and other “masculine” roles. When the war ended, many women left their jobs – or were fired – but they’d proven they could work just as successfully as men. Second-wave feminism prioritized women’s careers.

According to an archived New York Times article from 1973, women accounted for ⅔ of the gains in total US employment in the 1960s. In certain jobs, like bookkeeping, they accounted for half of the increase. They were met with sexist coworkers and bosses. The word “sex” was included in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which opened the door to lawsuits against sex discrimination in employment. Feminists still faced a battle. Until 1978, it was legal to fire a woman for getting pregnant. Second-wave feminism fought for equality and safety in the workplace through legal protections against harassment and discrimination, as well as better pay.

Domestic violence is a serious problem

For years, violence against women was not just ignored, it was normalized. A man hitting his wife for “corrective purposes” was considered his right. While excessive or disruptive violence was not encouraged, it was a community crime and not a crime against the woman herself. By 1920, all US states made wife-beating illegal, but punishments were mostly mild. By the 1960s, women had significantly more rights, but the scope and scale of domestic violence were not recognized.

Second-wave feminism drew attention to domestic violence and its many forms by opening shelters and rape crisis centers. In 1972, the first emergency rape line opened in Washington, D.C. The next year, the term “domestic violence” was used for the first time at a UK Parliament address. Feminists also pushed for changes to the law. Before the 1970s, marital rape was legal in every part of the United States. Michigan and Delaware partially outlawed it in 1974. By 1993, it was a crime nationwide.

What was the impact of second-wave feminism?

Second-wave feminism built on the legacy of the first wave to shift women’s place in society through culture, legislation, and victories in court. While the feminists of the first wave had focused on the voting and property rights of a small group of women, second-wave feminists fought to expand the definition of womanhood, ensure reproductive rights, increase financial independence, improve workplace equality, and address domestic violence.

Despite its many victories, some experts believe the work of second-wave feminism was never completed. The Equal Rights Amendment, which was first proposed in 1923, would end legal distinctions between men and women regarding employment, property, divorce, and more. It was a major focus of the second-wave feminist movement, but it ultimately did not achieve ratification. Second-wave feminism was also criticized at the time (and today) for not paying attention to the needs and struggles of women of color. Feminists like Audre Lorde, Angela Davis, and bell hooks frequently discussed this alienation, which intersected with class and sexuality, as well as race. Their work, as well as the work of many other activists, heavily informed the next phase of feminism: the third wave of the 1990s.

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The United Kingdom consists of four geographic parts: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Island. It’s home to nearly 68 million people, while its capital city – London – is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. What are the social issues facing the UK today? Here are 15 examples:

#1. Cost-of-living crisis

The UK has been in a cost-of-living crisis since 2021. There are a few causes, such as the global rise in inflation, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, and Brexit. The high price of everyday goods, like groceries, electricity, and clothing, has the most impact on low-income families and individuals. High bills also impact the future of young people. According to a survey of 18-24-year-olds, ⅔ had lowered their career expectations, saying they could only focus on short-term survival. While the rate of price increases appears to be falling, it will likely take many people a long time to recover.

#2. Food insecurity

In its 2023 World Report on the UK, Human Rights Watch listed the “right to food” as an area of concern. The UK’s largest food bank network distributed 2.1 million emergency food parcels, which represents an 81% increase since 2017. Single-parent households, Black families, and people in social housing are the most likely to struggle with food security. People with disabilities and people receiving social security are also four times more likely to face food insecurity. High costs are a big reason why food security is becoming a more serious issue.

#3. Children experiencing poverty

Around 14.5 million people in the UK live in poverty. 4.3 million are children. According to data, the income of the households earning the least is set to fall yet again. Black and minority ethnic children will be affected the most. 46% of this group live in poverty compared to 26% of white British children. A report on northern schools found a link between education and poverty. Kids born into the poorest fifth of families in the UK were 13 times more likely to experience poor educational outcomes and poor health by 17 years old. A lack of funding is a big reason why. Northern schools get less money compared to Southern schools. While it’s not the only issue to address when it comes to child poverty, adequate education is crucial.

#4. Homelessness

It’s difficult to get accurate information on the number of people experiencing homelessness, but according to CNN, the number of households in temporary commendation reached its highest level since 1998. Temporary accommodations include hostels and rooms in a shared house. To address this issue, experts say the government needs to build homes. While they put the ideal number at around 380,000 homes, only 192,000 homes were built in 2022. The causes of homelessness, like high rents and a lack of affordable housing, also need to be addressed.

#5. Women’s rights

The UK faces many of the same issues as other countries struggling to achieve gender equality: a gender pay gap, job segregation, and cultural sexism. Unfortunately, not everyone believes the UK needs to do more work. According to one survey, 39% of participants believed that men were expected to do “too much” to support gender equality, while 43% believed society was now discriminating against men. Young people, especially boys, face an onslaught of misogynist content online, which affects their views on women and gender equality. On the other hand, 51% of survey participants said there were actions they could do to promote gender equality, while 47% expressed optimism about achieving equality within their lifetime.

#6. Trans rights

The UK has frequently ranked high on lists of the best and safest places for the LGBTQ+ community, but its views on trans rights have caused significant harm. The British press has driven much of the public’s contempt for trans people, while legal protections are not adequate. In Scotland, Parliament passed a Gender Recognition Reform bill, which made it easier for trans people to legally change their gender. The UK vetoed the bill, which had never happened before in Scottish history. These are just a few explanations for why the UK dropped from 10th to 14th place in ILGA’s 2020 European ranking.

#7. Climate change

The UK is one of the world’s top 20 greenhouse gas emitters. While the public supports stronger regulations and emission reductions, the country is not on track to meet its goals. It still depends heavily on electricity generated from gas. In 2022, the country recorded its hottest temperatures on record: 104 Fahrenheit/40 Celsius. Despite the climate emergency, there are concerns that Britain’s prime minister, Rishi Sunak, is planning to “backtrack” on the UK’s climate goals.

#8. Education

The quality of someone’s education has a huge impact on their future. In the UK, hundreds of thousands of kids don’t even have a safe school building. According to a report, around 700,000 kids attend school at “unsafe or aging” buildings in need of major repairs. If not addressed, issues like asbestos and sewage leaks pose serious risks to kids. Education quality is also threatened if students are frequently suspended. Post-pandemic, more than 3,000 students are sent home every day. Many of these kids come from low-income backgrounds, while children with special needs are four times more likely to lose learning due to suspensions.

#9. Healthcare

For years, the publicly-funded National Health Service (NHS) was a source of pride for the UK. Now, the system is weakening. Wait times for treatments and emergency care are getting out of control. According to CNN, half of the people waiting for “elective care,” which can include cardiac surgery and cancer treatment, had waited up to 18 weeks. 400,000 had waited for over a year. Healthcare workers are feeling the strain, too. In early 2023, tens of thousands of nurses and ambulance workers staged the largest walkout in the NHS’ history. Falling wages, staff shortages, and lack of funds are just three of the major issues. Experts worry about the sustainability of the NHS while private health insurance is increasing to fill in the gaps.

#10. Racial discrimination

Certain parts of the UK are very racially diverse – especially London – but discrimination remains a problem. According to the UN, racism is “structural, institutional and systemic.” People of African descent face especially severe discrimination and violations of their rights. There’s been progress regarding reconciliation, but more needs to be done. The COVID-19 pandemic also triggered racist attitudes and attacks toward British Chinese people and Southeastern Asians.

#11. Police brutality

There’s little doubt that countries like the United States have a police brutality issue, but the UK has similar problems. In a blog from the University of Birmingham, an associate professor of law and criminal justice points out how “warrior culture,” which encourages police to turn to aggression and violence, is present in the UK. One report from the charity group Inquest found that Black people are seven times more likely to die after police restraint. In early 2023, more than 1,500 police officers were accused of violence against women and girls. Because police brutality is often covered up or not reported for fear of retaliation, the scale of the problem is likely much worse.

#12. Mental health

Mental health conditions are very common in the UK. Stigma remains a barrier to getting care. According to one survey, around 9 out of 10 people with mental health issues say that discrimination and stigma negatively impact their lives. Mental health problems also cost the country a lot of money. One report found that mental health costs the UK at least £117.9 billion every year. Most of that cost comes from lost productivity and what’s accumulated by unpaid informal caregivers providing mental health support to their communities.

#13. Asylum and migration

According to Guardian reporting, the UK ranks 17th among EU countries for number of asylum applications. In terms of protecting the rights of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants, its record isn’t the best. The Nationality and Borders Act, which became law in 2022, criminalizes those seeking asylum through “irregular means.” The government’s goal is to stop people crossing the Channel in small boats. No safer alternatives have been offered. Groups like the UN Refugee Council and civil society groups have condemned the law.

#14. Weakening of human rights protections

According to Human Rights Watch, the UK has suffered several human rights issues in recent years. The UK director went so far as to call 2022 the “most significant assault on human rights protections in the UK in decades.” Examples include violations of the rights of asylum seekers, voter disenfranchisement, and new restrictions on the right to peaceful protest. The government also brought up repealing the Human Rights Act, claiming it was being abused and that replacing it would strengthen UK sovereignty. Experts warn repealing the Act would severely weaken human rights protections. At the time of writing, the UK had not repealed or replaced the Human Rights Act, but the possibility remains a concern.

#15. Digital safety and privacy

The internet can be a dangerous place, especially for young people. The UK is attempting to increase protections with the Online Safety Bill, which passed on September 19, 2023. The legislation regulates how large tech firms design, operate, and moderate social media platforms. However, privacy activists worry about the bill’s impacts on freedom of expression, privacy rights, and end-to-end encryption, which keeps data secure from companies and governments. The UK government has also faced backlash for using surveillance technology that could log and store the web histories of millions. If the technology is implemented nationally, it increases law enforcement’s intrusive reach. Digital safety and privacy is a complex issue as the two aspects – safety and privacy – often battle one another.

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Over 26 million people live in Australia, which is the smallest continent on the planet. It’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful ecosystems, like the Great Barrier Reef, the Blue Mountains, and the Daintree Rainforest. It was also colonized by the British, which used it as a penal colony from the late 18th century until the mid-19th century. Today, it is a sovereign country with its own social issues. Here are 15 examples:

#1. Poverty

In 2022, a report on poverty found that 1 in 8 people, including 1 in 6 children, were living in poverty. Australia is one of the world’s richest countries, but over 3 million people struggle to pay basic bills. Income support would make a big difference. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, an economic support program lifted 645,000 people (245,000 of those people were children) above the poverty line. These supports were temporary, but if they became permanent, Australia could reduce poverty very effectively.

#2. Rights of asylum seekers and refugees

When asylum seekers and refugees come to Australia without a valid visa, they’re held in immigration detention until they get a visa or are removed from Australia. There is no limit to how long someone can be detained, so thousands of asylum seekers and some recognized refugees are held in centers around the country. Australia also uses an offshore processing system. Under this system, asylum seekers and refugees are taken to camps in places like Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Families and individuals live in inadequate conditions, sometimes for years. Human Rights Watch has called Australia’s offshore system “abusive and costly.” Since 2013, at least 12 refugees and asylum seekers have died in Australia’s offshore processing system. Six took their own lives.

#3. Indigenous rights

When it comes to Indigenous rights, Australia’s history is full of abuse and discrimination. From the mid-1800s to the 1970s, government policies took children from their families in a period known as “The Stolen Generations.” The legacy of racism and discrimination continues today. Despite making up just 3.8% of the population, Indigenous Australians are “overrepresented” in the criminal justice system. In 2021, at least 11 Indigenous people died in custody due to abuse and/or medical neglect. Indigenous people are also more likely to receive poor education and die young. Australia has the opportunity to protect Indigenous rights with referendums like the “Voice to Parliament,” which would enshrine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and create an advisory body.

#4. Disability rights

The Disability Discrimination Act, which passed in 1992, makes it illegal to discriminate against someone based on their disability. It covers areas like employment, education, public services, and more. Temporary and permanent disabilities are also covered. According to a research paper, however, Australia’s interpretation of the UN’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities prevents reform and allows human rights violations to thrive. Examples of violations include forced medical interventions and indefinite detention. Children and people in prisons face some of the worst abuse and discrimination.

#5. LGBTQ+ rights

Australia has many laws regarding LGBTQ+ rights and protections, but the system is far from perfect. According to reporting from The Guardian, anti-discrimination laws across the country are “patchy.” There are broad exemptions, especially for religious groups, which can open the door to discrimination and bigotry. Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia don’t even have laws that protect LGBTQ+ people from vilification. There are also no federal laws that outlaw vilification based on gender or sexuality. To protect the LGBTQ+ community, Australia needs to strengthen its existing laws and expand protections.

#6. Gender equality

Generally, Australia is a safe and welcoming place for most women, but it still hasn’t achieved gender equality. According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, women in Australia are paid 17.5% less than men doing the same work. The causes include gender stereotypes and low pay for jobs historically performed by women, like social work. Differences in education and work experience, a lack of female leadership, discrimination, and a lack of accommodations for families are other causes.

#7. Violence against women

While Australia ranks high on lists of safest countries for women, violence against women is still an issue. According to the Australian Human Rights Commission, 1 in 3 Australian women will experience violence in an intimate relationship. 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence since turning 15 years old. Indigenous women face a higher risk. Research shows they’re 12 times more likely to be victims of assault than non-Indigenous women. Violence is often perpetuated by partners or husbands.

#8. Incarceration of children

Currently, Australia’s age of criminal responsibility is just 10 years old, while the international recommendation is 14 years old. Hundreds of kids are imprisoned each year. In one case, a 13-year-old Indigenous Australian boy spent 45 days in solitary confinement, despite being held for minor offenses. In another case, a 13-year-old with developmental disabilities spent 78 days in a cell for 20 hours a day. These cases could violate the boys’ rights to fresh air and exercise. The cases are not uncommon, either. According to data, overcrowding in juvenile prisons means children – mostly Indigenous children- are often moved to adult prisons. Kids in adult prisons face a high risk of sexual abuse, assault, and suicide.

#9. Healthcare access in prison

Australia uses Medicare. It’s a single-payer, universal healthcare program that covers all Australian citizens and residents. Groups like veterans and Indigenous Australians can access special programs, but there’s one demographic that’s excluded: people in prison. Many human rights experts believe this exclusion constitutes a human rights violation. During COVID-19, the state was slow to give prisoners vaccines despite their heightened risk for the disease due to poor ventilation, an inability to social distance, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and other factors. People in prison also lack adequate mental health services. In 2018, 40% of jail entrants had a mental health condition, while mental health services in prison were “severely underfunded.” Without access to Medicare, it’s much harder for people in prison to get the healthcare they need.

#10. Rights of older people

Australia’s population is aging, which opens the door to systemic discrimination and inadequate care. In 2021, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality And Safety released a report recommending “fundamental reform” of the aged care system. Specific changes included increased accountability for human rights violations, minimum staffing requirements, and increased access to home and community support services. COVID-19 revealed cracks in the system, but it will take significant changes to improve Australia’s aged care services.

#11. Housing affordability

It’s getting more and more expensive to buy and rent housing in Australia. According to a report by PropTrack, which analyzes the real estate market, a household earning an average income would need to spend a third of their income on mortgage repayments for a median-priced home. Increasing home prices and rising mortgage rates are two reasons for housing unaffordability. Tasmania, which has historically had the most affordable homes, is now a place where a typical-income household can only afford 5% of homes sold. Young people and first-time home buyers are some of the hardest hit.

#12. Homelessness

On any given night, around 1 in 200 Australians don’t have a place to sleep. According to data, 1 in 3 houseless Australians are under 18 years old. Young people are especially vulnerable as it’s difficult to get affordable, long-term housing. Domestic violence is the biggest driver of homelessness in Australia, while other causes include unemployment, poverty, and addiction. Most people experiencing homelessness are in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane, which are Australia’s largest cities.

#13. Mental health

According to the Australian government, over 2 in 5 Australians between 16 and 85 years old have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Anxiety is the most common disorder, followed by depression and substance abuse. While anyone can experience poor mental health, 24% of the Indigenous Australian population reported a mental health or behavioral condition in 2018-2019. Mental illness still faces stigma in Australia, which makes it even harder for people to get the help they need. Reducing stigma, making it easier to access care, and addressing the roots of poor mental health are all necessary steps.

#14. Loss of biodiversity

“Biodiversity” refers to the variety of life on earth, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. It’s essential to a healthy planet. Australia is home to some of the world’s most unique ecosystems and species. Around 82% of animals and 93% of frogs in Australia only exist there. Tragically, the human impact on biodiversity has been catastrophic. Pollution, resource exploitation, and other issues threaten areas like the Great Barrier Reef, which is the world’s largest coral reef system. Currently, Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate in the world. Preserving Australia’s biodiversity is essential to its future.

#15. Wildfires

Australia is known for its brutal wildfire season. Climate change has made it worse. One fire, which burned through Australia’s summer from June 2019 to January 2020, released smoke levels comparable to a major volcanic eruption. According to research, the smoke from these catastrophic fires could have contributed to a rare triple La Nina weather event, which affected other continents. The fires, known as the Black Summer Fires, also destroyed an area equivalent to half of California and killed 33 people. Children and pregnant people are among those most affected by lingering health effects, such as premature labor, low birth weight, impaired lung development, and other ongoing issues. Australia is one of the biggest greenhouse gas emitters in the world, so new, strict regulations on emissions are vital.

If you want to get active on the issues above, consider joining one of the many NGOs in Australia.

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Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area. It’s home to over 38 million people, hundreds of languages, and some of the most beautiful natural landscapes. Like every nation, Canada has social issues related to climate change, the rights of marginalized people, gender equality, and healthcare. Here are fifteen examples:

#1. Climate change

In 2020, Canada was the 11th largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. This represents a decrease from 2005, but Canada still has lots of work to do. It’s the top public financier of fossil fuels among G20 nations. It also consistently approves new oil and gas pipeline expansions and fails to enforce regulations that reduce emissions. According to Climate Action Tracker, the country’s climate goals aren’t enough to meet the Paris Agreement.

#2. Gender inequality

Canada ranks as one of the best countries for women. In 2023, it ranked in 30th place out of 146 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index Rating. Acts like the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the Pay Equity Act establish the importance of gender equality. There are still gaps to close, however. According to Canadian Women, women still make just 89 cents to every dollar a man makes. In 2020, 10x more women than men left the workforce. Surveys show Canada’s ongoing commitment to gender equality, so the future looks promising.

#3. Immigration policy

Canada has welcomed immigrants for many years. Most people in the country have favorable views of immigrants, and according to a 2022 survey, less than 30% of Canadians thought immigration levels were “too high.” This doesn’t mean Canada does everything right. A 2021 Human Rights Watch report found that thousands of people were being incarcerated on immigration-related grounds. Despite being held for non-criminal reasons, immigrant detainees faced brutal conditions in maximum security jails and solitary confinement. Despite its good reputation regarding immigration, Canada has a lot of work to do.

#4. Indigenous rights

Canada has a long history of colonization and violence against Indigenous people. Reconciliation has been slow. According to an Amnesty International report, Canada has been “significantly failing in its obligations” to Indigenous people. Issues like territorial theft, resource extraction, systemic discrimination, and inequality are persistent. The Amnesty report echoes findings from the UN and other human rights organizations. You can learn more about indigenous rights by taking part in an online course.

#5. Violence against Indigenous women

Canada’s reputation as a safe place for women only applies to certain women. First Nations women and girls with registered or treaty Indian status make up 2-4% of Canada’s female population, but they’re kidnapped and assaulted at disproportionate rates. According to data from Human Rights Watch, 81% of Indigenous women in the child welfare system were physically or sexually assaulted. From 2001-2015, the homicide rate for Indigenous women was almost six times as high as the rate for other Canadian women.

#6. Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence includes physical violence, emotional abuse, stalking, manipulation, and so on. According to Canadian Women, 184 women and girls were killed (mostly by men) in 2022. Women who’ve experienced gender-based violence are more likely to have depression, anxiety, and other mental health diagnoses. Children who witness violence are also more likely to struggle and experience mental health effects. Dealing with gender-based violence – specifically spousal violence – costs the Canadian government over $7 billion a year. While certain people are at a higher risk of gender-based violence, it can affect anyone.

#7. LGBTQ+ rights

Canada has long been praised as one of the most welcoming countries for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2023, it ranked first on the Equaldex Equality Index. Gay marriage was legalized first in British Columbia and Ontario in 2003, and in 2005, same-sex marriage became legal across Canada. The past decades have seen even more progress regarding anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws, adoptions, blood donation laws, and more. In 2021, Canada banned conversion therapy, which is any service, treatment, or practice designed to “cure” or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity. The country still has work to do regarding trans rights, safety, and freedom.

#8. Anti-Black racism

While Canada may have had a smaller role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade compared to other nations, the legacy of slavery and anti-Black racism is still present in the country today. According to statistics, 41% of Black people in Canada experienced discrimination based on their skin color in 2019. Stores, restaurants, and banks were common places of discrimination, while Black respondents also reported discrimination by police. Another study found that Black Canadians in Toronto dealt with “service deserts,” which are areas with fewer safe, affordable, and effective healthcare and community services.

#9. Education inequality

Canada’s education system is well-respected around the world. Each of the 13 territories and provinces have their own system, although they must follow government standards. Students aged 6-18 years old must attend school. In recent years, tuition for secondary education has been increasing, especially for international students. There are also stark gender differences in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In 2017, women made up just 26% of new entrants in engineering, manufacturing, and construction, and 20% of the new entrants in information and communication technologies. Unequal government funding for Indigenous students has also been an issue for many years. Canada has been making slow progress on funding gaps.

#10. Water rights

The right to safe water is a human right, but in Canada, Indigenous people have faced persistent violations. Why? The federal government has had jurisdiction over Native lands for centuries. First Nations are owed certain protections, but federal neglect has led to issues with safe drinking water. In 2016, a Human Rights Watch report found that discrimination regarding water is a “legal fact” in Canada. While Canadians living off-reserve have enjoyed safe water, First Nations deal with contamination and long-term boil-water advisories. Solutions, which can include removing colonial-era laws, are urgently needed.

#11. Healthcare

Canada uses a publicly funded healthcare system. Instead of having one national plan, there are 13 territorial and provincial healthcare insurance plans. Through these plans, Canadians get free medically necessary hospital and physician services. This fragmented system has had problems over the years, but the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the cracks in the foundation. According to Reuters reporting, Canada’s healthcare system has strained to a “breaking point” with staffing shortages, closed emergency rooms, and increasingly long waiting times. Things won’t improve overnight, so Canada’s healthcare system will likely be a social issue for a long time.

#12. Mental health

In Canada, mental illness affects more than 6.7 million people. It’s a leading cause of disability, suicide, and other health issues. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the economic burden of mental illness costs around $51 billion each year. Funding and access are major issues. Just half of Canadians who experience a major depressive episode get “potentially adequate care.” ⅓ of Canadians 15 years and older report a need for mental care, but say their needs weren’t met. 75% of kids with mental disorders can’t access specialized treatment at all. These statistics expose a striking gap between need and care.

#13. Opioid crisis

Opioid addiction and overdoses have been an issue for several years in Canada. In 2016, more than 30,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses, which was more than other major accidental death causes combined. A 2022 NPR article reported that deaths related to fentanyl more than doubled in the past five years. British Columbia has endured the most issues and declared fentanyl a public health crisis in 2016. In 2022, the province instituted a decriminalization policy. Under this policy, possessing small amounts of opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamines remains illegal, but no longer comes with prosecution. Canadian officials hope this shifts focus to healthcare instead of punishment.

#14. Income inequality

Income inequality refers to the gap between those with the highest incomes in society and those with the lowest. Wide gaps lead to a host of issues such as political instability, reduced economic growth, and weakened social cohesion. In Canada, income inequality has been on the rise. According to data, the gap in net worth between the richest and poorest households grew by 1.1 percentage points in the first quarter of 2023. That represents the fastest increase since 2010. The reasons for this increase are complex. Relevant factors include low wages and growing gaps between different types of households, like younger and older households, and immigrants and Canadian citizens.

#15. Housing affordability

Having a place to live is a human right, but when housing becomes expensive, many people struggle to find adequate shelter. Canada is facing a housing crisis. According to a BBC article, the average home in Canada costs C$750,000 in 2023, which is around £435,000. That’s an increase of 360% from 2000. The cost of houses and rent is especially high in large cities. Young people, who are spending huge chunks of their incomes just on shelter, are changing their life plans because of the crisis. Canada has promised to build 3.5 million homes by 2030 to address the issue, but plans are falling behind. The housing crisis is unlikely to get resolved anytime soon.

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Racism occurs when an individual, community, or institution discriminates against someone based on their belonging to a racial or ethnic group, in particular a group that’s been marginalized. Racism can be interpersonal, institutional, and even internalized, while discrimination includes attitudes, actions, and systems. Where did racism come from? Is it something society has always dealt with or did something specific lead to its creation? In this article, we’ll explore who started racism, provide five examples of racism, and describe ways to take action.

Racism is discrimination based on an individual’s or community’s race. While bigotry and social exclusion have always occurred, white Europeans and Americans created the modern concept of “race” to justify slavery. 

Where did racism come from?

To understand racism, we must first understand the concept of “race.” It’s a relatively recent development in the history of humankind. For thousands of years, people didn’t categorize humans by race. They were aware of differences and didn’t see everyone as equal, but the concept of race didn’t truly develop until the Transatlantic Slave Trade in the 16th century. Slavery had existed before, but many people worried about the practice’s moral implications. Was it acceptable to enslave other humans? When the demand for enslaved labor increased in the 17th century, white Europeans and Americans needed a justification for slavery. They found one in the form of “race.”

In an article for Time, professor Andrew Curran describes how scientists and philosophers were eager for physical, non-religious explanations for why people from Africa looked different than white Europeans. These thinkers were not only interested in science: they were searching for reasons why slavery was acceptable. Through experiments and theories now recognized as pseudoscientific, white Europeans and Americans created a racial hierarchy that put white people at the top and Black people at the bottom. Some “races” were just born to be enslaved, the scientists and philosophers argued, and it would be wrong to go against the natural order. There were also religious justifications for slavery, but the idea of “race” ran through them all.

How has racism evolved?

In 1859, the last known slave ship arrived in the United States. Five years later, slavery was abolished. Britain had already abolished slavery and effectively ended the Transatlantic Slave Trade a few years before, but racism wasn’t over. Even those who worked to abolish slavery didn’t necessarily think Black people were equal to white people; they just didn’t think slavery was good. Racism continued to inform people’s opinions of each other (and themselves), as well as immigration policy, employment policy, housing regulations, and more.

While overt racism is no longer acceptable in many societies, old policies and subconscious racism continue to fuel racial inequality. Instead of acknowledging the legacy of slavery and other injustices from the past, many people believe inequality is the result of innate racial differences. That assumes race is a biological reality, which it’s not. Modern science shows there is no biological basis for race. Race as a complex, ever-changing political and social construct is real, but there is nothing in our DNA that divides humans into racial groups.

What are five examples of racism?

Racism comes in many subtle and overt forms, so how do you recognize it when it happens? Here are five examples everyone should know about:

Claiming to not see race

Colorblind racism is based on the misconception that because race isn’t real, we shouldn’t ever think about or mention race. Race isn’t a biological reality, but it still exists as a social construct, and racism is certainly real. Those who claim to not see race often end up perpetuating microaggressions, which are unintentional acts or comments that marginalize people based on race. They can even express overtly bigoted views while claiming it’s not about race. According to a study on the effects of colorblindness in a medical setting, researchers found that physicians using a colorblind ideology are actually more likely to use race in their screening and treatment decisions. By refusing to see racism, people trying to be colorblind end up protecting it.

Using racial slurs and spreading racial stereotypes

Racial slurs and racial stereotypes are two of the clearest examples of racism. Slurs are offensive words and phrases used to degrade and discriminate against individuals or groups of people from certain racial and ethnic groups. Many slurs are widely condemned and may even constitute hate speech, which several countries have laws against. Racial stereotypes are generalized beliefs or perceptions about people based on their race, and while many are negative (i.e. certain groups are prone to violence or criminal behavior), some are more positive. Negative stereotypes can be especially harmful as they lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and psychological harm. Even positive stereotypes are still disrespectful as they project oversimplified expectations onto people.

Discriminating against people based on race

Racial discrimination is one of the most prevalent forms of racism. It refers to the unfair and prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups based on their race. Around the world, it manifests in employment, housing, education, the justice system, healthcare, and more. Racial discrimination is often subtle. Laws and actions don’t need to mention race to be discriminatory. As an example, Black girls are more likely to face extreme disciplinary actions at school in the US, but there’s no acknowledgment that it’s because of race. In 2014, a 12-year-old faced criminal charges and expulsion after writing the word “hi” on a locker, while the white female classmate who was involved got a more merciful punishment. There was no policy stating that Black girls would get harsher punishments, but it still happened. Discriminatory actions can still be discriminatory even if they don’t mention race.

Dividing society by race

Known as “racial segregation,” dividing society by race means restricting access to resources, institutions, services, and opportunities based on a person’s race. The two clearest examples are apartheid in South Africa and the Jim Crow laws in the American South. In both, Black people were forced into separate neighborhoods, schools, public facilities, and sections of public transportation. In the United States, a doctrine of “separate but equal” tried to justify this segregation, but Black Americans always got worse treatment and services. The same thing happened in South Africa. Dividing society by race with the intent to hoard resources for “superior” races and prevent race-mixing is blatantly racist. Even if things were “separate but equal,” enforced segregation is still a violation of human rights.

Eliminating people based on race

Killing someone based on their race is a hate crime. When a large number of people are killed based on their race, it’s genocide. Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a specific ethnic group or nation with the intent to eliminate them completely. The Holocaust is a clear example of this. Because Jewish people come from a variety of racial backgrounds, they don’t belong to one race, but the Nazis defined being Jewish as a separate race. Racializing Jewish people was the first step in marginalizing and dehumanizing them. Once the Nazis had dehumanized Jews, they segregated them, isolated them from society, and then began to systematically kill them. The Holocaust represents the worst form of antisemitism, which has been around for hundreds of years. Although it existed before our modern concept of race, many experts call it the oldest form of racism.

How do you take action against racism?

Racism exists everywhere in the world. It continues to harm individuals, communities, and entire countries. What can we do about it? Here are three ways to take action:

#1. Understand what racism looks like

Understanding a problem is the first step to solving that problem. When it comes to racism, there are so many manifestations beyond blatant slurs and discrimination. Many forms of racism are completely unintentional, but that doesn’t negate their negative impact. If you want to take action against racism, you should educate yourself as much as possible. Read books, compose songs, write poems, take classes, and learn from racial justice organizations and activists who’ve spent years teaching about racism. Once you have a better understanding of racism, you can start working much more effectively toward change.

#2. Advocate for policy changes

Institutionalized racism is a complex web of policies, regulations, laws, and other systems that reinforce and perpetuate racism at every level of society. Unless these systems are changed, racism will persist even if individuals adjust their attitudes about race and racism. To take action, you can vote for progressive policies and laws, support advocacy groups, and examine regulations at your workplace, school, or other institutions you’re part of. If you’re not sure where to start, research what policy recommendations racial justice organizations are making.

#3. Commit to personal changes

Because racism is such a huge issue, it can be hard to know how to address it. At the end of the day, all you can control is yourself. Even people who don’t think they’re racist against any groups most likely harbor some subconscious biases, stereotypes, or internalized racism. Commit to making changes in your life, whether that means taking a closer look at your beliefs and interactions, or calling out racism when others express it. Levels of personal responsibility vary. If you’re a member of a marginalized group, your experiences with racism – and your need for personal changes – will be different than a white person. Too often, members of racialized groups are expected to carry the burden of ending racism on their own. Solidarity with other groups, community care, and rest are essential to long-term, sustainable progress.

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Systemic racism refers to laws, policies, and institutions that give unfair advantages to some racial groups while harming others. In many places, such as the United States, South Africa, Europe, and South Korea, systemic racism remains a persistent issue.

Race doesn’t exist as a biological or genetic fact, but it is a social and political reality. Racism occurs when race is used to justify discrimination and prejudice. Most of the time, this discrimination is directed at people belonging to an ethnic minority or marginalized group. Racism has many forms, but the most pervasive – and most misunderstood – is systemic racism. In this article, we’ll define systemic racism, provide examples, and describe some of the best ways to take action against it.

How is systemic racism defined?

Systemic racism refers to the discriminatory policies and practices baked into society and institutions, including government agencies, the criminal justice system, corporations, and much more. Unlike the racism most people are familiar with, systemic racism does not require an intent to discriminate. That explains why laws and policies that don’t explicitly mention race or ethnicity can still contribute to systemic racism. How is systemic racism different from other forms of racism? To answer this question, we need to define the four main types of racism: individual, interpersonal, institutional, and systemic.

• Individual racism: racist attitudes, beliefs, and actions of individuals, both conscious and unconscious
• Interpersonal racism: racist interactions and expressions between individuals, such as slurs, discrimination, and hateful actions
• Institutional racism: racism within an organization, such as unfair or biased policies and practices based on race
• Systemic racism: racism within all levels of society

Institutional and systemic racism are often used interchangeably. Kwame Ture (then Stokely Carmichael) and Charles V. Hamilton coined the term “institutional racism” in 1967 in their groundbreaking book Black Power: The Politics of Liberation. In this book, the authors define “Black Power” and explore the roots of racism in the United States. They write that institutional racism is harder to identify because it’s more subtle and comes from established and respected societal forces.

What does systemic racism look like?

Systemic racism is a complex, multi-faceted problem, but history provides many clear examples. Here are four to know about:

Segregation in the United States

After the American Civil War ended slavery, the country began a reconstruction project. It was meant to create a society where white and Black people could live together in peace, but it essentially failed. In the wake of this failure, Southern states began creating a system of racial segregation through “Jim Crow” laws. Public services were divided by race, and while the system was supposed to be “separate but equal,” Black citizens nearly always received worse quality schools, hospitals, housing, and more.

A series of laws in the 1960s (the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968) officially ended segregation in the United States, but systemic racism still exists today. According to a National Urban League report from 2022, Black Americans get 73.9% of what white Americans get. Their median household income is lower and they benefit less from home ownership. In fact, Black couples are more than twice as likely as white couples to be denied a mortgage or home improvement loan. These are just a few of the many examples of systemic racism in the United States.

Apartheid in South Africa

In 1948, the all-white National Party won the elections in South Africa and established apartheid, a system based on racial segregation. All non-white South Africans, who made up most of the population, were forced to use separate public facilities and live apart from white people. Interracial marriage was criminalized, millions of Black citizens were moved from their homes, and Black people weren’t given any political power or representation.

People rebelled against apartheid for years, and slowly, the international community took notice. By the 1980s, apartheid was failing. In 1994, the government finally caved and the country ended apartheid with a new constitution and leadership. Systemic racism is still a problem. According to the World Inequality Lab, South Africa’s wealth inequality hasn’t changed since apartheid. Black citizens still deal with an inadequate educational system, while many still live in the isolated townships built for Black citizens.

Anti-Roma discrimination in Europe

The Roma people, who are a traditionally-nomadic Indo-Aryan ethnic group, have faced discrimination for centuries. In Europe, they were often enslaved, forced to assimilate, and viewed as criminal, lazy, and deceitful. During WWII, the Nazis persecuted the Roma, stripped them of their citizenship, and eventually imprisoned them in concentration camps. It’s unknown how many were killed, but it could be as many as 500,000.

Systemic discrimination against the Roma in Europe continues. They’re the continent’s largest ethnic minority, and 80% of them live below the poverty line. Because of persistent stereotypes and institutional barriers, it’s harder for Roma people to find work, good housing, good healthcare, and educational opportunities. During the height of Covid-19, Roma people faced heightened risks, as well as a lack of resources. Hate speech against them also increased, as Roma are often blamed for spreading disease.

Minority discrimination in South Korea

South Korea has a strong national identity, which unfortunately has led to many examples of systemic racism against ethnic minorities. In the 2000s, immigration to South Korea increased. This led to an increase in discrimination as well. As a contributor to the Korea Herald explains, skin color matters. While Koreans are at the top of the racial hierarchy, white people are viewed more favorably than people with darker skin, including South Asian and Southeast Asian immigrants, Black people, and Middle Eastern people. The history of the American military in South Korea could help explain this preference for whiteness.

In 2022, Human Rights Watch reported “pervasive” discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities, as well as refugees and foreign migrants. During the early days of COVID-19, foreigners were initially excluded from relief funds. Mixed-race people also face significant discrimination. Because South Korea does not have an anti-discrimination law, systemic racism leaves those affected without legal recourse.

What are the best ways to take action against systemic racism?

By its nature, systemic racism is baked into every level of society, so taking action against it is challenging. It’s not impossible, however. Here are five ways to combat it:

#1. Identify the forms of systemic racism

To take effective action, we must first identify what systemic racism looks like. As experts have explained, systemic racism is more subtle than individual or interpersonal racism. This is often because the issues bleed over from old, overt forms of discrimination, such as racial segregation in the United States and apartheid in South Africa. Laws undid the right for governments and institutions to directly discriminate, but the racist outcomes persist. Once we better understand what practices, laws, and policies are contributing to unequal, race-based outcomes, we can begin to change society.

#2. Donate to organizations fighting racism

Organizations and activists have fought systemic racism for as long as it has existed. Their work includes research, advocacy, aid, training, and much more. Unfortunately, they often struggle to find the funds they need to perform their work effectively. Anyone can participate in anti-racist work by donating their money, time, expertise, and other resources.

#3. Push for changes in laws and policies

Systemic racism survives through laws, policies, and other practices that create unfair outcomes. Because the laws are usually not clearly racist, they’re often ignored. Unequal outcomes are blamed on other factors. Those in power either don’t see the need for change or prefer the status quo where certain groups get more privileges than others. You can take action by drawing attention to these unfair institutions and demanding change. Protests, petitions, letter-writing, boycotts, and other steps can help raise awareness and put pressure on those in power.

#4. Advocate for equity

Undoing discriminatory practices and policies is an essential step, but something new needs to take their place. As places like the United States prove, ending segregation doesn’t miraculously lead to a utopia of equality and fairness. White people were given years of economic, political, and social advantages, leaving Black people and other ethnic minorities far behind. Laws that give everyone the same resources and opportunities ignore this fact and allow inequality to endure. To end systemic racism, society also needs to establish equitable systems that meet people where they are and serve them based on their needs.

#5. Build solidarity

Systemic racism targets a few specific groups, but it ends up hurting everyone. Collective action is essential, which means building solidarity across ethnic and racial lines. Anti-racist organizations and activists understand the importance of solidarity, which is why they often campaign and develop action plans with other groups. To get involved in solidarity work, you can start by educating yourself on the unique ways systemic racism hurts various groups, what activists have done in the years past, and what work is being done now. As the civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer said, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

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Philanthropy is the practice of giving money, time, and other resources to causes like education, healthcare, the environment, and arts and culture.

The world is facing many challenges. Poverty, climate change, failing healthcare systems, and conflict are just a few examples. While progress can feel like a distant dream, individuals, communities, and organizations are working hard to address deeply-rooted issues. Philanthropy represents just one of the methods. It’s the practice of giving money, time, and other resources to improve society and work for the public good. While philanthropists are usually seen as very wealthy individuals, anyone who consistently donates resources to social causes is a philanthropist. In this article, we’ll provide five examples of philanthropy, describe the different types, and explore the benefits.

What does philanthropy look like?

Philanthropy and charity have many similarities and are often used interchangeably, but they are different. The National Philanthropic Trust, which is a public charity that provides philanthropic expertise, defines charity as short-term action. That could include donating books to a school library. Philanthropy, on the other hand, is a more strategic action focused on long-term impact. Funding a new library counts more as philanthropy than charity. Here are five other examples:

#1. Education philanthropy

Education is a favorite cause for many philanthropists. Countless schools, universities, and college departments exist because of philanthropic gifts, while charitable foundations often focus on improving education around the world. In 2022, MacKenzie Scott gave millions of dollars to schools with no conditions, meaning schools were free to use the money how they saw fit. One Cleveland district decided to create the Get More Opportunities Fund, which would fund projects like college visits, teacher proposals, and school facility upgrades. Scott is just one of many philanthropists who participate in education philanthropy. In the United States, philanthropic gifts to colleges and universities totaled almost $60 billion in 2022, according to a report. That number represents a 12.5% increase from 2021. Organizations give the most money, followed by alumni.

#2. Healthcare philanthropy

Healthcare or medical philanthropy focuses on donating money, time, and resources to support healthcare causes, like research, hospital wings, programs, new technology, and much more. Around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed countless fractures in healthcare systems. Philanthropists did their best to help by funding research, emergency grants, and more. According to one report, US institutional grantmakers and high-net-worth donors gave more than $20 billion toward Covid-19-related efforts in 2020. Early that same year, country singer Dolly Parton donated $1 million to research at Vanderbilt University. Seven months later, Moderan’s COVID-19 vaccine was released. Parton was thanked in the preliminary report.

#3. Environmental philanthropy

Environmental philanthropy focuses on sustainability, conservation, climate change mitigation, and other initiatives that protect the environment. As climate change worsens, philanthropic impact is hard to measure as governments and corporations fail to meet their climate targets. If the world cannot lower its emissions, there’s only so much philanthropists can do. Many have focused their efforts on policy advocacy and campaigning. The Greta Thunberg Foundation, which was founded in 2019, donates any money associated with awards or prizes that Greta receives. Donations have supported climate activists, the International Organisation for Migration, and UNICEF.

#4. Arts and culture philanthropy

Philanthropists have funded theaters, museums, art exhibits, concert halls, and creative arts programs for decades. These places are essential to preserving culture, empowering young people, and fostering creativity. According to Giving Compass, arts and culture philanthropy took off in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but one of the most famous philanthropists was supporting the arts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Andrew Carnegie, who made his wealth in oil, steel, and iron, gave away 90% of his fortune during the last 18 years of his life. He founded Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Hall, which is one of the most famous concert venues in the world.

#5. International development philanthropy

In the last few decades, philanthropy has played an outsized role in international development. According to The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, over 40 of the largest philanthropic foundations gave almost $10 billion to developing countries in 2020. That money can be used to prevent diseases, support economic growth, protect women’s rights, and more, but critics warn about the power dynamic at play. With money comes power and influence, and as philanthropists pour funds into developing countries, they advance their own agendas at the same time. One Business & Society article points out that philanthropic foundations often have a “conservative and regressive” outcome, and as resources become scarcer, the need for profit will direct philanthropy.

What are the different types of philanthropy?

Philanthropy doesn’t just look like one wealthy individual writing a check. Here are the four main types:

#1. Corporate philanthropy

Corporate philanthropy is philanthropy fed through a corporation. Using donations, initiatives, foundations, and other actions, corporations help advance the public good. It’s not completely altruistic, however, as corporations benefit from good publicity, tax breaks, and improved business value.

#2. Community philanthropy

Community philanthropy occurs when community members get together and combine resources in service of a cause. They usually collect resources to meet a local need, but communities may also send money or volunteers somewhere else to help with an issue that doesn’t directly affect them. As an example, the California Fire Foundation established a disaster relief fund to support firefighters and citizens in Maui, which experienced a devastating fire in early August of 2023.

#3. Religious philanthropy

Philanthropy motivated by religious beliefs is arguably the oldest form of philanthropy. For centuries, people of faith have distributed resources, established organizations, and encouraged others to work for the public good. Today, many philanthropic organizations have religious roots, though many have moved away from directly proselytizing.

#4. Social impact investing

Social impact investing is a newer form of philanthropy with a key distinction from traditional philanthropy. Rather than give money to a cause or organization with no expectations of a return, social impact investors invest in stocks and organizations they believe benefit the world. It’s not true philanthropy, but many people use social impact investing as a philanthropic strategy.

What are the benefits of philanthropy?

Philanthropy has become a major source of funding for nonprofits and government agencies in recent years, which can present certain issues. There are benefits, as well. Here are four of the main ones to know about:

#1. Philanthropy can be contagious

Considering how much change is needed in the world, many people wonder if their philanthropic actions make any difference. What can one person do? Research suggests empathy and generosity could be contagious. Humans have a region in their brains that activates during pain, but it can also activate when humans see someone else experience pain. Known as “mirror neurons,” this phenomenon could help explain how empathy works. Empathy is a crucial part of what motivates giving, and if people live in a society where generosity is the norm, people are more likely to connect to social issues and engage in philanthropic actions.

#2. Philanthropy can help fill in funding gaps

Most organizations (including government agencies) focused on social causes like education, sustainable development, and women’s rights don’t receive the funding needed to make significant changes. Constantly fighting for funds and never having enough is a waste of time and energy, but until there are systemic changes, organizations need money to stay afloat. Philanthropy can help fill in gaps and draw attention to the funding crises affecting just about every social issue in the world. It’s not a permanent solution, but without philanthropy, many organizations wouldn’t survive.

#3. Philanthropy can unite communities around a cause

When people think about philanthropy, they often picture one wealthy individual doling out funds to their favorite organizations, but one of the types of philanthropy – community philanthropy – is rooted in a grassroots, collaborative approach. Community members come together and collect resources either from the community itself or from external sources. There’s lots of discussion about where funds and other resources go, so instead of concentrating power in the hands of one person, philanthropy can distribute power and promote participation from every community member. When those most affected by decisions are in charge of the decision-making, philanthropy has significantly more impact.

#4. Philanthropy is good for philanthropists, too

Philanthropy should always benefit causes like education and healthcare first and foremost, but there are benefits for those who give, too. Research consistently shows how generosity and kindness trigger the production of chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, which help regulate your mood, give you pleasure, and make you feel connected to others. Health benefits include lower blood pressure, reduced stress, and even an extended lifespan. Philanthropists may also experience a renewed sense of meaning and purpose when they donate resources.

How do you become a philanthropist?

The term “philanthropist” has become closely associated with people rich enough to start foundations and fund entire libraries or hospital wings, but anyone can become a philanthropist. Here’s what you do:

#1. Identify the causes you care most about

Countless causes need your money and time, but it can get so overwhelming, it’s hard to know where to start. First, identify a few causes that matter the most to you. It could be something affecting you or your loved ones, or something outside your community you want to get more involved with.

#2. Check the credibility of an organization before you give your support

Once you know what causes you want to focus on, identify the organizations you think are doing the best job in those areas. You can check a nonprofit’s credibility on sites like Guidestar and Charity Navigator. Organizations also release annual reports that let you see how they’re distributing their money, what percentage goes directly to programs, and so on. Smaller, local organizations may not have structures that are quite this formal, but you can ask around to see what their reputation is like.

#3. Give strategically

Strategy is one of the biggest differences between charity and philanthropy. Once you’ve identified causes and organizations you want to support, consider setting up recurring donations or a volunteering routine. Thinking strategically helps you make the most impact. If you want to formalize your giving even more, talk to a financial advisor. They can help with strategy, too. A strategic mindset also helps you hold yourself and any organizations you support accountable. If you’re just giving your money away or showing up to volunteer shifts without much thought, you might miss opportunities for improvement, as well as problems that threaten the effectiveness of an organization.

#4. Form a group

Do you know other people interested in philanthropy? Consider forming a group of like-minded individuals. It can be something informal, like a group of friends that meets once a month to discuss what organization to donate to or volunteer with, or a more official nonprofit or foundation. What works best depends on everyone’s skills, finances, schedule, motivations, and experiences. If you decide to establish something formal, be sure to consult with a financial or business advisor if you have any questions or concerns.

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Trans rights refer to human rights and protections for transgender individuals and the trans community at large. As part of the LGBTQ+ community, trans people have fought for their rights for years, but in recent times, there have been more direct threats against trans and gender nonconforming people. In this article, we’ll define important terms, provide examples of trans rights, and explain the significance of trans rights in our world today.

The transgender rights movement calls for full legal protections for trans people and an end to discrimination and violence. Examples of trans rights include identification documents, access to public bathrooms, inclusion in education, healthcare access, and the right to life and safety.

What does “transgender” mean?

To understand trans rights, we must first understand what it means to be trans. Here are the most important terms to know:

• Sex: Sex refers to a person’s physical and biological characteristics. The most common are male and female, but there are variations. People born with a combination of male and female biological traits are intersex.
• Gender identity: Gender identity is a person’s internal knowledge of their gender. Everyone has a gender identity.
• Cisgender: Cisgender people are people whose gender identity aligns with the gender/sex they were assigned at birth.
• Transgender: Transgender people identify with a gender identity that’s different from what they were assigned at birth.
• Gender expression: Gender expression is how a person chooses to present their gender. This includes behavior, clothes, voice, hairstyle, and more.

The term “transgender” was coined in the 1970s, but trans people have always existed. Concepts of gender haven’t always been so binary, either. In Ancient Greece, there were three genders, while around 150 pre-colonial Native American tribes recognized third genders, too. Science also recognizes the diversity of both sex and gender. Why does this matter? When discussing trans rights, it’s important to understand that gender diversity and being trans are not new concepts.

What are five examples of trans rights?

Trans rights are human rights. Here are five rights that are vital to the trans rights movement:

Identification documents

When trans people want to change the gender on their identification documents (like their passports and driver’s licenses), the process can be very complicated. According to the Transgender Law Center, the different agencies that issue documents and keep records are separate. No single government agency coordinates everything, and depending on where you live, the process can be very different. It can also be very expensive, which excludes anyone without enough funds from obtaining basic documents that confirm their gender identity.

The biggest barrier, however, is requiring proof of surgery. For decades, most agencies required people to prove they had gender-affirming surgery. Activists and experts have criticized this policy for years, saying it creates an unfair burden for most trans people. They’ve also criticized requirements that demand a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Many places are removing medical barriers and making it easier for trans people to change their legal gender. In 2022, Scotland’s parliament approved reforms that removed the need for a medical diagnosis.

Public bathroom access

Public bathrooms have been a battleground for trans rights for years, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2016, North Carolina approved a bill requiring trans people to use the bathroom of their birth sex (the law was soon repealed), but in the last few years, the battle has escalated. Multiple states in the US have now enacted versions of bathroom bills, claiming that if trans people are allowed to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity, it puts others at risk for assault. In 2018, a UCLA study found no evidence of this. In fact, trans and gender nonconforming people are the ones who face threats and violence.

Why are public bathrooms such a big deal in the fight for trans rights? Having a safe place to use the restroom is a basic right, but it also symbolizes a larger fight for access to all public spaces. If trans people are not safe in bathrooms, it sends a clear message that they do not belong and are not welcome as they are. Bathroom bills are based on fear-mongering, not facts, and fighting for the right to public spaces and safety is always important.

Inclusion in education

Schools should be a safe, welcoming place for everyone, including teachers and students. As a statement on OHCHR reads, the bullying, harassment, and exclusion of LGBTQ+ people in educational institutions is a worldwide problem. Things like discriminatory education policies, regulations, and curricula are forms of violence, as well. Trans students face specific discrimination through things like gendered uniforms, bathroom policies, and misgendering.

In places like the United States, inclusion in education is under attack. In the 2021-2022 legislative session, at least 30 bills targeted LGBTQ+ students by limiting gender pronouns, restricting curriculum, and banning books. The situation is especially dire in Florida. In one district, trans employees can no longer use bathrooms that align with their gender identity or even share their preferred pronouns. This type of discrimination creates a hostile environment for students and staff, increases safety risks, and does all students a huge disservice.

Healthcare access

Healthcare is a human right, but trans people face increased barriers and risks when trying to obtain both gender-affirming care and the medical care everyone needs. According to Yale Medicine, many healthcare providers don’t even know what being trans means. Despite being medical professionals in charge of a patient’s well-being, doctors, nurses, and other providers often misgender trans patients, dismiss valid concerns, spread misinformation, or outright refuse to treat trans people. The healthcare environment can also be especially awkward or frightening for trans patients as they try to get care associated with their sex, and not their gender identity. As an example, trans men may still need to get gynecological care.

Because healthcare can be so difficult to get, trans people face higher risks for issues like high blood pressure, stroke, and so on. According to the Mayo Clinic, discrimination and stress also increase a person’s risk for mental health problems, physical and sexual violence, and emotional and psychological abuse. Trans rights activists advocate for a more informed medical community, easier access to gender-affirming care, and better research into health issues affecting trans people.

The right to life and safety

The right to life and safety is one of the most basic human rights, but it’s often threatened if you’re a trans person. Every year, the media reports on murders, assaults, and other forms of violence against trans people, often simply because they are trans. There are no doubt many other stories that are never reported on. These threats to life and safety can keep people from coming out as trans and expressing themselves, which leads to increased risks for depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles.

According to an Everytown for Gun Safety report, the number of murders of trans people (in the US) almost doubled between 2017 and 2021. Most were killed by firearms, while Black transgender women were killed at a disproportionate rate. The numbers aren’t much better globally. According to Human Rights Watch, at least nine countries have laws that criminalize forms of gender expression and target trans and gender nonconforming people. In places like this, trans people are fighting just for the right to exist.

Why are trans rights significant?

Trans rights matter because human rights matter. Trans people are owed every right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, such as the right to life, the right to free expression, the right to healthcare, the right to education, and beyond. Trans rights are also essential because trans people represent such a small percentage of the global population. As a minoritized group, they’ve always faced increased threats to all their rights, but attacks have been escalating in recent years. The reasons why are complex, but sky-high levels of misinformation and bigotry are muddying the waters and painting the trans rights movements as a threat to safety and society. In the face of such ferocious attacks, support of trans people and trans rights is more important now than ever. One way to support trans people is to educate yourself about LGBTQ+ rights.

Because trans people represent such a small percentage of the population, some wonder whether it’s more important to focus on the rights of other groups first. While abandoning a minoritized group is never moral, it also doesn’t make sense. Whenever the rights of one group are threatened, the rights of all groups are threatened. As an example, fear-mongering about trans people in bathrooms has led to reports of discrimination against anyone who doesn’t “look” cisgender. Another reason is the intersectional nature of trans rights. The trans rights movement is also a movement for racial equality, gender equality, labor rights, children’s rights, and more, so supporting trans rights supports a host of other rights. Lastly, the small size of a group is actually a good reason to stand up for their rights. Small groups tend to be targeted more because their oppressors believe no one will care. People who care about justice and human rights can prove the oppressors wrong.

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Freedom of the press is the principle that communication and expression through media is a fundamental right. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” In this article, we’ll define freedom of the press, provide five key examples, and explain why a free press is so important.

Freedom of the press, which gives media like newspapers and TV news the right to communicate and express opinions, is essential to democracy and the protection of human rights.

What is freedom of the press?

Freedom of the press gives individuals and organizations the right to express, publish, and share information, ideas, and opinions without fear of censorship or government interference. It does not cover things like defamation, hate speech, and incitement to violence. In countries where freedom of the press is not protected, journalists, bloggers, political commentators, and others are frequently threatened. According to UNESCO, over 1,200 media professionals were killed between 2006 and 2020. In 90% of the cases, their murderers weren’t punished.

While the UDHR established freedom of the press in 1948, the concept is much older. In 1766, Sweden passed what’s considered the world’s first law protecting freedom of the press. It ended the government censorship of printed information. It also established that citizens of a state should be free to express and spread information without retaliation. 25 years later, the U.S. Constitution put free speech and a free press in the First Amendment.

What does freedom of the press look like?

Freedom of the press gives journalists, publishers, and other media the ability to uncover the truth, hold the powerful accountable, and share information that educates the public. Here are five examples of a free press in action:

Investigative reporting

Freedom of the press is vital to investigative reporting. While all reporting could technically be considered “investigative,” investigative journalists tend to report on especially serious issues, such as political corruption, crimes, major corporate scandals, human rights abuses, and so on. Investigative journalists collect massive amounts of in-depth research and communicate with people who often need to stay anonymous. In places where freedom of the press isn’t protected, investigative journalists face censorship and significant threats to their safety.

In 2021, reporter Timo Kollburner traveled to China to investigate the fast-fashion giant Shein. This company is known for cheap clothing and its mastery of social media, but for a while, no one was sure what was going on at their factories. Reporting for Public Eye, Kollbruner learned that thousands of Chinese workers work up to 12 hours a day with just one day off per month. Employees and undercover agents also reported that factories don’t use contracts, contribute to social security, or follow basic safety rules. Investigative reporting like this is essential to uncovering what the powerful want to keep hidden.

Whistleblower protections

Whistleblowers are individuals who share information about a private or public organization’s illegal, unsafe, or unethical actions. They’re usually employees of that organization. Because whistleblowers are at risk of retaliation from their organization, many countries have established protections. In 2019, the European Parliament approved new whistleblower rules protecting those who disclose information on illegal or harmful activities. They’re allowed to disclose information internally or externally, but if no appropriate action is taken, the whistleblower is still protected if they disclose information publicly. Public disclosure usually means going to a journalist. Freedom of the press gives journalists and publications the right to protect a whistleblower’s identity.

In 2004, a TV reporter from Providence, Rhode Island aired footage of a city official accepting a bribe from an undercover FBI informant. Because the tape he used had been sealed evidence, Jim Taricani was subpoenaed. He refused to reveal his source. Freedom of the press protected his right to keep it secret, he said, and his source had only given him the tape with the assurance of confidentiality. Taricani ended up serving six months of home confinement. The Reporters Committee, which is a nonprofit that provides pro bono legal services to journalists, released a statement supporting Taricani.

Political criticism

For the media, political criticism consists of reporting, analyzing, and commenting on any form of politics, such as politicians, legislation, and world events. Criticism occurs in newspapers, TV news, opinion pieces, political cartoons, talk shows, and more. Freedom of the press gives journalists, publishers, and TV networks the freedom to criticize any politician or legislation, regardless of how the target feels about it. In places without freedom of the press, political criticism is often illegal, so anyone (journalist or not) who engages in it is at risk of imprisonment or even death.

North Korea has some of the harshest punishments for political criticism. There are no independent media outlets, so all the state-run media companies show only political propaganda and praise for Kim Jong Un. All radio and TV sets bought in Korea can only receive government frequencies, and it’s illegal to tamper with the technology. Anyone who criticizes the government risks being sent to a prison camp where there’s forced labor, torture, and starvation.

Fair use

Fair use is a legal doctrine that grants limited use of copyrighted material. If something falls under the “fair use” umbrella, it’s not necessary to get permission from the copyright owner. It’s mostly used within the United States, but other countries have similar doctrines. What’s considered fair use? It depends on what the material will be used for. If it’s for criticism, comment, teaching, research, parody, and news reporting, you most likely don’t need to obtain permission. It also depends on what the copywritten material is, how much of the material is being used, and whether using the material significantly impacts the potential market for the work or not. Fair use matters to a free press because it gives journalists and other media outlets some freedom to use copyrighted material.

In 2011, Bloomberg secretly got a recording of a finance conference call from Swatch Group, the world’s largest watchmaker. The publication released the transcripts. Swatch sued for copyright infringement, but the court ruled that the use of the materials fell under fair use. The judge expressed some criticism of how Bloomberg handled the recording, but its use served an “important public purpose.”

Editorial independence

Editorial independence gives editors the freedom to make decisions without interference from the publication’s owners. Why is this so important? If a big story about the publication’s owners or an advertising client emerges, editorial independence lets the journalists cover it without retaliation. Editorial independence is important to freedom of the press. Without it, journalists and editors are bound to the whims of their publishers, advertisers, or the state. A study from 2021 found almost 80% of the world’s state-run media companies don’t have editorial independence.

RT (Russia Today) is a good example of a publication that is not editorially independent. The Russian government funds it, and its history of propaganda has been called out by academics, fact-checkers, and journalists. An analysis by Oliver Darcy, for which he watched RT for one day, found Russia portrayed as a “liberator” in the war in Ukraine. RT also failed to show the devastation caused by Russian forces in Ukraine.Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Why is freedom of the press significant?

Freedom of the press is one of the foundations for a strong democracy. Without a free press, it’s much harder for the public to receive information free from government interference, corruption, and propaganda. It’s also much harder for individuals and organizations to develop ideas about the world, learn from perspectives different from their own, understand how to protect human rights, and expose corruption. There’s a reason why authoritarian countries like Germany under Hitler, Cuba under Castro, North Korea, China, and Russia target the media so strictly. When governments and corporations control the press, they control the flow of information. They can shape reality into a form that favors them and punishes dissent. Information is power.

In 2023, freedom of the press is threatened all over the world. According to the World Press Freedom Index, the situation is “very serious” in 31 countries, “difficult” in 42, and “problematic” in 55. The environment for journalism is “satisfactory” in just 3 out of every 10 countries. The fake content industry is a big reason why. In the Index’s questionnaire, most respondents reported an increased spread of disinformation and propaganda campaigns. Disinformation blurs the lines between what’s real and what’s fake. Disinformation has always existed, but technologies like artificial intelligence, which can create very convincing photos, are making things even harder for fact-checkers, journalists, and the general public. Actions like better funding for local and independent news, stronger regulations for social media platforms, better legal protections for journalists, and increased support for organizations that help journalists are necessary for freedom of the press.

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There are countless issues plaguing the world today, such as poverty, racial injustice, gender inequality, and more. How do we change things? Anytime an individual or group engages in efforts to change the social, political, economic, environmental, or cultural status quo, they’re engaging in activism. Activists have worked for centuries to achieve major victories such as the end of slavery, women’s right to vote, marriage equality, and more. In this article, we’ll explore different types of activism, four examples from history, and learning opportunities.

Activism refers to efforts and actions taken to address social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural issues. There are many forms of activism, such as marches, writing, community organizing, protest art, fundraising, strikes, and digital activism.

What are the types of activism?

Changing the status quo is never easy. To improve the odds of success and engage as many people as possible, activists use many methods, including but not limited to the following seven:

#1. Marches

Marches are one of the most visible and common forms of activism. With this type of activism, individuals or groups organize a large demonstration along a set route, such as a walk from a city park to a capitol building. People gather at a specific time, listen to speeches, and then walk to their destination. Because marches are so visible, they’re an effective way to raise awareness, encourage people to learn more, and get media attention. Marchers typically carry signs or other props to voice their support for a cause and specific changes. The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which took place in 1963, involved around 250,000 people and included Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech.

#2. Writing

Some of history’s most famous activists were also writers who used their skills to educate society, develop ideas, and advocate for change. Their words spread throughout their home countries and the world. In many cases, their writing continues to be relevant long after their deaths. Frederick Douglass wrote Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass in 1845. It was an instant bestseller and a foundational text for the abolitionist movement. Douglass’ autobiography and his other texts continue to be studied today.

#3. Mutual aid organizing

Mutual aid is based on the belief that the government and systems that should care for people aren’t enough. Instead of relying on inadequate actors, people freely share resources. Mutual aid networks stand on principles like cooperation, participation, direct action, solidarity, and more. It may sound like charity, but mutual aid consists of voluntary exchanges as opposed to one-way relationships. Mutual aid often becomes more essential during times of crisis (like the COVID-19 pandemic), but as a piece in The Cut describes it, mutual aid is a “more permanent alliance between people united against a common struggle.” Community gardens, disaster supply sharing, and free community clinics are just a few examples of mutual aid organizing.

#4. Protest art

Through visual art, music, literature, live performances, and much more, artists have challenged the status quo, dissented with injustice, and called for change for centuries. Why is art so powerful? It can trigger strong emotions in people who engage with it, and emotions have a unifying effect. As an example, songs like “We Shall Overcome” and “We Shall Not Be Moved” were sung during the Civil Rights Era and have endured as staples for activist movements, including those not in the United States. Paintings, photography, music, and more often cross barriers like language and culture, which makes protest art one of the most universal forms of activism.

#5. Fundraising

Fundraising raises money for nonprofits, activists, and social movements around the world. It’s one of the most common ways for wealthy people to get involved in activism, but anyone can participate even if they can’t donate money themselves. How? Fundraising requires skills like excellent communication, creativity, patience, commitment, and resilience. People can help organizations raise funds by spreading the word online, talking to local businesses and entrepreneurs, organizing events, and so on.

#6. Strikes

When employees ask for better pay, safer work environments, or other changes to their employment, the employer may refuse. If an agreement cannot be reached, employees can strike, which means they stop coming to work. Labor strikes have been happening for centuries. In the United States, both the Writer’s Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA went on strike in the summer of 2023 over concerns such as the use of artificial intelligence and streaming service residuals. It’s the first time actors and writers have walked out together since 1960. Those who aren’t directly striking can show support by donating to mutual aid funds, not crossing the picket line, and listening to what strikers want from the general public.

#7. Digital activism

Digital activism is a newer form of activism born from the age of computers and the internet. As soon as the internet was created, activists saw the potential for widespread networking and mobilization. Email, blogs, and social media have all served as valuable tools for activists, especially when more public forms of activism are life-threatening. Digital activism can raise awareness of issues, mobilize supporters from around the world, provide ways to donate funds, and more. It has received some criticism for not being as effective as other forms of activism, but for many people, it’s the only somewhat safe method. When deployed properly, it’s also an essential support for offline organizing.

What are four examples of activism in the real world?

Social movements rely on many types of activism, but what are some of the most famous examples? Here are four:

#1. South Africa and the Anti-Apartheid Movement

In 1652, the Dutch East India Company founded Cape Town in South Africa. The white descendants of these traders made up just 20% of the population, but they gained complete control of the country. In 1948, the all-white government established a segregated system that favored white people and oppressed non-white South Africans. For decades, people resisted segregation through non-violent forms of activism like marches, flag burning, memorials, boycotts, and strikes. Activists also created community-based institutions like clinics, legal resource centers, and other vital resources not provided by the racist government. There was also violent resistance. By the 1980s, the South African government was feeling pressure at home and from the international community. With support for apartheid evaporated, leaders were forced to negotiate an end to the system. A new democratic government was established in 1994.

#2. India and the Salt March

The British set up trading in India in the early 17th century, and after an uprising in 1857, the empire took complete control of the country. Mondahas Gandhi spent two decades in South Africa developing nonviolent activist strategies, which he brought back to India. One of his biggest campaigns, known as the Salt March, centered on the taxation of salt. Salt was essential to survival, and the British control of it represented a major issue for Indians. For 24 days in 1930, Gandhi traveled 240 miles holding meetings and making salt, which broke the law. While the Salt March didn’t lead to any direct changes, it’s credited as the spark for the Indian independence movement, which ultimately led to India gaining independence in 1942. This campaign is an excellent example of the inspiring power of civil disobedience and the power of symbols.

#3. Argentina and the Green Wave

In 1921, Argentina passed a law regulating abortion rights. With exceptions only for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother, abortion was illegal and would lead to imprisonment. Doctors, surgeons, midwives, pharmacists, and pregnant people could be punished. For decades, activists mobilized support and held demonstrations advocating for the right to an abortion. Since 2003, activists have worn green bandanas, which has led to the color’s widespread adoption by abortion activists across Latin America. Known as “The Green Wave,” this movement contributed to the 2020 legalization of abortion in Argentina. On January 14, the president signed a law that permitted abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Green has since become a symbol for abortion rights in other countries like Columbia and the United States.

#4. Asia and the #MilkTea Alliance

The #MilkTea Alliance is a good example of what digital activism can look like. In 2020, social media users from Thailand began responding to Chinese nationalist commentators on social media platforms like Facebook. Soon, a Twitter war broke out between China and Thailand. Taiwan and Hong Kong users soon joined Thailand to criticize authoritarianism and the attacks on pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The #MilkTea Alliance, which gets its name from a meme, soon gained a presence in Myanmar, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, and other places. Milk tea is a popular drink in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand, while tea with milk is common in the other mentioned countries. The group has no centralized leadership, and its future is unclear as places like China and Myanmar attack free expression on the internet. However, we likely haven’t heard the last of this loosely organized, but committed group.

Where can you find learning opportunities about activism?

There are many ways to learn more about activism and how to get involved. Classes, books, and local events are three good examples:

Classes

Thanks to the internet, it’s easier than ever to find classes dedicated to the history of activism, social causes, activist strategies, and much more. Longtime activists often teach or contribute to these classes, so you can hear stories and advice from people with real-world experience.

Books

Books are another valuable resource. You can find countless texts on activist strategies, success stories, biographies, the history of activism, and so on. Your local library is a great resource, while you can also find books on retail websites like Bookshop.org. Simply type “activism” into the search bar to get started.

Local events

Classes and books are a great way to learn about activism, but if you’re interested in more direct participation, local events are a good pathway. Search for nonprofits in your area and see if they have volunteer opportunities available. Nonprofits frequently host fundraisers, workshops, speeches, and other events for the public. Mutual aid organizations, religious centers, and other grassroots groups are also good places to learn about activism.

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Human trafficking is the trading of human beings for sexual slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced labor. It affects millions of women, men, children, migrants, LGBTQ+ people, and others. In this article, we’ll provide the most important facts about human trafficking, define the many forms of human trafficking, and discuss the best ways to help. As the drivers of human trafficking – like poverty, armed conflict, and gender inequality – persist, so must the efforts to stop trafficking.

Human trafficking occurs when people are traded for sexual slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, and forced labor. Examples include familial child trafficking, organ trafficking, forced criminality, and “Romeo” sex trafficking. Communities can combat this global issue by tackling its causes.

What should everyone know about human trafficking?

The epidemic of human trafficking has gotten more attention in recent years, but this attention has coincided with another epidemic: misinformation. Inaccurate or misleading information makes it much harder for governments, nonprofits, and individuals to combat human trafficking in their communities and abroad. Here are five facts everyone should know:

#1. Human trafficking takes many forms

While popular media tends to focus on one type of sex trafficking, the reality is more complex and diverse. According to the International Labour Organization, almost 50 million people lived in modern slavery in 2021. 27.6 million were in forced labor while 22 million were in forced marriages. Commercial sexual exploitation is a form of modern slavery, but there are also millions forced to work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, mining, and more. Trafficking victims may receive wages, but if the wages are low and working conditions are abusive, it’s still considered trafficking. It’s also still trafficking even if people initially consented to work or sex acts.

#2. Human trafficking happens everywhere, but it’s concentrated in certain places

Human trafficking is a global issue, but it’s more prevalent in certain parts of the world. According to the International Labour Organization, Africa; Asia and the Pacific Region; and Europe and Central Asia have the highest ratios of human trafficking. This picture may not be accurate, however, as the Americas and Arab States don’t collect as much data. A lack of data is a persistent barrier for those combating human trafficking. Without clear information, it’s challenging to assess the problem’s scale.

#3. COVID-19 impacted trafficking

According to the UNODC’s 2022 report on trafficking, which covers 141 countries, the COVID-19 pandemic had “far-reaching implications” for trafficking and the efforts to fight it. For the first time since the UNODC started collecting data, the number of detected victims decreased by 11% compared to 2019. However, this likely means detection efforts suffered due to COVID. There weren’t necessarily fewer victims. As an example, the report suggests that the closure of public spaces likely drove sexual exploitation from more easily detected spaces to “less visible and less safe” areas. The pandemic also had a huge impact on economies and gender equality around the world. Poverty and gender inequality both fuel trafficking.

#4. Many factors drive human trafficking

While trafficking can affect anyone, certain factors impact a person’s risk. Poverty is one of the most important. When people are desperate, they may sell themselves or even their children to survive. They’re also more likely to accept work that quickly becomes slavery. If there aren’t any legitimate employment opportunities, rates of exploitative work increase. Similar issues emerge during armed conflict, which destabilizes the economy and forces people to flee their homes. Migrants and refugees are among the most targeted groups for traffickers. While these factors affect everyone’s risk, women and girls are subjected to more violent forms of trafficking.

#5. Human trafficking has financial implications

While precise numbers are impossible to track, the human trafficking industry could be worth $150 billion a year. Governments, corporations, and individuals around the world benefit from these profits. According to research, countless products including cotton, bricks, cocoa, bananas, and smartphones can be linked to forced labor, including child labor. In 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute identified 83 foreign and Chinese companies directly or indirectly benefiting from the use of Uyghur workers. Since 2014, the Chinese government has been accused of subjecting Uyghurs, who are an ethnic minority, to persistent human rights abuses such as forced sterilization and forced labor. The use of trafficking to create everyday products makes this an issue everyone should care about.

Learn more human trafficking facts.

What are examples of human trafficking?

Understanding what trafficking looks like is essential to prevention and solution strategies. Experts have identified several forms of trafficking around the world. Here are five of the most common:

#1. Forced labor

According to the International Labour Organization, 27.6 million people are in forced labor. Most are in the private sector, while 6.3 million are in forced commercial sexual exploitation and 3.9 million are in forced labor imposed by the state. Agriculture, domestic work, construction, manufacturing and entertainment are hot spots for forced labor. Psychological abuse, physical violence, and debt bondage keep people from running. Debt bondage is a form of trafficking that burdens people with debts they can’t pay off. Forced labor can affect anyone, but it’s more common for people experiencing poverty, children, people without a good education, and people who can’t find regular work. Migrant workers are also vulnerable and can become trapped in countries where they don’t speak the language or know what their rights are.

#2. Familial child trafficking

Trafficking affects over 1 million children every year. 66% are girls, while 58% of all kids are trafficked for sexual exploitation. According to the International Organization for Migration, family members are involved in almost half of all child trafficking cases. Kids from poor areas are most at risk as their parents may feel they have no choice but to force their children to work. Child marriage is another type of familial child trafficking that, according to UNICEF, affects around 1 in 5 girls around the world. While it’s less common, millions of young boys are married off, too.

#3. Organ trafficking

Thanks to advances in science, it’s possible to transplant organs from one human to another. However, the need has always surpassed supply, which creates a market for illegal organ trafficking. According to research, the illegal trade generates around $1.5 billion every year from 12,000 illegal transplants. Unemployed people, people experiencing homelessness, and migrants are especially vulnerable as they may sell their organs to survive. In other cases, traffickers mislead victims about what’s happening. In Nepal, one district is known as “Kidney Valley” because of how many men have been abducted for their organs or driven by poverty to voluntarily sell. Organ removal surgery is risky, so many people end up unable to work or more vulnerable to severe illness.

#4. Forced criminal activity

When traffickers gain control of a person, they often force them to commit crimes. This takes work off the trafficker’s plate and shields them from liability. They weren’t the ones to commit the crime, after all, it was their victim. Instead of offering help, the justice system often punishes survivors without recognizing the abuse and exploitation that led to a crime. In 2013, a report from Anti-Slavery International found that trafficked young people, many from Vietnam, were being forced to work in cannabis factories. When they were discovered, the victims were prosecuted and deported despite their exploitation. In the UK, other common crimes included pickpocketing, ATM theft, metal theft, and forced begging.

#5. The “Romeo” or “lover boy” sex trafficking method

While the media often portrays sex traffickers as dangerous strangers, most sex trafficking victims know their abusers. In fact, many believe they are in a romantic relationship. Known as the “Romeo” or “lover boy” method, this type of exploitation involves a trafficker grooming and manipulating a victim into an intimate relationship. The relationship may seem normal at first, but soon, the trafficker manipulates their victim into sex exploitation. Threats of blackmail and violence are also used to keep victims trapped. According to the Government of the Netherlands, the internet and social media have given traffickers easier access to victims, especially young ones.

How do we stop human trafficking?

Human trafficking is not a new problem, but it’s a persistent one. Because it’s happening all over the world, it can be hard to find hope. Luckily, the solutions to human trafficking are fairly simple, although not easy. Here’s what needs to be done:

End poverty

Poverty is one of the main causes of trafficking. It makes people more vulnerable to trafficking and creates the conditions that drive people to become traffickers. According to the World Bank, almost 8% of the global population lives on less than $2.15 a day while a staggering 47% live on less than $6.85 a day. These meager wages make it harder to access essential services like education and healthcare. If governments substantially address poverty, rates of trafficking would plummet. Individuals can do their part by advocating for better wages, investing in quality public education, and learning what their community needs.

Address climate change

Like poverty, climate change has a compounding effect on every aspect of life. It endangers people’s health, safety, access to education, and much more. As climate change worsens, people are forced to leave their homes. Traffickers target refugees and migrants, especially women and children. Desperation makes these groups easier to exploit and manipulate, while other factors like language barriers, a lack of education about a different country’s laws, and discrimination make it hard to seek help. To fight human trafficking, individuals can draw attention to the climate crisis, advocate for better protections for climate refugees, and demand accountability from the corporations most responsible for C02 emissions.

Achieve gender equality

According to the World Bank, 2.4 billion women of working age are not getting equal economic opportunities compared to men. This doesn’t just affect individual women; it impacts entire families across multiple generations. Gender inequality affects economics, as well. The International Monetary Fund found that if countries with the greatest gender inequality closed the labor force participation gap, they could increase economic output by an average of 35%. Individuals can help their communities achieve gender equality by supporting women’s leadership, empowering girls through education, valuing traditionally “feminine” work, and fighting against gender bias.

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Civil rights protect individuals from discrimination and oppression by governments, social institutions, and individuals. They’re essential to a free, equal, and democratic society. In this article, we’ll explore the definition of “civil rights” and provide six critical examples of these types of rights. We’ll also explain why civil rights matter so much.

Civil rights protect an individual’s right to equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law. The right to equal employment, a fair trial, public education, public facility access, marriage equality, and freedom of religion are examples of civil rights.

What’s the definition of a civil right?

A civil right is a right that ensures equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law. If someone faces discrimination based on their race, age, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics, their civil rights have been violated. Governments are responsible for protecting people from discrimination, which means enforcing laws and holding individuals and institutions accountable for civil rights violations.

Where did civil rights come from? They’re like human rights and natural rights, but what’s considered a civil right varies significantly by time and place. The phrase itself – “civil rights” – comes from the Latin jus civis, which means “right of the citizen.” While every person had some rights in ancient times, “civil rights” were meant for citizens.

Today, civil rights are more widely granted to all people, but there are some areas of debate. Consider the right to vote in the United States. Some places let non-citizens vote in local elections, but only citizens can vote in federal elections. Many areas in the US also strip voting rights from people convicted of felonies. According to The Sentencing Project, around 4.6 million Americans can’t vote because of a felony conviction. Activists and experts consider this disenfranchisement a civil rights violation.

Is there a difference between a civil right and a civil liberty?

If you look up civil rights, you’ll find mentions of “civil liberties” at the same time. Are they different? Civil liberties limit what the government can do to people. As an example, freedom of speech prevents the government from censoring, retaliating, or legally sanctioning people for their opinions and ideas. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights deals with freedom of speech by stating: “Everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference.” Other civil liberties include the right to privacy and freedom of the press.

Civil rights are rights that protect people and communities from discrimination. It protects a wide variety of personal characteristics like age, sexual orientation, gender identity, social class, religion, race, and so on. The line between civil rights and civil liberties often blurs because civil liberties can also be civil rights. Freedom of religion and freedom to marry are two examples. Because there’s significant overlap, civil liberties and civil rights are often discussed interchangeably. Both are essential to a functioning democracy.

What are examples of civil rights?

Civil rights protect people from discrimination by ensuring equal protection under the law and equal social opportunities. Here are six examples:

Right to equal employment

“Equal employment” forbids discrimination based on characteristics like a person’s race, religion, age, and gender. The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 (The United States) is a clear example of how a government can protect this civil right. The EEOA amended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to address employment discrimination against Black Americans and other minoritized groups. The Act of 1972 also gave the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission the ability to enforce the law against individuals, employers, and labor unions that violated the original act’s employment provisions.

Right to a fair trial

The right to a fair trial appears in many international and national human rights instruments, such as Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights, and the Sixth Amendment to the US Constitution. While there is no single international definition of what a “fair trial” constitutes, it involves civil rights such as the right to a public hearing, the right to counsel, and the right to be heard in a reasonable time. After the September 11 terror attacks in 2001, the United States opened a detention camp on Guantanamo Bay for individuals with suspected ties to Islamic terrorist groups. The camp is the site of severe civil rights violations. In addition to torturing the detainees, the United States has never given any of them a fair trial. Many of them have never been charged with a crime.

Right to public education

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to education, which should be free at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education should also be compulsory, while higher education should be equally accessible based on merit. In South Africa, the 1953 Bantu Education Act violated this right. As part of the country’s apartheid system, it segregated education by race and trained Black students for the types of manual jobs the government declared “acceptable” for Black South Africans. The curriculum also reinforced the belief that Black South Africans were inferior to white South Africans. The Act also ensured that Black schools were severely underfunded compared to their white counterparts, which violates the civil right to equal opportunities.

Right to use public facilities

Everyone has the right to use public facilities such as public bathrooms, libraries, hospitals, public transport, sanitation facilities, and more. Because these services are meant to serve everyone in an area, discrimination against someone based on their gender, age, race, and so on represents a violation of their civil rights. In the US and the UK, many bathroom laws seek to exclude trans people from the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. While they may technically have access to another public facility, being forced to use a bathroom that doesn’t align with their gender is still a form of discrimination. The arguments used to justify that discrimination – which include fear-mongering about trans people perpetuating violence – echo the sentiments that propped up the racial segregation of public bathrooms.

Marriage equality

Article 16 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone of “full age” has the right to marry and have a family without any limitation due to race, nationality, or religion. In places like the United States, marriage has long been considered a civil right. Interracial was once banned, but in 1967, the Supreme Court ruled that prohibiting interracial marriages was unconstitutional. Marriage equality has since expanded to same-sex marriage, which was legalized in the US in 2015. According to the Human Rights Campaign, same-sex marriage is now legal in 34 countries.

Freedom of religion

Freedom of religion is an individual’s (and community’s) right to practice their religion or belief in public or private. It also protects the right to not practice a religion or belief, so people who do not follow a certain religion cannot be persecuted. In 2010, France banned the wearing of face-covering headgear, which included burqas and niqabs. Opponents of the law argued that it threatened individual religious freedoms and discriminated against interpretations of Islam that encouraged or required women to wear face coverings. In 2018, the UN Human Rights Committee found the ban disproportionately harmed the right of two female plaintiffs to “manifest their religious beliefs.” In 2022, French lawmakers voted to ban women and girls from wearing hijab while playing sports.

Why do civil rights matter?

Civil rights weren’t always considered important, but they’re now an essential part of a free society. Various social movements fight for the rights of specific groups, but civil rights matter to everyone. Here are three of the most important reasons why:

#1. They protect individual liberties

Civil rights protect all individuals – but especially those belonging to minoritized groups – from discrimination. Throughout history, we see the effects of discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, and more. Both the United States and South Africa had systems based on racial segregation, which led to horrific human rights violations whose consequences reverberate today. Civil rights, like the right to public education, the right to equal employment, and the right to public services, safeguard everyone’s right to a good life.

#2. They guard societies from tyranny

By forbidding discrimination based on personal characteristics, civil rights prevent societies from descending into tyranny. How? Civil rights establish basic freedoms for individuals and limitations on the powerful. They’re a vital check on government power, but civil rights also prevent discrimination in corporations and other private institutions. As an example, The Fair Housing Act in the United States makes discrimination illegal in most types of housing, including public and private housing. When civil rights aren’t being protected, social movements like the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa rise up.

#3. They protect democracy

Civil rights help ensure equal social opportunities and protection under the law, which are both essential to a functioning democracy. The right to vote is just one specific example, but all civil rights foster democratic principles like equality, inclusion, participation, and access. If a society doesn’t protect the civil rights of its population, democracy is threatened. Individuals can take action by advocating for better enforcement of civil rights and expansions of civil rights. There are also organizations around the world working to protect civil rights and democracy.

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Around the world, children as young as 5 years old are working in mines, fields, and factories. They’re exposed to brutal working conditions like long hours, toxic materials, sexual exploitation, pollution, and dangerous equipment. While child labor has decreased over the decades, there are still millions of kids facing exploitation. In this article, we’ll define child labor, provide eight examples of the most common forms, and explain where you can find more learning opportunities about child labor.

Child labor disrupts a child’s education, damages their health, and exposes them to violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation. The most common types include debt bondage, sex trafficking, armed conflict, forced criminal activities, agriculture, mining, factory work, and domestic work.

What’s the meaning of child labor?

The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines “child labor” as work that takes a young person’s childhood away from them. The work is “mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful” to kids and interferes with their education. As an example, putting a 15-year-old to work in a salt mine for 12 hours a day is child labor, while hiring a 15-year-old to wash dishes after school is most likely not. Laws vary from country to country. The United States has regulations regarding what hours 14 and 15-year-olds can work, while certain occupations (like power-driven bakery machines and power-driven forklifts) are completely prohibited for all minors.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which was adopted in 1989, states that all ratifying parties must recognize a child’s right to be protected from economic exploitation and performing hazardous work. It also requires State Parties to take legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to enforce this right. The CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty, although the United States and Somalia have not ratified it. In 2020, the ILO announced that all ILO party countries had ratified Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor, which provides for the elimination and prohibition of child labor like slavery, trafficking, armed conflict, pornography, and illegal activities. Convention No. 182, which was adopted in 1999, is the fastest ratified agreement in UN history.

How long has child labor existed?

Child labor has a long history, and for centuries, it wasn’t considered exploitative. From a very young age, children were expected to contribute to their families and communities. Why? The concept of childhood wasn’t as accepted as it is today. As the philosophy around children and childhood changed, so did society’s view of child labor. Child labor laws were passed and rates of child labor fell around the world. It’s still prevalent in areas affected by poverty. In 2016, global estimates found that ⅕ of kids in Africa are involved in child labor.

What are examples of child labor?

Child labor refers to any exploitative and harmful labor performed by a child. Here are eight examples:

#1. Debt bondage

When people go into debt and can’t pay with money or goods, the person owed the money may suggest that family members – including children – work for very little or for nothing to pay off the debt. This is often a trick as the debt-holder has no intention of lifting the debt or ending the forced labor. Because the debt can never be paid, debt bondage can keep multiple generations enslaved. This form of exploitation was one of the most prevalent types of forced labor in 2016.

#2. Child sex trafficking

Child sex trafficking is the buying, selling, and moving of children for sexual exploitation. Precise numbers are hard to calculate, but a 2016 UNODC Global Report found that women and girls are trafficked more often for sexual slavery and marriage. Armed groups are a common perpetrator, although experts say trafficked children are very likely to know or even be related to their exploiters.

#3. Armed conflict

According to UNICEF, more than 105,000 children were exploited in armed conflict between 2005 and 2022. Because of how difficult it is to track child labor statistics, the number is likely higher. Children in armed conflict are used as soldiers, scouts, cooks, guards, messengers, and more. Some are abducted or threatened into work, while others are trying to earn money for their families. Regardless of the specifics, using children for any reason in armed conflict is a major violation of human rights law.

#4. Forced criminal activities

Children are exploited for a variety of criminal activities, such as theft, producing and trafficking drugs, burglarizing homes, and more. According to a post on The Conversation, organized crime gangs can groom and exploit kids as young as 12 years old. Kids may be initially paid with drugs and alcohol, which can trigger addiction and make it even harder to break free. In Ecuador, police found stuffed animals at one cartel hideout, leading them to believe that the gang was using toys to lure children. In that same area, most of the 230 people arrested between January and April 2022 were just 17 or 18 years old.

#5. Agriculture

According to the International Labour Organization, child labor is concentrated in agriculture. 60% of the child laborers aged 5-17 years old are in work like farming, fishing, livestock, forestry, and aquaculture. Poverty is the main driver of child labor in agriculture. Child labor may also be more widely accepted in agriculture because of its long-standing history. Children can participate in agricultural activities on family farms without being child laborers, but any work that interferes with schooling, harms a child’s health and development, or exceeds what’s age appropriate for the child is exploitation.

#6. Mining

Mining is a dangerous activity even for adults, but around the world, thousands of kids labor in mines for materials like cobalt, salt, gold, and mica. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children as young as seven mine for cobalt, which is used for lithium-ion batteries. In 2014, around 40,000 kids were working in cobalt mines. Conditions can be brutal and deadly. Many miners work long hours without protective equipment for pay as low as 1-2 dollars a day.

#7. Factory work

Factories make a huge amount of products like clothing, toys, and meat. They’re also rife with poor ventilation, toxic materials, and hazardous machinery. When kids are exploited in factories, they face long-term health and development consequences. In 2023, the United States Department of Labor discovered more than 100 kids – some just 3 years old – employed in factories across eight states. Their jobs included cleaning dangerous equipment like bone cutters and skull splitters in meatpacking plants.

#8. Domestic work

Domestic work includes a variety of tasks and services, some of which don’t constitute exploitative child labor. Exploitation occurs when kids are employed in the domestic work sector at ages younger than is legal and are exposed to hazardous conditions. Any domestic work that interferes with a child’s education is also child labor. In many places, domestic work exploitation is “hidden” as kids – especially girls – are expected to contribute to the household and prepare for a life as an adult. According to the International Labour Organization, kids face heightened risks when they live in the household where they’re employed. Without consistent contact from the child’s parents or friends, it’s much easier for employers to exploit a child.

Where can you learn more about child labor?

Child labor is one of the most troubling human rights violations. Here’s a short list f of classes, books, and documentaries that shine a light on this urgent issue:

The ILO’s e-learning tools

The International Labour Organization offers a handful of courses to help students understand child labor and what role ILO stakeholders play. Using interactive tests and exercises, these free courses are self-paced. Examples include the reporting on child labor for media course, which is 8 hours long and available in English, and the eliminating child labor course, which is a 2-hour course for labor inspectors and child labor monitors. It’s available in French, Spanish, Vietnamese, English, and Mongolian.

FAO e-learning academy

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations offers a 2.5-hour course on child labor in agriculture. It gives an overview of child labor in agriculture, foundational knowledge on what is and isn’t child labor, its causes and consequences, and more. It’s available in English, Spanish, French, Turkish, and Russian. It’s also available in Portuguese as a downloadable offline package.

Harvard University’s Child Protection: Children’s Rights Theory in Theory and Practice

This 16-week course teaches students about the causes and consequences of child protection failures. Topics include the strategies, international laws, standards, and resources that protect all children, as well as how students can apply strategies to their careers. It’s a self-paced course, but it takes 16 weeks with 2-5 hours of work per week. Students can audit the course for free or pay a fee for a certificate.

Agents of Reform: Child Labor and the Origins of the Welfare State (2021)

Elisabeth Anderson

This book explores the late 19th-century labor movement, groundbreaking child labor laws, and the regulatory welfare state. Through seven in-depth case studies from Germany, France, Belgium, Massachusetts, and Illinois, Anderson explores individual reformers and challenges existing explanations of welfare state development.

Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide, and the Secret to Saving the World (2016)

Kevin Bales

Expert Kevin Bales, who has traveled around the world documenting human trafficking, describes the link between slavery and environmental destruction. In addition to being a human rights violation, human trafficking is destroying the earth. Backed by seven years of research and travel, Bales reports from places where this link is most concentrated. While it doesn’t focus exclusively on child labor, child labor is a huge part of human trafficking.

“The Chocolate War” (2022)

Director: Miki Mistrati

The cocoa and chocolate industry is rife with child slavery. In 2001, eight large companies, the World Cocoa Foundation, and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association signed a pledge to end child labor and slavery in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, but the deadline has been postponed to 2025. Why won’t the industry change? “The Chocolate War” follows Terry Collingsworth, a human rights lawyer, for five years as he takes on the multi-billion-dollar chocolate industry. The film was nominated for a Cinema for Peace Award and Best Documentary at the Warsaw International Film Festival.

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Learn about 20 of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world today.

When the environment isn’t healthy, every living thing suffers. Unfortunately, things like the Industrial Revolution, capitalism, and a dependence on fossil fuels have severely harmed the earth. Urgent action is needed, and while the Sustainable Development Goals include priorities like climate action, much of the world isn’t moving fast enough. While many people are aware of climate change, they’re less familiar with the specific causes and impacts. In this list, we’ll break down 20 environmental issues related to climate change and other problems:

#1. Rising global temperatures

According to NASA, the earth’s average global temperature has gone up by at least 1.9° Fahrenheit since 1880. 2022 tied for the fifth warmest year on record, while the last nine years have been the hottest years since modern record-keeping in 1880. A few degrees may not seem like a big deal, but increases in the average global temperatures are different from your local temperature fluctuations. As NASA explains, it takes a massive amount of heat to warm the entire world (which includes all the oceans, the atmosphere, and all the land masses) by even just one degree. A warmer globe means worse storms, heat waves, droughts, and floods. Wet areas get wetter and drier areas get dryer. This translates into more disasters, more environmental destruction, and more death.

#2. Biodiversity loss

In the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2022, biodiversity loss was ranked as the third most severe threat facing the world over the next decade. Using a supercomputer model, one study created a “middle of the road emissions scenario,” which warned we could lose 6% of all earth’s plants and animals by 2050. Why is it important to have a diverse range of species in ecosystems like forests and oceans? There are many reasons, including the fact that diverse ecosystems are more resilient against threats like pests, disease, and weather changes. Biodiversity is also linked to better food security, less soil erosion, and better carbon sequestration, which is when there’s lots of vegetation to absorb C02.

#3. Air pollution

Air pollution, which occurs when chemicals or harmful particles enter the air, is caused by things like car and plane emissions, cigarette smoke, wildfire smoke, and so on. It has serious effects on animals, plants, and people. It’s so serious, indoor and outdoor pollution contributed to 11.6% of global deaths in 2019. According to research, low-to-middle-income countries endure the most deaths from air pollution, so this is an area that needs addressing.

#4. Water pollution

When water harmful substances (like chemicals, trash, parasites, etc) get into water, the water becomes polluted and dangerous. A lot of pollution is caused by untreated wastewater, which is full of soaps, human waste, chemicals, oils, and more. According to the UNEP, about 80% of global wastewater is untreated. By contaminating the water people use for drinking, washing, swimming, and cooking, untreated wastewater can lead to life-threatening diseases like cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and even cancer.

#5. Pandemics

We’ve discussed some health effects caused by things like air and water pollution, but there’s another big risk to know about: pandemics. Research shows a “clear link” between the climate crisis and global health pandemics. A report from IPBES found that human activities were the cause of all previous global health pandemics. Expanding agriculture, disrupting ecosystems, and narrowing the space between animals and humans increase our exposure to pathogens. Unless action is taken, pandemics will become much more common.

#6. Water scarcity

Only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, but just ⅓ of that is available to humans. According to a UN report, 2 billion people don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water, while 3.6 billion don’t have access to adequate sanitation. Things like drought, poor agricultural management, and pollution worsen water scarcity. Food insecurity and waterborne diseases are just two of the impacts.

#7. Sea level rise

The sea has been rising over the last 100 years, and in recent years, the rate has increased to about ⅛-inch per year. A rising sea level matters because storms can push further inland and cause worse flooding. This puts human and wildlife life at risk, as well as coastal infrastructure like roads, bridges, water supplies, landfills, and more. Sea level rise is primarily caused by ocean warming and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.

#8. Ocean acidification

The ocean has a delicate pH, but as the amount of C02 in the atmosphere has increased, it’s increased in the ocean, too. The ocean absorbs about 30% of the C02 released into the atmosphere. As the ocean absorbs more C02, there’s a chemical reaction that destroys carbonate ions and makes seawater more acidic. Organisms like oysters, clams, and corals suffer because they need carbonate ions to build their shells and skeletons. This sets off a chain reaction in the ocean’s ecosystem. While ocean acidification may seem slow, it’s still happening too fast for organisms to evolve.

#9. Overfishing

Humans have been fishing for thousands of years, but when we catch too many at one time, the fish population can’t recover. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, around ⅓ of the world’s fisheries (many fisheries aren’t even studied) are at risk. Overfishing is also linked to “bycatch,” which is when ships capture sea life they aren’t trying to catch. This threatens the lives of billions of marine life like dolphins and turtles. Illegal fishing contributes to overfishing, but many fishing companies simply aren’t using sustainable fishing protocols. Overfishing causes problems like food insecurity, coral death, and job loss for people in the fishing industry.

#10. Coral bleaching

When seawater warms, coral reefs are forced to expel the nutrient-rich algae in their tissues. The coral turns white, which is where the term “bleaching” comes from. While bleached coral isn’t dead, it’s more vulnerable to disease and death. If coral dies, it has a severe effect on the species that depend on them, which affects the humans who depend on fishing. Healthy coral reefs are also vital sources of pharmaceutical compounds that treat Alzheimer’s, cancer, ulcers, and more.

#11. Soil degradation

Soil degradation occurs when soil loses its quality and can’t support plant growth. Things like erosion (driven by water and/or wind), the loss of organic matter, and contamination contribute to soil degradation. Healthy soil is necessary for supporting livelihoods and growing food, but soil serves many purposes. It filters water, helps prevent floods, contains organisms used in medicine (like penicillin), and supports the biodiversity of plants and animals. According to data from 2015, land degradation impacts around 1.5 billion people.

#12. Deforestation

In the last 10,000 years, ⅓ of the world’s forests have vanished. That may not sound so bad, but half of that loss happened in just the last 100 years. There are a few reasons for deforestation, including wood extraction, agricultural expansion, and urbanization. Climate change, soil erosion, flooding, biodiversity loss, and harm to people who depend on forests are just a few consequences of deforestation. According to the FAO’s 2022 forest report, steps like sustainable forest management, empowering local actors, and funding recovery are essential to stopping deforestation.

#13. Drought

Droughts occur when an area hasn’t had enough rain for a long time. In Somalia, where rains have failed for several seasons, drought contributed to the deaths of 43,000 people in 2022. A “megadrought” affecting the Western United States has caused the area’s driest 20 years in the last 1,200 years. Effects will last for years to come. Climate change is a big driver of drought, so as climate change worsens, so will droughts.

#14. Mining

While coal mines remain a serious environmental issue, the world is also dealing with precious metal mines, like cobalt mines. Cobalt is used in nearly all lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which are needed for most electronics and electric vehicles. In a 2021 study on cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, researchers found a link between mining and increases in violence, food and water insecurity, pollution, health problems, and the loss of farmland and homes. This shows that even when mining materials for lower-emission electric cars, there are serious environmental and human health impacts to address.

#15. Urban sprawl

As cities grow, natural areas get smaller. Impacts include the loss of farmland, reduced biodiversity, accelerated deforestation and climate change, and exposure to pathogens from wildlife. In a study examining land take in the EU and UK’s urban areas (2012-2018), researchers found that urban sprawl affected mostly croplands and pastures. “Soil sealing,” which happens when people build housing and roads over soil, was also an issue. If new construction hadn’t occurred, the soil could have sequestered as much as 4.2 million tonnes of carbon.

#16. Plastic

When you throw plastic away, it doesn’t disappear; it degrades into smaller and smaller bits. Known as microplastic, these tiny pieces have been found in water, soil, the air, and even human blood. The health effects on humans aren’t clear, but there are documented harms to animal life. Plastic is also an issue because most of it is made from fossil fuels. Can plastic be recycled? Technically yes, but an investigation by PBS Frontline and NPR found that most of the plastic tossed in recycling bins wasn’t being recycled. Collecting, sorting, and recycling plastic is expensive for companies while making new plastic is cheap. Dealing with plastic (and reducing plastic use in the first place) is a major environmental issue.

#17. Permafrost thaw

When the ground has been frozen for two or more years in a row, it becomes permafrost. Some permafrost, which can be as thick as 4,900 feet, has been frozen for hundreds of thousands of years. What happens when it thaws? It releases carbon. The world’s permafrost could be holding as many as 1,500 billion tons of carbon. Permafrost can also contain pathogens that escape when the ground thaws. In 2016, following a series of hot summers in Siberia, there was an anthrax outbreak that infected dozens of people and 2,000 reindeer. Scientists are also concerned about pathogens our immune systems won’t recognize. Protecting permafrost is a serious environmental issue.

#18. Waste disposal

Humans produce a lot of waste. Much of it ends up in landfills. According to The World Bank, around 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste gets thrown away every year. At least 33% of that isn’t managed with the environment in mind. When it sits in landfills without gas collection systems, waste can create around 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. Building landfills has an environmental cost, too; the average landfill takes up 600 acres of land. As the population grows, managing waste responsibly will become even more important.

#19. Environmental racism

The impacts of things like pollution and improper waste disposal aren’t distributed equally. Research shows race is often a factor. In the United States, Black and Hispanic Americans are exposed to 56-63% more pollution than what they produce. Black Americans are 75% more likely to live near waste-producing facilities, which increases exposure to lead, arsenic, and mercury. In an area of Louisiana known as “Cancer Alley,” residents (mostly Black) live pressed against chemical plants and oil refineries. The cancer risk is significantly higher than the national average. When addressing environmental issues, racism can’t be ignored.

#20. Unequal climate change impacts

Climate change doesn’t see race, gender, or class, but it’s affecting certain countries more than others. Despite polluting the least, the world’s poorest countries bear the most devastating climate change impacts. Pakistan, which contributes just 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, is a good example. An article from PBS describes the floods in the summer of 2022, which put ⅓ of the country underwater. More than 1,700 people were killed, millions lost their homes, and more than 4 million acres of crops and orchards were damaged. The entire continent of Africa, which experiences the worst climate change effects, accounts for just 3.8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Many believe it’s only fair the biggest polluters pay for climate damage.

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Gender inequality is the prejudicial treatment of people based on their gender. While it affects women and girls most prominently, gender inequality is not limited to the male/female binary.   

Gender inequality is a persistent and global problem. While equality in education and employment has improved, things like COVID-19 and climate change have stalled progress in many regions. In this article, we’ll discuss the meaning of gender inequality, the most important facts about it, and how you can take action.

What’s the meaning of gender inequality?

Gender inequality occurs when people face discrimination, fewer opportunities, and increased violence because of their gender. When gender inequality exists in a society, it produces unequal outcomes that hurt not just those targeted because of their gender, but everyone else, too. Six factors can help us define gender inequality’s meaning and impact:

#1. Economic inequality

A person’s gender impacts how much money they make. According to UN Women, women make just 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Group-specific gaps widen when you look at additional factors like a person’s ethnicity, race, age, immigration status, whether they have children, and so on. This has a huge impact on an individual’s life, but failing to close the gap impacts the global economy, too. According to a Moody’s Analytics report, the global economy could experience a $7 trillion boost if there was no gender gap. Currently, closing the gap could take as long as 132 years.

#2. Less political representation

Men have dominated the political world for centuries, while other genders lack significant representation. Based on data from January 2023, it would take another 130 years for women to achieve gender equality in the world’s highest positions of power. Only 17 countries have a female Head of State, while 19 have a female Head of Government. Several obstacles make political representation difficult, such as gender-imbalanced funding, discriminatory election rules, and gender stereotypes surrounding political ambition and power.

#3. Unequal education

Education access plays a huge role in gender inequality. When girls don’t get the same opportunities as boys, they face significant barriers for the rest of their lives. A lack of education can lead to poorly-paid and dangerous jobs, increased risks for gender-based violence, and poor health. Studies have shown links between good education and improved health not only for women, but their children, too. The gender gaps in education have been narrowing for years, but certain parts of the world still struggle. As an example, since the Taliban regained control in Afghanistan, most girls have been banned from receiving any education beyond the sixth grade.

#4. Worse healthcare 

Gender often affects a person’s access to quality healthcare. Bias is a big reason why. According to research, women are less represented in leadership, less represented in clinical studies, and less likely to have their symptoms taken seriously. Factors like race contribute to these issues. As an example, Black women in the United States are much more likely to die in childbirth compared to white women. Trans people are also affected by gender inequality in healthcare. They’re much more likely to endure discrimination and lower-quality treatments, which leads to worse health outcomes.

#5. Increased violence

Gender-based violence is one of the most persistent global problems. Based on data from the World Health Organization, at least 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual or physical violence. That includes violence perpetrated by an intimate partner or someone who isn’t their partner. Most jarringly, 1 in 4 of those women experience violence between 15-24 years old. Because many women do not report abuse because of stigma or fears of retaliation, gender-based violence is most likely more prevalent than reported. Trans people and others who do not conform to gender binaries also face increased risks of violence.

#6. Unequal household responsibilities

Gender inequality can manifest in the unequal distribution of household responsibilities. Within a single home, it may not seem significant, but globally, women perform more hours of unpaid work (childcare, cleaning, cooking, etc) than men. When combined, women perform 12.5 billion hours of work without pay. They subsidize labor that keeps families afloat, supports the economy, and fills in for social services. These responsibilities also give women less time to work for money.

What facts do you need to know about gender inequality?

Gender inequality is complex, but there are five facts everyone should know:

#1. No country has reached full parity

No country has achieved gender equality, but nine of the top 10 have closed at least 80% of their gaps. For 14 years, Iceland has been the most gender-equal country. It’s closed 91.2% of its gender gap. The healthcare and education gaps are closed entirely, and since 2018, Icelandic companies with more than 25 employees have been legally required to show they pay equal wages. Norway, Finland, and Sweden are the next most equal countries. Overall, health, education, and political empowerment improved around the world, but economic participation and the opportunity gap expanded.

#2. COVID-19 worsened gender inequality

The world was making decent progress on gender equality, but the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just pause improvements. It reversed them. A global study published in the Lancet found that women experienced harsher social and economic impacts than men. The worst gaps were in employment and unpaid labor. Women and girls were also more likely to leave school and face more gender-based violence. Why? COVID-19 exacerbated existing issues. Women make up more of the informal economy, which was hit hard by COVID-19, and are more likely to take on unpaid labor like caring for children and elderly family members. It will take a lot of hard work to get gender equality back on track.

#3. Climate change negatively impacts gender equality 

Climate change can’t have intentional biases against women, but it affects women differently regardless. This is especially true in areas most affected by drought, floods, famines, and other climate-driven events. In these regions, women rely on natural resources and agriculture for their livelihoods. As climate change makes agricultural activities harder, girls often need to leave school to help their families. Climate change also fuels conflict, which makes girls and women more vulnerable to human trafficking, child marriage, and other violence. When fighting for gender equality, experts and organizations cannot forget about climate change.

#4. Poverty is gendered

Women and girls are more likely to live in poverty than men. According to 2022 forecasts from the UNDP and the Pardee Center for International Futures, as many as 416 million women could be living in extreme poverty in 2030 compared to 401 million men. This represents a “high damage” scenario, but even in lower estimates, women are still more likely to live on just $2.15 a day. Women in Sub-Saharan Africa are most at risk.

#5. Gender inequality has mental health consequences

Mental health is a complex combination of factors, but studies show gender inequality’s negative effect on mental health. Studies show a link between gender-based discrimination and mental health issues like chronic stress and trauma. Women are also more likely to have anxiety, panic disorders, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, and so on. It’s difficult to get a full picture of society’s mental health because of stigma and research limitations. However, if men do suffer from mental illness at the same rate as women, but are either not seeking help or not reporting it, it could still be considered an effect of gender inequality. Gendering emotions and conditions like anxiety and depression hurt everyone.

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What are ways to take action against gender inequality?

Gender inequality spreads its roots across areas like work, household responsibilities, healthcare, education, and more. Here are four ways to take action:

#1. Increase funding for education and social services

While education equality has seen significant victories, it’s still being threatened in many places. Increasing funds to areas like teacher salaries, operating expenses, and programs for girls are vital, but you can also help education access by supporting communities. Girls often leave school because their labor fills in gaps in social services, but when communities have the social services they need, girls are more likely to stay in school. School needs to be a safe place, too, so action can be taken in areas like building safety, clean water and sanitation, policies on harassment and bullying, and teacher training.

#2. Fight for reproductive rights

Reproductive rights have suffered in recent years. Every year, millions of people don’t receive quality care for menstruation, pregnancy, abortion, and other reproductive health needs. People can take action by advocating for increased healthcare access and legal protections, and by donating time or money to organizations that provide essential health supplies and services. Gender equality is closely linked to reproductive freedom, so it’s essential people have the right to have or not have children.

#3. Advocate for increased economic protections and equal pay

The link between economic inequality and gender inequality is one of the toughest to address. When people can’t participate equally in the economy because of their gender, it ignites a trail of consequences that can affect the healthcare, housing, education, and wealth of generations to come. Economic protections like inheritance reform and land rights are essential, while equal pay for equal work, flexible work arrangements, and support for unpaid work matter, too.

#4. Speak out against discriminatory policies and behavior

Gender inequality is an economic and political reality, but it has social and cultural effects, as well. People can take action by calling out discriminatory policies. Some may not mention gender, but if the outcomes contribute to historical gender inequality or harmful discrimination, they need to be addressed. Discriminatory behavior and language should be called out, as well. While jokes may seem harmless, they hurt individuals and strengthen the mindsets that help gender inequality endure.

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Feminism refers to a range of ideas and socio-political movements centered on the belief that women face unequal treatment because of their gender, and that society must establish equality of the sexes.

Feminism believes all sexes and genders deserve equal economic, social, and political rights and freedoms. For centuries, feminist movements have sought to improve the status of women and girls in society through campaigns such as the right to vote, the pro-choice and reproductive freedom movements, and the right to equal pay. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the basics of feminism, including its definition, important facts, and how people can take action.

What’s the definition of feminism?

At its core, feminism is about equality of the sexes. However, because feminism refers to the full range of ideas and socio-political movements that have developed over the years, a more accurate definition is more complex. To get a clearer view, let’s consider the phases (often known as “waves”) of feminism.

The first wave

There have always been people fighting for women’s rights, but the term “feminism” or “feminisme” in the original French, wasn’t coined until 1837. Utopian Socialist Charles Fourier was the first to associate the term with women’s rights. By the 1890s, the term was popular in America and Great Britain, but the first wave of feminism had already begun. In America, Great Britain, and New Zealand, activists were pushing for voting rights for women. In 1893, New Zealand gave some women the vote in national elections. In 1920, America followed, and then Great Britain in 1928.

The second wave

Feminism always included diverse groups of women, but white women had gotten the most attention as feminism’s figureheads. In the 1960s and 70s, that started to shift with the Civil Rights movement, the fight for reproductive rights, the fight for equal pay, and the establishment of more women’s studies departments at universities. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act in the US finally gave all Black Americans the full right to vote, while in 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that abortion was a constitutional right. While the first wave of feminism focused on voting rights for a select group of women, the second wave expanded the definition of feminism to include economic rights for all women.

The third wave

Rebecca Walker, daughter of Alice Walker, coined the phrase “third wave” after watching the 1991 Anita Hill hearings, where Hill, a lawyer, testified that Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas had sexually harassed her. The hearings drew attention to the lack of protection still facing women in the workplace and society at large. After Clarence Thomas was confirmed, a record number of women entered politics. The “riot grrl movement” was also vital to third-wave feminism. Feminist musicians began exploring topics like sexism, abuse, racism, sexuality, and more through their music.

While the third wave was less cohesive than the first and second waves, it built on what came before and emphasized the work still to be done.

Feminism today

The waves of feminism are very Western-focused, so they don’t represent a perfect encapsulation of feminism. In many places, women and girls still lack the basic rights others take for granted, such as the right to an education and full voting rights. Globally, women are also facing increased threats to reproductive freedom, even in places where progress has been won. In response to these worldwide threats and with the help of new technologies and literature, the feminism of today is intersectional, inclusive, anti-racist, and multicultural.

What five facts should everyone know about feminism?

People have been writing books and articles about feminism and feminist ideas since the 1800s, but here are the five most important facts everyone should know:

#1. Feminism is not about hating men

Feminism as it’s represented in mainstream media can seem like it’s about hating men. There are countless jokes and memes making fun of men and claiming everything would be better if women were in charge. While this type of commentary is often an ironic response to the centuries of hatred and harm women have endured, it can muddy the definition of feminism. Feminism is not about switching the power hierarchy so women are in charge and men are beneath them. It’s about equal rights and freedoms. When men have been prioritized for so long, any change can feel like an attack, but the reality is, feminism wants to make things equal and fair.

#2. Feminism has racism in its history

Feminism is about equality, but certain branches of feminism have not always taken that seriously. During the suffrage era, wealthy white feminists were only interested in the rights of other wealthy white women. They did not consider Black women equals. This trend has continued today, leading to critiques of “white feminism.” This is a type of feminism that centers the needs and goals of white women while ignoring the multi-faceted oppression faced by women of color. Since the 1990s, intersectional feminism (a term coined in 1989) has sought to explain and address the layers of oppression women of color and other minoritized communities deal with.

#3. Feminism wants to make systemic changes

Feminism wants to address the cultural worldviews and everyday interactions that amplify and sustain sexist attitudes, but systemic change is just as important. That includes changing workplace policies, economic legislation, and other structural institutions that prioritize men, limit women’s rights, and reinforce heteronormative, restrictive gender roles. As an example, a feminist approach to childcare and maternity leave must include paternity leave. Only providing maternity leave reinforces the false belief that mothers alone are responsible for caregiving and child-rearing, while fathers don’t play a significant role. Systemic changes tackle gender inequality and discrimination at the root.

#4. Anyone can be a feminist

Feminism isn’t a worldview only women can hold and promote. Anyone who believes in equality of the sexes and women’s liberation is a feminist. While not everyone identifies with the term “feminist” (“womanist” is the preferred term for many Black feminists and other feminists of color), the sentiment remains true. People of all genders can be feminists and fight for equal rights and freedoms. Why would someone not consider themselves a feminist? It’s often because they have a specific definition in mind. Some people believe feminism promotes a victim complex, a hatred of men, or a hatred for women who chose to be wives and mothers. If everyone understood the true definition of feminism, very few people would find fault with it.

#5. The world still needs feminism

After the victories of the second-wave feminist movement, many people believed we didn’t need feminism anymore. The third wave was a direct response to this belief, but even today, some still question the need for a strong feminist movement. You only need to glance around the world to see why it’s still vital. Reproductive rights are under attack, COVID-19 set back gender equality significantly, women are leaving the workforce, and women perform 2.5 times more unpaid labor than men. According to the Global Gender Gap Index, there are still major gaps in political empowerment, as well as economic participation and opportunity. No country has reached total gender equality, while some are experiencing declines. As long as there’s still work to be done, the world needs feminism.

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How can you take action to support feminism?

If you believe in gender equality, what can you do to support feminist values? Here are five ways to take action:

#1. Donate to gender equality organizations

There are hundreds if not thousands of organizations committed to gender equality. Some focus exclusively on the rights of women and girls, while others prioritize gender equality among other goals. You can donate to organizations supporting education, healthcare, water and sanitation, food security, employment, legal protections, and much more. Websites like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, and GuideStar can help you find organizations that align with your values.

#2. Educate yourself

Education alone doesn’t change the status quo, but if you want to get more involved in feminist movements, you should understand its history, its major figures, its ideas, and so on. You can find books by searching for curated lists online and by typing “feminism” into online retailers like Bookshop.org. There are also great essays, videos, courses and other feminist content available online.

#3. Focus on local feminist issues

While technology lets you give money to just about any organization in the world, you can have the most direct impact by focusing on local issues. No matter where you live, there will be something you can do to help improve the state of gender equality in your community. Check for local organizations and grassroots groups. They’ll run a variety of campaigns throughout the year but will accept money at any time.

#4. Volunteer or work for a feminist organization

Organizations need money for their operations, but they need people, too. Employees and volunteers are the lifeblood of feminist organizations; without them, progress is impossible. Connect with local organizations if you’re able to do in-person work, and if you can’t, look for organizations that use remote volunteers or employees. Even if you’re only able to volunteer during a limited timeframe or for a specific campaign, it makes a difference.

#5. Support women in politics

Despite some progress in many countries, women are underrepresented in politics. You can take action by supporting organizations dedicated to empowering women in politics, voting for candidates with good track records on gender equality, and donating to female candidates who reflect your values. Remember, not every female politician will support policies that advocate for gender equality and feminism. You should always research a candidate before supporting them.

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Human rights are the fundamental rights and freedoms every person on earth is entitled to. Documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) outline what those rights are – like the right to life, freedom of expression, and the right to a fair trial – but human rights writing goes far beyond treaties and policy documents. In this article, we’ll explore 13 inspiring books covering topics like the history of human rights, environmental justice, human rights and the criminal justice system, and the lives of the world’s most famous activists.

#1. Inventing Human Rights: A History
#2. Memes to Movements: How the World’s Most Viral Media is Changing Social Justice and Power
#3. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
#4. Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto
#5. The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector
#6. As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock
#7. The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Action for the Twenty-First Century
#8. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
#9. Burn it Down! Feminist Manifestos for the Revolution
#10. Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada
#11. City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong
#12. A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches
#13. I Am Malala

#1. Inventing Human Rights: A History (2008)

Lynn Hunt

For those interested in where human rights came from and how they’ve developed, this book is a good choice. It covers human rights from its roots in the Enlightenment, examines the cultural and intellectual history of human rights, and looks at how the portrayal of human relationships and individuality in art and novels spread ideas about human rights.

Lynn Hunt is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her areas of expertise include French and European history, the French Revolution, gender history, and cultural history. She’s written other books such as Writing History in the Global Era and History: Why It Matters.

#2. Memes To Movements: How the World’s Most Viral Media is Changing Social Justice and Power (2019)

An Xiao Mina

Memes are hugely influential, but while many people think of them as fun symbols of internet culture, they’ve impacted social justice and human rights movements. In this book, digital media scholar An Xiao Mina examines how memes create, amplify, and reinforce the politics of today. Where there’s censorship (like in China), memes can protect activists from discovery. Memes can also become powerful weapons for misinformation and propaganda when in the hands of governments and hate groups. Both phenomena warrant a closer look.

An Xiao Mina is an American artist, digital media scholar, and technologist. Her writing has appeared in places like the Atlantic, Wired, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. She was also a contributing editor for Ai Weiwei: Spatial Matters.

#3. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption (2015)

Bryan Stevenson

Lawyer Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama in 1989. The legal practice focused on defending the most vulnerable people in the criminal justice system. One of Stevenson’s first cases, the case of Walter McMillian, is described in Just Mercy. As Stevenson unravels McMillian’s case and fights for justice, he finds himself transformed. Just Mercy won the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction and an NAACP Image Award.

Bryan Stevenson has served as the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Alabama since its founding. He’s also a professor of law. For decades, Stevenson has won relief for dozens of prisoners on death row and argued before the Supreme Court five times. His work focuses on bias in the criminal justice system, advocacy for the poor, and community-based reform litigation.

#4. Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto (2022)

Tricia Hersey

In this book, Tricia Hersey (known as The Nap Bishop) exposes the damaging influence of capitalism and grind culture. In our world today, productivity is idolized as a human’s ultimate purpose, but bodies and minds suffer. Hershey promotes rest, naps, and daydreaming, arguing that they’re the foundation for justice, liberation, and healing in the world. In a world where a person’s worth is measured by how much they produce, rest becomes resistance.

Tricia Hersey is an artist, theologian, community organizer, and founder of the Nap Ministry. She created the Rest is Resistance and Rest as Reparations frameworks. Her research focuses on Black liberation theology, somatics, womanism, and cultural trauma.

#5. The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector (2021)

Gemma Houdley

Stress and burnout are entrenched in the aid sector. This book explores the unrealistic and damaging pressure aid workers face, why burnout is so common but also unacknowledged, and how staff and managers can develop healthier, more caring work environments. Houdley builds her book on original academic research and interviews to argue for a feminist, anti-racist, and decolonial agenda within the aid sector.

Dr. Gemma Houdley is an independent researcher, facilitator, and advisor on staff care and cultural change in the aid sector. She’s worked on programs for international NGOs like Amnesty International, as well as civil society groups. She’s trained in somatic and healing modalities, which she uses to design support programs.

#6. As Long as Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock (2020)

Dina Gilio-Whitaker

In this book, Indigenous researcher and activist Gilio-Whitaker uses a lens of “Indigenized environmental justice” to examine the long history of Indigenous resistance against corporate and government incursion on Native land. Standing Rock brought attention to activists in 2016, but there’s a long pattern of tension between Native peoples and the mainstream environmental movement. Gilio-Whitaker calls on environmentalists to study Indigenous history and learn from a centuries-long fight.

Dina Gilio-Whitaker (Colville Confederated Tribes) is a journalist, lecturer, and the policy director and senior research associate at the Center for World Indigenous Studies. Her work focuses on decolonization and environmental justice.

#7. The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Action for the Twenty-First Century (2012)

Grace Lee Boggs with Scott Kurashige

Activist Grace Lee Boggs spent seven decades participating in every major social movement in the 20th century, including the civil rights movement, women’s rights, labor rights, and more. In this book, she draws on that experience to examine today’s political, economic, and environmental crises. Hope and creativity are vital, she argues. The next American Revolution will center on creating new forms of work, politics, and human relationships.

Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015) was a pioneering activist, writer, and speaker. Previous books include Living for Change: An Autobiography. Scott Kurashige is a professor and writer. At the time of this article’s writing, he was the Chair of Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies at Texas Christian University.

#8. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (2010)

Michelle Alexander

Now a classic, this book argues that America has not moved as far along on racial progress as it likes to think. The end of slavery and Jim Crow did not end racism; America simply redesigned it through mass incarceration. The War on Drugs targeted Black men and devastated communities of color, while the US criminal system has become a weapon for racial control. While it claims to be “colorblind,” this system has allowed America to sustain its racial hierarchy.

Michelle Alexander is an award-winning civil rights lawyer, legal scholar, and advocate. She is a former Ford Foundation Senior Fellow, Soros Justice Fellow, and clerk for Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun.

#9. Burn it Down! Feminist Manifestos for the Revolution (2020)

Breanne Fahs

What is a manifesto? These statements describe a group or individual’s goals and motives. Throughout history, manifestos have been hugely influential in defining movements and uniting allies. This book collects two centuries’ worth of feminist manifestos, which author Fahs argues have always been central to feminism.

Breanne Fahs is a Professor of Women and Gender Studies at Arizona State University and the Founder and Director of the Feminist Research on Gender and Sexuality Group. She’s been published in feminist, social science, and humanities journals. She’s also the author of five books.

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#10. Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada (2020)

Editors: Rodney Diverlus, Sandy Hudson, and Syrus Marcus Ware

This anthology addresses the most pressing issues facing the Black community in Canada. While the Black Lives Matter movement began in the United States, it quickly spread. In this book, Black activists in Canada write about activism and organizing, Black-Indigenious alliances, and the most persistent myths about Canada and its racial justice progress.

Rodney Diverlus is an artist, curator, and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto. Sandy Hudson is the founder of the Black Lives Matter movement in Canada and founding board member of the Black Legal Action Centre. Syrus Marcus Ware is a core member of Black Lives Matter Toronto, a Vanier Scholar, and an award-winning educator and artist.

#11. City on Fire: The Fight for Hong Kong (2020)

Antony Dapiran

In the summer of 2019, anti-government protests erupted in Hong Kong. People risked street fights with police, tear gas, and other violence. This movement, mostly composed of young people using unique methods, continued a legacy of dissent in Hong Kong. Author Dapiran, who is a longtime resident of Hong Kong, details this history, the cultural aspects of the movement, and what the protests could mean for the future.

Antony Dapiran is an Australian lawyer and writer based in Hong Kong. He’s considered a leading Western commentator on Hong Kong protest movements. His work has appeared in publications like The Guardian, The Atlantic, CNN, and Foreign Policy.

#12. A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches (2003)

Martin Luther King Jr.

The most essential writings and speeches from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are collected in a single volume. The book contains speeches, writings, interviews, and autobiographical reflections on topics such as nonviolence, social policy, Black nationalism, the ethics of love and hope, and much more.

Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a Baptist minister and social activist who led the Civil Rights Movement until his assassination in 1968. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

#13. I Am Malala (2015)

Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lamb

As a child, Malala always spoke out about the right to education, which was threatened in Pakistan, her country. In October 2012, she was riding the bus home from school when the Taliban came on board. They shot Malala in the head, but she survived the assassination attempt to become one of the world’s most recognizable human rights activists. At 17, she became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace Prize. This book tells her story of resistance and peaceful protest.

Malala Yousafzai is an activist, educational campaigner, and author. She’s received many awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize, and campaigns for universal access to education through the Malala Fund. Christina Lamb is a journalist and award-winning foreign correspondent who has reported on Pakistan and Afghanistan since 1987. She works for the Sunday Times.

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Health equity exists when everyone reaches their full potential for health and well-being. Complete health equality is impossible because everyone’s body and potential are different, but unfair, avoidable, and treatable differences between groups of people must be eliminated before equity exists. This isn’t an easy task, but health is a human right. If countries wish to improve their well-being and health, health equity is essential. In this article, we’ll explore the definitions of health equity, give examples of equity in action, and identify where you can learn more about this important human rights area.

Health equity eliminates avoidable health differences between groups by increasing healthcare access, improving services, and removing systemic barriers related to race, gender, class, and more.

What is health equity?

Many documents define health equity, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution of the World Health Organization. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which lists the foundational values of the United Nations, enshrines the right to health in Article 25. It reads: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care…”

The Constitution of the WHO, which came into force the same year as the UDHR in 1948, reaffirms the right to health. There, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of the disease or infirmity.” The text goes on to read, “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.”

The UDHR and WHO provide essential frameworks for health and human rights around the world, but they are not legally binding. Their definitions of health equity are just that: definitions. Health equity is only enforceable through legally-binding treaties, laws, or policies.

What are governments doing to improve health equity?

Health equity is a multifaceted challenge, but there are many ways to improve healthcare access and health outcomes. We can get a better idea of what health equity looks like by seeing what governments are doing:

The Medical Aid Program (South Korea)

In 1979, South Korea established the Medical Aid Program, which created a safety net for people who couldn’t afford to pay their medical bills. The program has changed over the years. In 2004, it expanded to cover patients with rare, chronic diseases and children under 18. Central and local governments fund the program. Anticipating an aging population who would need caregiving for illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the government also established a Long-term Care Insurance program in 2008.

The Affordable Care Act (United States)

Enacted in 2010, the Affordable Care Act sought to reform the American healthcare system and decrease health disparities. It expanded health insurance coverage, prohibited exclusion based on preexisting conditions, let people stay on their parent’s health insurance plans until age 26, and required most private health insurance plans to cover women’s preventative healthcare. According to a 2020 article in Health Affairs, disparities in coverage decreased thanks to the ACA. Coverage increased the most for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic people.

Close the Gap Campaign (Australia)

In 2007, the Council of Australian Governments set targets to track and assess the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Their goal is to reach health equity within a generation. The campaign publishes a report every year reaffirming a strengths-based framework and culturally safe, place-based, and appropriate solutions. Campaign members include the Australian Medical Association, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, and the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia.

NHS Long-Term Plan (United Kingdom)

The NHS Long Term Plan began in 2018 and will direct the National Health Service’s approach until 2028. Its goal is to tackle health inequalities through a focus on five priority areas, such as preventing digital exclusion, enhancing preventative programs, and strengthening leadership and accountability. With this plan, the NHS hopes to improve equitable access and outcomes.

Primary Health Care Strategy (New Zealand)

In 2001, the New Zealand government established a healthcare strategy that emphasized primary healthcare as a solution to health inequities. The strategy has five priorities, including reducing financial barriers for those with the greatest health need, encouraging multidisciplinary approaches to services, and supporting the development of services by Māori and Pacific providers.

What can healthcare organizations do to reduce health inequities?

Governments play a vital role in improving health equity, but healthcare organizations and medical professionals are important, too. Here are some examples of what they can do:

Conduct research

Before addressing disparities, healthcare organizations need to know where the disparities are. With good research methods, they can identify disparities in access, healthcare quality, and health outcomes. Good information can help healthcare organizations develop better solutions moving forward.

Address the social determinants of health

Social determinants of health are non-medical factors that impact health outcomes, such as income, education, job security, working life conditions, food insecurity, and more. Healthcare organizations can work with community organizations on services like housing assistance, food programs, employment services, and other aid. By addressing the social determinants, healthcare organizations can play a vital role in improving health equity.

Diversify the medical field

Diverse workplaces are more productive and successful, and the medical field is no exception. Studies continue to confirm this. In one example, the presence of more Black primary care physicians led to better survival-related outcomes for Black people who lived in the area, even if they didn’t see a Black doctor. The mortality rate disparities between Black and white people were reduced.

Engage the community more

Many people feel misunderstood and disconnected from their healthcare providers. A lack of trust can also discourage people from seeking care even when it could save their lives. Healthcare organizations must build trust with the communities they serve, tailor their services to the community’s needs, and seek community participation in programs and decision-making.

Provide culturally competent care

Culturally-competent healthcare systems meet the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of all their patients. This is especially important as those most in need of improved healthcare and better health outcomes often come from racial and ethnic minorities. When healthcare organizations aren’t culturally competent, patients are more likely to feel unhappy with their care and less likely to return. Diversifying the workplace, having interpreter services on hand, working with community health workers, and understanding cultural values are important steps.

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Where can you find learning opportunities about health equity?

Online courses are a great way to learn more about health equity. Here are eight examples:

Advancing Health Equity: A Guide To Reducing Bias in Healthcare (University of Michigan)
Length: 10 hours
Level: Intermediate

This course challenges your awareness, values, and actions on unconscious and implicit bias. You’ll explore topics like community orientation, organizational awareness, professionalism, and accountability, change leadership, and strategic orientation. By the course’s end, you’ll be able to consider multiple perspectives, analyze your bias, and act.

Engaging in Strategic Management in Healthcare Organizations (Northeastern University)

Length: 14 hours
Level: Beginner

This is Part 2 of the Strategic Management for Healthcare Organizations course. It covers the analytical frameworks needed for strategic decision-making and draws on different disciplines, like management and economics. You’ll conduct an external evaluation that looks at market, environment, customer, and competitor analyses. By the course’s end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how organizations make strategic decisions and how to apply your skills.

Human Health Risks, Health Equity, and Environmental Justice (University of Michigan)

Length: 17 hours
Level: Beginner

The last course in the “Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health” specialization covers environmental justice and risk assessment and management. You’ll learn the steps in risk assessment and how it can address environmental justice issues.

Foundations of Health Equity Research (John Hopkins University)

Length: 14 hours
Level: Beginner

In this course, you’ll cover the core principles of health equity research. Topics include defining health equity, cultural competence, engaging community and policy stakeholders, and disseminating research findings.

Application of Health Equity Research Methods for Practice and Policy (John Hopkins University)

Length: 14 hours
Level: Intermediate

This course is designed for students with previous experience in the area or who have completed the introduction to health equity research course. You’ll learn the innovative methods, practical tools, and skills necessary to perform rigorous health equity research. Topics include behavioral intervention development, adapting interventions for socially at-risk populations, and research methods in healthcare services.

Achieving Health Equity in Healthcare (University of Michigan)

Length: 10 hours
Level: Intermediate

This is the last course in the “Addressing Racial Health Equity in Healthcare” specialization. Topics covered include the legal, policy, and regulatory approaches to interventions, the history and role of community health centers, and the workforce initiatives and reparations designed to address racial and ethnic healthcare disparities.

AI and Big Data in Global Health Improvement (Taipei Medical University)

Length: 4 weeks (2 hours per week)
Level: Beginner

This course focuses on future global healthcare developments. By the course’s end, you’ll be ready to describe how big data can improve healthcare quality in global pandemics, how AI and big data play a role in global health improvement, and how massive observational health data and AI techniques can improve healthcare quality.

Structural Racism: Causes of Health Inequities in the U.S. (University of Michigan)

Length: 17 hours
Level: Beginner

This course helps students learn why race was created, how it was used to advance white people’s interests, and how state violence reinforces racial inequities. By the end, you’ll be ready to describe the impact of structural racism on individuals, identify policies and events that shape current racial health inequities, and apply public writing strategies to fight racial health inequities.

The post Health Equity 101: Definitions, Examples, Learning Opportunities appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Reproductive justice centers on four core values: the right to personal bodily autonomy, the right to have kids, the right to not have kids, and the right to raise kids in healthy, safe environments.

For centuries, people have fought for the right to not have children, the right to have children, and the right to parent in healthy, safe environments. While it’s often confused with reproductive rights, “reproductive justice” is a more comprehensive framework that addresses the gaps and weaknesses in the reproductive rights movement. In this article, we’ll define reproductive justice, provide examples of reproductive justice, and explore where you learn more about this critical human rights framework.

While reproductive rights tend to focus on legal and political reproductive rights like birth control and abortion, the reproductive justice framework expands to the intersectional issues affecting reproductive autonomy, like race, gender, class, power, and access.

Definitions: what is reproductive justice and how does it differ from reproductive rights?

Reproductive rights and reproductive justice are similar, but their differences are important. Reproductive rights refer to an individual’s legal and political rights to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without force or interference from governments, institutions, and other individuals. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights doesn’t explicitly mention reproductive rights, articles like Article 12 (the right to privacy) and Article 25 (which gives motherhood and childhood special care and assistance, as well as the universal right to medical care and necessary social services) cover sexual and reproductive rights. Within international human rights law, reproductive rights like accessing contraception, abortion, healthcare services, and fertility treatments are considered essential human rights.

Reproductive justice is based on the belief that reproductive rights are not enough to protect full reproductive autonomy. In 1994, a group of Black women met in Chicago and coined the term “reproductive justice.” It was a direct response to the failures of the women’s rights movement, which had centered middle-class and wealthy white women and left women of color, trans people, and other marginalized groups behind. The term was also created to emphasize the need for access – not just choice – as well as resources and services like contraception, comprehensive sex education, domestic violence assistance, and adequate wages.

In 1997, SisterSong became a national, multi-ethnic reproductive justice movement. Reproductive justice has four core demands, which we quote from this page:

• The human right to own our bodies and control our future
• The human right to have children
• The human right to not have children, and
• The human right to parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.

Reproductive justice focuses on analyzing economic, political, and social power systems; centering the most marginalized; and addressing intersecting oppressions related to race, class, gender, sex, and more. While reproductive rights are basic political and legal protections, reproductive justice seeks to create a path to liberation.

What are some examples of reproductive justice?

Reproductive justice is a comprehensive framework, but here are three important examples:

Access to birth control and abortion

Birth control and abortion are linked to the right to decide when to have children or to not have children at all. Birth control methods have existed since ancient times, and by 1900, various forms of birth control were widely used. Margaret Sanger (the United States) and Marie Stopes (England) were leaders in the birth control movement, which sought to make birth control legal and accessible. Unfortunately, some of their motives were based in eugenics. As an example, Sanger promoted birth control as a way to limit the reproduction of poor and “feeble-minded” people. Despite the beliefs of its famous proponents, accessible birth control was – and remains – essential to reproductive justice. Oral contraceptives (the pill) became legal nationwide in the United States in 1965 thanks to Griswold v. Connecticut, which ruled that banning birth control violated a couple’s right to privacy. According to the World Health Organization, 842 million “women of reproductive age group” (which is those between 15-49 years old) are using contraceptive methods globally while 270 million need access to contraception.

Abortion has always been around, but by the end of the 19th century, it was illegal almost everywhere in the world. As the 20th century began, countries started to change their laws. As with birth control, the arguments for abortion were not always focused on human rights, but on overpopulation, poverty, and fetuses with disabilities. Modern arguments for abortion have focused more on bodily autonomy and the health of child-bearing persons. Abortion rights have expanded significantly in the past decades. Restrictions exist, but according to the Center for Reproductive Rights, around 59% of women of reproductive age live in countries that “broadly allow” abortion. Choosing when to have kids, when to not have kids, and when to end a pregnancy are critical to an individual’s autonomy, health, and economic well-being, as well as the well-being of families.

Access to comprehensive sex education

Comprehensive sex education is critical to a young person’s development and health. It doesn’t only cover sexual intercourse; good sex education covers a variety of topics. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists subjects such as:

• Body anatomy
• Body image
• Sexual orientation and gender identity
• Consent
• Sexual abuse
• Contraception
• Sexually-transmitted infections
• Reproductive rights and responsibilities

Curriculums vary across the world, but comprehensive sex education should always use evidence-based, medically-accurate information. Students should also get opportunities for safe discussions about topics they encounter in programs. Studies show that comprehensive sex education promotes healthy sexual behaviors, supports an individual’s social-emotional learning, and helps them form healthy, safe relationships. Because sex education should ideally begin when kids are young, it’s often the first form of reproductive justice they’ll encounter. Everyone deserves the same quality of education. Many lack even the most basic information; according to UNESCO, around ⅔ girls in many countries don’t have the information they need when they begin menstruating. UNESCO also found that around 71% of individuals aged 15-24 were looking for sexual education online. The internet represents a space where reproductive justice activism and comprehensive sex education can make a big difference.

Access to pregnancy-related healthcare

As the UDHR makes clear, child-bearing persons and children are entitled to special care. Healthcare is especially important as pregnancy comes with many health risks. The WHO describes how in 2020, around 287,000 child-bearing persons died during and after pregnancy and childbirth. 95% of these deaths happen in low and lower-middle-income countries. Injuries and death come from excessive blood loss, high blood pressure, and infections, as well as conditions like heart disease and malaria. With proper healthcare, most of these deaths are preventable.

What does proper pregnancy-related healthcare look like? The quality of health services is vital, which includes the supply of essential drugs, equipment, and supplies.

Healthcare providers also need proper training in both medical care and gender-inclusive care (trans men and nonbinary persons give birth), as well as adequate facilities. Integrating care with community events can also improve access to healthcare. Equity regarding race and pregnancy needs to be addressed, too. Black women in the UK are four times more likely to die in childbirth while in the US, they’re around three times more likely. Ensuring equal care saves lives and protects the health of adults, babies, and entire families.

Where can you find more learning opportunities about reproductive justice?

If you’re interested in learning more about reproductive justice, courses and books are a great place to start. Here are five courses and five books:

International Women’s Health and Human Rights (Stanford)

This is a great choice if you’re interested in women’s health and human rights issues from infancy through old age. Consulting Professor Anne Firth Murray and Kevin Hsu created the course. Topics covered include reproductive health, women in war and refugee settings, violence against women, and women’s rights as human rights. There are no prerequisites.

Confronting Gender Based Violence: Global Lessons for Healthcare Workers (John Hopkins University)

This course introduces students from the healthcare sector to gender-based violence, health outcomes, seminal research, and clinical best practices for violence prevention, support, and management. Michele Decker (Scd, MPH) from the Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health teaches the course. There are no prerequisites.

Menstruation in a Global Context: Addressing Policy and Practice (ColumbiaX)

This course gives students a foundational understanding of the global menstruation movement, which includes menstrual health and hygiene research, programming, and policies. Students will also gain skills and knowledge about designing MHH programs, researching, monitoring, and advocacy. Marni Sommer, Maggie L. Schmidt, and Caitlin Gruer teach the course.

Religion and Sexual Wellbeing: Pleasure, Piety, and Reproductive Rights (University of Groningen)

This course explores sexuality as a private and public affair, the differences between religion as a lived experience and as a prescription from religious authorities, and the dynamics of the polarization around reproductive rights. Students will also reflect on the different contexts in which people gain sexual knowledge and how to support people in their sexual health and wellbeing. Kim Knibbe, Brenda Bartelink, and Rachel Spronk teach the course. There are no prerequisites.

Improving The Health of Women, Children, and Adolescents: from Evidence to Action (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

In this course, students will learn from experts about improving the health of women, children, and adolescents. Topics include reproductive health, the health of people during pregnancy, newborns, stillbirths, and children’s health. It’s a great choice for healthcare professionals or anyone interested in the subject. Joy Lawn teaches the course.

Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty (1998)

Dorothy Roberts

This iconic book exposes America’s systemic abuse of Black women’s bodies and how mainstream feminist and civil rights agendas have excluded Black women’s reproductive needs.

Birthing Liberation: How Reproductive Justice Can Set Us Free (2023)

Sabia Wade

This book addresses the intersections of systemic issues, like access to healthcare, housing, and nutrition, as they relate to reproductive justice. Written by a radical doula and educator, the book argues that reproductive justice is the key to collective liberation and equity.

Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organizing for Reproductive Justice (2016)

Marlene Geber Fried, Elena R. Gutiérrez, Jael Silliman, Loretta J. Ross

Through research, case studies, and personal interviews, this book describes how women of color have led the fight for reproductive justice.

A Woman’s Life is a Human Life: My Mother, Our Neighbor, and the Journey from Reproductive Rights to Reproductive Justice (2023)

Felicia Kornbluh

This book covers the history of two movements in New York: the right to decriminalize abortion and the fight against sterilization abuse. Kornbluh tells the story of her mother, who wrote the first draft of New York’s law decriminalizing abortion, and their neighbor, a doctor who co-founded the movement against sterilization abuse.

Just Get On the Pill: The Uneven Burden of Reproductive Politics Vol. 4 (2021)

Krystale E. Littlejohn

This book covers the social history and social implications of birth control, how it becomes gendered, and why it creates an unbalanced, unjust approach to pregnancy prevention.

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Racial justice is the equal and fair treatment of everyone regardless of ethnicity or race. To achieve racial justice, societies must tackle racial prejudice, discrimination, and systems that disproportionately harm some while favoring others. What do you need to know about racial justice? In this article, we’ll explore important definitions, examples of racial justice, and learning opportunities like courses and books.

Racial justice reckons with the legacies of discrimination, removes existing barriers to racial equality, and promotes equity.

Definitions: Where do race and racism come from?

The world didn’t always believe in race. According to author and activist George M. Fredrickson, race and racism first emerged during the Middle Ages. The 13th and 14th centuries in particular saw an increase in antisemitism, which the Southern Poverty Law Center refers to as “the oldest hatred.” However, the word “race” didn’t start to have its modern meaning until the 17th century. Scientists, philosophers, and other academics were categorizing plants, animals, and other parts of the natural world using reason and science, so it only made sense to them to categorize humans in the same way. Through the 18th century, Europeans projected their ignorance, biases, and hatred into their categorizations, creating racial hierarchies that put white people on top. “Race science” justified the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, colonization, and other atrocities.

While race as a social construct is very real, research consistently disproves the merits of race science; there is no genetic basis for race. This is important to understand because inaccurate views about so-called “inherent” racial differences often justify inequality. In reality, racial injustice is sustained by three types of racism: interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism.

Interpersonal racism springs from an individual’s beliefs and attitudes about race. It occurs between individuals and can include slurs, biases, and hate crimes. Institutional racism manifests within an organization and includes discriminatory behaviors, biased policies, and organizational practices that create inequitable outcomes. Systemic racism is society-wide and refers to systems of racial biases that privilege certain groups while disadvantaging others. Racial justice requires a reckoning with interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism.

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What are some examples of racial justice?

You now have a clearer idea of where ideas about race and racism come from. How have people fought against racial injustice over the years? Here are three major examples:

#1 Ending segregation

Case study: South Africa

For almost 50 years, South Africa had a society segregated by race. The process took centuries following the arrival of Dutch settlers in South Africa. Even though white settlers made up a minority of the population, they eventually gained total control of South Africa’s government and economy in 1948. The all-white National Party enforced harsh racial segregation, which separated people based on their race, criminalized interracial marriage, and denied Black South Africans equal rights and opportunities.

For the anti-apartheid movement, racial justice efforts took many forms. The International Center on Nonviolent Conflict lists strategies such as school boycotts, mass demonstrations, memorials, economic boycotts, and much more. In the late 1980s, change finally arrived. The government began negotiations with anti-apartheid groups and in 1993, the prime minister agreed to hold the first all-race, democratic election. Nelson Mandela was elected and in 1994, the apartheid system finally ended.

The legacy of segregation continues to impact South Africa. As an example, while the ANC funded almost 2 million homes for Black South Africans between 1994-2004, the homes’ locations reinforced segregation and existing issues like limited access to public services, high costs, and long commutes. In 2022, South Africa was the most unequal country in the world; 10% of the population held more than 80% of the wealth. Race is still a big reason why, so while apartheid may have ended, racial justice is still being fought for.

#2 Reforming the criminal justice system

Case study: The United States

The United States criminal justice system is racially biased. According to data from the NAACP, Black Americans make up 22% of fatal police shootings, 47% of wrongful conviction exonerations, and 35% of those who receive the death penalty. Black people make up just 13.4% of the US population. These numbers aren’t disproportionate because Black people are inherently more criminal. In her book The New Jim Crow, legal scholar Michelle Alexander points to projects like the war on drugs, which was part of Ronald Reagan’s “Southern strategy” to appeal to poor and working-class white people resentful of the gains of the Civil Rights movement.

To improve racial justice, the criminal justice system must be reformed. In an overview of criminal justice reform in 2022, the Sentencing Project lists trends like reducing prison admissions, adopting sentencing alternatives for drug offenses, limiting incarceration for parole violations, and ensuring incarcerated voters get access to voting. How police operate in the country must also be challenged. Police violence (which is a global problem) and the level of protection violent cops receive are two major racial justice issues.

#3 Paying reparations

Case study: Harvard University

The OHCHR defines reparations as “measures to redress violations of human rights by providing a range of material and symbolic benefits to victims or their families as well as affected communities.” In the United States, reparations come up during discussions about the legacy of slavery. Since 1991, NAACP has affirmed reparations such as a national apology, financial payment, social service benefits, and land grants. While there are currently no federal reparations programs, universities have begun adopting them.

Harvard University is one example. In 2022, the school released a report documenting its ties to slavery, which included direct, financial, and intellectual connections. As part of its reckoning, Harvard announced it was setting aside $100 million for an endowment fund and other actions. It does not mention direct reparations to descendants of those impacted by Harvard’s history with slavery. Harvard isn’t the only university to adopt some form of reparations; Georgetown University has the Reconciliation Fund. This fund gives $400,000 annually to projects directly impacting descendents of those enslaved on the Maryland Jesuit plantations. Reparations are controversial. While 77% of Black adults think descendants of enslaved people should receive some kind of reparations, just 18% of white U.S. adults agree.

Where can you find learning opportunities about racial justice?

This article only scratches the surface of racial justice, so here are three courses where you can learn more:

Anti-Racism Specialization (University of Colorado Boulder)

This 3-course specialization is a great choice for students interested in race and racism, especially in the United States. You’ll learn about critical race theory, historical and linguistic constructions of race in the US, and the theory of intersectionality. You’ll also learn to apply what you’ve learned outside the US, develop an interview project, and create a plan for practicing anti-racism.

Shawn O’Neal and Jennifer Ho from the Ethnic Studies department teach the course. If you take all three courses, the specialization takes about 3 months with 6 hours of work per week. No prerequisites are required.

REGISTER HERE

Structural Racism: Causes of Health Inequities in the US (University of Michigan)

Racial health disparities are very common in the US. This course digs into the reasons why and teaches students how to identify solutions. By the course’s end, you’ll be ready to describe the impact of structural racism, identify what causes current racial health inequities, and apply public writing strategies to combat racial health inequities.

Paul Fleming (Assistant Professor of Health Behavior & Health Education) and William D. Lopez (Assistant Professor of Health Behavior & Health Education) teach the course, which is divided into three modules. It takes 17 hours total to finish the course. No prerequisites are required.

REGISTER HERE

Beyond Diversity: Anti-Racism and Equity in the Workplace (Berkeley University of California)

This professional certificate is great for diversity professionals interested in further career growth. Over three courses, you’ll learn how to navigate complicated group dynamics, communicate in challenging situations, and make critical decisions. By the end, you’ll be ready to identify and respond to unconscious and implicit bias, understand the perspectives of minoritized employees, implement equitable hiring practices, and create an equitable, inclusive workplace for everyone.

Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton (Professor of Psychology) leads the course. With 5-8 hours of work per week, you can finish the certificate in about six months. As the courses are intermediate, some background knowledge is valuable, but there are no specific prerequisites.

REGISTER HERE

What racial justice books should you read?

If you’re looking for texts about racial justice, here are five good ones to start with:

The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century (2022)

Peniel E. Joseph

Historian Peniel E. Joseph frames 2020 as the “climax” of a Third Reconstruction and new struggle for Black Americans. With insight into centuries past, Joseph tracks the Third Reconstruction from Barack Obama’s election to the January 6th assault on the capitol. While the first two Reconstructions fell short, can the Third Reconstruction achieve victory?

To Exist is to Resist: Black Feminism in Europe (2019)

Francesa Sobanade (editor) and Akwugo Emejulu (editor)

In this book, activists, artists, and scholars explore how Black feminism and Afrofeminism are practiced in Europe. Gender, class, sexuality, and legal status are just a few examples of what’s covered in this text. With sharp insight, the authors imagine a future beyond the boundaries of neocolonialism and modern Europe practices.

Caste: The Origins of our Discontents (2020) 

Isabel Wilkerson

Why is America the way it is? In this book, Isabel Wilkerson describes a hidden caste system, which goes beyond race, class, and other factors. She describes the eight pillars that uphold caste systems across time, including stigma, bloodlines, and divine will, and explores how American can move on from artificial divisions toward true equality.

So You Want to Talk About Race (2019)

Ijeoma Oluo

How do you talk about race? In this book, Ijeoma Oluo provides a roadmap for talking about race with the people in your life, including family and coworkers. She covers topics like police brutality, the model minority myth, and cultural appropriation. Written with all races in mind, this book is a valuable tool for anyone interested in tough, honest conversations.

How We Get Free: Black Feminism and the Combahee River Collective (2017)

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (editor)

In the 1960s and ‘70s, a group of radical Black feminists formed the Combahee River Collective. This book collects essays and interviews with the group’s founding members and contemporary activists reflecting on the group’s groundbreaking influence. How We Get Free is a vital read for anyone interested in feminism and racial justice.

The post Racial Justice 101: Definitions, Examples, and Learning Opportunities appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Millions of people lack housing justice, which is the right to safe, adequate, and equitable housing. Systemic inequalities like racial discrimination, income inequality, weak government policies, and more are the main causes, while people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, women, and refugees tend to face the most challenges. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of housing justice 101, including a thorough definition, examples of housing justice, and learning opportunities.

Housing justice is the idea that everyone deserves safe, affordable, and health-promoting housing regardless of race, income, gender, ethnicity, ability, and more. Initiatives like rent control, tenant organizing, public housing, fair housing laws, and inclusionary zoning help ensure housing justice.

What’s the definition of housing justice?

Housing justice is based on the idea that housing is a human right. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines the right to adequate housing. The article reads:

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing  (emphasis added) and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood,  old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also adopted the right to adequate housing in 1991, where it was identified as “of central importance” for enjoying every other economic, social and cultural right. The Committee went further in its definition, stating that the right to housing shouldn’t be narrowly defined as a commodity. It should be seen as “the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity.” What about the term “adequate?” What does it mean? In a copy of the CESCR General Comment No. 4: The Right to Adequate Housing, the Committee lists seven things that must be accounted for:

#1 Legal security of tenure

Tenure includes things like rental accommodation, leases, and emergency housing. “Legal security of tenure” means everyone must have legal protections against forced evictions, harassment, and other threats.

#2 Availability of services, materials, facilities, and infrastructure

An adequate living space must include certain facilities, like safe drinking water, energy for cooking, heating, lighting, sanitation, waste disposal, emergency services, and so on. These services must also be consistently available. If someone only occasionally has safe drinking water, their housing can’t be considered adequate.

#3 Affordability

“Affordable” means housing costs can’t make it harder to get access to other basic needs. The State needs to take steps to ensure housing-related costs stay in proportion with income levels and give subsidies to those who can’t pay for affordable housing. Renters should also be protected from unreasonable rental costs and increases.

#4 Habitability

Adequate housing needs to provide adequate space and safety from natural elements (cold, heat, rain, wind, etc), structural dangers, disease vectors (like stagnant water), and other health threats.

#5 Accessibility

The Committee states that “adequate housing must be accessible to those who are entitled to it.” The document specifically mentions that groups like children, people with disabilities, survivors of natural disasters, and other disadvantaged groups should get “some degree” of priority. Housing laws and policies also need to fully account for special housing needs.

#6 Location

A person’s home needs to give them access to things like job options, healthcare services, schools, and childcare whether they’re in an urban or rural environment. Housing also can’t be built on or near polluted sites because of the health risks.

#7 Cultural adequacy

Cultural identity and housing diversity should be factored into construction, materials, and housing policies. That includes any activities involving development and modernization. Cultural aspects shouldn’t be threatened.

These seven factors give us a clear idea of what housing justice initiatives should include. As you can see, other human rights – like the right to health, right to adequate work, right to freedom from discrimination – are deeply entrenched in the definition of housing justice.

What are some examples of housing justice?

Housing justice movements are found all over the world, but what are they working toward? It’s not as simple as telling the government to build a house or buy a piece of land for everyone. There are specific and diverse initiatives that may help ensure housing justice for everyone:

#1 Rent control

Rent control policies limit how much landlords can charge. This prevents rent from getting so expensive that properties are no longer affordable for tenants. Policies can look like setting a maximum for each rent increase or capping how much a landlord can ever charge. A study by the Urban Institute found that rent control is generally successful if the goal is to promote stability for people living in rent-controlled units. However, it may not help improve economic opportunity or reduce racial disparities. More research can help determine when and where rent control is most beneficial and what other policies are needed to promote housing justice.

#2 Tenant organizing

Tenant organizing happens when people who rent collaborate and advocate for more rights, better living conditions, and changes to unfair practices. Activities include holding meetings, forming tenant associations, organizing rent strikes, holding eviction protests, and talking to the media. The San Francisco Tenants Union, which has been organizing for over 50 years, is a good example. The union has helped achieve victories like 1979’s Rent Control Ordinance, which restricted rent increases and evictions. They also advocated for Prop C, which taxes major corporations to raise housing funds for people experiencing homelessness.

#3 Public housing

Government agencies operate public housing, which provides affordable rental homes for low-income individuals and families. In the UK, where public housing is called “social housing” or “council housing,” 3.9 million people lived in social housing between 2016-2018. Public housing doesn’t always meet the standards of adequate housing, however. A piece from the Financial Times described the Better Social Housing Review’s report, which urged associations to perform audits and give tenants more power in decision-making. The death of a 2-year-old following long-term exposure to mold in his house provides just one example of why the UK needs to address the quality of its public housing.

#4 Fair housing laws

Discrimination has had a huge impact on housing justice throughout the world. In the United States, policies like redlining kept Black Americans from participating equally in the housing market. The Fair Housing Act, which passed in 1968, prohibited housing discrimination based on race, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and so on. It also requires design and construction standards, like accessible doorways and common areas, and other reasonable accommodations, like allowing service pets. Passing – and enforcing – fair housing laws are vital to housing justice.

#5 Inclusionary zoning

Inclusionary zoning policies require developers to turn a certain percentage of their new units into affordable housing. The goal is to push back against exclusionary zoning, which reinforces racial segregation and economic discrimination. According to Inclusionary Housing, there are more than 1000 inclusionary housing programs in 31 states, which have created 100,000+ affordable housing units in the United States.

Programs vary but include both legal requirements and incentives like density bonuses and housing subsidies.

Where can you learn more about housing justice?

There are many learning opportunities for housing justice, including online courses (like Housing Justice: A View from Indian Cities), workshops, and conferences. You can also look for tenant unions and housing nonprofits in your area for educational resources and volunteering opportunities. What about books? Here’s where to start:

Evicted: Poverty and Property in the American City (2017)

By: Matthew Desmond

This Pulitzer-winning book follows eight Milwaukee families as they struggle to stay housed. Desmond explores issues like poverty, economic exploitation, and solutions for the housing crisis in the United States.

The Right to Dignity: Housing Struggles, City Making, and Citizenship in Urban Chile (2022)

By: Miguel Pérez

Based on fieldwork from 2011-2015, anthropologist Miguel Pérez chronicles a social movement in Chile, where activists and residents fight for better living conditions, the right to stay in their neighborhoods of origin, and recognition as citizens who deserve rights. This book shows what happens when housing is framed as a commodity and not a basic right.

Race for Profit: How Banks and the Real Estate Industry Undermined Black Homeownership (2021)

By: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

This finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in History describes how housing discrimination continued even after fair housing laws. Groups like bankers, investors, and real estate agents exploited Black people – especially Black women – while new policies intended to encourage low-income homeownership made things worse for Black homeowners. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor argues that instead of ending racist exclusion, changes transformed it into “predatory inclusion.”

Indigenous Dispossession: Housing and Maya Indebtedness in Mexico (2020)

By: M. Bianet Castellanos

In Mexico, tract housing developments exploded into a billion-dollar industry while land reform debates were replaced by neoliberal housing policies. This book explores the impact of replacing traditional housing on Indigenous peoples’ relationships to land, urbanism, and finance. Castellanos describes what Maya migrants experience in one of Mexico’s fastest-growing cities as they deal with predatory lending practices, foreclosure, and other colonial structures.

Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives (2015)

By: Benjamin Henwood, Sam Tsemberis, and Deborah Padgett

The oldest book on the list, Housing First remains an important documentation of the Housing First approach, which began in 1992. It challenges the usual process of putting a person experiencing homelessness into shelters and transitional housing programs and assessing their “housing readiness.” The Housing First approach provides people immediate access to permanent housing without preconditions. Does it work? This book lays out the evidence.

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“Decolonization” is a term you may have heard in progressive spaces, especially during conversations about restorative justice, Indigenous rights, anti-racism, and so on. What does it mean? In this article, we’ll explore the two main definitions of decolonization, five important facts to know about it, and three examples of decolonization in action.

Decolonization can refer to a country achieving independence (like India did from the British Empire), but it can also refer to “decolonizing” spaces and institutions from the cultural and social impacts of colonization. The term is often used by Indigenous activists.

What is decolonization?

Decolonization is used in two ways: in reference to a country’s independence process or as a social, cultural, and psychological process.

Decolonization as a country’s independence process

For the original definition of decolonization, we first need to know what colonialism is. Colonialism is when one power takes over a people or area and enforces its culture and values. Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome practiced colonialism, but Europe modernized the process into a centuries-long project. In the late 15th century, Europe found a sea route around southern Africa and to America. Countries like England, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Dutch Republic began “discovering” and colonizing places in South and North America, Africa, India, and Australia. Colonialism and the slave trade were closely tied as was the spread of diseases like smallpox. In North America, the mortality rate in some Native communities was almost 100%.

Between 1492-1914, European countries conquered more than 80% of the world’s land mass. By the early 20th century, many empires had lost their hold on colonies, and gradually, more and more countries achieved independence. The term “decolonization” was coined in the 1930s.

Decolonization as a social, cultural, and psychological process

Colonialism has social, cultural, and psychological effects. After centuries of colonization, colonized societies are world’s away from what they once were; countries can’t simply “go back.” The colonizer’s dominant values, practices, laws, culture, and more often remain in place. Indigenous people are still marginalized and discriminated against. The legacy of the slave trade, which brought colonized people to places around the world, also cannot be forgotten. In this context, decolonizing is about, as a piece from The Peace Chronicle defines it, “deconstructing or dismantling colonial ideologies and challenging the superiority of western thought and approaches.” Unlike decolonization as a process of formal independence, it digs into thought patterns, biases, policies, values, and more.

What five facts should everyone know?

Because decolonization has two meanings, there’s a lot to know about it. Here are five of the most important facts:

#1. WWII was a huge catalyst for decolonization

Many empires lost colonies through the 18th and 19th centuries, but Europe still had significant holdings. According to the Map As History, European dominance in Africa was especially strong in 1939. After WWII, however, European countries were less wealthy and less capable of controlling distant colonies. The war had shattered the illusion that European powers like Great Britain and France were indestructible, while Japan, which had colonized Korea, lost its power there after being defeated in 1945.

After 1945, a wave of decolonization spread across the world as countries like India, Pakistan, and Malaysia gained their independence. African colonies also gained independence from Great Britain, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal.

#2. Decolonization is often violent

Colonial powers rarely leave without a fight, so violence is inevitable. Rebellions are violently squashed, leaders are tortured and imprisoned, and even peaceful rebellion is punished. The Algerian War (1954-1962) was fought for Algerian independence from France, which had occupied the country in 1830. The movement began years earlier in 1914, but after France broke its promise to give the country more self-rule after WWII, things got violent. The National Liberation Front began a guerrilla war in 1945. France responded with the torture and rape of civilians. In 2018, France admitted it had systematically tortured people in the war that claimed as many as 1.5 million Algerian lives.

Even decolonization that’s allegedly “bloodless” really isn’t. India’s independence in 1947 from Great Britain is held up as an example of the power of nonviolent protest, but there were years of violent struggles leading up to Gandhi’s campaign. Revolutionaries planned assassinations and bombings. In 1919, British troops killed at least 379 unarmed pro-independence protesters (which included children) in Amritsar. One way or another, violence is always part of decolonization.

#3. Colonialism isn’t over

Some people talk about colonialism as a thing of the past, but experts say that dismisses the reality of colonialism’s ongoing impact. A piece on The Conversation discusses how Canadian leaders talk about Canada as if it was a non-colonial power. Rather than take responsibility, these leaders shift blame (often to England) and keep centering settlers and their interests. Canada also continues to violate the rights of First Nations people through actions like harassing, removing, and prosecuting members of the Wet’suwet’en Nation who protested gas pipeline construction. This is despite the fact that the pipelines were being built on unceded ancestral territory. Building things like pipelines on the land of First Nations people – in violation of their sovereignty – is just colonialism all over again.

#4. Colonialism affects climate change

Past (and current) colonial attitudes are even affecting climate change. In the 1700s, British colonizers in Australia banned controlled burning, which Indigenous groups had been practicing for centuries. Studies prove what Indigenous people have known for years; controlled burning is essential for good fire management and biodiversity. Many experts also draw a connection between colonial attitudes and how countries like the U.S. and Canada handle waste. If you’re Black, Indigenous, or Hispanic, the odds of your county being used as a dumping ground are much higher than if you were white. Colonialism may look different than in the past, but colonizing nations are still exerting control over others.

#5. Decolonization can become colonized

Perhaps not shockingly, decolonization as a cultural and psychological process can itself become colonized. This often takes the form of the “white savior” mentality. Well-meaning white people all too often get caught up in wanting to do the “right thing,” but they speak over and dominate groups who should be leading. In the piece “It’s Time to Decolonize The Decolonization Movement,” a colonized decolonization process has several traits, including the use of language that “reinforces the hegemony of Europe and North America over the rest of the world” and “the absence of a commitment to justice and engagement with community-led justice and liberation movements.” A colonized decolonization process also conflates “diversity” with decolonization and fails to critically examine how power works. As decolonization becomes a more common buzzword, it will be co-opted by organizations (and individuals) who haven’t done the work to understand what it really means. This is just another form of colonialism.

What does decolonization look like in action?

Decolonization as an independence process for nations often takes the form of warfare, but what about the other definition? What does decolonization look like as a social, cultural, and psychological process? Here are three examples:

Decolonizing food systems

When countries colonize other countries, they try to change everything, including the food systems. Take North America as an example. For thousands of years, Indigenous people farmed and hunted. According to a piece on the Food Revolution Network, these were complex systems that protected biodiversity, let crops grow even in extreme weather, and made plants more resilient against pests. When colonists arrived, they disrupted everything by forcing Indigenous people off their land and banning them from farming or hunting. The U.S. government also forced Indigenous people to live off foods like canned meats, dairy products, sugar, and other items not part of a traditional diet. Food insecurity is still prevalent today, as are health issues related to unhealthy diets. Decolonizing the food system looks like preserving knowledge about traditional agriculture systems, lobbying for food sovereignty, working to recover stolen land, and more.

Decolonizing mental healthcare

Isn’t mental healthcare based on science? How can that be “colonized?” It’s colonized just like anything else: a colonial power occupies a nation and imposes its views on psychology, mental health, and treatment. Today, that means most people don’t know psychologists or experts who aren’t white, or that many non-Western cultures see many mental health issues differently. The mental healthcare field has also been the cause of horrific pain through the promotion of racism and eugenics. Decolonizing involves reckoning with mental healthcare’s history, examining collective healing models, and understanding the impact of generational racism and colonialism.

Decolonizing education

In countries harmed by colonial powers, education has been colonized beginning in preschool and spreading through graduate school. Not so long ago, education wasn’t even available to everyone, and despite progress in areas like gender equality, access issues persist today. Once someone is at school, most curriculum is packed with books, methods, and ideas from Western writers and academics. Pre-colonist knowledge and thinkers from other cultures are ignored or added as an afterthought. Changing the curriculum is a good start, but “decolonizing your bookshelf” (a popular phrase on social media) isn’t the end goal. Decolonizing the education system also means examining power structures, what (and who) is valued in the classroom, how conflict is addressed, how students and staff are supported, and more.

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“Social justice” has been a popular buzzword for many years. It seems to appear everywhere from corporate press releases to grassroots activists’ speeches. In the United States, the recent surge in book bans has targeted teaching on social justice. What does social justice mean and why has it become such a hot-button phrase? In this article, we’ll explore the history and principles of social justice, important facts, and three key examples.

Social justice examines the fairness of a society’s wealth distribution, as well as the distribution of privileges and opportunities. Discrimination based on traits like race or gender goes against the principles of social justice, which include human rights, access, participation, and equity.

What are the origins of social justice?

The origins of social justice date back to ancient Greece and the philosopher Plato. Plato saw harmony and balance as essential to justice within the human soul and within the city-state. In the soul, there’s reason, spirit, and appetite. Reason must lead the soul, while spirit and appetite should be kept under control. In Plato’s ideal city-state, there are guardians, auxiliaries (soldiers), and producers, such as farmers. In Plato’s view, philosopher-kings are the best guardians because they represent reason. They are therefore the best at making decisions that serve the common good. Harmony depends on everyone knowing their place. This doesn’t sound like social justice as we know it today. While Plato’s hypothetical philosopher-kings made decisions based on what’s best for everyone, the lack of democratic processes wouldn’t fit with today’s values.

The phrase “social justice” wasn’t coined until the 19th century. Luigi Taparell d’Azeglio, who was a Jesuit priest, based this new term on his Catholic beliefs. His social justice meant using religious values to determine what’s best for society. Like Plato, hierarchies were important to d’Azeglio. As the Industrial Revolution began, social justice morphed into an economic term, and then eventually a term that meant everyone should work for the common good.

What does social justice mean today?

In the 1970s, American philosopher John Rawls played a big role in defining what social justice means today. He developed the concept of “justice as fairness.” In this concept, justice is tied to inequality and how social goods are distributed. In Rawls’ view, all social goods should be distributed equally unless an inequality benefits everyone, but especially those who have the least. This is based on the understanding that everyone is equal.

Today, social justice is about the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges in society. Social injustice exists when discrimination and inequalities lead to negative outcomes.

What are the principles of social justice?

You’ll see several principles of social justice depending on where you look, but we’ve found four common ones:

Human rights

Social justice states that everyone is equal and deserving of human rights. This is why discussions about human rights and social justice are so intertwined. Many use the phrases almost interchangeably, although they have a few key differences. “Human rights” often refer to the absolute bare minimum: right to life, food, education, safe housing, decent work, etc. They’re based on international laws and treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Social justice is less clearly defined and often asks deeper questions about fairness and distribution.

Access

A socially-just society gives everyone equal access to wealth, opportunities, and privileges. If someone’s access to things like healthcare or education is restricted because of gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, or ability, they’re being discriminated against. A society that enables or allows discrimination cannot be just. It creates hierarchies of inequality. As a social justice principle, access is about breaking down hierarchies, increasing access, and making sure no one faces discrimination.

Participation

When it comes to ending poverty, racism, sexism, and every other social problem, those most affected by problems are uniquely qualified to solve them. As a principle, participation is all about making space for and empowering those who have been silenced. Participation is a principle of democracy, too, which is essential to achieving equality, freedom, and accountability.

Equity

People are always debating what equity means and what it looks like in practice, but long story short, equity is a way to achieve equality while recognizing existing inequalities. As an example, let’s say you have a company with two employees. One is a white man and the other is a Black woman. Because of historical inequality, the white man makes more money despite doing a similar job. When it comes time to give raises, equality would look like giving two employees the same amount of money. That’s fair, right? Not really. The Black woman still makes less despite doing the same job. Equity, on the other hand, means giving her a larger raise so her salary finally matches that of the white male employee. This is technically an unequal distribution, but as John Rawls would point out, unequal distributions are acceptable when they benefit the person who is at a disadvantage. The white employee may be getting a smaller raise, but he’s not harmed.

What are three key facts about social justice?

Social justice is complex, but here are the three relevant facts everyone should know:

#1. Interest in social justice has been increasing

Social justice is not a new term, but interest has been increasing. According to Google Trends, the term “social justice” has been searched more and more. In worldwide data from 2004 to the present, there was a huge spike in searches in September 2020. Why that date? There were global protests against police brutality, racism, and inequality during the summer and fall of 2020. Since then, global searches for “social justice” have remained high.

#2. Corporations use the language of social justice to attract customers

Google searches aren’t the only sign of social justice’s increasing popularity. Corporations have noticed and are co-opting social justice language. Why? Consumers want the businesses they support to embrace social justice values. According to one survey, 70% of consumers wanted to know what brands are doing to address social and environmental issues. 46% said they pay “close attention” to a brand’s social responsibility. The 2020 article “We’re Entering the Age of Corporate Social Justice” states that companies with effective Corporate Social Responsibility programs do better than those that don’t. Efforts often don’t go beyond marketing, however. Too many companies whitewash their social justice and human rights records with slick PR. Customers who truly care about social justice need to be wary.

#3. “Social justice warrior” is an insult

Many terms with politically-progressive origins get twisted into insults. There’s no clearer example than the phrase “social justice warrior.” According to Daily Dot, the term (which is abbreviated as “SJW”) came from the once-massive microblogging website Tumblr. It was initially used as a positive term – social justice is good, so those who fight for it are good – but it soon birthed a cottage industry of anti-SJW memes. They weren’t all coming from racists or sexists; many anti-SJW posters simply felt the warriors were going “too far.” This can muddy the waters around an issue because it’s often unclear what exactly people are opposed to. Do they have a problem with social justice itself or merely the tone/method an alleged “SJW” is using? On the other hand, is criticism of the tone/method actually a smokescreen for a more insidious opinion? Arguing about who is or isn’t an SJW often distracts from real issues. It’s hard to be productive when insults enter the mix.

What are three examples of social justice issues?

There are many social justice issues facing the world today. Here are three of the most important ones:

Income inequality

Income inequality has been an issue for years, and in many ways, it’s getting worse. According to the 2022 World Inequality Database report, income gaps within countries are increasing. The gap between the average incomes of the bottom 50% and the top 10% has almost doubled in twenty years. Globally, the world’s richest 1% grabbed $42 trillion of the new wealth created between December 2019-December 2021, while just $16 trillion was distributed among the rest of the world. Social justice is about fairness. This type of income inequality is clearly unfair.

The gender pay gap

Sexism plays a big role in inequality. According to the 2022 Women, Business, and the Law report from the World Bank, about 2.4 billion women of working age didn’t get equal economic opportunities. 95 countries don’t guarantee equal pay for equal work. Within countries, there are even more inequalities. In the United States, women earn on average about $.82 for every dollar a man earns, but Black women earn $.63. Hispanic and Latina women earn just $.58 for every dollar a white man makes. The work sector also matters; in non-profits and government agencies, women earn $.85 for every man’s dollar. This is better than what women earn in private, for-profit companies ($.78 for every dollar), but that’s weak praise.

Climate change

According to a recent UN report, global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut in half by 2030. If this goal isn’t reached, irreversible damages are extremely likely. Climate change is one of the most urgent social justice issues today. It affects billions of people and worsens existing social justice issues like food insecurity, gender inequality, children’s rights, poor health, and more. To make things even more unfair, the countries that pollute the least are the most vulnerable to climate change’s effects. These countries (many in Africa) keep emissions low, but climate change doesn’t care about borders.

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Advocates work to change the world. While their responsibilities and focuses can vary widely, they’re all engaging in advocacy, which comes from the word advocatus. In Latin, this means “a pleader on one behalf” or “one called to aid.” What should everyone know about advocacy? In this article, we’ll outline the different types, real-world examples, and unifying principles.

When someone publicly supports the interests of an individual, group, or cause, they’re engaging in advocacy. There are many types of advocacy, as well as methods, but they’re united by principles such as clarity, flexibility, and transparency.

What are the different types of advocacy?

Advocacy is an umbrella that shelters many types of advocacy areas and methods. The three main types are self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy is when a person advocates for their own interests. It involves skills like knowing your rights, understanding your needs, and effectively communicating those needs to others. Everyone self-advocates at some point in their lives. Students with disabilities often self-advocate for accommodations in a classroom setting. As an example, a student with ADHD may need to ask their teachers for more time to complete tests or a separate testing location.

Individual advocacy

Individual advocacy is when a person (or group) focuses on the interests of one or a few individuals. It can be informal or formal. Informal individual advocacy often involves family members and friends. As an example, parents often advocate for their child’s needs at school. Formal individual advocacy often goes through organizations like government agencies or nonprofits. When someone is escaping domestic violence, organizations help with shelter, medical care, mental healthcare, financial assistance, and more.

Systems advocacy

Self-advocacy and individual advocacy focus on the needs of one or a few people, but systems advocacy zooms out. It seeks to change things on a local, state, or national level through laws and/or policies. Because it wants to change systems for the long term, this kind of advocacy can be complex. Multiple organizations often work together to research, raise awareness, and pressure legislators. Groups working for gun control in the US are an example of systems advocacy.

What other types of advocacy people should know about?

Within individual advocacy and systems advocacy, there are different settings where advocacy is common. You’ve likely heard of at least three: healthcare/patient advocacy, legal advocacy, and victim advocacy. Here’s what they mean:

Healthcare/patient advocacy

In most countries, the healthcare system is difficult to navigate. It can be especially difficult for people with disabilities, older people, and caregivers. Healthcare advocates, who are often employed by healthcare systems or nonprofits, play an essential role in demystifying the system. Responsibilities include helping with access to care, educating patients, and helping with insurance, administrative, and legal issues. Caregivers often educate themselves on the healthcare system and act as advocates for their family members or friends. There are also healthcare advocacy groups that work for system-wide changes regarding healthcare access, funding, and more.

Legal advocacy

Like healthcare systems, legal systems are complicated and confusing. Legal advocates are trained professionals who help people navigate the justice system. They tend to specialize in specific areas and help groups like children, prisoners, victims of crimes, refugees, and so on. Legal advocacy includes tasks like educating people on their rights and legal options, representing an individual’s best interests in the system, and helping with administrative activities.

Victim advocacy

Victim advocacy is a type of legal advocacy, but they serve slightly different roles. While legal advocacy tends to focus on the law and navigating the justice system, victim advocacy is also about emotional support. Victim advocates help with things like protection orders, safety planning, crisis intervention, and access to mental healthcare. Advocates need to be educated on the law, but many professionals come from therapy or social work backgrounds.

What does advocacy look like?

Most individual advocates and groups rely on a variety of advocacy methods to be effective. Here are four of the most common examples:

Letter-writing/petitions

Writing letters and signing petitions are tried-and-true advocacy methods. Both allow people to raise awareness, clearly articulate their stance on an issue, and present solutions. In the case of petitions, it’s a relatively convenient way for lots of people to express their support for a cause. Effective advocacy writing contains several ingredients, including a clear “ask,” essential facts, and a polished style.

Amnesty International, which is a human rights advocacy NGO, has run “Write for Rights” for over 20 years. Amnesty supporters can get a kit with items like case cards and template letters. Over the years, supporters have written advocacy letters on behalf of prisoners of war, torture victims, political prisoners, and others. Individuals, student groups, and schools participate every year.

Research

Good advocacy is built on good research. Without the facts, advocacy campaigns run the risk of misdiagnosing the problem and the solutions. A poorly-researched campaign can even cause more harm than good. Research is such an important part of advocacy that many groups focus on it above other methods like petitions, protests, or fundraisers. Using experts in data-collecting and analysis, groups release extensive reports on issues like violence, poverty, gender inequality, and more. Other advocates and groups can then use this information when building their own campaigns.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) investigates and reports on human rights abuses around the world. At the time of writing, recent publications included “Access Denied” (which documents how Florida judges are denying young people abortions) and “Trapped in a Web” (which analyzes Hungary’s 2022 elections).

Social media

Social media has transformed advocacy. Essentially anyone with a free social media account can become an advocate, build an audience, and raise awareness for causes. Their reach can go international very quickly and connect advocates in a way they were never able to connect before. While hashtag campaigns and social media organizing can strengthen advocacy, this method is still fairly new and far from perfect. Because it’s so accessible, there are many bad actors and well-meaning, but inexperienced advocates. It can also be challenging to build strong relationships over social media, which is essential to advocacy’s long-term success. Social media can be a good tool, but it shouldn’t be the primary one.

In 2006, Tarana Burke created the #MeToo Movement. Nine years later, the hashtag went viral. Allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein followed, along with reports of assault and harassment from other men in Hollywood. People outside Hollywood began sharing their stories, as well. This social-media-driven movement revealed the scope of what women face every day. While one of the best-known social media campaigns, #MeToo also reveals the limitations of social media activism. The court system continues to be biased against survivors and gender-based violence remains a global issue. It takes more than a hashtag to create real change.

In-person action

In-person action encompasses many activities, including peaceful protests, fundraisers, town halls, workshops, and more. Education, training, and networking are just three goals. Some of the best advocacy happens in person as individuals and groups may find it easier to develop the genuine, long-lasting relationships vital to advocacy. While in-person action isn’t always possible, advocates should embed the person-centric approach into all their actions, even if they need to meet online or by phone.

The Civil Rights Movement in the United States used several in-person actions, including marches, sit-ins, bus boycotts, and more. This era also showed the risks involved with in-person events. Participants and supporters faced physical violence and harassment. Advocates committed to in-person action must prepare for resistance.

What are the principles of advocacy?

Advocacy can look very different depending on its focus and method, but there are unifying principles. Here are three everyone should remember:

Clarity

Good advocacy has clear messaging and clear asks. With very little work, people should be able to understand what the problem is and how it can be fixed. This is the first step to good advocacy, but it’s often the most difficult because many issues are complex. Good advocates are excellent communicators who can frame even the most complex issue in a way most people understand. They’re also very good at determining what “clarity” means for specific audiences and refining their message accordingly. As an example, a group advocating for reproductive rights will use a different message when they’re holding youth events than when they’re speaking to adults.

Flexibility

Situations can change very fast. Whether it’s an individual’s case or a system-wide issue, events impact the problem and what the best solutions are. Good advocates are flexible enough to adapt to new information, adjust their methods, and pivot their messaging. Without flexibility, advocacy is doomed to ineffectiveness or outright harm. As an example, advocacy groups focused on healthcare access needed to shift quickly as COVID-19 spread around the world.

Transparency

Advocacy typically involves speaking on behalf of others, so trust is essential. How do advocates build trust? Transparency. That includes open, honest, and consistent communication about things like finances, leadership structures, messaging, methods, and much more. For advocacy organizations, transparency also means conducting internal audits on systemic problems. As an example, in 2020 Amnesty International found evidence of systemic racism within their secretariat. Responding to major issues within an organization is also part of being transparent. If advocacy groups choose to hide, it damages trust. Without trust, advocacy will have little to no impact.

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Billionaires are increasing their fortunes by $2.7 billion every day. Meanwhile, at least 1.7 billion workers live in areas where inflation is higher than wages. Income inequality is a global problem. It has several consequences, including financial crises, fragile economies, high inflation, poorer health outcomes, and violence. In this article, we’ll explore what causes income inequality, what it looks like, the most important facts everyone should know, and how to address it.

Income inequality is a global issue with several causes, including historical racism, unequal land distribution, high inflation, and stagnant wages. As gaps increase thanks to crises like COVID-19, the world needs to take action in education, labor market policies, tax reforms, and higher wages.

What is income inequality?

When some people in society earn significantly more than others, it creates inequality. Inequality is more than just about the paychecks we take home, however. There’s also wealth inequality, which refers to uneven distributions of wealth. This includes the value of assets and possessions like stocks, property, boats, and so on. Someone may earn a lower income than a neighbor, but because they own stocks and land, they’re wealthier.

Income inequality is measured with factors like gender, ethnicity, location, historical income, and occupation. When identifying a country’s income inequality, there are measurements like the Gini index, which is also called the Gini coefficient. A score of 0 on the index means there’s no deviation; everyone is perfectly equal. A score of 100 means total inequality; a single person has all the country’s wealth. The index isn’t perfect. As Amanda Shendruck points out, Greece, Israel, Thailand, and the UK got the same score in 2015. However, poverty in these countries looks very different. The World Inequality Database avoids the index altogether. On its own, the Gini index may not be especially useful, but it can provide a quick snapshot that encourages more investigation.

The causes of income inequality: two case studies

There are global and country-specific factors that drive income inequality. To get a clearer idea of the causes, let’s look at two countries as examples: South Africa and the United States.

South Africa: The long shadow of apartheid and land ownership

Based on the Gini index, South Africa has the world’s highest income inequality at 63.0. Apartheid is a big reason why. For almost 50 years, this formalized racial segregation restricted the activities and movements of Black South Africans, who made up most of the population. Black Africans couldn’t marry white people, travel without passbooks, or start businesses in white areas. Society was structured to uplift white people while trampling Black South Africans. When apartheid ended in the 1990s, inequality remained baked into the country’s foundation. South Africa has struggled to make progress on ending inequality. According to a 2022 World Bank report, the top 10% of South Africa’s population holds 71% of all income. Living in or near cities increases job opportunities, but South Africa’s growth has stalled and failed to create enough jobs. High unemployment is a significant driver of inequality, especially for young people.

Gender, race, and land ownership are three other main causes. In South Africa, women earn 38% less than men even when they have similar education levels. When race gets added to inequality analyses, it contributes 41% to income inequality. The World Bank report also studied land ownership, which is vital for addressing inequality among poor people in rural areas. Because of apartheid, there’s a long history of unequal land distribution which hasn’t been remedied yet. COVID-19 made all these factors worse.

The United States: The legacy of slavery and stagnant wages

The United States isn’t among the top most unequal countries in the world, but it has a much higher Gini coefficient when compared to similar economies. According to Statista, the top 10% of earners in the United States (in the third quarter of 2022) held 68% of the country’s total wealth. The lowest 50% held just 3.3.%. Like South Africa, the United States’ history of racial segregation plays a big role. Slavery made it impossible for Black people to build wealth, but even after emancipation, Jim Crow laws severely restricted economic opportunities. The effects resonate to this day. A 2018 analysis of incomes and wealth found that over the past 70 years, there’s been no progress in reducing income and wealth inequalities between Black and white households.

Inequality is also driven by the fact that wages haven’t kept pace with inflation. In June 2022, consumer prices hit 9.1% higher than the year before. This made it the largest annual increase since 1981. Wages have been going up, but they’ve been consistently at 4.5%. The federal minimum wage hasn’t increased since 2009: it’s just $7.25. A study found that in 91% of U.S. counties, a full-time minimum wage worker doesn’t make enough to afford a one-bedroom apartment rental.

What are the five main facts everyone should know about income equality?

There’s a lot to sift through when it comes to income and wealth inequality, but here are five of the most important facts to know:

#1. Inequalities within countries are getting worse

While global inequalities between countries are lowering, the gaps within countries are increasing. According to the World Inequality Database’s 2022 report, the gap between the average incomes of the bottom 50% and the top 10% of individuals has nearly doubled in the past two decades. The World Inequality Database frames it this way: “global inequalities seem to be about as great today as they were at the peak of Western imperialism in the early 20th century.”

#2. COVID-19 is erasing progress

According to groups like the IMF, COVID-19 is worsening inequalities within countries (the poor were hit harder than the rich), but also between countries. Wealthier countries had more resources to deal with the pandemic and could recover faster. According to the World Bank, progress was set back by about a decade.

#3. Inequality hits already-disenfranchised people the hardest

Income inequality is an intersectional issue. It affects disenfranchised groups like women, young people, informal industry workers, the elderly, and disabled people the most. As income inequality worsened in the UK, the disposable income for the poorest ⅕ of the population dropped by 3.8%. The average income for retired households also went down from £26,300 to £25,900.

#4. Over the last decade, the world’s richest 1% have gotten 54% of new wealth – and they’re getting richer

According to an Oxfam report, the world’s richest 1% captured $42 trillion of the new wealth created between December 2019-December 2021. $16 trillion got distributed to the bottom 99%. While the pandemic hit the poor the hardest, the world’s richest actually gained wealth. There was a slight dip in 2022, but in 2023, their wealth is increasing yet again.

#5. Income inequality is linked to climate change

Every year, humans emit around 6.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per capita. However, the top 10% of emitters are releasing around 50% of all emissions. The bottom 50% are producing just 12%. Why does this matter to income inequality? The world’s biggest emitters are rich. While many of the world’s poorest countries emit significantly less CO2, they’re enduring the worst climate change effects. Even within rich countries, the poorest half of the population have already met (or are close to meeting) the 2030 climate targets set by their nations. It’s the rich who need to change.

How to take action on income inequality

Income inequality is a deeply-entrenched, global problem that will take lots of work. Here are three ways countries can take action:

#1. Pay a living wage

Many countries are raising wages, but they’re not raising them enough to close income gaps. That’s why minimum wages need to be higher. In an article on the World Economic Forum about fair wages, the global director of human rights at Unilver emphasized the need for living wages. These are calculated based on what it takes to afford a decent standard of living. Currently, minimum wages in many countries don’t reflect reality. The United States is an example as its minimum wage won’t cover rent on a one-bedroom apartment.

#2. Invest in good public education

Study after study shows the positive impact of good public education. According to a report from Oxfam, a good education can reduce poverty, increase opportunities, and encourage a more democratic society. Education also improves gender equality, which is key to closing income inequality gaps. To successfully address income inequality, education must be universal, free, and public. If it isn’t, education can make inequalities worse as it divides students by traits like race, gender, and wealth.

#3. Make tax systems more redistributive

According to the IMF, addressing inequality more redistributive tax systems. What is a redistributive tax system? It’s a system where high-income people pay higher taxes (positive taxes) and lower-income people receive more subsidies. In places like the United States, where legislation has designed tax codes to benefit corporations and the wealthiest individuals, wider inequality has followed. The rich are also allowed to get away with more. In 2014-2016, the IRS – which is famously underfunded – didn’t pursue over 300,000 high-income individuals who failed to file tax returns. If countries want to tackle inequality, their tax systems should be designed to help rather than make things worse. That includes spending more on social sectors like education, health, and social protection.

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About 8 billion people live on Earth. Each individual deserves human rights, opportunities, and a life free from discrimination. Unfortunately, many of those 8 billion are subjected to violence, limited opportunities, and violations because of their gender. Women and girls have faced the most gender discrimination throughout history, which has created a world saturated with inequality. In this article, we’ll discuss the meaning of gender equality, the facts everyone should know, and ways to take action against inequality.

Gender equality becomes real when all genders get equal protection, can freely access and pursue opportunities, and are valued by society. While the world still has a long way to go before achieving equality, everyone can take action now.

What is gender equality?

When societies are gender-equal, no one faces discrimination based on their gender. People’s lives can still look very different, but no one is restricted from opportunities or rights just because they’re a certain gender. Everyone receives the human rights laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The impact of gender equality is undeniably positive. When all genders get equal opportunities to work and start new businesses, entire economies do better. According to the World Bank, long-run GDP per capita would be around 20% higher if gender employment gaps closed. Gender equality is also a necessary step in dealing with climate change, conflict, food insecurity, children’s welfare, and more.

Gender equality is #5 in the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN defines it as “not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.”

How does gender equality relate to race and gender expression?

Gender inequality doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It intersects with race in significant ways. As an example, Black women face discrimination in a way white women do not. In 2010, queer Black feminist Moya Bailey coined the term “misogynoir” to describe this reality. The word is a variation of “misogyny,” which is the hatred of women. “Misogynoir” focuses on the specific hatred of Black women. What does it look like? It includes the extreme sexualization of Black women starting from when they’re young girls. While white girls are viewed as inherently innocent, Black girls get labeled as sexually mature. As adults, Black women get painted as angry, “sassy,” or strong to the point of being emotionless. The intersection of race and gender is also seen in the American workplace. While women earn an average of $.82 for each dollar a white man makes, Black women make about $.63. Hispanic women make even less: $.58.

When talking about gender equality, we can’t forget about gender identity and expression. Sex refers to biological characteristics. At birth, individuals get assigned a sex, which is usually male or female. Gender is a social, cultural, and political construct. If someone’s assigned sex corresponds with how they see their gender, they’re cisgender. If someone’s gender differs from their assigned sex, they’re transgender. A person’s gender identity is an internal and individual experience of gender while their gender expression is how they chose to present themselves. Unfortunately, many people believe sex and gender are the same and if someone’s gender diverges from their assigned sex, they’re a unique threat. Hateful rhetoric, discrimination, and violence quickly follow. The rise of transphobic rhetoric and attacks in the UK is a prime example of this type of gender inequality. In 2022, the Council of Europe listed the UK as a site of increased violence against LGBTQ+ rights. From 2019-2020, transphobic hate crimes jumped 16%. From 2020-2021, these crimes increased by another 3%.

What are the five most important facts to know about gender equality?

Gender equality is a complex topic, but what are the most important things everyone should know? Here are five facts:

#1. Global gender equality is three centuries away

According to “Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): The Gender Snapshot 2022,” it will take 300 years to reach full gender equality. The report, which was released in 2022, examined data on gender equality across all 17 SDGs. COVID-19 and attacks on women’s reproductive health severely cut back progress. There’s also a lack of data; only 47% of the data needed to track progress on gender equality was available at the time. At this rate, the world is not even close to achieving Goal #5 by 2030.

#2. Gender-based violence is a global problem

Violence remains one of the biggest barriers to gender equality. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women experience sexual or physical violence from an intimate partner or sexual violence from someone who isn’t their partner. 1 in 4 of those women will have already experienced violence between 15-24 years old. The true numbers are most likely higher because many women do not report abuse due to fear of retaliation or stigma. The trans community is also the target of significant violence. According to a study by the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, trans people (both men and women) in the US are four times more likely to be assaulted than cisgender people.

#3. Gender equality is key to ending poverty

From 1990-2019, extreme poverty, which is now mostly concentrated in rural areas and sub-Saharan Africa, fell. However, COVID-19 essentially stopped progress. Women are especially vulnerable to poverty. There are a handful of reasons, including low wages and few decent work opportunities. Globally, women earn 24% less than men and perform twice as much unpaid work. When all the factors get added together, gender inequality is costing women $9 trillion per year. Gender equality would lift millions out of poverty and break cycles that keep extreme poverty alive.

#4. Gender equality is good for everyone’s health

Discrimination harms women’s physical and mental health. According to the WHO, women and girls experience more violence, coercion, and harmful practices. They often have little control over what happens to their bodies, as well as limited access to health information and services. When women are more valued and given education and better healthcare, everyone’s health improves. Studies consistently link educated mothers with better health outcomes for kids. Gender equality is also good for men as men living in unequal societies experience worse health and shorter life expectancies. Gender equality isn’t just about women’s empowerment; it’s a public health necessity.

#5. Gender equality isn’t just about women

Gender equality is often used interchangeably with women’s empowerment, and while women and girls remain among the most vulnerable, a truly equal world isn’t just about women. True gender equality must include all genders and agender people, who are gender-neutral. This is important to remember as some advocates for gender equality exclude trans people. In recent years, TERF rhetoric (which stands for trans-exclusionary radical feminist) has infiltrated mainstream spaces and painted trans women as a threat to gender equality. They are not. Achieving gender equality means creating a safe, inclusive world for everyone.

What are three ways to take action on gender equality?

The world will never reach gender equality without action. Considering how far we are from achieving it, major changes are needed. How can individuals and organizations help? Here are three ways:

#1. Support leaders committed to gender equality

Long-term changes often need legislative backing, so if you’re in a country that elects its leaders, choose the ones committed to gender equality. That often means electing women to positions of power, but it’s unwise to vote for a candidate simply because of their gender. Women are not inherently more selfless or noble. Look at a candidate’s voting records and research their policy plans. What are gender equality activists saying about them? Are they getting support from human rights organizations? If the candidate is elected, continue holding them accountable. A lot of politicians promise to support gender equality, but once they’re in office, they change course. It’s up to voters to pay attention.

#2. Educate young people (especially boys) on gender equality

There’s been global progress on gender equality, but cultural mindsets, biases, and hatred of women remain persistent issues. Parents are not always aware it’s even happening. Using the internet, misogynist networks and influencers target young boys and radicalize them into hateful beliefs about women and gender. It can happen slowly on gaming websites and message boards. Because of how algorithms work, boys don’t even need to seek out hateful content to be exposed to it. Once anti-feminist messages have been engrained, boys may start harassing women online and in person. Radicalized men can also commit horrific violence. It’s up to adults to recognize the signs of radicalization and combat misogynist influences. Education and open communication about gender and equality are two of the best ways to take action.

#3. Support higher wages

Poverty and gender equality go hand-in-hand. If you want to support gender equality, support higher wages. Consider the United States. At the time of writing, the federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour. While many states have raised their minimum wage, full-time workers still can’t afford rent on a one-bedroom bedroom in 93% of U.S. counties. An Oxfam analysis also found that in 40 states, 50% or more of all women of color earn below a living wage. In nine states, 50% or more of all women make less than $15 an hour. These patterns are reflected on a global scale: more women work low-paying jobs. They also work longer hours for less money. To get closer to gender equality, the lowest wages need to be raised.

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In 2022, the World Bank estimated that about 8% of the world’s population (which is almost 650 million people) lived on less than $2.15 per day. This state is known as “extreme poverty.” While extreme poverty is the most urgent issue, 47% of the world’s population is still struggling with less than $6.85 per day. What is poverty exactly?

In this article, we’ll provide a thorough definition alongside key facts everyone should know and the best ways to take action.

Poverty occurs when individuals and communities don’t have enough money or resources for a basic standard of level. That includes good housing, food, clean water, healthcare, and much more. COVID-19 stalled years of progress on ending poverty, which makes solutions like improved gender equity, universal health coverage, and taxes on the world’s richest all the more essential.

What is poverty?

Poverty happens when someone lacks the income and resources necessary to maintain a good standard of living. That includes safe housing, medical care, food, clean water, and so on. The UN emphasizes that it’s also “more than a lack of income.” There are varying socioeconomic factors at play such as race, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, the ability to access services, and opportunities for decent work. Poverty also drives many social issues like poor education, child labor, forced labor, poor health, violence, and more.

For years, extreme poverty – which affects the poorest people on Earth – referred to living on less than $1.90 a day. In 2022, the World Bank updated its line to $2.15. It was changed to reflect cost increases for basic food, clothing, and shelter in low-income countries between 2011 and 2017 relative to the rest of the world. $2.15 in 2017 prices is equal to $1.90 in 2011 prices. Before COVID-19, the world was doing a decent job reducing extreme poverty. According to the World Bank’s Poverty and Shared Prosperity report, 1 billion people escaped extreme poverty over 30 years. Then, COVID hit. In 2020, 70 million fell below the extreme poverty line. Based on estimates, about 7% of the world (most in Africa) will still be in extreme poverty by 2030. There’s also the matter of those vulnerable to poverty. These are people living on $2-$5 per day. There are 1.3 billion in this group. One financial setback like an illness, injury, job loss, or other crisis would be enough to push them into extreme poverty.

What causes poverty?

Many factors drive poverty, which is one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to eliminate. Here are five causes:

A lack of good education

Education is key to breaking long poverty cycles. Without a good education, it’s very difficult for people to get better-paying jobs that help them afford necessities and build wealth. A 2017 report from UNESCO and the Global Education Monitoring Report found that if all adults finished secondary school, the global poverty rate could be cut in half. Unfortunately, for those who are already in poverty, completing school is often difficult or impossible. Governments and NGOs need to step in to ensure students get as much education as possible.

Conflict and war

Conflict and poverty have a close, reinforcing relationship. Poverty fuels conflict. Conflict can then make poverty worse. The most obvious reason is that conflict disrupts people’s lives and destroys infrastructure. Those displaced by violence – especially women, children, disabled people, and the elderly – are much more likely to fall into poverty. Even when a conflict has ended, recovery can take a long time and fail to support the most harmed.

Environmental disasters and climate change

Like conflict, environmental disasters disrupt communities and destroy infrastructure. Climate change is quickly becoming a persistent source of disasters worldwide. While the world’s poorest contribute the least to climate change, they’re impacted the most. This is because poor people depend on agriculture, which climate change disrupts through floods, famines, hurricanes, and more. If significant changes aren’t made, climate change could push 130 million people into extreme poverty over the next decade.

Inaccessible healthcare

Poor healthcare is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. Cost is a big reason why. One expensive emergency can tip people into poverty and keep them there. Poverty also increases the risk of health issues that quickly drain a person’s wallet. There are issues beyond pure cost, however. Disenfranchised groups aren’t given equal access to information, services, nutritious food, and other resources necessary for good health. Even if healthcare were more affordable, there would be other steps needed to make it truly accessible.

Social injustice

There’s an established link between poverty and social injustices like racism and gender inequality. Take the United States. According to research from sociologist Regina Baker, Black populations living in southern states with a “strong historical racial regime” experience worse poverty. There’s also a wider poverty gap between Black and white populations in these states. Worldwide, gender inequality and poverty are deeply linked. If everyone received equal rights and opportunities, it would eliminate a lot of poverty.

What are the main facts about poverty?

There’s a lot to know about poverty, but here are three main facts everyone should remember:

#1. Around 1 billion children live in poverty

Children are deeply affected by poverty. According to UNICEF, 1 billion kids don’t have access to education, housing, nutrition, water, sanitation, or healthcare. Around 356 of those kids are living in extreme poverty. As a result, kids from the poorest households die at twice the rate of kids who aren’t as poor. The kids that do survive continue to face difficulties like poor nutrition, chronic disease, mental health problems, and hindered emotional development. Childhood poverty could even cause long-term effects on the brain, though environmental factors affect behavior, too.

#2. Poverty is concentrated in a few areas

According to data from the World Bank, South Sudan has the highest poverty rate at 82.30%. Equatorial Guinea is next at 76.80%. This is followed by Madagascar (70.70%), Guinea-Bissau (69.30%), and Eritrea (69.30%). In Burundi, which is a small country in East Africa with 12.1 million people, 70% of the population is poor. 52% of kids under 5 have stunted growth and high levels of malnutrition. In terms of GDP per capita, Burundi is the poorest country in the world.

#3. It’s not just poverty; it’s wealth inequality

Wealth inequality refers to differences in income, as well as the value of stocks, investments, houses, personal possessions, and so on. According to the World Bank Gini Index, South Africa has the highest rate of wealth inequality: 63%. That’s followed by Namibia (59.1%) and Suriname (57.9%). The United States, which has the largest economy in the world, also has issues. 2021 data showed that income at the top of the income distribution was 13.53 times higher than income at the bottom. Inequality is a global problem; in the past ten years, the world’s richest 1% have gotten almost 50% of all new wealth.

How can the world eliminate poverty?

The world was making great progress on ending poverty until COVID-19. Things need to improve quickly if we’re going to achieve SDG Goal #1 by 2030. Because poverty is such a complex, large-scale issue, it’s hard for individuals to make much of a difference on their own. However, people can educate themselves on the best solutions and pressure those in power to take action. Here are three solutions to learn more about:

#1. Focus on gender equity

As we mentioned before, poverty and gender inequality are deeply linked. It’s impossible to eliminate poverty without gender equality. According to the World Bank, about 2.4 billion women of working age aren’t getting equal economic opportunities. 95 countries don’t mandate equal pay for equal work. Improving equity would lift a huge number of women and their families out of poverty. What can individuals do to help? Support organizations that focus on women and children. Advocate for better policies at your workplace, like more paid family leave, more flexible hours, and an end to gender pay gaps.

#2. Advocate for universal health coverage

According to the WHO, universal healthcare is the assurance that everyone has “access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.” It’s a key part of eliminating poverty. While there was progress before COVID-19, 2 billion people are facing what the WHO calls “catastrophic or impoverishing health spending.” Individuals can support universal health coverage by donating to organizations and pressuring leaders to pass legislation.

#3. Tax the rich

According to an Oxfam report called Survival of the Richest, the fortunes of billionaires are rising by $2.7 billion a day. Meanwhile, 1.7 billion workers live in countries where inflation is rising faster than wages. In 2022, 95 food and energy corporations more than doubled their profits, which were passed on to billionaire shareholders. These massive corporate profits also drove half of the inflation in the US, UK, and Australia. If the world wants to end poverty, these excesses need to be addressed. According to the Oxfam report, a tax of up to 5% on the world’s richest could raise $1.7 trillion a year. That’s enough to help 2 billion people escape poverty.

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According to The Gender Snapshot 2022 report, it will take around 300 years to reach gender equality. If countries do not make significant progress, the world won’t achieve Sustainable Development Goal #5 by 2030. There is no simple solution to gender inequality. It’s a complex web of intersecting issues that reinforce each other. How can the world untangle the web? Here are 15 gender issues that need to be addressed:

#1. Education access

The world has made significant progress in ensuring education access. Globally, girls have either closed or reversed gaps in accessing and completing education. Certain areas are still far behind and there’s still gender inequality among adults. Adult women are more likely to be illiterate compared to men. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 1 in 4 young women can’t read. COVID-19 likely had a negative impact, but specific data is still being collected and analyzed. Education is crucial for gender equality and the success of nations. A World Bank study estimated that when girls aren’t educated, it can cost countries $15-$30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings.

#2. Maternal death rate

Maternal death rate (also known as maternal mortality) refers to deaths caused by complications from pregnancy or childbirth. There was significant progress between 2000-2017. The global maternal death rate decreased by 38%. There’s still a long way to go, especially since deaths are mostly preventable. Among the wealthiest countries, the United States in particular needs to take action. The CDC recently released maternal mortality stats for 2020, revealing that deaths had increased from 2019. Black women are three times more likely to die than white women. Overall, the United States’ maternal mortality rate is almost three times higher than France, which has the next highest death rate. Maternal death has a huge impact on families and society. In 2014, a study in three sub-counties in Western Kenya found that when a mother dies in pregnancy or childbirth, it triggers a wave of harm affecting her children, their education, the family’s health, and more.

#3. Abortion and birth control access

Access to family planning resources (which include abortion and birth control) is essential to a person’s bodily autonomy. Access is also critical for the health, well-being, and economic prosperity of families, communities, and nations. At the time of writing, there are 24 countries or territories that prohibit abortion for any reason. At least 75 countries allow abortion on request with gestational limits. When the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, it joined just three countries (Poland, Nicaragua, and El Salvador) that have gone backward on abortion rights since 1994. Experts worry that states banning abortion will come for birth control like Plan B and IUDs next. Reproductive rights like abortion and birth are gendered, but it’s important to remember restrictions threaten everyone’s freedom.

#4. Informal employment

The informal economy is a sector of the economy that isn’t monitored or taxed. It forms a large part of developing countries, and while it provides work and wages, it’s much less secure or safe. The International Labor Organization estimates that around 60% of the world’s labor force works (at least part-time) in the informal economy. Why is this a gender issue? In low-income countries, 92.1% of employed women work in the informal economy compared to 87.5% of employed men. When the pandemic hit, women’s employment suffered the most. As an example, home-based workers earned 2% of their median pre-pandemic income in the middle of 2021 while in sub-Saharan Africa, 41% of women-owned businesses closed (compared to 34% of businesses owned by men). By supporting those in informal employment, countries can make progress on gender inequality.

#5. Unpaid labor

Unpaid labor includes childcare, cleaning, cooking, and caring for older family members. Globally, women spend about 3.2 times more time on unpaid work than men. No country on the planet splits this work evenly. While unpaid labor often fills in social service gaps, keeps families afloat, and supports economies, unpaid labor isn’t valued. Women are simply expected to sacrifice their time – which they could use to work for pay or pursue education – without compensation. This can keep families locked in cycles of poverty and fuel gender inequality. Countries can change things by legislating more paid leave, investing in high-quality childcare, offering child tax credits, and more. These solutions will primarily help women because they do so much unpaid labor, but it’s good for other caregivers, families, and children, too.

#6. The gender pay gap

The gender pay gap is one of the best-known gender issues, but progress has been slow. Globally, the World Bank estimates that about 2.4 billion women of working age don’t get equal economic opportunities compared to men. The amount of unpaid labor put on women is a big reason why, but many countries aren’t paying women as much as men. The World Bank also found that just 95 of the surveyed 190 economies mandate equal pay for equal work for men and women. In the United States, eliminating the gender pay gap could halve the poverty rate for all working women.

#7. Gender-based violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a persistent issue infecting the entire world. According to the World Health Organization, 30% of women will be subjected to physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetimes. 38% of murdered women are killed by their intimate partners. Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and war increase gender-based violence. Why is this such a significant issue? The fear and reality of violence severely restrict a woman’s ability to move and live freely. This limits every area of her life, including career opportunities. Stopping gender-based violence is challenging. Solutions include recognizing warning signs of violence, investing in accountability, eliminating poverty, and ending the normalization of violence.

#8. Political representation

Men hold most of the world’s power. According to UN Women data from September 2022, there were 28 countries where 30 women served as Heads of State and/or Government. At this rate, it will take another 130 years to reach gender equality in the highest positions of power. Lower levels aren’t much better. Worldwide, women remain underrepresented at all levels of decision-making. Representation of trans people is also essential to gender equality worldwide.

#9. Transphobia

Because of transphobia, trans people face increased levels of violence and discrimination worldwide. In the US’ largest study of transgender and gender non-conforming people, 28% reported harassment in healthcare settings. In 2020, Human Rights Watch tracked a record number of violent attacks against transgender and gender non-conforming people. The real numbers are most likely higher as most harassment and violence are never reported. In the US, bills targeting trans youth have been piling up. Unless transphobia is addressed, things will only get worse.

#10. Human trafficking

Human trafficking affects all genders, but not in the same ways. Women and girls made up 60% of all victims in 2020. They’re also three times more likely to experience extreme violence. The share of male victims has been increasing. This is most likely because forced labor is becoming more common and more men and boys are trafficked for this purpose. Gender norms about masculinity and exploitation play a role in identification; many men don’t call themselves human trafficking victims. When dealing with human trafficking, it’s important to understand the gendered dynamics.

#11. Racialized gender

The term “racialized gender” refers to how race intersects with gender. While white women face gender discrimination, their whiteness shields them from oppression doled unto women of color. This changes the nature of the gender equality fight as Black women, Latina women, Indigenous women, Asian women, etc, face different barriers and increased (and often sexualized) violence. Recognizing these differences, as well as the prevalence of racism within white feminism movements, is important.

#12. Mental health

Mental health and mental illnesses are complex, but there do seem to be differences when it comes to gender. Women are more likely to report depression and anxiety, although men could be hiding their mental health struggles due to societal biases about masculinity. Women are more likely to attempt suicide while men are four times more likely (in the United States) to successfully end their own lives. This could be because men tend to choose more violent, lethal methods. Researchers are still untangling the mysteries about mental health, but it’s clear gender plays a role.

#13. Online radicalization

In the past decade or so, several young men have carried out mass shootings. Many of them have something in common: they were radicalized online. Experts are raising the alarm about these toxic online spaces, which target lonely men and boys as young as middle school. Organized networks of anti-feminist, racist influencers congregate where they know boys hang out (like gaming websites) and seed hateful, violent rhetoric and beliefs. Algorithms also play a role in pulling young men deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole. Parents, educators, and schools need to learn to recognize warning signs and intervene before beliefs turn into violence.

#14. Climate change

change affects men and women differently. In areas where climate change’s effects are most powerful, women are usually the ones who collect food, water, and fuel. If male family members need to leave home for work, women and girls take on even more unpaid labor, which is made more difficult by climate change. According to recent forecasts, 62.8% of the world’s poorest women live in sub-Saharan Africa, which is also the region most vulnerable to climate change. While climate change doesn’t discriminate based on gender, its effects are not proportionate. Gender equality is key to fighting climate change.

#15. Discriminatory laws

Many of the world’s gender issues have roots in the law. According to the World Bank’s Women, Business, and the Law report, on average women get about ¾ of the same legal rights as men. The report uses eight indicators to measure women’s “interactions with the law” throughout their careers: Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension. There’s been some progress as 23 economies made reforms. However, 46 economies still don’t have legislation on sexual harassment in the workplace. 89 economies also need legal reforms to improve women’s agency and decision-making within marriage. Laws aren’t a magic bullet, but they’re an essential foundation for better gender equality

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Millions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are in operation today around the world. They tend to focus on political or social causes, and while an NGO can get funding from government agencies and/or businesses, they’re meant to operate without government influence. Why do we need these types of organizations? How do they impact society? Here are fifteen reasons why:

#1. They provide medical care

The Covid-19 pandemic has claimed millions of lives (and counting) and strained healthcare systems around the world. While the pandemic’s worst days are likely behind us, it remains a persistent concern alongside mental health and other medical issues. NGOs engage in activities like research and medical services. Doctors Without Borders is one of the largest and most famous NGOs with a presence in 70 countries. The Carter Center, which was founded in 1982 by former president Jimmy Carter, led a campaign to eradicate Guinea worm disease. In 1986, there were 3.5 million cases every year. In 2021, there were only 14 reported cases. This success story represents the best of what NGOs are capable of.

#2. They assist during outbreaks and pandemics

NGOs provide all kinds of medical care, but during outbreaks and pandemics like COVID-19, they can be especially vital partners. In a post from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, local NGOs were described as being “at the heart of” reaching people during COVID. This is due to the knowledge of local NGOs and the existing trust they’ve built in the community. During the first wave of COVID, Plan India (part of Plan International) reached 200,000+ families with supplies like dry rations, hygiene kits, and education kits. As the virus persists, the NGO continues its work with food aid, PPE, and education.

#3. They address hunger

Famine occurs when countries or regions get hit with extreme food scarcity. Causes include wars, chronic poverty, natural disasters, and climate change. While famines are rare, millions of people still deal with food insecurity. Around 10% of the world’s population deals with hunger. According to a 2022 report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the WFP, there are 20 “hunger hotspots” on the brink of famine. Millions would be affected. Getting enough food is essential to every person’s life, so many NGOs focus on or include hunger relief in their programs. Action Against Hunger’s work includes advocacy, emergency assistance, financial planning for women, small business support, farmers’ cooperatives, and more.

#4. They help provide clean water and sanitation

Clean water and sanitation are so important, they’re Goal 6 in the Sustainable Development Goals. Significant progress has been made, but according to UN data, around two billion people don’t have safely managed drinking water. If the rate of progress doesn’t improve, 2.8 billion won’t have safe sanitation and 1.6 billion won’t have safe drinking water in 2030. Humanitarian NGOs include water and sanitation as part of their activities, but some NGOs have a narrow focus. The UK-based WaterAid, which works in 30+ countries, hopes to reach 400 million people with clean water and sanitation services by 2032.

#5. They help during natural disasters

Famines, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters cause immense damage and suffering. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, the United States endured 15 weather/climate disaster events from January-October 2022, resulting in losses of over $1 billion each. As for death, extreme weather disasters between 2000-2019 caused around 475,000 deaths in more than 160 countries. Most humanitarian NGOs provide emergency services. Direct Relief, which is based in the US but also works internationally, offers services like emergency medical packs, hurricane prep packs, oral rehydration salts, and more. NGOs often work in cooperation with governments and intergovernmental organizations like the UN.

#6. They promote equality and fairness in the legal system

Injustice in the legal system can look like unpunished police brutality, racially-biased court systems, the use of the death penalty to suppress political enemies, and unfair laws. Legal-focused NGOs work to protect victimized people, reform unjust, violent systems, and conduct research. One example is Penal Reform International, which works to protect human rights and make criminal justice systems fair. Areas of focus include the rising number of women affected by criminal justice systems and the unnecessary incarceration of children. The NGO has consultative status with the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and more.

#7. They protect wildlife and biodiversity

The environment is connected in more ways than we can count, so if even one species becomes unhealthy, it has a ripple effect. According to the WWF’s Living Planet Report from 2022, wildlife populations decreased by around 69% in 50 years. Latin America has suffered the most, while global freshwater species have declined by 83%. Why does this matter? The loss of biodiversity harms the planet’s health, including human health. Without a wide range of species, wildlife is more vulnerable to threats and eventually extinction. The more species suffer and decline, the more vulnerable all wildlife becomes. Many environmental NGOs focus on wildlife protection, including The World Wildlife Fund, Oceana, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

#8. They fight against climate change

In 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its sixth report. It laid out a troubling picture of the future if the world does not respond to climate change quickly. If global warming reaches 1.5°C within 2021-2040, climate hazards will increase and put ecosystems and humans in serious danger. Health issues, death, environmental destruction, and more will follow. Many NGOs are fighting to raise awareness and present solutions. Environmental Defense Fund, Greenpeace, and Fridays for Future are just a few examples. Activities include advocacy campaigns, research, protests, partnerships, and educational resources.

#9. They help with economic development

Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals focuses on “decent work and economic growth.” Without an inclusive, sustainable economy, people suffer harms like poverty, a lack of education, a lack of affordable healthcare, and more. This makes economic development a common focus for NGOs. One of the world’s largest anti-poverty NGOs, the Bangladesh Rehabilitation Assistance Committee (BRAC), works in 11 countries. Its activities include banking, microfinance, integrated development (which focuses on pockets of extreme poverty), and urban development. The goal of economic development should be to empower local communities and build sustainability, so countries and regions aren’t dependent on humanitarian aid and emergency relief.

#10. They help protect reproductive rights

Reproductive rights ensure people have the right to decide if and when to have children. Prenatal services, the right to safe childbirth, and the right to abortion are included in reproductive rights. When these rights aren’t protected, individuals, families, and entire communities suffer. NGOs like the Center for Reproductive Rights, which is a legal advocacy organization, work to advance reproductive rights through litigation and court cases. Many humanitarian organizations also have programs for reproductive rights. Plan International works with partners to ensure access to sexual health services and to stop harmful practices like forced marriage.

#11. They advance gender equality

Despite decades of progress, gender equality is still far away. According to a 2022 report from the World Bank, around 2.4 billion women of working age don’t get equal opportunities. Gender-based violence is also a big issue. Around 30% of women have experienced sexual and/or physical violence while around 38% of murdered women are killed by intimate partners. These striking numbers explain why most humanitarian organizations pay special attention to gender equality and the protection of women. NGOs like Womankind Worldwide, Global Fund For Women, and the International Alliance of Women focus on advocacy, funding campaigns, and more.

#12. They protect children

Despite making up around ⅓ of the globe’s population, kids are one of the most vulnerable groups in the world. According to Amnesty International, around 290 million children don’t have their births registered, so they have no legal proof of existence. This makes it much easier to violate their human rights. Over 61 million kids also don’t attend primary school, while around 1 in 6 live in extreme poverty. Save the Children International (based in the UK) is one of the world’s most famous NGOs dedicated to kids. It’s a global membership organization with 30 national members. Its areas of focus include learning, survival, protection, emergencies, and the climate crisis.

#13. They provide education

Education is another major focus for NGOs and for good reason. A lack of education access is linked to things like poverty, gender inequality, poorer health and safety, and more. Girls are still more likely to miss out on education compared to boys; around 129 million girls aren’t in school. Humanitarian NGOs like Save the Children, CARE, and Plan International have programs focused on education, especially for girls. Education International, which is headquartered in Belgium, is a global union federation of teachers’ trade unions. It has a presence in 172 countries.

#14. They protect refugees

The UN defines refugees as people who leave their homes because of persecution of religion, race, nationality, membership in a group, or political opinion. As of May 2022, 100 million people were forcibly displaced. The war in Ukraine and other conflicts were responsible for the increase of 10.7 million from the end of 2021. Refugees face many challenges, including an increased risk of trafficking and sexual violence, so many NGOs focus their efforts on helping refugees. Some examples include Refugees International, the International Rescue Committee, and RefugePoint.

#15. They protect democracy

According to Freedom House’s 2022 report, global freedom has declined in the past 16 years. While only 25 countries that year saw improvements in their democracy, 60 experienced declines. Today, only 20% of the world’s population lives in what Freedom House classifies as a “Free” country. NGOs like Freedom House, Protect Democracy, and Amnesty International play an important role in protecting and promoting democracy. Activities can include advocacy campaigns, research, litigation, training, emergency assistance for human rights defenders, and more.

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NGOs are social and political organizations that work independently from governments. Most NGOs are nonprofits, but not all nonprofits are NGOs. While it’s difficult to count how many NGOs exist today, 2021 data from The U.S. Department of State estimates there are 1.5 million NGOs working in the US alone. Which ones are the biggest? This article describes 15 influential NGOs located in places like the United States, Europe, and South Asia.

#1. Save the Children

Established in: 1919
Global presence: 120 countries

Based in London, this international NGO works to improve the lives of children through healthcare, education, emergency aid, economic development, and more. As a global movement, the NGO has 30 national member organizations around the world. Areas of focus include hunger, health, education, policy and advocacy, the climate crisis, and the war in Ukraine.

In 2021, Save the Children and its member organizations reached almost 43 million kids and responded to 103 humanitarian emergencies. Their combined revenue was around USD 2.2 billion.

#2. Oxfam International

Established in: 1942
Global presence: 90+ countries

Oxfam is an anti-poverty organization that focuses on water and sanitation, gender justice, conflicts and disasters, and much more. Since 2015, the NGO has reached over 3 million people in Yemen with services like clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and cash for food. In Syria, where millions have been forcibly displaced since 2011, Oxfam works in eight of the 14 governorates focusing on clean water, hygiene kits, farmers, and more. Oxfam also has charity shops around the world (most are in the UK) that sell donated and fair-trade items.

According to the 2020-2021 annual report, Oxfam reached over 14 million people with their COVID-19 response; worked with 1.7 million people on gender justice; and made USD 912 million in total income.

#3. Doctors without Borders

Established in: 1971
Global presence: 70+ countries

Based in France (where it’s known as Médecins Sans Frontières), Doctors Without Borders is a medical NGO working in conflict zones, areas affected by natural disasters, and areas with endemic diseases. Their focuses include antibiotic resistance, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, vaccinations, mental health, and more. They use 14% of their income on fundraising, 85% on programs, and 1% on management and general admin.

In 2021, the NGO performed over 12.5 million medical consultations; gave 1.6 million vaccinations; and saw over 1 million patients in MSF hospitals and clinics. After adjustments, MSF had a surplus of €169 million. MSF gets most of its funding from private income, which includes individuals and private foundations.

#4. BRAC

Established in: 1972
Global presence: 11 countries

BRAC is an international development NGO based in Bangladesh. Because of how many employees it has, it’s the largest NGO in the world. It works in every district in Bangladesh as well as in countries like Kenya, Liberia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. It focuses on social development like microfinance, disaster risk management, education, gender justice, and water and sanitation. BRAC also has several social enterprises, which are self-sustaining, cause-driven businesses. These help the NGO fund itself.

According to its 2021 annual report, almost 2 in 5 people in Bangladesh received support from BRAC. 11.5 million accessed financial services and awareness; USD 4.5 billion in loans were disbursed; and 190,000 kids got access to education. The NGO also had over 4 billion Taka in total assets.

#5. World Vision

Established in: 1950
Global presence: 100+ countries

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian NGO focused on issues like poverty, education, child protection, disaster relief, economic empowerment, and clean water. Children are the NGO’s top priority. In 2022, World Vision helped 3.2 million kids through child sponsorship; assisted 31.1 million refugees and disaster survivors; and gave 3 million people clean water access. World Vision has around USD 1 billion in operating revenue. It spends 90% of its revenue on programs, 6% on fundraising, and 4% on management and general administration.

Note: World Vision’s moral guidelines for employees have caused controversy. In 2014, the NGO announced it would begin hiring employees in same-sex marriages, but World Vision quickly reversed course after losing sponsors. At the time of writing, it appears the NGO is maintaining its discriminatory policy.

#6. International Rescue Committee

Established in: 1933
Global presence: 40+ countries

The International Rescue Committee, which was originally founded in response to people fleeing Nazi Germany, helps refugees affected by humanitarian crises like disasters and conflict. Areas of focus include safety, health, economic well-being, empowerment, and education. As women and girls are among the most vulnerable, the NGO pays special attention to their needs. The IRC works in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States.

In 2021, the NGO reached 31.5 million people, resettled people from 32 countries in the United States, and reached over 1 million people with malnutrition prevention services. Total revenue in 2021 was USD 979,512 while net assets were USD 245,790.

#7. Catholic Relief Services

Established in: 1943
Global presence: 100+ countries

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international humanitarian NGO and a member of Caritas International, which is a global network of Catholic humanitarian agencies. Originally founded to aid European refugees in WWII, the NGO expanded its work to emergency relief, long-term development, and human rights protection.

In 2021, CRS reached 193 million people in 116 countries. That includes providing over USD 75 million in cash and vouchers for displaced people in Gaza; restoring 503,096 acres of land in Central America; and helping 221,396 children and adolescents with HIV get treatment. CRS’ total operating revenue was USD 1,191,928 in 2021. 93.5% is spent on program services with 6.5 spent on support services like fundraising and general administration.

#8. Danish Refugee Council

Established in: 1956
Global presence: 40+ countries

The Danish Refugee Council was formed after WWII in response to the Soviet invasion of Hungary. Today, it’s the largest NGO in Denmark. It works in every stage of displacement, provides humanitarian aid and protection, and works with civil society and authorities to promote refugee rights. The Danish Refugee Council is an umbrella nonprofit with 33 member organizations, so it has a presence in over 40 countries including countries in Europe, Asia, and West and North Africa.

In 2021, the NGO’s Executive Committee approved the new global DRC Strategy 2025, which lays out the organization’s strategy for the next few years. As forced displacement increases, the DRC has its work cut out for it. In 2021, the DRC achieved a DKK 25 million profit.

#9. CARE International

Established in: 1945
Global presence: 100+ countries

CARE International is an anti-poverty NGO that focuses on areas like gender equality, the right to health, climate justice, the right to food and clean water, and so on. Girls and women are a top priority. They use the Sustainable Development Goals as a guide for tracking progress.

In 2022, CARE reached 174 million people directly in 111 countries. From 2015-2021, CARE helped 4.4 million kids access better quality or more inclusive education. 73.9 million people received humanitarian and basic services or experienced reduced poverty. In the fiscal year (July 2021-June 2022), CARE USA spent USD 658,572 on program activities and USD 56,703 on supporting activities.

#10. Amnesty International

Established in: 1961
Global presence: 150+ countries

Amnesty International is an advocacy NGO based in the UK. It claims to have more than ten million members and supporters. Its goal is to promote and protect human rights through awareness campaigns and mobilizing the public. Areas of focus include torture, the death penalty, police brutality, and climate justice.

AI’s impact includes freeing immigrants and asylum-seekers kept in unlawful detention and helping change public opinion on issues like the death penalty. In 2021, AI raised €357m for human rights work. 45% was spent on human rights research, advocacy, campaigning, and education.

#11. ActionAid International

Established in: 1972
Global presence: 45 countries

ActionAid is an international NGO working to end poverty, gender inequality, and injustice. It focuses on women, politics and economics, land and climate, and emergencies. Women’s rights are woven through all the NGO’s activities. Its head office is in South Africa, but it has hubs in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

In 2021, ActionAid’s humanitarian work reached over 3 million people, including over 500,000 children and over 900,000 women. Its total income was €224 million. It spent 64% of that on programs, 18% on support, and 16% on fundraising.

#12. Direct Relief

Established in: 1948
Global presence: 80+ countries

Direct Relief is a California-based humanitarian aid NGO focused on health. Its work includes disaster relief (hurricanes, wildfires, outbreaks, etc) and longer-term aid like supporting healthcare providers, community health, and maternal health. It works in places like Asia, Africa, Mexico, South America, and the United States.

In 2021, Direct Relief provided over USD 1.6 million in specifically-requested medical supplies and medicine, as well as more than 94 million masks, 31 million gloves, and other PPE. The NGO received USD 1.93 billion in public support and spent USD 1.7 billion on assistance around the world.

#13. Action Against Hunger

Established in: 1979
Global presence: 50+ countries

This NGO focuses on ending world hunger and assisting malnourished children. Its solutions include treating malnutrition, strengthening food security, empowering parents, expanding clean water access, and more. Action Against Hunger works in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

Across the world, Action Against Hunger serves more than 26 million people. According to its 2021 audited financial statement, the NGO’s total revenue was USD 116,826,140. It spent USD 75,858,609 on program services.

#14. Anti-Slavery International

Established in: 1839
Global presence: 20+ countries

Anti-Slavery International, which was founded in the UK, is the world’s oldest international human rights organization. It focuses on ending slavery in all its forms, including human trafficking, child slavery, and child marriage. Activities include working with survivors; supporting and promoting legal frameworks for ending slavery; and changing systems that allow exploitation.

In 2021, Anti-Slavery International supported 17,880 people and 14 anti-slavery partner organizations in 10 countries. The NGO also raised £3,166,278 during the 2020-2021 financial year and spent £2,937,095 on ending slavery and fundraising.

#15. Plan International

Established in: 1937
Global presence: 75+ countries

Plan International is a humanitarian and development NGO focused on children’s rights and gender equality. Areas of focus include quality education, protection from violence, sexual and reproductive health, emergencies, and youth empowerment.

According to its 2022 review, Plan International worked in 83 countries. It reached over 4.5 million girls with early childhood development programs and over 5 million girls with its sexual and reproductive health and rights programs. It had a €1.1 billion income. For every euro spent, 80 cents were spent on programs, 12 cents were spent on raising funds and getting new supporters, and 8 cents were spent on HR, finance, etc.

The post The 15 Biggest NGOs in the World appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Every night, hundreds of thousands of people in America don’t have a permanent, safe place to stay. Homelessness can look like living in a car, hopping from shelter to shelter, or staying temporarily with different people. While collecting accurate data is challenging, there are certain facts human rights advocates should know about homelessness in the United States.

Homelessness in the United States has many causes, but the outcomes always include a lack of safety and vulnerability to other serious issues. Without major changes, homelessness in the US is expected to increase.

#1. There are about half a million people experiencing homelessness in the United States

While homelessness is a global issue, the United States has faced a sharp rise in recent years. In January 2020, 580,466 people were experiencing homelessness. That included people staying in shelters and on the streets. It’s difficult to know if this number is completely accurate. Why? The number comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Point-in-Time (PIT) count. PIT is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on one night in January. That can limit the accuracy of the count. Also, unsheltered youth often don’t seek out traditional homelessness assistance programs, so they can easily be undercounted.

#2. Homelessness has many causes

In the United States, several factors intersect and build on one another to create conditions that lead to homelessness. Poverty is a major cause. While affordable housing has decreased, wages haven’t kept up. This churns up a perfect storm of high housing prices, low pay, and reduced public assistance. A lack of affordable healthcare drives homelessness, as well. Several studies show a close link between healthcare costs and bankruptcy, which can quickly lead to homelessness. While addiction and mental illness can also cause people to lose their housing, research shows addressing poverty, wages, affordable housing, and healthcare costs would significantly reduce homelessness.

#3. Certain groups are at a higher risk of homelessness

According to HUD data, certain groups are more likely to experience homelessness than others. Out of 10,000 men, 22 are homeless, while 13 out of 10,000 women are homeless. HUD data also finds that race and ethnicity affect risk; racial and ethnic groups that have faced marginalization – like Black Americans and Native Americans – experience increased rates. This makes sense considering the long-standing discrimination and inequalities in American society. What about disabled people? According to data described in a 2022 “Immigration and Human Rights Law Review” article, disabled individuals have a higher risk for homelessness. 20% of people with disabilities live in developed countries, but those same countries don’t provide sufficient housing. In the United States, the number of disabled people experiencing long-term or chronic homelessness increased by 8.5% from 2018 to 2019.

#4. LGBTQ+ youth are uniquely vulnerable

For a few reasons, LGBTQ+ youth are at high risk for homelessness. Of the roughly 1.6 million young people who experience homelessness each year, up to 40% identify as LGBTQ+. According to a 2013 Child Trends article, these young people are also more likely to experience homelessness at a younger age than other unsheltered youth. Rejection from family is a common reason. About 50% of teens report getting a negative reaction when they come out, while 1 in 4 get kicked out of their homes. Without safe, stable options, these rejected kids often end up on the streets and vulnerable to violence, criminal activity, and other serious outcomes. Books on homelessness like No House to Call My Own, which was written in 2015 by Ryan Berg, help educate advocates on what LGBTQ+ youth face and how to provide the best care.

#5. Veterans face increased risks, but there’s been significant progress

In the United States, veterans face the usual risks for homelessness – a lack of affordable housing, poverty, and unemployment – but they also have higher risks for mental illness, substance abuse, and social isolation. Historically, these factors have made veterans more likely to experience homelessness than non-veterans. In 2009, The National Coalition for the Homeless found that veterans made up 23% of the homeless population. 47% were from the Vietnam War era, which severely affected returning soldiers. According to a VA survey, half a million of those who served in Vietnam suffered from PTSD, high rates of suicide, divorce, and substance abuse. The real number is likely much higher as surveys tend to only reflect a portion of the truth. Since 2009, progress has been made. In November 2022, HUD published a press release announcing a 55.3% reduction in veterans experiencing homelessness since 2010.

#6. Many cities address homelessness by criminalizing it

Unfortunately, many places in the United States respond to homelessness by categorizing it as a crime. That doesn’t mean laws directly say “being homeless makes you a criminal,” but cities have created webs of laws that end up essentially criminalizing homelessness. “Hiding Homelessness: The Transcarceration of Homelessness” from the California Law Review lays out several examples, including bans on sleeping outside, camping, standing near a building for too long, receiving food, and so on. For unhoused people, it becomes nearly impossible to avoid breaking these laws.

Consequences include harassment from law enforcement, criminal charges, and jail time. Framing homelessness as a crime also increases the likelihood that unhoused people will be treated poorly and face even more marginalization. It also penalizes people who want to help. In October 2022, an Arizona woman was arrested for sharing food with unhoused people in a park. Why? The city had passed an ordinance that forbade people from sharing prepared food in parks for “charitable purposes.” Before her arrest, the retired restaurant owner had been distributing free food for four years.

#7. Homelessness is a health issue

Being homeless can have catastrophic effects on a person’s health. According to a 2019 fact sheet from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, unhoused people have higher rates of illness and die around 12 years earlier than the general U.S. population. Issues include a lack of safe places to store essential medications, an increased vulnerability to communicable diseases on the streets or in shelters, and poor nutrition. Even seemingly minor issues, like cuts, can easily develop into infections. Homelessness also has a major effect on a person’s mental health. While mental illness is a risk factor for homelessness, being homeless makes existing conditions worse and increases mental strain on those who were healthy before. In turn, poor mental health makes a person more vulnerable to substance use, reckless behavior, self-harm, and suicide. When addressing homelessness, the United States needs to understand the health impacts.

#8. Many unhoused people in the United States have jobs

There’s a very common misconception that if unhoused people just got jobs, they could get off the streets. However, in the US, thousands of unhoused people are already employed. In a 2017 survey, 8% of unhoused individuals said they were working part-time, seasonal, or temporary jobs. 27% of unhoused adults with children said they worked part or full-time jobs. In 2018, 10% of the nearly 5,000 unhoused people in San Diego, California said they were working. This number is likely higher because many unhoused people don’t come forward about their housing status. Unhoused people who are working are also likely to hide their status from employers and coworkers to avoid discrimination. A recent analysis also found that most people who experience homelessness get government benefits. The fact that so many unhoused people are working and/or getting benefits already clearly demonstrates that existing support isn’t enough to prevent homelessness.

#9. Homelessness is very stigmatized in the United States

While the causes of homelessness are closely linked to poverty, a lack of affordable housing, and soaring healthcare costs, huge portions of American society see homelessness as a personal issue. The rhetoric around homelessness can be deeply dehumanizing. Narratives about moral failings, laziness, filth, danger, and so on abound. It’s not uncommon to hear public figures talk about homelessness using phrases like “zombie apocalypse” or see news broadcasts film piles of trash or tents while they talk about homelessness like it was an infestation.

A 2021 Psychology Today article highlights a research study on perceptions of homelessness using Twitter. Beliefs about unhoused people being “dirty” were very common, as well as “socially deviant,” “lazy,” violent,” “criminal,” and so on. It was also very common for Twitter users to believe unhoused people brought it on themselves and therefore didn’t deserve help. This widespread dehumanization makes it easier for cities to criminalize homelessness and create us versus them narratives. This fuels further discrimination and violence against the homeless population.

#10. There are effective solutions to ending homelessness

Solutions like framing housing as a human right (which is described in one of the essays in this article) and tackling the roots of homelessness are effective. However, the United States lacks a cohesive, national housing policy. Homelessness solutions are currently left to state and local governments and organizations, which creates a patchwork of efforts with inconsistent results. According to the Coalition for The Homeless, which is the country’s oldest advocacy and direct organization for unhoused people, long-term housing assistance is the best solution. Federal housing assistance, permanent supportive housing, and “housing first” are cost-effective and proven to reduce homelessness.

The post 10 Facts About Homelessness in the United States appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Around the world, individuals, businesses, governments, and other systems discriminate against people based on gender. Cis women and girls are the most recognized target, but trans people face significant gender discrimination, as well. Discrimination harms these groups and society as a whole. In this article, we’ll define gender and gender discrimination, provide three examples of gender discrimination in action, and explain its negative effects.

Gender discrimination occurs when a person is treated negatively or unequally based on their gender. It includes restricted access to education, jobs, and healthcare; unequal pay; sexual harassment; and much more.

What is gender?

Before we talk about gender discrimination, we need to know what “gender” is. The World Health Organization has a decent definition: “Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed.” When society talks about “gender norms,” it’s referring to behaviors and roles associated with men, women, girls, and boys. While not inaccurate, the WHO’s definition is incomplete because it implies a kind of binary. There are more genders beyond men, women, girls, and boys. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research provides a fuller definition: “Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people.” In short, gender is a social construct that varies over time and across societies.

How is gender different from sex? The CIHR defines sex as “a set of biological attributes in humans and animals.” These attributes include chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and function, and reproductive/sexual anatomy. Sex is typically categorized as “male” or “female,” but even within sex, categories are more complex than a binary. People can identify with the gender typically associated with their sex (cisgender) or identify with a different gender (transgender). If someone doesn’t identify with an exclusively male or female gender, they may call themselves “non-binary.” If someone is flexible about the gender they identify as they may call themselves “gender fluid.” These identities are considered part of the trans community, but because gender is tied to personal identity and self-representation, there are no fixed rules or definitions. Courses like the ones on this list provide further education on topics like sex and gender.

What is gender discrimination and is it a violation of someone’s rights?

Gender discrimination is when someone is treated unequally and unfairly based on their gender identity. Like all discrimination, gender discrimination is a human rights violation, though the distinction between “gender” and “sex” is a more recent development. Take the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an example. Article 2 reads: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex [emphasis added], language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status (emphasis added).” Article 2 covers sex discrimination, but it doesn’t mention gender. This is most likely because when the UDHR was written, gender and sex were considered the same. Times have changed. The phrase “other status” has been used to expand the rights given in Article 2. A press release from the UN describes how the organization and regional instruments have based changes on this phrase.

What does gender discrimination look like?

There are countless instances of gender discrimination fueling gender inequality and gender-based violence. Let’s take a closer look at three examples to see how gender discrimination touches every part of societies around the world:

Paying women less for the same work

The gender pay gap is a global issue. According to the International Labor Organization, women make about 20 cents less than men. There are factors like differences in jobs, education, skills, and experience, but gender discrimination is a significant factor, as well. In the United States, Lilly Ledbetter experienced this firsthand. For almost 20 years, Ledbetter worked in managerial positions at a Goodyear tire manufacturing plant. According to a write-up from the National Women’s Law Center, she faced sexual harassment and discrimination from her boss, who believed women shouldn’t work at the plant. Ledbetter also wasn’t allowed to talk about her salary, so it wasn’t until she got an anonymous note that she learned she was paid less than men in the same position. Ledbetter filed a lawsuit.

The court process was a rollercoaster. First, a jury decided in her favor, awarding her back pay and damages. Then, Goodyear tried to vacate the judgment. It eventually went to the Supreme Court where Goodyear prevailed. The majority reasoned that Ledbetter lost her right to sue for pay discrimination because she hadn’t brought her claim within 180 days of getting the first discriminatory check. This ruling ignored the fact that the discrimination was ongoing and, because of the secrecy around salaries, there was no way Ledbetter could have known she was being paid less. While she may have lost the court case, Ledbetter’s lawsuit led to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009. It resets the 180-day filing period each time discrimination happens. When people work to establish laws like this, they help close the gender gap in Economic Participation and Opportunity.

Restricting education access for girls

Gender discrimination in education is one of the root causes of gender inequality worldwide. Without a good education, individuals are severely limited when it comes to job opportunities. The consequences fan out from there, making a person more vulnerable to poverty, violence, human trafficking, poor health, and more. Globally, girls tend to be targets of discrimination. What’s happened recently in Afghanistan is a prime example.

From 1996-2001, the Taliban did not let girls study. In August 2021, the Taliban regained control in the region and began restricting girls from school once again. At first, the militant fundamentalist group said it would let girls attend secondary school, but in 2022, they broke their promise. Girls had already shown up to their classrooms only to be turned away. The Taliban’s excuse? They were trying to decide on a school uniform. This is significant because back in 1996-2001, the Taliban didn’t technically outlaw education for girls. They kept saying school closures were temporary and that as soon as things were sorted out, girls could come back. That never happened. Now, people fear the same situation is unfolding today. There have also been restrictions at the university level. At Nangarhar University, girls are only allowed to choose from seven of the 13 faculties. They are not allowed to take subjects like engineering, economics, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and journalism. This is blatant gender discrimination.

Discriminating against trans people in healthcare settings

Trans people face significant gender discrimination. Some of the most consequential discrimination occurs in healthcare settings, which is a big reason why trans people are more vulnerable to health problems. In the largest study of transgender and gender non-conforming people in the US, 19% of participants said they were denied care because of their gender identity. 28% reported harassment in medical settings and high levels of delaying care when hurt or sick because of the discrimination. Half of the participants also said they needed to educate their medical providers on transgender care.

Delaying care because of discrimination and trauma – as well as receiving poor medical treatment – worsen health outcomes for transgender people. A 2019 study from the CDC found that trans people were twice as likely as cisgender adults to receive depression diagnoses. They’re also at a higher risk for asthma and heart disease. This shows a clear link between discrimination and poor health. The medical field needs to address transphobia and ignorance if it wants to stop discriminating based on gender. Some of the courses on this list provide further information on gender and health.

How does gender discrimination hurt everyone?

Gender discrimination impacts a person’s health. According to research compiled in a Medical News Today article, women who reported gender discrimination within the year got higher scores on a depression screening tool. Women also experience higher risks for anxiety, PTSD, and eating disorders. While men are more likely to die by suicide, women are 1.5 times more likely to attempt suicide. The exact reason isn’t clear, but experts believe discrimination plays a role. Gender discrimination also intersects with issues involving race, class, religion, and more, which complicates and compounds the discrimination.

Gender inequality negatively affects everyone, not just its targets. In a study from the Global Early Adolescent Study, gender stereotypes hurt both boys and girls. Boys are often taught to deal with their issues using violence. They’re also less equipped to handle difficult emotions, which could explain why men are more likely to die by suicide. When gender stereotypes exist, anyone who doesn’t fit the stereotypes – whether they’re women, men, or non-binary – faces discrimination. Still not sure of how significant gender discrimination is? It leads to gender inequality, which hurts a nation’s economy. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, gender discrimination in social institutions leads to a $6 trillion loss for the global economy. When everyone is allowed full economic freedom and opportunities, it makes sense that the whole economy – and not just individuals and families – benefits. For the sake of everyone in society, ending gender discrimination is essential.

The post What is Gender Discrimination? appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

For-profit organizations exist to make money. The money earned from goods and services goes to pay the business owner, shareholders, investors, and others involved in the organization. With non-profit organizations, however, profit isn’t the end goal. Humanitarian organizations, NGOs, hospitals, political organizations, labor unions, professional associations, museums, and even some government agencies can all be classified as non-profits. If the goal isn’t to generate profit, how do non-profits make money? Do people who work for non-profits get paid? In this article, we’ll explore how non-profits make money and how that money is managed when it comes to paying operating costs and salaries.

Non-profits rely on several funding sources, including grants, private donations, and product sales. While there are rules about how money is used, non-profits can pay their staff – especially directors and CEOs – very well.

How do non-profits make money?

Non-profits don’t exist to make a profit, but they have to make money to perform the work they’re committed to. Without a reliable revenue stream, non-profits will fail. However, because they are tax-exempt organizations, how they earn and manage their money is different than if they were for-profit. Here are four ways non-profits earn the money they need to thrive:

A) Grants

For many nonprofits, grants (which is money given to a nonprofit that they don’t have to give back) make up a decent chunk of their budgets for the year. According to Instrumentl, an organization that provides grant and funder data to nonprofits, there are four types of funders that give grants: private family foundations, corporate foundations, public foundations, community foundations, and the government. In the United States, there are about 87,000 foundations giving grants and 900+ federal grant programs.

What kind of grants are out there? The IDC Giving Group describes five: