"Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a
precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting
sustainable development and building good governance."
- Kofi Annan
UNICEF says gender equality "means that women and men,
and girls and boys, enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and
protections. It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be the
same, or that they be treated exactly alike." Gender equality is a human
right and is a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable
world, but our world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities and
decision-making power for women and men.
While the world has achieved progress towards gender
equality and women’s empowerment under the Millennium Development, women and
girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the
world. Globally, women have fewer opportunities for economic participation than
men, less access to basic and higher education, greater health and safety
risks, and less political representation.
Women's empowerment is a critical aspect of achieving gender
equality.
It includes increasing a woman's sense of self-worth, her
decision-making power, her access to opportunities and resources, her power and
control over her own life inside and outside the home, and her ability to
effect change. Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health
care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making
processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at
large.
The actions and attitudes of men and boys play an essential role in
achieving gender equality. Education is a key area of focus. Although the world
is making progress in achieving gender parity in education, girls still make up
a higher percentage of school dropouts than boys.
Families with limited means who cannot afford costs such as
school fees, uniforms, and supplies for all of their children will prioritise
education for their sons. Families may also rely on girls' labour for household
chores, carrying water, and childcare, leaving limited time for schooling. But
prioritising girls' education provides perhaps the single highest return on
investment in the developing world. An educated girl is more likely to postpone
marriage, raise a smaller family, have healthier children, and send her own
children to school. She has more opportunities to earn an income and to
participate in political processes, and she is less likely to become infected
with HIV.
Guaranteeing the rights of women and giving them
opportunities to reach their full potential is critical not only for attaining
gender equality, but also for meeting a wide range of international development
goals. Empowered women and girls contribute to the health and productivity of
their families, communities, and countries, creating a ripple effect that
benefits everyone. While the world has achieved progress towards gender
equality and women’s empowerment under the Millennium Development, women and
girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.
Globally, no country has fully attained gender equality.
Scandinavian countries like Norway, Finland, and Sweden lead the world in their
progress toward closing the gender gap. In these countries, there is relatively
equitable distribution of available income, resources, and opportunities for
men and women. The greatest gender gaps are identified primarily in the Middle
East, Africa, and South Asia.
"Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of
women and men, girls and boys. It is every single one's responsibility."
— Ban Ki-moon
Perhaps we can move away from stereotypes of women & treat both the genders are two sides of the same coin when its time for my generation to take charge!