The intersection between Freedom of Religion or Belief and women’s rights.

There is often a misconception that FoRB and women’s rights must be at odds with each other because so many religious traditions contain patriarchal elements, restricting women’s clothing, choices, or independence. But:

“The misperception [here] is that religious freedom protects the religion and not the person...that thinking is a dangerous fallacy. In fact, it is the person who is the right-holder. And we know this for a very basic reason, and that is that our rights do not come from the state. Our rights spring from our own human dignity. This is profound.”

-Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz Interview, Council on Foreign Relations

This quote perfectly illustrates that the purpose of FoRB and women’s rights is to protect each individual woman, whether she believes in a religion or not. The purpose is not to defend harmful stereotypes or attitudes towards women based on faith. Religion cannot be used to justify violence or discrimination against women. Instead, true tolerance and religious pluralism can only elevate women.

Freedom of Religion or Belief and women’s rights are built with the goal of women’s freedom to live as their whole selves without coercion or fear. Women’s rights ensure that their opinions are not only heard but actively considered, allowing them to be treated with dignity and meaningfully contribute to the world. FoRB protects the freedom to believe or not believe and to express such thoughts publicly, and is part of the bundle of rights that affirms our dignity as individuals. One right cannot be fully accomplished without the other. FoRB and women’s rights not only interconnected, but interdependent: We need women’s rights to reach FoRB, and we need FoRB to advance women’s rights.

The intersection between women’s rights and FoRB offers many possibilities to improve the lives of women and to advance society. Women who are empowered in their faith are more likely to demand equality and seek empowerment in all aspects of their lives. Similarly, as women gain political, economic, and social equality, they are more comfortable taking ownership of their faith and making their own choice to practice it. Ultimately, when women are valued and dignified, they are increasingly able to shape society and the next generations to come. This, in turn, helps to develop more stable and peaceful societies by driving social, economic, and political progress. Such a forward-looking approach is especially crucial for minority faiths, whose numbers are dwindling due to persecution and who rely on the strength of each and every member of their communities to preserve their traditions.