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Outline
1-Introduction
Although many argue that women today have achieved substantial progress in education, employment, and political participation through global empowerment initiatives, the persistent realities of discrimination, violence, economic inequality, and structural patriarchy demonstrate that the plight of women remains deeply entrenched, thereby necessitating stronger reforms to ensure genuine and universal empowerment.
2-Debunking the term “Plight of Women”
3-Historical subjugation of women across cultures and civilizations
4-Evolution of feminist movements and global advocacy for women’s rights
5-How do women remain in plight despite empowerment moves throughout the world
- ✓Facing patriarchal and structural constraints
- Evidence: According to the UNDP Gender Social Norms Index (2023), nearly 90 percent of men and women worldwide hold at least one bias against women’s equality, such as believing that men make better political leaders or have more right to a job than women.
- ✓Experiencing unequal access to education
- Evidence: According to the UNESCO Report (2023), over 122 million girls worldwide are still out of school, 32 million at the primary level and 90 million at the secondary level.
- ✓Remaining prone to violence and harassment
- Evidence: According to the UN Women report (2024), more than 45,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members in 2022, accounting for over half of all female homicides.
- ✓Bearing a persistent gender pay gap
- Evidence: According to UN Women (2024), the global gender pay gap is around 23 percent, meaning women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men.
- ✓Confronting economic inequality and job insecurity
- Evidence: In the COVID-19 era, women lost jobs at a 24 percent higher rate than men during the pandemic, especially in the informal sector.
- ✓Dealing with psychological and social burdens
- Evidence: According to the OECD (2023), women globally spend 2.5 times as many hours on unpaid domestic and care work as men.
- ✓Experiencing underrepresentation in politics
- Evidence: According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2024), women hold only 26.9 percent of parliamentary seats globally.
6-On what basis do opponents argue that empowerment moves have ensured progress for women
- ✓Counterargument: Women’s economic participation is rising, proving that their plight is ending.
- Rebuttal: Numbers can be misleading; most working women occupy low-paid or informal jobs. Without equal pay, safety, and leadership opportunities, economic participation alone doesn’t mean empowerment.
- ✓Counterargument: Women have already achieved equality through education, employment, and political participation.
- Rebuttal: The majority of women, especially in developing nations, still face barriers to leadership, fair wages, and safety. Empowerment is meaningful only when it extends beyond a privileged minority to include all women.
7-Suggestions to ensure real empowerment to strengthen women
- ✓By strengthening the implementation of laws
- ✓By challenging cultural and social barriers
- ✓By expanding access to quality education
- ✓By increasing women’s political representation
8-Conclusion
Women, who constitute nearly half of the world’s population, possess immense potential to contribute to the social, political, and economic advancement of nations. Over the decades, numerous national and international initiatives ranging from legal reforms and education drives to gender-focused development programs have sought to improve their status. Therefore, some believe that such measures have already ensured equality, citing rising female literacy, increasing labor force participation, and growing visibility of women in leadership roles as markers of progress. However, a closer examination reveals that the plight of women persists across continents, cutting across socio-economic, cultural, and political boundaries. Despite formal empowerment frameworks, women remain disproportionately affected by patriarchal norms, gender-based violence, unequal access to education, economic exclusion, and severe underrepresentation in decision-making spaces. This enduring marginalization highlights the wide gap between policy and practice, where rights exist on paper but are inconsistently experienced in daily life. Therefore, the global struggle for women’s empowerment remains an unfinished agenda, demanding stronger institutional implementation, cultural transformation, and equitable opportunities to ensure that empowerment becomes a lived reality rather than an aspirational ideal.
Before moving towards the main point of argument, it is necessary to gain a complete understanding of the term’ plight of women.’ Indeed, it means the sufferings, hardships, and subjugation that women endure within patriarchal societies. It is worth mentioning here that it is not only reflected in visible forms of oppression, such as violence, discrimination, and exclusion, but also in the subtle and institutionalized barriers that deny women autonomy, dignity, and equality. Moreover, a deeper examination of women’s plight indicates that its roots are deeply embedded in the socio-economic and political structures that sustain male dominance. In many societies, males and females are raised in such a controlled way, giving them gender specific roles, resulting in a stubborn and narrow-minded society. As a result, they result in a society with discriminatory laws, limited inheritance rights, gender pay gaps, and cultural taboos against women’s leadership. Hence, the plight of women is not a natural practice but is systematically constructed by the power asymmetries of societies.
“The subjugation of women is not only a moral issue but a developmental one.”
Amartya Sen
While moving towards the historical background of the oppression of women, it is found that the subjugation of women is not a recent phenomenon; instead, it has deep historical roots embedded in the social, cultural, and religious fabric of ancient civilizations. From the early ages, women were largely confined to domestic spheres and denied participation in public and economic life. In ancient Greece, women were excluded from political activities and considered intellectually inferior while in Rome, they were treated as property under the control of their fathers or husbands. Similarly, during the medieval period, feudal and religious institutions reinforced the idea of women’s subservience to men. Even in the East, civilizations, such as China and India, imposed rigid patriarchal norms that limited women’s mobility and autonomy, evident in practices like foot-binding and child marriage. Hence, across time and cultures, women have historically been subjected to structural inequalities, systemic discrimination, and cultural marginalization, which laid the foundation for their continued struggle for empowerment in the modern world.
With a brief historical background, here is a bird’s-eye view of the steps taken by global actors for women’s empowerment. Within the international community, the United Nations (UN) has been at the forefront of gender equality since the mid-20th century. Moreover, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1979 became a landmark treaty compelling member states to eliminate discrimination against women in all forms. Later, the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) identified twelve critical areas, from education and health to political participation and violence prevention, as priority targets. Furthermore, the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030. Additionally, the three waves of Feminism have advanced women’s empowerment and led to the enactment of educational, marital, electoral, and child laws. Lastly, across nations, legislative and institutional frameworks have also been established to advance women’s rights.
Despite the above initiatives to empower women, no significant results have yet been seen, suggesting no improvement in women’s situation globally. Moreover, if any development were to occur, it would be confined to a small, privileged class of women. Significantly, one of the most important factors adding to the plight of women is the patriarchal and structural constraints of society. Patriarchy remains the most formidable obstacle to women’s empowerment globally. It institutionalizes male authority, marginalizes female voices, and legitimizes gender hierarchies. For instance, according to the UNDP Gender Social Norms Index (2023), nearly 90 percent of men and women worldwide hold at least one bias against women’s equality, such as believing that men make better political leaders or have a greater right to a job than women. This also indicates that patriarchal culture is highly fearful of the breaking of these conventional gender roles, which enhances their influence. So, to enforce their principles, their ultimate tool is violence and pressuring their already oppressed counterparts, which makes all the empowerment efforts in vain.
“Freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression.”
Nelson Mandela
Furthermore, another major factor contributing to the failure to strengthen women is the lack of education worldwide. In fact, education is universally recognized as the foundation of empowerment, yet millions of women remain deprived of it. In most parts of the world, women are never allowed to attend school due to limited financial resources, cultural taboos, and a lack of safe schooling infrastructure. It is clear from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) 2023 report that over 122 million girls worldwide are still out of school, 32 million at the primary level and 90 million at the secondary level. This educational disparity restricts women’s ability to access better employment, participate in governance, and challenge patriarchal mindsets globally. Moreover, it is a conscious effort to deprive women of awareness and the sense of entitlement to demand their legal rights. Therefore, the persistent denial of education for women not only undermines their social and economic empowerment but also deliberately sustains the global cycle of gender inequality.
Moreover, in spite of all these global and local laws against gender-based violence, it is one of the most pervasive forms of female oppression. Due to gender biased traditions of the society, women are considered subordinate to men. And they are forced to accept all the rights and wrongs of their men without objecting to any order. But the answer to their every objection is given in the form of physical or mental violence. For instance, according to the UN Women report (2024), more than 45,000 women and girls were killed by intimate partners or family members in 2022, accounting for over half of all female homicides. This alarming figure reflects the deeply entrenched culture of violence that continues to define gender relations across societies. Thus, such crimes are not isolated incidents but the outcome of systemic power imbalances, toxic masculinity, and weak enforcement of protective laws, making women’s empowerment a question globally.
“Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation. And it is perhaps the most pervasive.”
Kofi Annan
Additionally, women continue to bear a persistent gender pay gap globally, which shows that their struggle endures despite global empowerment initiatives. Across sectors and regions, women consistently receive lower wages than men for similar work, limiting their economic independence and long-term financial security. This disparity remains deeply rooted in discriminatory norms, occupational segregation, and unequal access to leadership positions. According to the UN Women (2024), the global gender pay gap stands at roughly 23 percent, meaning women earn only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. Hence, such economic injustice reinforces broader gender inequalities and prevents women from achieving full social and economic empowerment.
Moreover, women across the world continue to confront economic inequality and job insecurity, demonstrating that their plight persists despite global empowerment efforts. Unfortunately, the gendered structure of labour markets places women in low-paid, unstable, and informal employment, making them more vulnerable during economic shocks. This vulnerability became especially visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when women lost jobs at a 24 percent higher rate than men, mainly due to their disproportionate representation in the informal sector. Such economic setbacks restrict women’s financial independence, weaken their bargaining power within households, and hinder their full participation in social and political life.
Furthermore, despite significant global efforts toward empowerment, women persistently deal with deep psychological and social burdens that hinder their overall growth. In most societies, they are expected to shoulder the bulk of household chores, childcare, elder care, and emotional management within families, often in addition to their professional responsibilities. This overwhelming double burden drains their time, energy, and mental well-being, leaving minimal room for personal or career advancement. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) 2023 report, women worldwide spend 2.5 times as many hours on unpaid domestic and care work as men. Hence, this time poverty reinforces cycles of emotional strain, economic dependence, and limited opportunities, proving that true empowerment remains incomplete.
Last but not least, women across the world continue experiencing deep political underrepresentation, exposing a gap that empowerment initiatives have yet to close. While political participation is essential for shaping inclusive laws and equitable institutions, women remain largely absent from decision-making spaces. Their limited presence is not due to a lack of capability but to entrenched patriarchal norms, party gatekeeping, and institutional barriers that restrict their entry into politics. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2024), women occupy only 26.9 percent of parliamentary seats globally. This persistent imbalance weakens democratic legitimacy and ensures that women’s perspectives thus remain marginalized in national policy and governance.
Contrary to the above arguments and evidence, some opponents claim that women are empowered by their active participation in all economic fields. And their presence in the workforce indicates progress toward gender equality. This rising number of women in paid employment is often seen as evidence of social progress, suggesting that barriers to education, mobility, and economic participation are gradually being dismantled. In reality, these statistics provide only a partial, superficial picture. A large proportion of employed women remain concentrated in low-paid, insecure, or informal sectors with minimal legal protection and few social benefits. While the rise in women’s labor participation is a positive sign, it represents quantity without quality. Hence, sustainable empowerment can only emerge when women enjoy not just the right to work, but the right to thrive and lead.
Moreover, opponents argue that women have already achieved equality in education, employment, and political participation. They refer to various global and local laws enacted to empower women. They claim that women have entered spaces of intellectual and political power, challenging centuries of exclusion. With women leading corporations, serving in cabinets, and excelling in academia, advocates of this view believe that gender inequality has diminished to a manageable level. However, the apparent success of a privileged minority often conceals the persistent exclusion of millions of women. While female literacy and university enrollment have improved in urban centers, rural and marginalized women still face immense barriers to accessing higher education and political influence. In essence, empowerment cannot be measured by the visibility of a few accomplished women but by the collective uplift of all women, regardless of class, geography, or social privilege.
After discussing the minimal impact of the moves to empower women, here are a few suggestions that could be very effective in improving the plight of women. First, real empowerment for women begins with strengthening the implementation of existing laws that protect their rights and ensure equality. In this case, by rigorously enforcing anti-discrimination, anti-violence, and labor laws, governments should create a safe and fair environment for women. This requires improving legal frameworks, enhancing law enforcement agencies’ capacity, and ensuring accountability for violations. By doing this, women can claim their rights without fear, experience protection from abuse, and gain confidence to participate fully in society. Therefore, effective legal enforcement directly reduces exploitation and inequality, laying a strong foundation for women’s social, economic, and political empowerment.
Second, legal reforms alone cannot ensure women’s empowerment unless a fundamental shift in societal attitudes accompanies them. Indeed, deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that rigidly define gender roles must be actively challenged through education, dialogue, and widespread awareness campaigns. Moreover, religious leaders, educators, and media outlets should play a proactive role in promoting narratives that emphasize equality, respect, and shared responsibility. In addition, by highlighting the social and economic benefits of women’s full participation, such initiatives can gradually dismantle stereotypes and cultural barriers. Therefore, true empowerment requires both effective legal protection and a society willing to embrace gender equality in thought and practice.
Third, expanding access to quality education is critical to lifting women out of systemic disadvantage. By investing in schools, scholarships, and safe learning environments and by ensuring equal enrollment for girls at all levels, governments and communities should provide women with the tools for knowledge and skill development. By doing this, women can achieve economic independence, pursue professional growth, and develop critical thinking abilities to challenge patriarchal norms. And education also fosters awareness of legal rights and civic responsibilities, empowering women to make informed decisions. Hence, expanding educational access equips women to contribute meaningfully to society and break the cycle of intergenerational inequality.
Lastly, increasing women’s political representation is essential to achieving collective empowerment and gender equality. To do so, implementing gender quotas, mentoring female leaders, and creating supportive policies within political parties are imperative to encourage women’s participation in decision-making. By doing this, policies would better reflect women’s needs, and societal priorities would become more inclusive. As a result, a greater political presence also challenges stereotypes about leadership and demonstrates women’s capabilities to the wider public. And substantive representation allows women to influence legislation, ensure accountability, and drive reforms that promote equality. Thus, empowering women politically strengthens democracy and ensures that their voices are no longer marginalized in governance.
To conclude, women are still considered a symbol of hardships and sufferings. And the plight of women is still a haunting paradox around the globe, leading to continuous struggle towards educational deprivation, economic inequality, violence, and political exclusion for women. Moreover, women are prey to patriarchal constraints and societal norms, which do not allow them to progress to their full bloom. In addition, gender-based violence is also a substantial hindrance in the path of women, making them the most vulnerable entity in society. So, to achieve complete gender equality, all national and international governments need to establish a regulatory body to ensure compliance with the measures necessary for the empowerment of women. Thus, despite all the initiatives taken by the national and international community, women are still in the chains of patriarchal strains, which have symbolized a long and unending struggle for dignity, equality, and autonomy in their destiny.
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