Ramos, Ethelene May N

Empowering Gender Equality

In a world of no certainty, perhaps inequality is peculiar. Unbiased approach amidst both
sexes in terms of criticism on all aspect indicates, women are despised for being promiscuous
while men are being adored. Harsh criticisms are more aimed precisely on women, and they
often face it on labor markets, and economic firms. It has been an endless debate on whether
who has it the hardest, and who is more targeted. Whoever it may be, people in the 21 st century
should finally look at men and women as equal beings. However, we can’t talk about the idea of
gender equality without mentioning women’s social position in the society.
We have been constantly changing the world for over centuries, and decades as we are
trying to make this world a safe space for every gender to acquire the same rights. For instance,
several organizations like UNICEF, are more open to the concept of gender neutrality. In fact,
they once stated that “gender equality means that, men, and women and girls and boys, enjoy the
same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections. It doesn’t not require that girls and boys,
be the same, or that they be treated exactly alike” Eurogender also ensures that opportunities, and
rewards are given based on effort, and hard work regardless of gender. They want people to
practice giving equal importance to the concerns coming from men, and women. They wanted
everyone to speak about gender with the same words, and treatment.
The function of gender equality does not necessarily rely on the fact that both genders
need to be treated as one. Man, and woman just need to be accepted in the community with the
same rights, responsibilities, and opportunities. To be equipped with the same knowledge, skills,
and power to make a change in the world, to consider woman’s decision, and opinion, to value
man’s emotion and put a stop to gender-based violence due to inequality.
Historically, women have fought a long hard battle to gain respect from the community.
The 1866 suffrage movement which granted women in the United States to vote gave way to
significant changes in gender roles. These angered many due to the fear of changes in the
system, and think that women are overstepping their boundaries. They believe women are meant
to be exclusive, and their voices should only be heard from the kitchen. The movement further
advocates that woman deserve the same rights, and responsibilities as men because both genders
are created equal. Since then, it inspired many movements, and organizations to promote equal
rights. Women aim to be sufficiently entitled to an equal benefit, and same recognition that men
often receive.
While it may seem that all the privileges are more given to men, on the other hand, men
argues that justice always prevails on women. Men are expected to be aggressive and violent in
accordance with their gender role. Therefore, when a woman lay their hands on a man, the
subject maybe treated comically. Men often appears to be body conscious than women. If they
are physically or verbally aggressive towards a woman, the situation must be always taken
seriously. Women gets more appreciation from the society when it comes to their body compared
to men. People often praised women regardless of their fit while men get criticize when they’re
off- shape. (Ryan) The society typically display abhorrence towards a man and offer assistance
to a woman.
Women cannot share the same platform equally with men. Due to a massive gap amongst
gender which manifest diversity, double standard arises. Occurrences of specific concepts which
are perceived adequately to some but unfavorable to others denote social norms. According to
the study of Social Norms, Gender Norms, and Adolescents Girls: A Brief Guide, such norms
may depict inequalities to resources, and power. The research further discusses that woman are
presumed to be passive, and modest and man are perceived to show dominance. When either of
the gender overcome the norms, they are often ostracized from the public, and look down upon.
According to European Institute for Gender equality, gender-based violence exist on both
genders but victims are majority women, and girls. Studies show that victims of human
trafficking are girls. 75% of women suffered from rape due to prostitution, and 95% have
experience sexual assaults (Austria). Inequality fuels these kinds of act against genders. Barner
(2014) suggested recruitment of person as acts of human trafficking is for the purpose of sexual
exploitation, prostitution, forced labor, and slavery. The goal of gender equality promotes
prevention of violence against women as well as man. It denotes that even the society, and the
system has undergone acceptance on such gender roles, there is still so much to be done.
In the year 2016, 57% of women were in the labor force, while 70% for men. These
numbers show that, industries are not fully open to woman taking over job positions aim for
men. As a matter of fact, they only hold 4.8% of CEO positions at S&P 500 companies.
(thepolyglotgroup.com) Supporting the practice of gender neutrality is a key to an economic
prosperity and sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals guarantees to end
discrimination against women. They assist unequal treatment between men and women in the
workplace in terms of employment benefits, and ensuring that both genders, especially women,
equally acquires health-care, and economic resources (sdgfund.org).
The concept of gender equality is accurately required to be handled and understood by
society. However, it appears that the majority still creates setback on equality, and rather
advocate distinction amongst men, and women. Stereotypes still exists, and being passed down
to generations. What we need to do is to educate them the future generations. If the society wants
a different take on inequality, they have to conceive measures on generating fairness to both
genders. The society needs to be more open to certain changes in terms of gender roles. Gender
inequality have existed for a long time. In order to accept it, we need to change our bias
approach, and outlook on society. We need to stop being bias to build a better organization. We
need to build more opportunities that considers both men, and women. To recognize their
abilities based on the collective efforts, and not on their genders. We must accept inequalities on
the society as well to make further improvements, and take actions to balance the power given to
both genders. Social Scientists have found changes in gender inequality, referred to as “gender
revolution” in the past centuries. Studies show that, women’s employment has become the norm,
and drastically grow in numbers. (pnas.org), even so, the number of women, and men being
abused due to gender-based violence is still increasing. It is a good thing that we are slowly
breaking the norms, and gender roles but we must consider that it still exists, and we still have a
long way to go. Giving opportunities, and ensuring rights for every woman in order to reach their
fullest potential is not only limited to obtaining gender equality but also in accomplishing
international development goals (peacecoprs.gov).

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