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  • Feminist persuasive speech topics

108 feminist persuasive speech topics

- the top current women's rights & feminist issues.

By:  Susan Dugdale  

There are 108 persuasive speech topics here covering many current feminist issues. For example:

  • that copy-cat fast fashion reinforces the relentless consumer cycle and the poverty trap,
  • that the advertising industry deliberately manufactures and supports body image insecurities to serve its own ends,
  • that gendered language reinforces the patriarchal structure of society...

They're provocative and challenging topics raising issues that I like to think should be of concern to us all! 

Use the quick links to find a topic you want to explore

  • 25 feminist persuasive speech topics about beauty and fashion
  • 16 the media and feminism topics
  • 8 the role of language and feminism speech ideas

8 feminist speech ideas about culture and arts

9 topics on education and gendered expectations, 27 feminist topics about society & social inequality, 8 business & work related feminist speech topics.

  • Resources for preparing persuasive speeches
  • References for feminism

persuasive speech on women's rights

What is 'feminism'?

Feminism is defined as belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes, expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.

(See: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism )

Return to Top

25 feminist speech topics about beauty & fashion

  • that from puberty onward a woman is targeted by cosmetic companies
  • that the shape of woman’s body is valued over its health
  • that physical beauty in a woman is conferred by popular beliefs
  • that striving for what is regarded as the epitome of female physical perfection destroys women
  • that physical perfection is a myth
  • that compassion and collaboration is needed between women (and men) rather than competition and comparison
  • that beauty, fashion and feminism can co-exist
  • that clothing reflects social position or class
  • that the fashionable clothing of any era reflects its dominate cultural beliefs
  • that a modern feminist does not need to ban either the bra or the razor
  •  that prescriptive beauty norms (PBNs) reinforce sexism, racism, colorism, classism, ableism, ageism, and gender norms
  • that western feminine beauty standards dominate globally
  • that there is no legitimate historical or biological justification for the ‘white’ beauty myth
  • that modern beauty standards were used as “political weapons" against women’s advancement (see Naomi Wolfe - The Beauty Myth )
  • that the beauty industry cynically and callously exploits women through “self-empowerment” campaigns – eg L'Oreal's  “Because you're worth it”
  • that beauty shaming of any sort is shameful
  • that health and beauty need to work together for the empowerment of women
  • that beauty and fashion role models need to be independent of major brands
  • that fashion and cosmetic industries have a moral responsibility to use the immense power they have in shaping people’s lives for their betterment
  • that the unfair balance of power between the consumers of fashionable clothing and those who make it is a feminist issue
  • that copy-cat fast fashion reinforces the relentless consumer cycle and the poverty trap
  • that genuinely sustainable fashion is only responsible way forward
  • that clothing/fashion can make a feminist statement. For example: the 1850s “freedom” or “bloomer” dress named after women’s rights and temperance advocate Amelia Bloomer , the wearing of trousers, shorts, or mini skirts by women, or skirts and dresses by men
  • that boss dressing for women is unnecessary and toxic
  • that establishing superiority through wearing elitist fashion is an age old ploy

16 the media and feminism speech topics

  • that feminism in mainstream media is often misrepresented through lack of understanding
  • that some media deliberately encourages a narrow polarizing definition of feminism to whip up interest and drama for its own sake
  • that mainstream media plays a significant role in keeping women marginalized
  • that social media has created an independent level playing field for feminists globally
  • that the #metoo movement reaffirmed the need for community and solidarity amongst feminists
  • that the advertising industry deliberately manufactures and supports ongoing body image insecurities to serve its own ends
  • that the advertising industry decides and deifies what physical perfection looks like
  • that the ideal cover girl body/face is a myth
  • that eating disorders and negative body image problems are increased by the unrealistic beauty standards set by mainstream media
  • that women get media coverage for doing newsworthy things and being beautiful. Men get media coverage for doing newsworthy things.
  • that social media gives traditionally private issues a platform for discussion and change: abortion, domestic abuse, pay equity
  • that print media (broadsheets, magazines, newspapers...) have played and continue to play a vital role in feminist education
  • that ‘the women’s hour’ and similar radio programs or podcasts have been and are an important part in highlighting feminist issues
  • that ‘feminist wokeness’ has been hijacked by popular media
  • that social media reinforces prejudices rather than challenges them because the smart use of analytics means we mainly see posts aligned with our viewpoints
  • that social media has enabled and ‘normalized’ the spread of pornography: the use of bodies as a commodity to be traded

8 the role language and feminism speech ideas

  • that frequently repeated platitudes (eg. girls will be girls and boys will be boys) are stereotypical straitjackets stifling change
  • that the derogatory words for females and female genitalia frequently used to vent anger or frustration demonstrate the worth and value placed on women
  • that feminism is neither male nor female
  • that gendered language reinforces the patriarchal structure of society
  • that sexist language needs to be called out and changed
  • that gendered language limits women’s opportunities
  • that gendered languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi...) need to become more inclusive
  • that the real enemy of feminism is language
  • that limitations in any arena (work, sports, arts) placed on woman because they are women need challenging
  • that male bias in the organizations awarding major awards and grants needs to change
  • that the ideal woman in art is a figment of a male imagination
  • that historically art has objectified women
  • that heroic figures should be celebrated and honored for their deeds – not for what they look like or their gender
  • that strong feisty female characters in literature can inspire change eg. Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre from Charlotte Bronte’s novel of the same name, and Offred from Margaret Atwood’s The Hand Maiden’s Tale.
  • that the role of feminist art in any field: literature, film, theatre, dance, sculpture..., is to transform and challenge stereotypes. Examples of feminist artists: Judy Chicago, Miriam Shapiro, Barbara Kruger (More: feminist art ) 
  • that feminist musicians have used their influence as agents of change, and to inspire: Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Pussy Riot, Lorde, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Nina Simone
  • that there no subjects more suitable for boys than girls, or subjects more suitable for girls than boys
  • that toys, clothing, and colors should be gender neutral
  • that student achievement and behavioral expectations should be gender free
  • that feminism should be actively modelled in the classroom
  • that eligibility for educational institutions should be merit based  
  • that boys should not ‘punished’ or blamed for our patriarchal history
  • that gendered performance is actively supported and encouraged by some educational philosophies and schools in order to maintain the status quo
  • that the belief that ‘male’ and ‘female’ intelligence are different and that male intelligence is superior is false
  • that education is vital for the advancement of black feminism
  • that rigidly adhered to gendered workplace and domestic roles sustain and support inequalities
  • that domestic violence is typically a male gendered crime
  • that patriarchal attitudes toward women make sexual harassment and rape inevitable
  • that a safe legal abortion is a fundamental right for every person who wants one
  • that humiliation and control either by fear and threat of rape, or rape itself, is an act toxic entitlement
  • that a person is never ever ‘asking for it’: to be sexually harassed, or to be raped
  • that safe methods of birth control should be freely available to whomever wants them
  • that full sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people is an essential precondition to achieving gender equality
  • that men should not have control over woman's sexual and reproductive decision-making
  • that the increase in sperm donation is a feminist victory
  • that a person can be a domestic goddess and a feminist
  • that there is a positive difference between assertive and aggressive feminism
  • that the shock tactics of feminist anarchists is justified
  • that powerful feminist role models open the way for others to follow
  • that intersectional feminism is essential to fully understand the deep ingrained inequalities of those experiencing overlapping forms of oppression
  • that a feminist’s belief and practices are shaped by the country they live in, its dominant religious and cultural practices
  • that female circumcision is an example of women’s oppression disguised as a cultural tradition
  • that honor crimes are never justifiable
  • that period poverty and stigma is a global feminist issue
  • that we need to accept that some women want to remain protected by patriarchal practices and beliefs
  • that environmental issues are feminist issues
  • that everybody benefits from feminism
  • that feminism works towards equality, not female superiority
  • that anti-feminist myths (that feminists are angry women who blame men for their problems, that feminists are anti marriage, that feminists have no sense of humor, that feminists are not ‘natural’ mothers, that feminists are anti religion, that feminists are actually all lesbians ...) are desperate attempts to maintain the patriarchal status quo
  • that toxic femininity is a by-product of fear and insecurity eg. The need to ridicule another woman in order to impress a man, shaming a man for not being ‘manly’, raging against a women for being seen to be powerful, competent and successful in a leadership position ...
  • that blaming the patriarchy is far too simple
  • that one can hold religious beliefs and be feminist
  • that gendered jobs and job titles belong in the past
  • that pay scales should be based on merit, not gender
  • that adequate maternity and child care plus parental leave provisions should be mandatory
  • that flexible working hours benefits both the business and its employees
  • that token feminism is not enough
  • that corporate feminism is for wealthy white women
  • that feminism and capitalism are in conflict
  • that women in power owe it to other women to work for their empowerment

Useful resources

The first three resources below provide an excellent starting point to get a broad overview of feminism: its history, development and current issues.

I've included the fourth link because I'm a New Zealander, and proud of what its women's suffrage movement achieved: the vote for women in 1893.  

  • What’s the definition of feminism? 12 TED talks that explain it to you
  • An overview of feminist philosophy – Stanford University, USA
  • Britannica: an excellent over of the history and development of feminism
  • The symbolism of a white camellia and the Suffrage Movement in New Zealand

How to choose a good persuasive speech topic and preparing a great speech

For a more in-depth discussion about choosing a good persuasive topic, and crafting a persuasive speech please see:

  • persuasive speech ideas and read all the notes under the heading “What make a speech topic good?"
  • writing a persuasive speech . You’ll find notes covering:
  • setting a speech goal,
  • audience analysis,
  • evidence and empathy (the need for proof or evidence to back what you’re saying as well as showing you understand, or empathize with, the positions of those for and against your proposal),
  • balance and obstacles (to address points against your proposal, the obstacles, in a fair and balanced way),
  • varying structural patterns (ways to organize you material) and more. And click this link for hundreds more persuasive speech topic suggestions . ☺

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persuasive speech on women's rights

persuasive speech on women's rights

03 Nov 2001 Susan B. Anthony on a Woman’s Right to Vote – 1873

Woman’s Rights to the Suffrage

by Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906)

This speech was delivered in 1873, after Anthony was arrested, tried and fined $100 for voting in the 1872 presidential election. 

Friends and Fellow Citizens: I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen’s rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any State to deny.

The preamble of the Federal Constitution says:

“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people–women as well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government–the ballot.

For any State to make sex a qualification that must ever result in the disfranchisement of one entire half of the people is to pass a bill of attainder, or an ex post facto law, and is therefore a violation of the supreme law of the land. By it the blessings of liberty are for ever withheld from women and their female posterity. To them this government has no just powers derived from the consent of the governed. To them this government is not a democracy. It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy of sex; the most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an oligarchy of wealth, where the right govern the poor. An oligarchy of learning, where the educated govern the ignorant, or even an oligarchy of race, where the Saxon rules the African, might be endured; but this oligarchy of sex, which makes father, brothers, husband, sons, the oligarchs over the mother and sisters, the wife and daughters of every household–which ordains all men sovereigns, all women subjects, carries dissension, discord and rebellion into every home of the nation.

Webster, Worcester and Bouvier all define a citizen to be a person in the United States, entitled to vote and hold office.

The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are citizens; and no State has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities. Hence, every discrimination against women in the constitutions and laws of the several States is today null and void, precisely as in every one against Negroes.

The National Center for Public Policy Research is a communications and research foundation supportive of a strong national defense and dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public policy problems. We believe that the principles of a free market, individual liberty and personal responsibility provide the greatest hope for meeting the challenges facing America in the 21st century. Learn More About Us Subscribe to Our Updates

persuasive speech on women's rights

Essay On Women Rights

500 words essay on women rights.

Women rights are basic human rights claimed for women and girls all over the world. It was enshrined by the United Nations around 70 years ago for every human on the earth. It includes many things which range from equal pay to the right to education. The essay on women rights will take us through this in detail for a better understanding.

essay on women rights

Importance of Women Rights

Women rights are very important for everyone all over the world. It does not just benefit her but every member of society. When women get equal rights, the world can progress together with everyone playing an essential role.

If there weren’t any women rights, women wouldn’t have been allowed to do something as basic as a vote. Further, it is a game-changer for those women who suffer from gender discrimination .

Women rights are important as it gives women the opportunity to get an education and earn in life. It makes them independent which is essential for every woman on earth. Thus, we must all make sure women rights are implemented everywhere.

How to Fight for Women Rights

All of us can participate in the fight for women rights. Even though the world has evolved and women have more freedom than before, we still have a long way to go. In other words, the fight is far from over.

First of all, it is essential to raise our voices. We must make some noise about the issues that women face on a daily basis. Spark up conversations through your social media or make people aware if they are misinformed.

Don’t be a mute spectator to violence against women, take a stand. Further, a volunteer with women rights organisations to learn more about it. Moreover, it also allows you to contribute to change through it.

Similarly, indulge in research and event planning to make events a success. One can also start fundraisers to bring like-minded people together for a common cause. It is also important to attend marches and protests to show actual support.

History has been proof of the revolution which women’s marches have brought about. Thus, public demonstrations are essential for demanding action for change and impacting the world on a large level.

Further, if you can, make sure to donate to women’s movements and organisations. Many women of the world are deprived of basic funds, try donating to organizations that help in uplifting women and changing their future.

You can also shop smartly by making sure your money is going for a great cause. In other words, invest in companies which support women’s right or which give equal pay to them. It can make a big difference to women all over the world.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Women Rights

To sum it up, only when women and girls get full access to their rights will they be able to enjoy a life of freedom . It includes everything from equal pay to land ownerships rights and more. Further, a country can only transform when its women get an equal say in everything and are treated equally.

FAQ of Essay on Women Rights

Question 1: Why are having equal rights important?

Answer 1: It is essential to have equal rights as it guarantees people the means necessary for satisfying their basic needs, such as food, housing, and education. This allows them to take full advantage of all opportunities. Lastly, when we guarantee life, liberty, equality, and security, it protects people against abuse by those who are more powerful.

Question 2: What is the purpose of women’s rights?

Answer 2: Women’s rights are the essential human rights that the United Nations enshrined for every human being on the earth nearly 70 years ago. These rights include a lot of rights including the rights to live free from violence, slavery, and discrimination. In addition to the right to education, own property; vote and to earn a fair and equal wage.

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A girl holding up a sign during a protest

A demonstrator raises a sign that says, "Human rights are women's rights" at the Women's March in Los Angeles in 2018. Though the concept had long been controversial, the United Nations declared that women's rights are human rights in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

  • HISTORY & CULTURE

'Women's Rights are Human Rights,' 25 years on

Hillary Rodham Clinton’s speech at a UN conference propelled this idea into the mainstream after centuries of society sidelining gender equality as “women’s issues.”

When Hillary Rodham Clinton approached the podium at a United Nations conference on women in September 1995 in Beijing, she faced an uncertain audience. Only a few people had read the speech, which was a well-guarded secret even to high-ranking members of the president’s cabinet. “Nobody knew what to expect,” recalls Melanne Verveer , the then first lady’s chief of staff, who later served as the first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues when Clinton became secretary of state.

Twenty-five years later, a single phrase from Clinton’s speech has entered mainstream parlance: “Women’s rights are human rights.” The concept wasn’t new. But the excitement and energy that Clinton’s speech generated at the Fourth World Conference on Women helped elevate the idea to one that fuels modern feminism and international efforts to achieve gender parity.

Women’s rights advocates have long argued that gender equality should be a human right—but were thwarted for years by those who claimed their rights were subordinate to those of men. During the infancy of the American feminist movement of the 1830s, abolitionists and women’s rights advocates tussled over whether it was more important to seek freedom for enslaved people or equality for women. As women pushed for their rights to vote, access educational opportunities, and own property, male abolitionists like Theodore Weld urged them to wait, arguing that they should first fight for the abolition of slavery as a matter of human rights.

Some women, such as educator Catharine Beecher , argued that women deserved rights because of their morality—as they were uniquely positioned to edify and enlighten men—not their humanity. She cautioned that their roles in public life should not extend into equality in the home. In response, abolitionist and women’s rights advocate Angelina Grimké wrote , “I recognize no rights but human rights,” noting that a society that didn’t give women power or a political voice violated their innate human rights. She was just one of a group of women who invoked the idea throughout the 19 th century. (Grimké later went on to marry Weld, who was her mentor.)

In the 1970s, the idea resurfaced as so-called second-wave feminists, who believed women should have access to full societal and legal rights, attempted to put women’s rights on the international agenda. In many countries, there was no consensus that women had a right to equal partnership in marriage, power over their finances, an equal education, or a life free of sexual assault or harassment. Between 1975 and 1995, the United Nations convened four landmark Conferences on Women that made gender parity a global priority. ( Here are the best and worst countries to be a woman. )

The first conference, held in Mexico City in 1975, recognized women’s equality. Eighty-nine of the 133 nations that participated adopted a framework to help women gain equal access to all facets of society; several western nations abstained , and the United States opposed the framework. In 1980, a follow-up conference in Copenhagen called for stronger protections for women, with an emphasis on property ownership, child custody, and a restructuring of inheritance laws. A third in Nairobi in 1985 called attention to violence against women. But though these conferences brought women’s issues to the international stage, each one fell short because of a lack of consensus and failure to implement the adopted platforms. By 1995, global women’s leaders had agreed it was time to create an action plan to guarantee equality for women.

Slated for Beijing in September 1995, the Fourth World Conference on Women took place in an atmosphere of intense international condemnation of the host nation’s treatment of its own citizens. Human rights groups and governments criticized China’s history of political imprisonment, torture, detention, and denial of religious freedom. The nation’s one-child policy , which put family planning decisions under state control, came under particular fire.

Women sit on the floor while watching a large screen

Women watch Hillary Rodham Clinton speak to the abuse against women at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Her call for women's rights to be considered human rights has since become mainstream.

News that Clinton would attend and speak at the meeting prompted an American outcry. “There were serious efforts not to make [the speech] happen,” Verveer recalls. “You had a cacophony of voices that were trying to keep this from being meaningful or successful.” The first lady faced outrage from human rights advocates who objected to the China visit on principle, conservative politicians who disapproved of her outspoken feminism, and people who worried the speech could threaten the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China.

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“I wanted to push the envelope as far as I could for girls and women,” Clinton said in a virtual public event hosted on September 10 by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security , of which Verveer is the executive director. ( A century after women’s suffrage in the U.S., the fight for equality isn’t over. )

On September 5, 1995, the second day of the conference, Clinton took the podium in front of representatives from all over the world. As Clinton spoke, Verveer watched the delegates’ faces closely. The speech cited a “litany of violations against women,” including rape, female genital mutilation, dowry burnings, and domestic violence—which Clinton labeled as human rights violations. She excoriated those who forcibly sterilized women and condemned those who restricted civil liberties, a jab at China, which restricted news coverage of the event.

The room was “filled with women who were in the trenches of those issues,” says Verveer. “The audience was completely pulled into their struggle.” The mostly female delegation applauded and cheered during the 20-minute speech, sometimes even pounding their fists on the tables to underscore their approval.

“The reaction was extraordinary,” Verveer says. On September 15, the phrase “women’s rights are human rights” was unanimously adopted as part of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action , which defined 12 areas—including education, health, economic participation, and the environment—in need of urgent international action. The document still governs the global agenda for women’s issues and is credited with helping narrow the education gap, improve maternal health, and reduce violence against women. ( Around the world, women are taking charge of their futures. )

Women hold hands and celebrate

Fourth World Conference on Women participants (from left) Benedita Da Silva of Brazil, Vuyiswa Bongile Keyi of Canada, and Silvia Salley of the United States cheer at the conclusion of the "Women of Color" press briefing where they stated that racism was not adequately addressed in the declaration.

Today, the idea that human rights and women’s rights are synonymous is considered mainstream. “I have rarely seen a single message carry such [an] important meaning and have such a durable life,” former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security event commemorating the anniversary.

But the work of gender equality is not yet done—and 25 years after Beijing, women still face systemic inequities and gaps in terms of safety, economic and political mobility, and more. “Girls need to know that they stand on the shoulders of other people who struggled to gain the rights they enjoy today,” says Verveer. “They need to play a role in ensuring the work goes on. There has been progress, but there is a long journey ahead.”

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5 Powerful speeches by women in the 21st century

This women's equality day, join us in celebrating some of the most powerful speeches by women..

We may only be two decades in, but the 21st century has seen monumental shifts regarding gender equality. Movements such as #metoo, global fights for abortion rights, and the Saudi Arabian women's driving ban are a few that have highlighted the issue.

When you think of great speeches in history, images of Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, and Barack Obama may spring forth. Due to ingrained biases, women have always needed to 'speak louder to have their voices heard'. Women's Equality Day, often referred to as Gender Equality Day, commemorates when Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation granting American women the right to vote . On this Women's Equality Day (26th August 2021), we celebrate powerful speeches by women on the world stage fighting for equal rights. 

persuasive speech on women's rights

Oprah Winfrey

While receiving an award for 'Outstanding Contributions to the World of Entertainment' at the 2018 Golden Globes, Oprah Winfrey gave one of the most moving speeches by a woman at the awards. 

As someone born into poverty to a single mother who overcame discrimination with race and gender to succeed, she gave a rousing speech addressing the evolution of women's equality. Even more fitting, she was the first black woman to have received that award.

Key points of interest

[00:05:20] 

'In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and a mother. She was just walking home from a church service she attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men raped and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church. They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone. But her story was reported to the NAACP, where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case'

[00:08:21] 

'So I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns. It will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say me too again.'

Read the entire transcript here .

Frances McDormand

Upon receiving her 2nd Oscar in 2018, Frances McDormand's speech received a standing ovation after highlighting the integral role women have in Hollywood - both in front of and behind the camera. 

The 'mic drop' moment was the mention of the ' inclusion rider .' An inclusion rider is a clause actors and filmmakers can insert into their contracts to ensure an appropriate level of diversity in a cast, from women to people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

Key points of interest: 

[00:03:16] 

'And now I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honored to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight. [...] OK, look around, everybody, look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed'

[00:04:15] 

'I have two words to leave with you tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Inclusion Rider.'

Read the whole speech here .

persuasive speech on women's rights

Emma Watson

From actress to activist, Emma Watson is an outspoken supporter of gender equality. In a passionate women's rights speech at the UN in 2014, she declared gender equality an issue for both males and females to advocate. She asserted that 'feminism' has almost become a dirty word and that it is down to the inadvertent feminists to strengthen the movement. 

She also talked about gender equality from a male perspective, highlighting mental health and gender stereotypes, demonstrating that men do not have gender equality either. 

Key points of interest:

[00:01:51] 

'The more I've spoken about feminism, the more I have realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain. It is that this has to stop. For the record, feminism, by definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.'

[00:04:05] 

'I am from Britain. And I think it is right that I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and the decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they have achieved gender equality.'

[00:08:35] 

'If men don't have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won't feel compelled to be submissive. If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive, both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals.'

The entire transcript can be found here .

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is one of the leading women's rights activists globally and the youngest person (and first Pakistani) to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. In her acceptance speech, she delivered a heartfelt message advocating a women's right to education. She sheds light on women's rights from a unique cultural point of view.

[00:03:39] 

'I have found that people describe me in many different ways. Some people call me the girl who was shot by the Taliban and some the girl who fought for her rights. [...] As far as I know, I'm just a committed and even stubborn person who wants to see every child getting quality education. Who wants to see women having equal rights and who wants peace in every corner of the world.'

Read the transcript in Trint .

Greta Thunberg

The youngest on our list, Greta Thunberg, is a name synonymous with activism. This is more of an honorable mention as her speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 focused on climate change rather than gender equality. However, even at the age of 16, and speaking in her non-native tongue, Thunburg faced gender-based bias following the speech. There was online backlash due to her emotional tone and age, proving that women's rights have a long way to go before equality is reached. 

Key point of interest:

[00:00:54] 

'You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words, yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is the money and fairy tales of his time of economic growth. How dare you?'

The speech transcript is here for you to read .

What's next for women's equality?

Thanks to these speeches by women, the topic of gender equality remains at the forefront of the public's mind. Having said that, there is still some way to go in the case of equal pay and gender stereotypes and other global issues. However, these speeches have given women a platform in which to make their voices heard. 

Trint is an employer committed to equality for both genders with a number of initiatives like our Women in Tech and Diversity and Inclusion groups. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to our employees. 

We used Trint to transcribe the MP4 files of these speeches, try it out for yourself .

Your free trial awaits, learn more about trint for enterprise.

persuasive speech on women's rights

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Home / End of the Twentieth Century, 1977-2001 / The Information Age, 1991-2001 / Women’s Rights are Human Rights

Women's Rights are Human Rights

Hillary Clinton’s speech about women’s rights.

persuasive speech on women's rights

Hillary Clinton at the United Nations Conference on Women

Sharon Farmer, Photograph of First Lady Hillary Clinton at the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing, China, September 5, 1995. National Archives.

(…)

Thank you for inviting me to speak at this conference. This event is a celebration of women’s contributions to society.
We have a lot in common as women.
This conference focuses on the issues that are most important to women and their families.

(…)

Some people don’t understand why we are having this conference. Some people don’t understand why women are important in economics and politics. The women present at this conference show why women are important.

If women do well, their communities do well. That is why these issues are important to everyone.

(…)

I have worked on women’s issues for 25 years. As First Lady, I have had the chance to learn about women’s challenges across the world.

Women are the majority of the population. They are a large majority of the population that is poor and that cannot read or write. Most caretakers are women. But their work is not valued.
Women do many different types of work in the home and outside the home.
Women face discrimination and do not have the same opportunities as men.

(…)

 

We should speak for the women who cannot.
Women’s rights are human rights.

Women should have the right to free speech and to participate in democracy.

(…)

It is unacceptable that the Chinese government did not allow all women who wanted to attend this conference to participate.

(…)

I am calling the world to action. We should work towards gender equality across the world.

Hillary Clinton speech at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women

Hillary Clinton, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton remarks for the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, 1995. Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat.

At the UN Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993, it became clear that there was much work to be done on women’s rights globally. While the conference wrote a declaration that confirmed the rights of women as human rights, it specifically excluded reproductive rights due to disagreement between nations. The UN organized another conference with a specific focus on women’s rights in Beijing in 1995. 

The Beijing conference was a major turning point for global women’s rights. The significant outcome was the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which laid out key areas of improvement for gender equality across the world. The declaration was adopted unanimously by the 189 countries represented at the conference. Over 17,000 representatives attended the conference. The Chinese government did not allow a separate conference for women’s nongovernmental organizations to be held in Beijing. Instead, the conference took place about 40 miles away in Huairou with limited facilities.

About the Document

The UN invited Hillary Clinton, First Lady of the United States, to speak at the conference. One of the members of the team that worked on the speech was Madeleine Albright, who was the United States representative to the UN. President Bill Clinton appointed her as the first female Secretary of State in 1997, a position Hillary Clinton would hold under President Barack Obama.

White House aides tried to persuade Hillary Clinton not to give the speech, arguing that the First Lady should avoid diplomatic issues. Because the conference was held in China, the State Department expressed concern that her speech would upset the Chinese government. Nevertheless, Hillary Clinton delivered her provocative speech in Beijing and indirectly called out the Chinese government over its treatment of women and girls.

Discussion Questions

  • What is Hillary Clinton’s overarching argument in her speech? Which phrases stand out to you?
  • How does Hillary Clinton address issues of women’s rights on a global level? 
  • How did Hillary Clinton’s position as First Lady of the United States impact the reception of the speech?

Suggested Activities

  • AP Government Connection: 5.7: Groups Influencing Policy Outcomes
  • Have the students watch Hillary Clinton give the speech here . Which phrases did she emphasize? How does watching and listening to the speech impact your perception?
  • Combine this resource with Maxine Waters on the Rodney King verdict . How do these two speeches compare in rhetoric and making arguments? How could a white woman speak differently on political issues from a Black woman?
  • Pair this resource with the life story of Eleanor Roosevelt . How did both women change the role of the First Lady? Compare this speech to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and discuss the progress in women’s rights that had been made by 1995.
  • For a larger lesson on women in American politics during this period, combine this resource with Anita Hill’s testimony , the Year of the Woman , Monica Lewinsky , Maxine Waters on the Rodney King verdict , and the life story of Barbara Lee .

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“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” by Hillary Clinton Essay

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Introduction

Situational circumstances surrounding clinton’s speech, purpose of clinton’s speech.

Be it a novel, play, or speech; there are various rhetorical devices used by writers to help them achieve various purposes. Rhetorical strategies play a vital role in establishing a connection with the audience to ensure they understand the message a writer intends to convey via literature. The proper use of rhetorical devices in literature should result in writing that triggers an emotional response among the audience. Emotion is a main part of rhetorical writing because integral in the art of persuasion. Hillary Clinton’s speech about women’s rights effectively convinces her audience that women rights are an indispensable part of human rights through the use of logical argument, repetition, historical facts, and emotional stories.

Clinton gave her speech during a time when women’s rights were hardly recognized. To be precise, Hillary Clinton delivered her moving speech in 1995, a time when women’s rights in were not recognized as is the case today. Even developed countries like the United States reported multiple cases of gender-based discrimination. For instance, it took a lot of work to see a woman rise to a top executive position in companies because such roles were reserved for men.

Hillary Clinton’s motivation for writing the speech was to highlight the plight of women suffering in silence so that people can implement requisite actions to remedy the situation. She uses factual examples to draw attention to gender-based discrimination and violence. Clinton intended to express that women’s and girls’ rights are inherent, important, and inseparable components of all human rights. Clinton wanted to her audience to become part of the pursuit for empowerment of the girl child.

Hillary Clinton wanted her speech to inspire the audience to draw three main conclusions. The first one is that women should know that their rights are inherent, meaning that it is their basic right to be treated with dignity. She wanted to women to become assertive of their worth even if societal notions of gender suggested otherwise. Secondly, Clinton wanted to illuminate existing violation of women’s rights in different parts of the world. Thirdly, she called for everyone within her audience to participate in helping alleviate the violation of women’s rights in whichever capacity they can afford.

Rhetorical Appeals used in Hillary Clinton’s Speech

Hillary Clinton employs the rhetorical tool of repetition within her speech. Repetition is the tendency for a writer to mention a particular phrase multiple times to attract the audience’s attention. Clinton used repetition/anaphora to begin her sentences with “It is a violation of human rights” to emphasize her point and create a feeling of urgency. She also mentions “respect” and “human rights” several times to denote the need to treat women with the dignity they deserve. The rhetorical tool of repetition helped Clinton achieve her purpose by ensuring that the audience understood the gravity of gender-based discrimination.

Clinton utilized the rhetorical strategy of historical allusions to show the audience that gender-based discrimination is influenced by humanity’s past experiences. Historical references are relevant events associated with the message that a writer desires to communicate. Clinton used it to connect her argument to a larger framework and to stress the historic relevance of the issues she was addressing. She cited, for example, the 19th-century suffragettes who campaigned for women’s voting rights and the Declaration of Independence, which proclaims that “all men are created equal.” She also mentioned the Holy book and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to underline the importance of female rights as basic human rights. The rhetorical device of citing historical references helped Clinton achieve her purpose because it emphasized the call for urgency to change the narrative by diverting from past transgressions against women’s rights.

The speech “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” applies ethos by focusing on Hillary Clinton as a character. Ethos is a writer’s ability to curate characters and give them particular attributes that convey specific messages to the audience. Clinton developed her authority as a speaker by mentioning her status as First Lady of the United States (Hillary Clinton). The FLOTUS office deemed Clinton one of the world’s most powerful women. Therefore, Clinton’s official capacity asserts power to her words as far as women’s issues are concerned. Doing so serves her purpose because it granted her some moral authority over the issue in context, which helped influence the audience better.

Hillary Clinton uses the rhetorical device of pathos by engaging with her audience through emotional stories. Pathos is a rhetorical tool that uses emotions to appeal to the interests of the audience. An excellent example of such rhetorical writing is when Hillary mentions how some women are burnt with gasoline because their dowry is small (Hillary Clinton). Clinton stirred emotions in the audience by presenting poignant and personal experiences of women and girls touched by prejudice and violence. The rhetorical device of emotional appeal helped Clinton achieve her purpose because it calls for the critical need for action to address the abovementioned concerns.

. Hillary Clinton’s speech uses logos by presenting well-argued themes to relay her message. Logos is a rhetorical device that uses reasoning and rationality to appeal to the audience. Hillary Clinton rationally justifies her claim that advancing women’s rights is critical to attaining global human rights. She used historical facts and stories to demonstrate the magnitude and seriousness of women’s challenges. Hillary achieved her purpose by presenting rational justifications for why the audience should participate in the global pursuit of women’s empowerment.

Hillary Clinton’s use of logical schema in her speech “was through cause and effect. Clinton contends that denying women’s rights is an infringement of their human rights, with harmful consequences for both people and nations. The use of cause and effect helped Clinton achieve her purpose because it made it clear to the audience that their choices will have an impact in future, just like how the current reality results from decisions made by previous generations. Hillary Clinton’s speech appeals to the audience by made it clear that they have power to build a better future and so people should take requisite actions to remedy the situation.

Clinton’s use of rhetorical strategies such as historical evidence, rational appeal, and repetition, among others helped achieve the purpose of her speech. Her rhetorical writing particularly aided in effectively convincing the audience about the significance of women’s rights as human rights. As a result, Clinton’s speech has been commonly accepted as a strong and significant statement in the evolution of women’s and gender equality.

Clinton, H. (no date) American rhetoric: Hillary Rodham Clinton — United Nations 4th world…, American Rhetoric . Web.

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persuasive speech on women's rights

 

 

, for your dedicated work that has brought us to this point, distinguished delegates, and guests:

. This is truly a celebration, a celebration of the contributions women make in every aspect of life: in the home, on the job, in the community, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, workers, citizens, and leaders.

-- the homemakers and nurses, the teachers and lawyers, the policymakers and women who run their own businesses. It is conferences like this that compel governments and peoples everywhere to listen, look, and face the world’s most pressing problems. Wasn’t it after all -- after the women’s conference in Nairobi ten years ago that the world focused for the first time on the crisis of domestic violence?

, and individual citizens are working to address the health problems of women and girls. Tomorrow, I will attend a gathering of the . There, the discussion will focus on local -- and highly successful -- programs that give hard-working women access to credit so they can improve their own lives and the lives of their families.

.

. It took 150 years after the signing of our for women to win the right to vote. It took 72 years of organized struggle, before that happened, on the part of many courageous women and men. It was one of America’s most divisive philosophical wars. But it was a bloodless war. Suffrage was achieved without a shot being fired.

observances last weekend, of the good that comes when men and women join together to combat the forces of tyranny and to build a better world. We have seen peace prevail in most places for a half century. We have avoided another world war. But we have not solved older, deeply-rooted problems that continue to diminish the potential of half the world’s population.

: The William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum

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: 3/22/24

: merican hetoric.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 1800s, women in the United States had few legal rights and did not have the right to vote. This speech was given by Susan B. Anthony after her arrest for casting an illegal vote in the presidential election of 1872. She was tried and then fined $100 but refused to pay.
Friends and fellow citizens: I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution, beyond the power of any state to deny. The preamble of the Federal Constitution says: "We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people - women as well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them provided by this democratic-republican government - the ballot. For any state to make sex a qualification that must ever result in the disfranchisement of one entire half of the people, is to pass a bill of attainder, or, an ex post facto law, and is therefore a violation of the supreme law of the land. By it the blessings of liberty are forever withheld from women and their female posterity. To them this government has no just powers derived from the consent of the governed. To them this government is not a democracy. It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy of sex; the most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an oligarchy of wealth, where the rich govern the poor. An oligarchy of learning, where the educated govern the ignorant, or even an oligarchy of race, where the Saxon rules the African, might be endured; but this oligarchy of sex, which makes father, brothers, husband, sons, the oligarchs over the mother and sisters, the wife and daughters, of every household - which ordains all men sovereigns, all women subjects, carries dissension, discord, and rebellion into every home of the nation. Webster, Worcester, and Bouvier all define a citizen to be a person in the United States, entitled to vote and hold office. The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are citizens; and no state has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities. Hence, every discrimination against women in the constitutions and laws of the several states is today null and void, precisely as is every one against Negroes. Susan B. Anthony - 1873

persuasive speech on women's rights

Post-note: Following her death in 1906, after five decades of tireless work, the Democratic and Republican parties both endorsed women's right to vote. In August of 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was finally ratified, allowing women to vote.

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UN Women Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Speech: Gender equality – just, prudent, and essential for everything we all aspire to

Closing remarks by un under-secretary-general and un women executive director sima bahous to the 68th session of the commission on the status of women, un headquarters, 27 march 2024..

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[As delivered.]

You have arrived at Agreed Conclusions for CSW68 [the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women] —congratulations! As the world was watching, you showed the very best of the multilateral system, and you came together to advance critical normative work for women and girls everywhere. You have recognized the inequalities that impact the lives of women and girls living in poverty and the solutions we have and we need to address them.

And you agreed that these inequalities do not define us, but that we are defined by wanting to urgently overcome them.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous delivers closing remarks to the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, UN headquarters, 27 March 2024. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown.

You adopted robust Agreed Conclusions , a blueprint that envisages a world with greater financial inclusion, increased spending on social protection, increased stability, equal opportunities, and great hope, rights, and freedoms for women and girls everywhere. A world that will no longer accept that one in ten women lives in poverty. A world that will accelerate the investment in women and girls and that urgently pursues the realization of the fundamental rights of all women and girls to live in peace and prosperity everywhere.

This is a special moment. I thank you all for your dedication and determination to bring this CSW68 to a successful close.

I thank His Excellency Ambassador Antonio Manuel Revilla Lagdameo of the Philippines for his able leadership as Chair of the Commission, together with the very able Vice Chairs, their Excellencies Ms. Yoka Brandt of the Netherlands, Ms. María Florencia González of Argentina, Mr. Māris Burbergs of Latvia, and Ms. Dúnia Eloisa Pires do Canto from Cabo Verde.

A special deep appreciation goes to Her Excellency Ms. Yoka Brandt of the Netherlands for her most skilful facilitation. Her Excellency, you would agree, shepherded you with grace and determination to reach the Agreed Conclusions. I also would like to thank her able team, in particular Robin De Vogel, for their support.

The Agreed Conclusions will only have value in as much as their implementation in countries makes a difference in the lives of women and girls, and in as much as they contribute to accelerating progress on the SDGs [Sustainable Development Goals] . We are a mere six years away from 2030. Gender equality remains our best chance to reach them.

I hope that you will use the Agreed Conclusions as you discuss the Pact for the Future , and that you will be bold and ambitious in advancing them, as we head to the Summit of the Future in September, to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in 2025, and, of course, the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action next year.

This year’s CSW had two heads of state, three vice-presidents, and more than 100 ministers in attendance. Nearly 4,000 delegates in total contributed to the different deliberations.

We had a record number of close to 5,000 civil society representatives, the second highest number we have ever recorded. We saw more than 1,000 side events and parallel events. Partners came together to share experiences and dreams, and also to recommit.

And we benefitted from the creativity, energy, and substantive contributions from the youth delegates, including adolescent girls, who brought a fresh perspective to this year’s CSW . Upholding the Youth Forum and youth space is integral to our work here, which should be strengthened as part of the official Programme of Work of this Commission.

We also welcomed the adoption of the Resolution on women, the girl child, and HIV and AIDS , led by SADC [the Southern African Development Community], and commend Member States’ commitment to increase investment in gender equality and the empowerment of women in the HIV response.

It is not my wish to dampen this moment. Yet, in a world of cascading crises, de-democratization, gender equality backlash, and restricted civic spaces, women and girls will continue to be disproportionately impacted.

It makes the work you have done here all the more important.

I opened this CSW calling for a ceasefire in Gaza . I close it by reiterating this call and the call of the Security Council two days ago, for an immediate ceasefire, unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, the release of all hostages, and for peace. Sustainable, just peace for all women and girls everywhere must be our collective priority. In Gaza, in Sudan, in Haiti, in Ukraine, and elsewhere in the world.

UN Women stands with every woman and girl everywhere who is facing the scourge and the consequences of war and conflict.

We stand with all women peacebuilders, negotiators, human rights defenders who continue to pursue justice for women and girls—often at high personal cost.

As we close this session, we begin to turn our attention to next year when you will discuss 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action .

The scale of our ambitions, your ambitions for Beijing plus 30, must match the scale of our and your responsibility to achieve equality for every woman and girl, in all their diversity, not in 300 years, not in 100 years, not in 50 years, but urgently—now. There is much work to be done and much reward in doing it.

I look forward to working with the new CSW Bureau who will take this forward.

So, let us leave this room as collective champions for gender equality. Let us find new ways to do more, together, to accelerate progress and strengthen our partnerships.

And let us make the case, powerfully, for equality. Let the world hear what we have asserted over the past two weeks: that gender equality is just and prudent, and essential for everything we all aspire to.

I thank you.

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A blog of the U.S. National Archives

Pieces of History

Pieces of History

Susan B. Anthony: Women’s Right to Vote

The National Archives is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with the exhibit Rightfully Hers: American Women and the Vote ,  which runs in the Lawrence F. O’Brien Gallery of the National Archives in Washington, DC, through January 3, 2021. Today’s post comes from Michael J. Hancock in the National Archives History Office.

susan-b-anthony

More than any other woman of her time, Susan B. Anthony recognized that many of the legal disabilities women faced were the result of their inability to vote.

Anthony worked tirelessly her whole adult life fighting for the right to vote, and she was instrumental in bringing the issue to the forefront of American consciousness.

She spoke publicly, petitioned Congress and state legislatures, and published a feminist newspaper for a cause that would not come to fruition until the ratification of the 19th Amendment , 14 years after her death in 1906.

Rediscovery #: 04172Job A1 09-137 First Americans

Despite this, she found satisfaction in casting a ballot (albeit illegally) in Rochester, New York, on November 5, 1872. What followed was a trial for illegal voting and a unique opportunity for Anthony to broadcast her arguments for woman suffrage to a wider audience.

Anthony had planned to vote long before 1872. She reasoned that she would take the first opportunity as long as she met the New York state requirement of voters residing in their homes for at least 30 days prior to the election in the district where they cast their vote.  Anthony’s logic was based on the recently adopted 14th Amendment that stated that “all persons born and naturalized in the United States . . . are citizens of the United States.” Anthony reasoned that that since women were citizens, and the privileges of citizens of the United States included the right to vote,  states could not exclude women from the electorate.

The 15th Amendment’s reference to the “right of citizens of the United States to vote” suggested women’s right as citizens to vote. Fundamentally, woman suffragists’ objective was to validate their interpretation  through either an act of Congress or a favorable decision in Federal courts.

15th Amendment

On November 5, 1872, in the first district of the Eighth Ward of Rochester, New York, Anthony and 14 other women voted in an election that included choosing members of Congress. The women had successfully registered to vote several days earlier but, a poll watcher challenged Anthony’s qualification as a voter.

Taking the steps required by state law when a challenge occurred, the  election inspectors asked Anthony under oath if she was a citizen, if she lived in the district, and if she had accepted bribes for her vote. Anthony answered these questions to their satisfaction, and the inspectors promptly placed her ballot in the boxes.

Nine days after the election, U.S. Commissioner William Storrs, an officer of the Federal courts, issued warrants for the arrest of Anthony and an order to the U.S. Marshal to deliver her to county jail along with the 14 other women who voted in Rochester. Based on the complaint of Sylvester Lewis, a poll watcher who challenged Anthony’s vote, the women were charged with voting for members of the U.S. House of Representatives “without having a lawful right to vote,” a violation of section 19 of the Enforcement Act of 1870.

Anthony’s attorneys researched a way to appeal her arrest and detention to the Supreme Court of the United States. They decided that a petition to the district court for a writ of habeas corpus would ensure it would reach the Supreme Court, even though Congress in 1868 had repealed the provision for appeals on writs of habeas corpus from the lower Federal courts to the Supreme Court. Attorney John Van Voorhis argued that Anthony had a right to vote and petitioned the district court for a writ of habeas corpus that would bring Anthony before the court so that the judge could rule if she were properly held in custody.

Judge Nathan Hall of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York granted the petition. The U.S. attorney announced that he was unprepared for argument, and the judge rescheduled the hearing for January in Albany.

orig_278300_6280

At the district court session in Albany, Anthony’s attorney Henry Selden broadened the argument he made previously and insisted Anthony had a right to vote. He acknowledged that the question of women’s right to vote was still unresolved and that the government had no justification for holding her as a criminal defendant. Anthony’s release from custody was eventually denied.

Anthony’s trial began in Canandaigua, New York, on June 17, 1873. Before a jury of 12 men, Richard Crowley stated the government’s case and called an inspector of election as a witness to confirm that Anthony cast a ballot for congressional candidates.

Henry Selden had himself sworn in as a witness and testified that he advised Anthony that the Constitution validated her capacity to vote. In transcripts of Susan B. Anthony’s testimony in her own defense, it is clear that she was thoughtful and deliberate in her account of how she made the progression from interpretation of the Constitution to affirming her perceived rights under its principles.  

Judge Hunt declared that “The Fourteenth Amendment gives no right to a woman to vote, and the voting by Miss Anthony was in violation of the law.” He rejected Anthony’s argument that her good faith prohibited a finding that she “knowingly” cast an illegal vote and stated that “Assuming that Miss Anthony believed she had a right to vote which was illegal, and thus is subject to the penalty of law.” He surprised Anthony and her attorney by directing the jury deliver a verdict of guilty.  

Conviction of Susan B. Anthony, 06/187305848_2004_001

In her sentencing, Susan B. Anthony was given the opportunity to address the court, and what she said stunned everyone in the courthouse:

Your honor, I have many things to say; for in your ordered verdict of guilty, you have trampled under foot every vital principle of our government. My natural right, my civil rights, my political rights, my judicial rights, are all alike ignored. Robbed of the fundamental privilege of citizenship, I am degraded from the status of a citizen to that of a subject; and not only myself individually, but all of my sex, are, by your honor’s verdict, doomed to political subjection under this, so-called, form of government. 

Ultimately, Anthony was fined $100 and the cost of prosecution. In steadfast defiance, she declared that she would never pay a penny of her fine, and the government never made a serious effort to collect. In the end, Susan B. Anthony’s protest echoed the old revolutionary adage that “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God.”

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I’m lucky enough to live right across the street from Mount Hope Cemetery where this tremendous patriotic women has been buried along with her family. We visit her every week & will especially visit her today & ask her to PLEASE watch over & bless this country and city she loved so very much🇺🇸 Thank you Susan

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Abortion — Women’s Rights: Abortions Should Be Legal

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Women's Rights: Abortions Should Be Legal

  • Categories: Abortion Pregnancy

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Words: 2016 |

11 min read

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 2016 | Pages: 4 | 11 min read

Table of contents

Abortion should be legal persuasive speech outline, abortion should be legal persuasive essay example, introduction.

  • Introduction to the abortion debate and the importance of autonomy over one's body

Types of Abortion

  • Explanation of spontaneous and medical abortions

Autonomy of Body

  • Discussion of the importance of women's autonomy and their right to make decisions about their bodies
  • Examination of laws limiting abortion rights

Pro-Choice Argument

  • Arguments in favor of pro-choice, emphasizing women's rights and the consequences of restricting abortion

Abortion and Resource Limitations

  • Exploration of how abortion can help people who lack the resources to raise children
  • Discussion of the societal impact of unwanted pregnancies

Dangerous Backroom Abortions

  • Explanation of the risks associated with limiting abortion services
  • Reference to historical unsafe abortion practices

Abortion as Murder

  • Presentation of the opposing view that considers abortion as morally wrong and equivalent to murder
  • Summary of key points in the abortion debate, advocating for women's right to choose and autonomy over their bodies

Works Cited:

  • Altbach, P. G., Reisberg, L., & Rumbley, L. E. (2019). Trends in global higher education: Tracking an academic revolution. UNESCO Publishing.
  • Gupta, K., & Batra, A. (2015). Corruption and economic growth: A global perspective. International Journal of Development Research, 5(5), 4363-4367.
  • Jain, A. K. (2001). Corruption: A review. Journal of Economic Surveys, 15(1), 71-121.
  • Klitgaard, R. (1988). Controlling corruption. University of California Press.
  • Kwantes, C. T., Boglarsky, C. A., & Pancer, S. M. (2006). The effect of culture on unethical conduct. Social Science Journal, 43(2), 295-300.
  • Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. (2016). Rasuah: Apa itu Rasuah? [Corruption: What is Corruption?]. https://www.sprm.gov.my/ms/pengetahuan-am/rasuah
  • Mungiu-Pippidi, A. (2015). The quest for good governance: How societies develop control of corruption. Cambridge University Press.
  • 15 effects of corruption. (2019). University of Kent. https://www.kent.ac.uk/integrityoffice/policies-and-procedures/bribery-and-corruption/preventing-corruption/15-effects-of-corruption
  • 5 ways to reduce corruption and places where it exists. (2016). The Star Online. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2016/09/12/five-ways-to-reduce-corruption-and-places-where-it-exists/
  • Transparency International. (n.d.). Corruption perceptions index.

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persuasive speech on women's rights

Shirtless young Black man smokes a cigar and winks while looking at his reflection in a mirror.

What James Earl Jones can teach us about activism and art in times of crisis

persuasive speech on women's rights

Acting Chair of Theater, School of Theater, Film and Television, University of California, Los Angeles

Disclosure statement

Dominic Taylor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

University of California, Los Angeles provides funding as a member of The Conversation US.

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The death of James Earl Jones has forced me to consider the end of an era.

Harry Belafonte , Sidney Poitier and Jones were giants in my industry. They were Black performers whose ascents to stardom occurred in the tumultuous 1960s, when I was an infant. All three were politically active, although each operated in a significantly different way.

In 1967, there were more than 150 riots fueled by racial tensions in U.S. cities . Many Americans worried that the nation would implode over racial conflict, and President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed the Kerner Commission to study the sources of racial turmoil.

At the time, Jones was an actor of growing renown on television and the theatrical stage. He had performed in “ Danton’s Death ” on Broadway and was featured on NBC’s “ Tarzan ,” among other projects.

Jones found himself grappling with a question that has roiled many artists, then and now: In troubling times, what is an artist to do?

He didn’t give rousing speeches, as Belafonte did . Nor did he hand-deliver cash to student activists in Mississippi during the Freedom Summer, as Poitier had done .

Instead, Jones decided to work on a play about a boxer, “ The Great White Hope ,” which had been written by Howard Sackler at Arena Stage , a Washington-based theater company in the growing regional theater movement.

Embodying Black power

While cities were burning all over America, why would an actor hoping to make a difference sign on to play a boxer? If they aren’t willing to put their life on the line, shouldn’t they at least work on a play about the Civil Rights Movement, racism or police brutality?

A black binder that reads 'The Great White Hope, by Howard Sackler.'

However, “The Great White Hope” wasn’t a simple, sentimental sports drama. Sackler based the play’s protagonist, Jack Jefferson, on boxer Jack Johnson , who became the first Black heavyweight champion in 1908.

African Americans riotously celebrated Johnson, who had captured the title just 45 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. In the face of virulent Jim Crow racism, Johnson stood as a man who, if given a fair shot, could beat anyone.

In his book “ A Beautiful Pageant: African American Theatre, Drama and Performance in the Harlem Renaissance, 1910-1927 ,” theater historian David Krasner argues that Johnson’s victory was one of the key events that fueled the Harlem Renaissance , the Black intellectual and cultural movement that birthed jazz music, the poetry of Langston Hughes, the writings of Zora Neale Hurston and the sculptures of Augusta Savage .

The confidence Johnson inspired was contagious: If a Black man could handily beat a white man in a boxing ring, there was no reason Black artists and writers couldn’t fashion groundbreaking works, plumbing their lives and their histories – as Hurston did – to become champions of Black culture.

The play is written in three acts, and it follows Jefferson and his fictional white lover, Eleanor Bachman, from 1908 to 1915. After Jefferson wins the title, the government hounds the couple, in part because of their interracial romance. Officials eventually detain them as they enter Ohio under the Mann Act , a law ostensibly enacted to halt prostitution but often used to intimidate interracial couples . The government tells Jefferson that it will drop the charges if he’s willing to throw a fight to an inferior white boxer.

Jones won a Tony Award for his portrayal of a Black man possessed with talent, confidence and strength, whose biggest problem was that he simply refused to stay in his lane.

A different kind of fighter

Boxer Muhammad Ali was also a big fan of Jones’ performance.

Ali had been stripped of his heavyweight title in 1967 because he was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, refusing to enlist after being drafted. When Ali saw “The Great White Hope,” he felt like he was looking in the mirror.

“You just change the time, date and the details and it’s about me!” Life magazine quoted him saying .

It’s strange to think about how historical events can be distilled into emotions like fear, love, jealousy and righteousness. But James Earl Jones was somehow able to hold a Black boxer who loved a white woman in conversation with someone unable to bring himself to fight in Vietnam.

Two Black men chat while walking.

Jones probably knew that a performance on a stage seen by a few thousand people would do little to end the Vietnam War, racial inequality or police brutality.

But I think Jones was looking to change the culture. He was trying to change the country’s understanding of what it means to fight – and what a freedom fighter is.

Is a fighter someone who knocks out their opponent? Or someone who follows their heart? Is a fighter someone who takes up arms at the behest of their government? Or is a fighter someone who’s willing to risk their livelihood for their values?

Sometimes, activism can be as simple as making art to the best of your abilities – or, as W.E.B. Du Bois wrote , “to use beauty to set the world right.”

  • Performance
  • Civil rights struggles
  • Civil rights movement
  • Black Americans
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Langston Hughes
  • Harry Belafonte
  • Show business
  • Sidney Poitier
  • James Earl Jones

persuasive speech on women's rights

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Animal Abuse Persuasive Speech

How it works

Animal abuse is a serious problem that needs our immediate attention. It’s hard to imagine the amount of pain animals go through when they’re treated badly, ignored, or used unfairly. Pets, farm animals, and even wild creatures suffer because of human actions. This essay wants to make you see how bad animal abuse is, understand its different forms, and take steps to stop it. By doing this, we not only help animals but also make society kinder and more ethical.

One common form of animal abuse is neglect. Neglect happens when people don’t give their pets basic things like food, water, shelter, and medical care. This kind of abuse is tricky because it can go unnoticed until the animal is in really bad shape. Animals that aren’t cared for properly can suffer from hunger, thirst, sickness, and harsh weather. This not only hurts them physically but also mentally since animals can feel fear, anxiety, and sadness. Owning a pet is a big responsibility, and people need to know how important it is to take care of them. Campaigns and education can help teach everyone about proper animal care and the serious effects of neglect.

Another common form of animal abuse is physical violence. This includes hitting, kicking, burning, and any other way of hurting an animal. These acts are not only wrong but also illegal in many places. Animals that are physically abused often suffer from bad injuries, long-term pain, and mental scars. Society needs to understand that animals aren’t things to be hurt; they are living beings that can feel pain. Laws should be stronger to make sure people who hurt animals face serious consequences. Community programs that teach empathy and respect for animals can also help stop this kind of violence by promoting kindness.

Exploitation is another big issue when it comes to animal abuse. This means using animals for entertainment, work, and research in ways that hurt them. Animals in circuses, zoos, and marine parks often go through tough training, confinement, and unnatural living conditions. Animals in research labs are exposed to painful tests and bad living conditions. Even farm animals suffer in factory farms. To fight this abuse, we need to push for humane treatment and ethical standards wherever animals are used. This means supporting laws that protect animal rights, promoting alternatives to animal testing, and choosing products that don’t involve cruelty.

In conclusion, animal abuse comes in many forms like neglect, physical violence, and exploitation. Each form causes serious physical and mental harm to animals, showing why we need to change as a society. It’s our job to make sure animals are treated with respect and care. By spreading awareness, making laws tougher, and fostering empathy, we can take big steps in stopping animal abuse. Let’s aim to create a world where animals are valued and protected, and cruelty isn’t accepted. Together, we can make society more humane and compassionate for all living beings.

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Read Hillary Rodham Clinton’s ‘Women’s Rights’ Speech From 1995

“Now it is time to act on behalf of women everywhere.”

persuasive speech on women's rights

Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered the following address to the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women, in Beijing, 25 years ago. Then the first lady of the United States, Clinton famously declared that “women’s rights are human rights,” while criticizing the Chinese government’s coercive family-planning policy and the hardships faced by women around the world. You can read her reflections about this speech upon its 25th anniversary here .

Below, the full text of Clinton’s speech as delivered.

Thank you very much, Gertrude Mongella, for your dedicated work that has brought us to this point. Distinguished delegates and guests, I would like to thank the secretary-general for inviting me to be part of this important United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. This is truly a celebration—a celebration of the contributions women make in every aspect of life: in the home, on the job, in the community, as mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, learners, workers, citizens, and leaders.

It is also a coming together, much the way women come together every day in every country.

We come together in fields and factories. In village markets and supermarkets. In living rooms and boardrooms. Whether it is while playing with our children in the park or washing clothes in a river or taking a break at the office watercooler, we come together and talk about our aspirations and concerns. And time and again, our talk turns to our children and our families.

However different we may appear, there is far more that unites us than divides us. We share a common future. And we are here to find common ground so that we may help bring new dignity and respect to women and girls all over the world—and in so doing, bring new strength and stability to families as well.

By gathering in Beijing, we are focusing world attention on issues that matter most in our lives, the lives of women and their families: access to education, health care, jobs, and credit, the chance to enjoy basic legal and human rights and participate fully in the political life of our countries.

There are some who question the reason for this conference. Let them listen to the voices of women in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces.

Hillary Clinton: How far have women come?

There are some who wonder whether the lives of women and girls matter to economic and political progress around the globe. Let them look at the women gathered here and at Huairou, the homemakers and nurses, the teachers and lawyers, the policy makers and women who run their own businesses.

It is conferences like this that compel governments and peoples everywhere to listen, look, and face the world’s most pressing problems.

Wasn’t it, after all, after the women’s conference in Nairobi 10 years ago that the world focused for the first time on the crisis of domestic violence?

Earlier today, I participated in a World Health Organization forum. In that forum, we talked about ways that government officials, NGOs, and individual citizens are working to address the health problems of women and girls.

Tomorrow, I will attend a gathering of the United Nations Development Fund for Women. There, the discussion will focus on local and highly successful programs that give hardworking women access to credit so they can improve their own lives and the lives of their families.

What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations do as well. That is why every woman, every man, every child, every family, and every nation on our planet does have a stake in the discussion that takes place here.

Over the past 25 years, I have worked persistently on issues relating to women, children, and families. Over the past two and a half years, I have had the opportunity to learn more about the challenges facing women in my own country and around the world.

I have met new mothers in Indonesia who come together regularly in their village to discuss nutrition, family planning, and baby care.

I have met working parents in Denmark who talk about the comfort they feel in knowing that their children can be cared for in safe and nurturing after-school centers.

I have met women in South Africa who helped lead the struggle to end apartheid and are now helping to build a new democracy.

I have met with the leading women of my own hemisphere who are working every day to promote literacy and better health care for children in their countries.

I have met women in India and Bangladesh who are taking out small loans to buy milk cows, or rickshaws, or thread in order to create a livelihood for themselves and their families.

I have met the doctors and nurses in Belarus and Ukraine who are trying to keep children alive in the aftermath of Chernobyl.

The great challenge of this conference is to give voice to women everywhere whose experiences go unnoticed, whose words go unheard.

Women comprise more than half the world’s population, 70 percent of the world’s poor, and two-thirds of those who are not taught to read and write. We are the primary caretakers for most of the world’s children and elderly. Yet much of the work we do is not valued—not by economists, not by historians, not by popular culture, not by government leaders.

At this very moment, as we sit here, women around the world are giving birth, raising children, cooking meals, washing clothes, cleaning houses, planting crops, working on assembly lines, running companies, and running countries.

Women also are dying from diseases that should have been prevented or treated; they are watching their children succumb to malnutrition caused by poverty and economic deprivation; they are being denied the right to go to school by their own fathers and brothers; they are being forced into prostitution; and they are being barred from the bank-lending offices and banned from the ballot box.

Those of us who have the opportunity to be here have the responsibility to speak for those who could not. As an American, I want to speak for women in my own country—women who are raising children on the minimum wage, women who can’t afford health care or child care, women whose lives are threatened by violence, including violence in their own homes.

I want to speak up for mothers who are fighting for good schools, safe neighborhoods, clean air, and clean airwaves; for older women, some of them widows, who find that after raising their families, their skills and life experiences are not valued in the marketplace; for women who are working all night as nurses, hotel clerks, or fast-food chefs so that they can be at home during the day with their children; and for women everywhere who simply don’t have time to do everything they are called upon to do each and every day.

Speaking to you today, I speak for them, just as each of us speaks for women around the world who are denied the chance to go to school, or see a doctor, or own property, or have a say about the direction of their lives, simply because they are women. The truth is that most women around the world work both inside and outside the home, usually by necessity.

We need to understand there is no one formula for how women should lead our lives. That is why we must respect the choices that each woman makes for herself and her family. Every woman deserves the chance to realize her own God-given potential.

We also must recognize that women will never gain full dignity until their human rights are respected and protected.

Our goals for this conference—to strengthen families and societies by empowering women to take greater control over their own destinies—cannot be fully achieved unless all governments, here and around the world, accept their responsibility to protect and promote internationally recognized human rights.

The international community has long acknowledged—and recently reaffirmed at Vienna—that both women and men are entitled to a range of protections and personal freedoms, from the right of personal security to the right to determine freely the number and spacing of the children they bear.

No one should be forced to remain silent for fear of religious or political persecution, arrest, abuse, or torture. Tragically, women are most often the ones whose human rights are violated. Even now, in the late 20th century, the rape of women continues to be used as an instrument of armed conflict. Women and children make up a large majority of the world’s refugees. And when women are excluded from the political process, they become even more vulnerable to abuse.

I believe that, now on the eve of a new millennium, it is time to break the silence. It is time for us to say here in Beijing, and for the world to hear, that it is no longer acceptable to discuss women’s rights as separate from human rights.

These abuses have continued because, for too long, the history of women has been a history of silence. Even today, there are those who are trying to silence our words.

But the voices of this conference and of the women at Huairou must be heard loudly and clearly:

It is a violation of human rights when babies are denied food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines broken, simply because they are born girls.

It is a violation of human rights when women and girls are sold into the slavery of prostitution for human greed, and the kinds of reasons that are used to justify this practice should no longer be tolerated.

It is a violation of human rights when women are doused with gasoline, set on fire, and burned to death because their marriage dowries are deemed too small.

It is a violation of human rights when individual women are raped in their own communities and when thousands of women are subjected to rape as a tactic or prize of war.

It is a violation of human rights when a leading cause of death worldwide among women ages 14 to 44 is the violence they are subjected to in their own homes, by their own relatives.

It is a violation of human rights when young girls are brutalized by the painful and degrading practice of genital mutilation.

It is a violation of human rights when women are denied the right to plan their own families, and that includes being forced to have abortions or being sterilized against their will.

If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, once and for all.

And among those rights are the right to speak freely and the right to be heard. Women must enjoy the right to participate fully in the social and political lives of their countries if we want freedom and democracy to thrive and endure. It is indefensible that many women in nongovernmental organizations who wished to participate in this conference have not been able to attend or have been prohibited from fully taking part.

Let me be clear: Freedom means the right of people to assemble, organize, and debate openly. It means respecting the views of those who may disagree with the views of their governments. It means not taking citizens away from their loved ones and jailing them, mistreating them, or denying them their freedom or dignity because of the peaceful expression of their ideas and opinions.

In my country, we recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of women’s suffrage. It took 150 years after the signing of our Declaration of Independence for women to win the right to vote. It took 72 years of organized struggle before that happened on the part of many courageous women and men. It was one of America’s most divisive philosophical wars. But it was a bloodless war. Suffrage was achieved without a shot being fired.

But we have also been reminded, in V-J Day observances last weekend, of the good that comes when men and women join together to combat the forces of tyranny and to build a better world. We have seen peace prevail in most places for a half century. We have avoided another world war. But we have not solved older, deeply rooted problems that continue to diminish the potential of half the world’s population.

Now it is time to act on behalf of women everywhere.

If we take bold steps to better the lives of women, we will be taking bold steps to better the lives of children and families too. Families rely on mothers and wives for emotional support and care; families rely on women for labor in the home; and increasingly everywhere, families rely on women for income needed to raise healthy children and care for other relatives.

As long as discrimination and inequities remain so commonplace everywhere in the world, as long as girls and women are valued less, fed less, fed last, overworked, underpaid, not schooled, subjected to violence in and out of their homes, the potential of the human family to create a peaceful, prosperous world will not be realized.

Let this conference be our—and the world’s—call to action.

Let us heed that call so that we can create a world in which every woman is treated with respect and dignity, every boy and girl is loved and cared for equally, and every family has the hope of a strong and stable future.

That is the work before you; that is the work before all of us who have a vision of the world we want to see for our children and our grandchildren. The time is now. We must move beyond rhetoric; we must move beyond recognition of problems to working together to have the common efforts to build that common ground we hope to see.

God’s blessings on you, your work, and all who will benefit from it. Godspeed and thank you very much.

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Harris Will Give Abortion Speech in Georgia After Deaths of Two Women

The vice president has said the stories of pregnant women who have been denied or have been unable to gain access to medical care show the consequences of former President Donald J. Trump’s actions.

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persuasive speech on women's rights

By Lisa Lerer

  • Sept. 18, 2024, 1:51 p.m. ET

Vice President Kamala Harris will give remarks in Atlanta on Friday focused on the stories of two Georgia mothers whose deaths she has argued show the consequences of the strict abortion bans passed by Republicans after Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The speech is part of an effort by the Harris campaign to push reproductive rights to the center of the presidential election, according to a person with knowledge of the event who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the plans.

The deaths, reported this week by ProPublica , occurred in the months after Georgia passed a law banning abortion at six weeks. Amber Thurman died of sepsis resulting from an incomplete medication abortion after waiting 20 hours in a suburban Atlanta hospital for medical care. A second woman, Candi Miller, died after declining to seek medical care for complications from abortion medication.

Throughout her campaign, Ms. Harris has sought to tie former President Donald J. Trump, who has taken credit for appointing the Supreme Court justices who provided the key votes to overturn the federal right to abortion, to dire medical situations faced by women seeking the procedure in states where it is banned or heavily restricted.

Over the past week, Ms. Harris and her campaign have repeatedly highlighted the deaths of the two women in Georgia, a crucial presidential battleground. Her campaign hammered Senator JD Vance of Ohio, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, for skipping a Senate vote on legislation protecting access to in vitro fertilization, or I.V.F.

And it released a new ad featuring a gutting testimonial from Hadley Duvall, a survivor of sexual abuse who was impregnated by her stepfather at age 12. She miscarried but, as a young adult, has become a prominent advocate for abortion rights, particularly in her home state of Kentucky, where the Republican-led legislature passed a ban on the procedure with no exceptions for rape or incest.

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