UK conference discusses how Islamists threaten women’s rights

While progress has been made globally when it comes to the rights of women and girls, concerns are growing that this hard work could be reversed in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Women’s rights are once again under threat because of extremist groups, which is why high profile experts have been meeting in the UK to discuss what can be done to ensure women and girls are protected. At a meeting held in London, experts in the field discussed the threat posed by the Islamic State and likeminded groups against the advancement of women in society.

“Earlier the Islamic State was mentioned and how they are forcing girls to marry at the age of nine, but I think the situation is actually worse than that, because they are actually officially taking part in trading women,” said speaker Dr Shirin Ebadi, a 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, in the event’s keynote address.