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Women, Human Rights and Heterosexism

Peterson and Paresi look for answers regarding human rights laws,which do not protect women as self -determined individuals and social agents, and especially deny protection to women in their private spheres where the family institution places women in the most vulnerable situation. By defining heterosexism and then showing the role of the sate normalizing patriarchy, I see that human rights are another layer of the oppression system that  guarantees the status quo for male domination over women, and the reproduction of this societal arrangement operates nationally and transnationally.

Heterosexism determines that men and women are naturally different rather than subjected to social and cultural constructions.  The identities of masculinity and femininity are institutionalized and their bodies politicized. Men and women are micromanaged by the state laws that regulate the division of labor and the institutions. Marriage and the family are mechanisms to preserve cultural values and the socialization of new generations. The binary gender identity of male and female, reinforces the normalization of heterosexism and that is intrinsically linked to the division of labor. This gender system places women in an organization of social inequality. Women’s subordination is normalized through cultural transmission, language, literature, state policies, power and transnational organisms.

However, is it possible that state violations, inequality , violence and deprivation of freedom do not constitute violations of human rights against women? Perhaps it would be helpful to revise who writes the laws, who is the authority and see who benefits with these politics. The answers reveal that males benefit and their domination is predominant in society. These ideas of public and private spheres, roles and privilege status foster the development of men and the oppression of women. Women have no agency and self-determination under these definitions, and are limited by boundaries of gender subjugation. The main role of women is procreation,  and the state laws preserve heterosexism to prevent changes in society.  Women are not protected by human rights because they are “men’s rights.” Gender inequality safeguard the interests of the ruling class.