Speak out for women's rights

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(NC)—Imagine being a woman anywhere in the world who has been silenced. You have little right to speak up for yourself. You can be subjected to brutal treatment by men and have no means to seek justice. What would you do?

International Women's Day is recognized on March 8. Think back over the past 100 years of the many rights that have been achieved by women—the right to own property, the right to vote, the right to have your own voice. Yet for many women this struggle continues.

The tragic case of the 23-year-old woman who was brutally attacked, raped and left for dead by six men in Delhi in December 2012 has highlighted the unacceptable reality millions of women in India are facing.

Sexual violence also affects indigenous women who are raped, forced into prostitution and sexual slavery at the hands of armed groups. Few are brought to justice. The women who dare to seek justice often risk threats and attacks. In Afghanistan, women's rights activists are concerned that women's rights will be compromised by the Afghan government when negotiating with the Taleban.

What can you do? You can speak out on behalf of those women who are silenced.

You can use your freedom to help women around the world. Contact Amnesty International at 1-800-266-3789 or email members@amnesty.ca for more information.

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