Abat Bertha

As we observe International Women’s Day and reflect on racial discrimination this month, it is crucial to examine the intersectionality of these issues and their deep connection to education, early marriage, and migration within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.7 and the 2030 Agenda. These global commitments emphasize the role of education in fostering sustainable development, human rights, and gender equality.

However, as someone who grew up in a border and remote area far from the capital city, I personally experienced and witnessed the harsh realities of these systemic barriers. Listening to the tragic stories of others from similar backgrounds, it is evident that these inequalities persist across Asia, hindering meaningful progress toward these critical goals.

Racial Discrimination and Gender Bias in Education

Education is often regarded as a fundamental tool for empowerment. However, access to quality education remains a challenge for many, particularly for girls, migrants, and marginalized racial communities. Discrimination limits opportunities for these groups, reinforcing cycles of poverty and exclusion. The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) emphasize the right to education without discrimination, yet many children of migrant workers and refugees are denied schooling simply because of their status. Even in urban centers, systemic barriers persist, making education inaccessible to those who need it most.

In South Asia, deeply entrenched social norms and economic instability continue to exclude millions of children, particularly girls, from formal education. (UNICEF)

Migration, Labor Exploitation, and Systemic Failures

Migration often represents hope for a better life, but for many, it is a journey marred by deception, exploitation, and human rights violations. I recall interviewing a migrant worker who shared, “I sold my land to pay for this job.” If he had access to financial literacy and entrepreneurial education, he might have used his land to create sustainable opportunities rather than being trapped in a system that exploits his vulnerability.

Similarly, I encountered the story of a young woman whose family sold her into labor abroad by falsifying her identification documents. She ultimately achieved financial stability, but her journey was shaped by exploitation and the denial of her fundamental rights. The International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions, particularly Convention No. 189 on Domestic Workers, aim to protect individuals like her, yet these laws are often inadequately enforced.

Recent operations in Myanmar uncovered that over 7,000 individuals were coerced into participating in cyber scams, many of whom were young and educated. These victims now find themselves in overcrowded detention facilities near the Myanmar border, lacking adequate medical care and sustenance. (AP News)

Gender Inequality and Structural Discrimination

Women, particularly those from marginalized communities, continue to face systemic discrimination in employment and leadership. I have seen cases where women are denied job opportunities simply due to their marital status or motherhood, reinforcing societal standards that leave them behind. Many women are included in spaces of power merely as representatives without real engagement in decision-making. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) call for the full participation of women in leadership and decision-making processes, yet patriarchal norms continue to hinder progress.

In India, the National Human Rights Commission criticized labor officials for inadequately investigating employment discrimination at Foxconn, a major manufacturer for Apple iPhones. Reports revealed that Foxconn excluded married women from assembly jobs at its southern India plant, highlighting entrenched gender biases in hiring practices. (Reuters)

Moreover, in countries like Afghanistan and Iran, systemic oppression and segregation based on gender—termed “gender apartheid”—have severely restricted women’s rights. In Afghanistan, over 80 edicts since the Taliban’s takeover have curtailed women’s access to education, employment, and public life, prompting international campaigns to recognize and combat these practices under international law. (The Guardian)

Young people must recognize their role in challenging these injustices. We must:

1. Advocate for Educational Rights – Support policies that ensure equal access to education for all, especially migrant and refugee children, in accordance with SDG 4.7’s goal of inclusive and quality education that promotes human rights and sustainable development.
2. Challenge Discriminatory Systems – Speak up against racial and gender biases in workplaces, schools, and communities.
3. Support Ethical Labor Practices – Promote fair wages and safe working conditions for migrant workers.
4. Push for Policy Reforms – Engage in activism and policy discussions to ensure the enforcement of international human rights agreements.
5. Empower Marginalized Communities – Provide platforms for women and migrants to share their experiences and take active roles in decision-making.

Change begins with awareness, but it must lead to action. By standing together against discrimination and systemic inequality, we can build a future where justice, dignity, and opportunity are accessible to all, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda.

References

_{UNICEF. (n.d.). Child Labor and Exploitation. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/rosa/what-we-do/child-protection/child-labour-and-exploitation}

_{AP News. (2024, March 19). Over 7,000 Migrants Coerced Into Cyber Scams in Myanmar. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/c1cab4785e14f07859ed59c821a72bd2}

_{Reuters. (2025, January 23). India Watchdog Faults Probe Into Foxconn Hiring Practices, Orders New Inquiry. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-watchdog-faults-probe-foxconn-hiring-orders-new-inquiry-2025-01-23}

_{The Guardian. (2024, October 9). What is Gender Apartheid? Activists Demand International Law Recognition of Women and Girls’ Rights in Afghanistan and Iran. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/oct/09/what-is-gender-apartheid-activists-international-law-women-girls-rights-afghanistan-iran}