8.6C - Demands for Equality
A demand for equality from both women and ethnic groups has been an important part of the history of many states in recent years (Afghanistan, Australia, Bolivia) with progress taking place at different rates.
Differences in human rights do lead to real differences in income, education, health and opportunity between different groups, even within the same country. This is seen as unfair and unjustifiable, and has led to demands for equality, especially from women and ethnic minority groups. However, progress made towards equality takes place at different rates and has often been slow.
Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were only counted in the national census, and allowed to vote, in 1967. Starting in 1976, some land rights have been granted to indigenous people, so they have the title to some of their traditional lands. However, ATSI Australians still feel under-represented in politics and business, and feel their rights (especially rights to land) have not been met. Their life expectancy is nearly 10 years less than white Australians.
Bolivia
The election of Evo Morales as Bolivian President in 2006 brought rapid changes for indigenous people in the country. Morales is Aymara, and his policies have been targeted at reducing discrimination against the indigenous. Land reform, education reform to get indigenous youth into university, a literacy campaign, benefits for those in poverty and increased health spending have all improved well-being for indigenous groups - but some argue they have made the middle class worse off and discouraged investment because taxes on businesses are very high.
Afghanistan
Women lack equality in most Islamic countries, but perhaps no more so than in Afghanistan. Progress in women's education and participation was made between 1973 and 1992, but was dramatically reversed when the Taliban took power in 1996. They are a fundamentalist religious and political group, observing an extremely strict version of Sharia law which treats women with brutality. They were the effective government of Afghanistan from 1996-2001.
Women could not go out alone, appear on TV, be visible in a house from the street, be employed or even get medical attention. Since 2001, limited progress has again been made with a more moderate government in charge, but the position of women is no better than it was in the 1970s.
Women could not go out alone, appear on TV, be visible in a house from the street, be employed or even get medical attention. Since 2001, limited progress has again been made with a more moderate government in charge, but the position of women is no better than it was in the 1970s.