shrabani Shrabani 
10 Unjust Rules in 2025 That Must Change for Equality
In different parts of the globe, legal rules often lag behind basic principles of fairness and scientific understanding. Some rules had been made decades ago for problems that no longer exist. Others are designed to maintain social hierarchies that most people are rejecting in 2025. “While these outdated rules limit freedom, discover the 10 most important things in life that truly matter today.”
Let’s take a look at top 10 unjust rules that need to change in 2025. These rules should be amended or completely discarded as they continue to limit freedom, deepen inequality and harm communities they instead claim to protect. Unfair rules exist everywhere, but some countries pose extreme dangers for workers — find out which 10 Countries, Not only Countries Some Jobs are Dangerous too, Checkout our article on Top 12 most dangerous jobs in 2025
| Country | Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| North Korea | Watching foreign movies | Public execution |
| Saudi Arabia | Apostasy or blasphemy | Flogging or beheading |
| China | Drug trafficking | Death penalty |
| Iran | Theft | Amputation |
| Singapore | Overstaying visa | Judicial caning |
| Malaysia | Drug trafficking | Hanging |
| United Arab Emirates | Online insult/cybercrime | Jail, deportation, or flogging |
| Vietnam | Drug use | Forced labor camps |
| Indonesia (Aceh) | Being alone with opposite sex | Public sharia caning |
| Philippines | Drug dealing/use | Extrajudicial killing |
10 unjust rules that need to change
1. Cash bail systems in the US
In many states across the US, it is still necessary for defendants to pay cash bail to skip pretrial detention. This practice often keeps poor people in jail, despite being accused of minor offences. But the Richie Rich defendants go free as usual.
2. Criminalisation of homelessness
In different cities across the globe, including in the US and some parts of Europe, it is illegal to sleep in public. Critics argue that these rules do not take care of housing shortages or mental health needs.
3. Outdated marital rape exceptions
Possibly one of the most important unjust rules that needs to change in 2025, some jurisdictions retain loopholes that make it harder to prosecute marital rape. This is really concerning and more needs to be done by decision-makers to update the rule as soon as possible.
4. Blanket bans on same-sex or LGTBQ+ adoption
In 2025, there are numerous countries that are updating rules for the betterment of their sexual minority population. But still, some regions are restricting or complicating adoption by same-sex couples, denying children stable homes (just because of outdated biases).
5. Criminalisation of HIV Non-disclosure
Many places across the globe criminalise a person’s failure to disclose their HIV status – despite there being no intention to harm others or transmission is impossible. Public health organisations feel that these rules are only adding to the existing stigma.
6. Child marriage loopholes
Loopholes are common in different legal procedures. But they need to be addressed on time. In parts of the US and other countries, minors are still permitted to get married if there is parental or judicial consent to do so.
7. Gender-based pay disparities
This is one of the most serious unjust rules that needs to change in 2025. You might think that in today’s digital era, pay disparities on the basis of gender are non-existent. It isn’t so, unfortunately. Stronger disclosure requirements and penalties for unequal pay are key reforms.
8. Immigration detention of children
Many countries across the globe, including the rich ones, still engage in the unhealthy practice of detaining minors in immigration facilities. International bodies like the UN repeatedly urge authorities to end child detention for immigration purposes.
9. Discriminatory dress codes and hair policies
This unjust rule still exists in 2025. From schools to offices in different countries, rules targeting natural hairstyles and certain religious attire disproportionately affect people of certain groups. There is a need for stricter legislation to counter this discrimination.
10. Rules restricting access to abortion
There is no doubt that there are still multiple countries across the globe that continue to restrict access to abortion. This is one of the most significant unjust rules that needs to change in 2025. Organisations stress that safe, legal access to abortion is a core health right.
In a nutshell
Most of the ‘10 unjust rules that need to change in 2025‘ listed in this article perpetuate inequality and harm international human-rights norms. Also Checkout The 10 Reasons Why Human Rights Are Important This is concerning and more needs to be done by global leaders and decision-makers to address the situations.
Changing unjust rules requires cultural shifts, political determination and public engagement. It is critical that both political leaders and experts in different fields take the necessary steps to bring end to rules that don’t make any sense anymore. Get the latest on work-life balance news, updates, and insights that matter today.
