Name: Anshul Shukla

Section: CD

Registration number: 230911338

HRC End term Individual Response

Title: Upholding Human Rights and Gender Equality: A Call to Action

The case study of Afghani political and civil rights activist Pashtana Dorani, 24, illuminates the crucial
nexus between gender equality and human rights. The founder and CEO of LEARN, an NGO that
supports girls' education in Afghanistan, Dorani, is a shining example of the tenacity and resolve of
female human rights advocates in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

In her pursuit of gender equality, Dorani confronts a harsh reality: the ban on secondary education for
girls imposed by the Taliban in 2021. Her unwavering commitment to advancing the rights of women
and girls stands as a testament to the indispensable role played by women human rights defenders.
However, the global landscape is witnessing concerning trends, as conservative narratives resurge,
relegating women to secondary roles and endorsing toxic masculinity.

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, salutes the bravery of Iranian and
Afghani women and girls in their demands to eradicate systematic discrimination. However, he
cautions that authoritarian, patriarchal, and misogynistic discourses pose fresh risks to women's rights
and gender equality. According to Hannah Wu, Section Chief of Women's Human Rights and Gender
Equality at UN Human Rights, the reaction against these fundamental rights has intensified and attacks
on gender equality are happening all across the world.

Wu emphasizes the urgent need for the international community to take powerful actions to address
situations where women and girls risk their lives for demanding human rights and equality. The root
causes of gender-based discrimination and inequality must be tackled head-on, with a focus on
prevention rather than reaction. Wu identifies the misuse of culture and religion as the starting point for
gender-based discrimination, calling for a holistic approach to advancing women's and girls' human
rights.

It is crucial to consider the advancements made in the seventy-five years since the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was drafted in order to comprehend the difficulties of the
present. Women were instrumental in its creation and led by Eleanor Roosevelt in its draft. The idea
put forth by Hasna Mehta to substitute "all men" for "all human beings" illustrated how gender
equality is an unachievable goal. Around the world, movements, laws, and legislation aiming to
guarantee justice, freedom, and dignity for all have been influenced by the UDHR.
But as Pashtana Dorani correctly notes, many women around the world still struggle to realize the
promise of equality and dignity found in the UDHR. Particularly for women and girls in nations like
Afghanistan, the space for protest and expression is severely restricted or nonexistent. Dorani demands
that those in positions of authority be held responsible for failing to put the UDHR's tenets into reality.
To sum up, the Pashtana Dorani case study is a moving reminder of the continuous fight for gender
equality and human rights. The advancements made over the years are in jeopardy due to the global
resurgence of conservative narratives. Both individuals and societies must recognize the long road
ahead and take inspiration from the accomplishments. To ensure that the promises made in the UDHR
are more than just words on paper and that everyone can live up to them, the international community
needs to come together and take strong action to defend the rights of women and girls.