What is Gender Apartheid

Gender Apartheid is:

A system of governance, laws, and policies that enforces the segregation, subjugation, and systemic oppression of individuals based on gender, particularly by restricting women’s rights, freedoms, and participation in public life to maintain male dominance.

It is characterised by:

• State-enforced discrimination that legally or systematically disadvantages women.
• Segregation and exclusion of women from public life, including education, employment, and political participation.
• Legal and institutional barriers that subordinate women, such as male guardianship, dress codes, and unequal legal rights in marriage, inheritance, and court testimony.
• Use of violence and coercion to enforce compliance with gender-based restrictions.

This concept draws from the legal framework of racial apartheid, recognizing that similar systems of oppression based on gender should be treated as a crime under international law.

General Rules and Laws Targeting Women

	Law/Regulation	For Women	For Men
Dress Code	Mandatory Hijab Laws	Women must wear hijab in public; violations lead to fines, imprisonment, or violence.	No dress code restrictions.
Freedom of Movement	Male Guardianship (in some countries)	Women need permission from male guardians for travel or to obtain passports.	Free to travel without restrictions.
Driving Rights	Driving Bans (previously in Saudi Arabia)	Women historically banned from driving; still face harassment.	Free to drive anywhere.
Public Spaces	Gender Segregation	Women restricted from entering certain areas (e.g., stadiums, parks, or concerts).	No restrictions.
Employment	Job Restrictions	Women banned from specific jobs and industries, often needing male permission to work.	Free to work in any industry.
Marriage & Divorce	Unequal Divorce Rights	Men can unilaterally divorce; women need legal justification and court approval.	Can divorce without restrictions.
Child Custody	Custody Laws	Mothers often lose custody when children reach a certain age.	Fathers automatically retain custody in many cases.
Legal Testimony	Court Testimony	A woman’s testimony is worth half that of a man’s in court.	A man’s testimony is fully valid.
Inheritance	Inheritance Laws	Women inherit half of what male relatives receive.	Receives full inheritance.
Criminal Justice	Punishment for ‘Moral Crimes’	Women face harsher punishment for dress code violations, adultery, or ‘disobedience.’	Rarely prosecuted for similar offenses.
Political Rights	Barriers to Political Office	Women often barred or restricted from holding office or voting.	No barriers to political participation.
Education	Gender-Segregated Schools	In some cases, women are prevented from studying certain subjects.	No restrictions on subjects or schooling.