World War II was the global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history. In a state of “total war,” the participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort. Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it was the deadliest conflict in human history.

Women’s rights are the rights claimed for women and girls worldwide, and formed the basis for the women’s rights and feminist movement. In some countries, these rights are institutionalized by law and local custom, whereas in other countries these rights are ignored and suppressed. Issues associated with women’s rights include the right: to bodily integrity and autonomy, to be free from sexual violence, to vote, to hold public office, to enter into legal contracts, to have equal rights in family law, to fair wages or equal pay, to have reproductive rights, and to education. Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society and when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured.