What excuse do government and human rights agencies often give for not considering woman's issues as human right issues?

Answer 1

Human rights agencies are notoriously unwilling to insert themselves in the affairs of a government unless it is absolutely necessary. These agencies depend on government good will, and if the government bans them, then they cannot do their work at all. So, even when they vehemently oppose certain policies (including poor treatment of women), there is only a certain amount that their leaders feel they can say. As for government representatives and politicians, the reason they do not speak out is the system of female subordination benefits them. These leaders, who tend to be male, believe the voters (who also tend to be male) will punish them at the polls if they give women more rights. Many political figures in these countries oppose women's issues due to their interpretation of ancient cultural traditions, and the desire to maintain arbitrary religious viewpoints.

To cite one example, the right to family planning (deciding how many children one will have) is usually opposed due to religious pro-life views. The right of women to be educated is opposed by men who believe a woman should only be a wife and mother and does not need education. Similarly, the right to vote or the right to employment are opposed when certain cultural traditions reject the idea of any independence for women: these cultures are especially concerned about women being allowed to make money, which could lead to financial independence. It should also be noted that male politicians from very conservative countries may believe they are upholding the religious values of the culture in keeping women subordinate, since sadly, a number of religions assert that the man in supposed to be superior and dominant-- this is called "patriarchy," and even some western religions have historically espoused such views, although in most western countries, religion is no longer the main force in government as it still is in other parts of the world.