6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022.
Despite unprecedented reversals in gender equality this past year, women continue to lead movements to protect their rights globally. From Iranian protests to first-ever female political leaders, these are the important milestones of 2022.
By Erin Pedersen
![Slide 1 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Raul Arboleda-AFP_Getty Images)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:527/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-1-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Raul-Arboleda-AFP_Getty-Images.webp)
Background.
Despite unprecedented reversals in gender equality over the last 12 months, women continue to lead movements to protect their rights globally.
![Slide 2 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 Slide 2 (source shutterstock)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:534/q:mauto/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-2-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-Slide-2-source-shutterstock.png)
![Colombia's constitutional court voted to decriminalize abortion until 24 weeks of gestation, in Bogota](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:534/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-3-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Luisa-Gonzalez_REUTERS.jpg)
Colombia Legalized Abortion.
The Iranian government In February, the country’s constitutional court decriminalized abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Spain Created a Sexual Health Law.
In May, Spain’s parliament presented a bill that prioritized consent to prevent and protect against sexual violence and rape.
![Slide 4 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Susana Vera _ REUTERS)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:534/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-4-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Susana-Vera-_-REUTERS.jpg)
![Slide 5 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Pavlo Gonchar _ SOPA Images_Sipa USAI)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:552/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-5-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Pavlo-Gonchar-_-SOPA-Images_Sipa-USAI.jpg)
Ukraine Ratified the Istanbul Convention.
In June, Ukrainian members of parliament voted to ratify the Istanbul Convention, the most far-reaching international treaty designed to tackle violence against women and domestic violence.
India Granted Abortion Access to All Women.
In September, India’s Supreme Court ruled that all women, regardless of marital status, have the right to safe and legal access to abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.
![Slide 6 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Priyanka ParAshar _ Getty Images)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:528/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-6-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Priyanka-ParAshar-_-Getty-Images.webp)
![Slide 7 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Sean Gallup-Getty Images)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:534/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-7-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Sean-Gallup-Getty-Images.webp)
Iranian Women Fought for Freedoms.
Since the untimely death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, who was arrested for “improperly” wearing her hijab, Iranian women and girls have been leading protests against the Iranian regime.
First Female Leaders.
Several countries made history in 2022 by electing or inaugurating their first-ever female political leaders, most notably Honduras and Hungary.
![Slide 8 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Aron UrbI)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:800/h:533/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-8-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Aron-UrbI.jpg)
“Today we send an international message of support to all women who are fighting for their sexual and reproductive rights.” – Irene Montero, Minister of Equality for Spain.”
![Slide 9 6 Victories for Women’s Rights in 2022 (source Juan Ignacio Roncoroni_EPA)](https://mlcsea8zxbt5.i.optimole.com/cb:nyUo.2f207/w:465/h:279/q:eco/f:best/ig:avif/https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Slide-9-6-Victories-for-Womens-Rights-in-2022-source-Juan-Ignacio-Roncoroni_EPA.webp)
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