Equal Opportunities Commission poster against pay gap. Despite the tremendous changes of the twentieth century, discrimination and violence against women and girls remain firmly rooted in cultures around the world. Girls and women the world over are denied access to education and health care. Millions are subjected to abuse and violence.
Women face biased courts and legal systems.
Their medical concerns are given less attention. They are denied opportunities in the workplace and receive less pay than men for the same work. In some cases, women earn up to one half of a million pounds less. In South Asia, where many parents prefer boys, the problem begins in the womb. One in four women have been abused during pregnancy.