“Women’s Rights in Misogynistic Times,” a conversation hosted by the United Nations Association of Pasadena on September 16, 2026 (Photo – W.K.)
The rise of online misogyny and its effects on women’s participation in public life were central themes at “Women’s Rights in Misogynistic Times,” a conversation hosted by the United Nations Association of Pasadena on September 16, 2026.
By Lauren Poplock
Held at the Western Justice Center’s Maxwell House in Pasadena, the event featured Jennifer Hall Lee, a UNA-Pasadena board member, in conversation with Dr. Munazza Yaqoob, an associate professor and executive director of the Critical Thinking Forum at the International Islamic University Islamabad.
Drawing on their more than 13 years of collaboration on women’s rights in Pakistan and the United States, the speakers examined legal and social changes affecting women’s rights, access to reproductive health care, and participation in public life.
Specifically, Hall Lee and Yaqoob discussed the growth of misogynistic rhetoric online, including the rise of the “manosphere” and the spread of phrases such as “your body, my choice.” The speakers highlighted a statistic from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which reported a 4,600% increase in mentions of the phrases “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” on X in the 24 hours following the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The conversation also considered how social norms, cultural expectations, religion, and economic and political structures shape women’s experiences in different countries. Audience questions addressed reproductive rights, the online harassment of female politicians, representation, and the broader political structures influencing women’s opportunities to safely participate in public life.
Beverly Goldin, secretary of UNA-Pasadena, played a central role in spearheading the dialogue. Reflecting on her experience at the event, Goldin said, “I think it’s important for us as a society to continue to talk about the inequities in any way, shape, or form so that we can make as many people aware as possible, and I think UNA does a great job of giving people a voice and helping young people learn how to advocate for themselves and for their communities. It was a great event, and we learned a lot about the different challenges faced by Pakistani and American women.”
The event reflected UNA-Pasadena’s role as a local chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America, connecting the Pasadena community with global issues and the work of the United Nations.
Readers can learn more about UNA-Pasadena, attend upcoming events, and become members of the United Nations Association here.
Lauren Poplock is a student at Polytechnic School, Class of 2028, and a Youth Intern with the United Nations Association Pasadena Chapter.
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