When Decency Fades: Why Women’s Rights and Integrity are Worth Fighting For

There’s a deep, unsettling realization that hit me while watching Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid and during last month’s Women’s Declaration International USA convention in Atlanta. It's the loss of moral clarity in both politics and activism, where power and profit often overshadow integrity, and people’s rights—especially those of women and girls—are sacrificed. Whether it’s in the broader political landscape or the battle against modern forms of patriarchy, it’s become painfully clear that the lines between right and wrong are blurred, leaving those of us who still value ethics fighting an uphill battle.

The Carville documentary brought back memories of when politics seemed simpler, when voters cared about character, and leaders at least pretended to act in the public’s best interest. As a Political Science undergrad, I was captivated by figures like Anthony Weiner, only to be disillusioned by his personal scandals. In today’s climate, such moral failures barely register, as we often find ourselves choosing between the "lesser of two evils." Carville’s parting words were a wake-up call: “Dammit, this country is worth fighting for. The principle of generational promise is worth fulfilling.” That sense of duty and the fight for something bigger feels lost at a time when our institutions, decency, and national purpose are under attack.

This same sentiment followed me through the WDI USA convention, where the fight for women’s sex-based rights was front and center. In the panel "Protecting Women’s Sex-Based Rights as a Democrat in Today’s Environment," women public servants shared stories of being branded with misogynistic slurs for supporting women’s sex-based rights—by members of their own party. These slurs, meant to silence, reveal just how deeply political movements have been co-opted, with little regard for women’s actual rights. The left—the supposed champions of progressivism—are leading the charge in erasing sex-based rights under the guise of inclusivity. Individuals are being pressured to conform to systems that marginalize the vulnerable; sacrificing women’s rights for the new status quo.

At the convention, I had the honor of facilitating the "Building Bridges to Amplify the Women’s Liberation Movement" panel. We discussed how women can unite across differences to combat patriarchal forces. Four insightful women from diverse backgrounds offered their perspectives on collaboration and how it can propel the movement forward. The panel was a powerful reminder that the fight for women’s rights is a shared battle—and it’s not just about women. It’s a fight that anyone who values human rights should care about. When we protect women, we protect everyone.

Recently, Georgia university leaders urged the NCAA to ban transgender-identified males from women’s sports, a move that our lieutenant governor has promised to support through legislation. This aligns with a recent UN report by Special Rapporteur Reem Alsalem, who warned of the human rights implications for women and girls when males are allowed to compete in female sports. When we fail to protect women’s sports and spaces, we fail everyone, undermining the very rights women have fought so hard to secure.

The dangers of gender ideology go beyond sports, affecting children as well. In Georgia, children are being subjected to dangerous medical interventions, as revealed by Do No Harm’s Stop the Harm database. Despite the 2023 legislation placing limits on cross-sex hormones and surgeries for minors, puberty blockers—known to carry long-term risks such as impaired bone growth and fertility—remain unrestricted. The data is staggering: 235 minors have received sex-change interventions, with 72 undergoing surgeries, and over 1,300 prescriptions for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones were written. These medical interventions led to a staggering $820,441 in charges submitted to insurance companies, averaging approximately $300 per child per month, or $3,500 per child annually. The gender industrial complex is not about care—it’s about profit, and leaves children with lifelong consequences.

Single-sex spaces, such as bathrooms, changing rooms, and shelters, exist for a reason: to provide privacy, dignity, and safety for women and girls. Allowing men who identify as women into these spaces violates women and girls’ rights and exposes them to potential abuse. True liberation means safeguarding these spaces, ensuring that women’s and girls’ needs are not sacrificed for the sake of gender ideology.

Carville’s words ring truer than ever: “We have big battles coming up.” The fight for decency in politics and the fight for women’s rights are connected by the same principle—the need to resist complacency and complicity. We must refuse to accept a society that prioritizes profit over people, ideological purity over individual well-being, and slurs over serious debate. The generational promise Carville spoke of is still worth fulfilling, but it’s going to take all of us—women, men, and everyone who cares about human dignity—to make it happen.

Let’s stand together, fight for women’s rights, and ensure that the next generation inherits a world where justice, integrity, and decency matter again.