Mom, what is Gender Equality??

Gender Equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. No one is discriminated by anything and we all have the same freedom. It also means being sensitive to the other genders as we all are equal

Does Gender Equality exist in the world?

No, not yet. Women are still not treated equally, there are still some places where we aren't given equal rights. Some people don't allow women to do some things, because we are considered the 'weaker gender'

But why doesn't it exist yet? Aren't we all equal??

Yes, Mia. You are right we all are equal, but there are still people who don't believe that. Some people still think men are superior than women, though that isn't the case. Come now! Let's eat dinner!!

Think about this for a second. What does Gender Equality mean to you? Does it exist in your society, in your family, school, etc? If not, then why? Aren't we all equal? Then why don't women and men still have the same rights and responsibilities? In some countries why can't women go outside without a man, why can't they go to work instead of only doing the household chores? Why are girls denied education in some areas? Gender Inequality is a huge problem in the world. It needs to be solved soon.

What is Gender Equality?

Firstly, we must understand what Gender Equality is. What does it mean to you? Maybe it's getting equal treatment wherever you go. Or perhaps being given the same amount of love in your home. But actually, Gender equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. Everyone is affected by gender inequality - women, men, trans and gender diverse people, children and families. The societies that value women and men as equal are safer and healthier. It also means being sensitive to the other genders as we all are equal gender equality is a human right.

What are the causes of Gender Inequality?

We know that Gender Equality exists and what it is, but what really causes Gender Equality? Well, the first thing is Uneven Access to Education.

Around the world, women still have less access to education than men. ¼ of young women between 15-24 years of age will not finish primary school. That group makes up 58% of the people not completing that basic education. Of all the illiterate people in the world, ⅔ are women. When girls are not educated on the same level as boys, it has a huge effect on their future and the kinds of job opportunities they’ll get.

The Next thing that causes Gender Inequality is Job Segregation

One of the causes of gender inequality within employment is the division of jobs. In most societies, there’s an inherent belief that men are simply better equipped to handle certain jobs. Most of the time, those are the jobs that pay the best. This discrimination results in lower income for women.

Lack of Religious Freedom

When religious freedom is attacked, women suffer the most. According to the World Economic Forum, when extreme beliefs come into a community and restrict religious freedom, gender inequality gets worse. In a study performed by Georgetown University and Brigham Young University, researchers were also able to connect religious prejudice with women’s ability to participate in the economy. When there’s more religious freedom, an economy becomes more stable thanks to women’s participation.

And lastly, Poor Medical Care

Women overall receive lower-quality medical care than men. This is linked to other gender inequality reasons such as a lack of education and job opportunities, which results in more women being in poverty. They are less likely to be able to afford good healthcare. There’s also been less research into diseases that affect women more than men, such as autoimmune disorders and chronic pain conditions. Many women also experience discrimination and dismissal from their doctors, broadening the gender gap in healthcare quality.

Why is Gender Equality Important?

If you've read till here, then you know about what is gender equality and some of its causes. But why is it actually important? Gender equality is naturally linked to supportable development and is vital to the realization of human rights for all. The overall objective of gender equality is a society in which women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities in all spheres of life.