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International Women’s Day

Examples of Issues Faced by Women

Many problems faced by women arise as a direct consequence of their gender. For example: 

Trafficking of women – Every day, in countries around the world, women and girls, desperate for economic opportunity, and seeking to follow their dreams of a better life, are lured from home by  promises of jobs and security.  Sadly, they too often find themselves trapped in a nightmare, turned into prostitutes, imprisoned by employers, mistreated, sexually abused and often never seen nor heard from again.

Women and health – Often women have different and unequal access to and use of basic health resources, including primary health services for the prevention and treatment of childhood diseases, malnutrition, anemia, and health care during and after pregnancy.

Women in armed conflict – While entire communities suffer the consequences of armed conflict, women and girls are particularly affected because of their status in society and their gender.

Women and poverty – More than 1 billion people in the world today, the great majority of whom are women, live in unacceptable conditions of poverty, mostly in developing countries.

Violence against women – Women's lives continue to be endangered by violence which is directed at them simply because they are women.  Violence against women knows no class, race, or age. It exists across all socio-economic groups, and it is a daily phenomenon in the lives of women throughout the world.

Refugee women – Refugee women face ongoing violations of their human rights.  Often, they are subject to unequal and inequitable access to food, water, shelter, and essential health care.