There are still many countries in the world where shocking laws restrict women’s rights and freedoms. These discriminatory laws are bizarre and outdated. Practices targeting women reflect deeply rooted cultural and social norms that often hinder progress in gender equality.
Despite certain reforms in Saudi Arabia, such as allowing women to drive, the system of male guardianship continues to restrict women’s decisions regarding education, travel, and marriage. Without a male guardian’s approval, a woman cannot study, work, marry, or even call emergency services in case of need. Male oversight controls virtually every aspect of women’s lives in Saudi Arabia.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women’s rights in Afghanistan have been significantly curtailed. Girls above a certain age are forbidden from pursuing education, and women’s employment opportunities have been drastically limited. According to the latest laws, women are even banned from singing, reciting poetry, or reading aloud in public.
Women’s voices
A woman’s voice is considered intimate and, therefore, should hardly be heard. Additionally, women in Afghanistan must remain fully covered. Their clothing must not be thin, tight, or short, and it must conceal their entire body, including the face. Women are also prohibited from looking at men who are not their relatives.
“WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.” – HILLARY CLINTON
In Yemen, shocking laws permit the marriage of girls at an extremely young age. Child marriages are common in the country, with at least a quarter of Yemeni girls marrying before the age of 15. The main drivers of these marriages include a lack of education and awareness. Impoverished Yemeni parents often marry off their young daughters in exchange for a large dowry. Tribal traditions also play a role, as families betroth their sons and daughters to cousins in hopes of protecting them from unwanted relationships.
In Sudan, women face corporal punishment for violating strict laws on public behavior and dress codes. A well-known past case involved a Sudanese journalist who received 40 lashes for wearing trousers, which was deemed inappropriate attire.
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Bizarre and Absurd Laws Against Women
Driving ban for women: Until 2018, women in Saudi Arabia were prohibited from driving. Although the ban has been lifted, women still face various restrictions on personal freedoms, including travel. They need a male guardian’s permission to travel abroad or obtain a passport.
Dress code restrictions: In countries such as Iran, women are legally required to wear specific attire, like the hijab, in public. In Sudan, wearing trousers or revealing one’s hair in public is considered “improper” or “immoral.” Violating these dress codes can result in fines, corporal punishment, or even imprisonment.
Inheritance inequality: In legal systems of certain Middle Eastern countries, women are entitled to a smaller share of inheritance compared to men, limiting their economic independence.
Witchcraft laws: Some African countries have laws against witchcraft, often targeting women. These laws result in the persecution and punishment of women accused of practicing witchcraft. Women are subjected to torture, social exclusion, or even death. These laws are frequently used as a pretext for attacking widows or elderly women.
“EVERY GIRL DESERVES A FUTURE FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES.” – PRIYANKA CHOPRA
Marital rape laws
In several countries, marital rape is still legal, as the law does not recognize a woman’s right to refuse sex with her husband. Many Asian and African nations lack specific legislation criminalizing marital rape.
Divorce laws: In some Islamic countries, men can end a marriage simply by saying “talaq” three times, meaning “divorce.” Women, on the other hand, face far more complex and lengthy legal processes to obtain a divorce.
Mobile phone bans: In some regions of India, local ordinances prohibit women from using mobile phones, claiming that mobile access “corrupts” their morality.
Parental rights after divorce: In Japan, a woman who gives birth within 300 days of divorce automatically has the child registered under her ex-husband’s name, leading to severe legal and social complications.
Husband’s permission laws: In Jordan, a woman needs her husband’s permission to work outside the home or start a business.
Virginity tests: In Indonesia, Afghanistan, and Egypt, female students and job applicants are often forced to undergo “virginity tests” to prove their “purity.” These practices are widely condemned as human rights violations.
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Bans on Contraception and Abortion
The strictest abortion laws exist in El Salvador, where abortion is completely prohibited without exceptions. Women and doctors face severe penalties, including long prison sentences. Nicaragua enforces a total abortion ban, even in cases of rape or when the mother’s life is at risk. The Dominican Republic also bans abortion in all circumstances, leading to unsafe illegal procedures. Malta remains the only European Union country with a complete ban on abortion without any exceptions.
In Poland, abortion is permitted only in cases of life-threatening pregnancies, rape, or incest. In 2021, further restrictions sparked massive protests across the country.
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Strict abortion laws endanger women’s health and lives. Human rights organizations and medical groups are calling for legal reforms to ensure safe and legal access to abortion services.
“THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS IS LONG AND REQUIRES COURAGE. BUT IT IS A FIGHT WORTH FIGHTING.” – MICHELLE OBAMA
Fighting against unjust laws is challenging but can be successful through legal, cultural, and social activism. Collaboration and solidarity are crucial in this battle, as well as pressure from international organizations on governments to implement meaningful reforms.
This article was conducted by our amazing journalist Alexandra Vrábelová.
