"Gender is changing. Men's and women's lives are converging in many ways. Globally, there has been a dramatic increase in women's legal rights since the mid-20th century when the convention for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations. Following suit, legislation throughout the world now reflects the increasing consensus that women should have the same political and social rights as men, and should be free of harmful practices such as domestic violence, genital cutting, and early marriage. Girls now are as likely as boys to go to primary school in 117 out of 187 countries, and overall, around the world today, young women are even more likely than young men to attend universities"-- Provided by publisher.