Gender apartheid refers to the systematic segregation and discrimination based on gender, often enforced by laws, policies, and cultural practices. It denies women and girls equal access to education, employment, healthcare, and basic freedoms, perpetuating a cycle of oppression. This form of institutionalized inequality is prevalent in various parts of the world, restricting women’s rights and autonomy.
Historical Context
The term “gender apartheid” emerged to describe gender-based discrimination in contexts where women’s rights are severely limited, drawing parallels with racial apartheid in South Africa. In countries governed by strict patriarchal or theocratic systems, women face restrictions such as mandatory dress codes, bans on education or employment, and limitations on freedom of movement.
Key Characteristics of Gender Apartheid
- Legal Restrictions: Laws that institutionalize unequal rights, such as those limiting women’s ability to work, drive, or inherit property.
- Cultural Practices: Deeply rooted traditions that reinforce gender inequality, such as child marriage and honour-based violence.
- Access Denied: Barriers to education, healthcare, and public participation, perpetuating poverty and dependence.
Global Examples
Gender apartheid is most often associated with countries where fundamentalist ideologies dominate governance, such as Afghanistan under Taliban rule or Iran’s enforcement of strict dress codes and moral policing. However, elements of gender apartheid can also appear in other regions through systemic inequalities and societal norms.
International Efforts to Combat Gender Apartheid
Organisations like the United Nations and grassroots movements worldwide are working to dismantle gender apartheid. These efforts include promoting women’s education, challenging discriminatory laws, and amplifying the voices of women fighting for their rights.
Our Project: Documenting Gender Apartheid
We are undertaking a three-year project to document the experiences of women in Norway who have lived under gender apartheid in various parts of the world. This initiative will result in both a book and a film, showcasing stories of resilience and survival. By sharing these narratives, we aim to foster greater understanding of gender apartheid and its impact, while sparking conversations about integration, identity, and equality.
Norsk bokmål 