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PO Box A524
Sydney South NSW 1235, Level 11, 227 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000

Telephone: 1800 812 164

© 2024 Opportunity International AustraliaABN 83 003 805 043

International Human Rights Day

By Dani Stapleton

Last Saturday night, I went out to dinner with some of my friends. We had not been able to see each other for a while, yet somehow the conversation still flowed with an excitement that was both nourishing yet hungry for information. In the midst of our chatter, I overheard a woman at a nearby table angrily speak to a waiter, stating that it was her human right to be able to order a particular main meal off the menu. Her anger boiled, despite the fact that the waiter had previously apologised and explained that they had, unfortunately, run out for the evening and offered her alternatives.

It was easy to sit a table away and observe the overspilled anger that this woman exuded. However, what was intriguing was that the conversation (or perhaps one sided discussion!) became more about what seemed like fairness and justice, rather than simple disappointment about not being able to order what was wanted.

It got me thinking – ‘human rights’ is a phrase that I’ve often heard thrown around in my community, all too often without much thought. Sometimes, it's almost used as a threat rather than a promise to gain equality. This woman’s behaviour made me wonder – how exactly do we define human rights and what does this phrase actually mean? Is it as simplistic as this woman seemed to make it or is it more complex?

10 December marks International Human Rights Day. It is a day that commemorates when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It’s a day where we are each asked to step forward and defend the rights, not only of ourselves, but also others.

Someone who embodies human rights is Kum Kum who lives in Uttar Pradesh, India, with her family of seven. She originally received a microfinance loan from Opportunity to assist her in setting up a roadside shop to help her support herself and her family. She has subsequently received other micro loans from Opportunity to help her in becoming a tailor and trains other local women in her community to also become tailors and build themselves out of poverty.

As well as training other women to be tailors Kum Kum has been inspired to become a health leader in her community. She has taken a special interest in educating and providing support to those in her community in regards to reproductive health and also providing education about health topics like hand washing, which have helped decrease the number of preventable illnesses such as diarrhoea, dengue and typhoid.

Kum Kum sees health as a matter of dignity. I agree, but I also think Kum Kum encompasses the meaning of human rights and what International Human Rights Day is about. The day means supporting and providing a hand up to those who need it, whether that be in the form of microfinance loans from Opportunity to help start the process or through educating those around you and allowing them to lead better, healthier lives.

What would I say to the woman in the restaurant on Saturday? I would probably apologise that she felt she was being unjustly treated – it’s never great to feel this way. However, I would also highlight that there are women like Kum Kum, who are using their hand up from Opportunity and turning it into an empowering existence – one step closer to making human rights a requirement, rather than a privilege.

Have a look at Opportunity’s website where you can help mothers like Kum Kum.

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