Freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights

The right to freedom of religion or belief is linked in important ways to the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes SDG 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The links are, however, often misunderstood or neglected, with a common view that freedom of religion or belief entails limitations on women’s rights.

To achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, their right to freedom of religion or belief must be assured, for example in addressing discriminatory assumptions and practices in family law and in social practices that involve violence against women and restrictions of equal rights. Parliamentarians and religious/belief leaders can play important roles in this.

This paper provides a brief introduction to the relationship between freedom of religion or belief and women’s rights, identifying key areas of concern, and suggesting concrete actions that parliamentarians and religious/belief leaders can take to address them.