“Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyone’s responsibility.”- Ban Ki-Moon
For centuries women have remained prisoners to social restrictions imposed by patriarchy and male dominancy. This captivation led to nowhere but lack of progress and innovation because when a huge chunk of humankind's potential is suppressed the success is dampened. However, times have changed and we do see women excelling but this change is slow in pace we are yet to reach the highest level. And reaching their is only possible when their is women's contribution. Hence gender equality is not only important but a great necessity because as Graça Machel rightly puts in:
“Gender equality is the goal that will help abolish poverty that will create more equal economies, fairer societies, and happier men, women, and children.”
We live in a new era of women in leadership across geographies, careers, and responsibilities where have we have seen and realized that women are already strong but their lacks all the acknowledgement that a woman is righful for. COVID pandemic is a living example. We have seen in the era of COVID that with female leadership there was no success, peace and a positive way foward and this is because the female leadership that was experienced was based on the principles of compassion and empathy for all. This is what happens when there is gender equality and women empowerment. This is because gender equality greatly impacts the output produced and the outcome delievered. According to World Economic Forum:
“Empowering women means more efficient use of nation’s human talent…and reducing gender inequality enhances productivity and economic growth.”
We are yet to empower the human potential completely and entirely. This is only possible when we fight the stereotypical thinking and mindsets like women belong to kitchen only etc. These stereotypes and gender discrimination constrain numerous talented women from pursuing their dreams and achieving their full potential. Lacking gender equality and women empowerment has always led to drastic outcomes. When, for example, women are paid and promoted less they are less liikely to advance in career which results into lack of innovation, low GDP and economic failures. When we start treating each other equally and providing equal opportunities based on abilities and what you do as a person rather than gender we can expect bringing the much required change.
Treating eachother equally leads to number of benefits and betterments i.e.
- It saves lives
according to 2005 World Conference on Diaster Reduction, gender inequality has played a pertinent role in major role in deaths and injury. Moreover, in wars and diasters women and children suffer the most due to gender inequality
- It provides with better healthcare
Women recieve the worse medical care then men because of lack of education, lower income and seism. Diseases that affect women more than men like chronic pain condition aren't well researched and taken not very seriously by the medicial professional
- helps businesses
Diversity of all types in business increases productivity and innovation which leads to boost in business and GDP
- good for economy
Gender pay gaps and inequal treatment ends up costing the economy and dampens the overall economic performances.
- healthy children
When a women independently makes their own reproductive choices and decision regarding childbirth, they tend to provide better care for children. Moreover, a child raised in a gender equal environment tends to have a souund mental health and emotional maturity
In a statement during a side event of 66th session on Commission on Status of Women(CSW), the Secretary general of UN António Guterres rightly puts in
"to date no country has fully achieved equality and empowerment for women and girls. The overall progress has not just been slow and uneven, but major gaps remain with new challenges emerging."
The above mentioned words of Secretary General reflects how much gender equality is the need of hour. It's high time to take measures and steps to fully achieve the gender quality. Few ways to achieve gender equality completely are:
- Repealing all the laws that discriminate on the grounds of gender
- Imposing speical measures like qoutas to ensure equal participations
- Investing in women's economic inclusion should be made a top priority
- Every country should have a plan to end all forms of violence against women
Achieving gender equality should be taken as an emergency because the alarming need of achieving equality is more than just responses. Moreover, having backed by laws, policies and political support is very pertinent in achieving the goals of gender equality and women empowerment. Gender equality is a human right and achieving all standards of equality is the most crucial way foward
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