Gender equality is not a new matter that is exclusive to our modern world but rather is a complicated issue that has its historical roots. It is undeniable that the situation regarding gender equality has become better through history and many achievements have been done in this context. However, there still is a lot to do and our modern world still needs several aspects to address the problem of gender equality in a proper manner. That is to say, there still are many challenges that humanity needs to address and solve for a gender-equal world or society. To be clear, the matter is about females being oppressed and not having the same rights as men. Furthermore, it is a general phenomenon but the degree of inequality varies from one society to another. Thus, each society needs to address this general problem outgoing from their circumstances and according to how the problem looks like in this specific society. The fact is that this matter is to an extent neglected and does not get the same attention as other global issues because of several reasons, but it is more important than ever. Gender equality should be enhanced and activated because it is probably among the most important issues in the modern world.
According to UNICEF, inequalities exist in several areas between males and females. For example, regarding the literacy rate among boys and girls, boys have a 90% literacy rate globally which is 10% higher than the girls’ rate globally (UNICEF). It is not only about literacy rate but rather about many other areas that illustrate the structural inequalities that exist in our modern societies. This situation is not accepted from different perspectives and needs to be addressed to make it better. The matter of gender equality or inequality is not about inspiring mottos but rather is about how we live together. The inequalities among men and women exist in different areas and on different levels while they result in injustice and oppression of women in society. Neither from a social perspective nor a legal one is this right. That is, our societies have developed much and we have the proper means and the possibility to address those issues, mainly, through actions taken globally and in consensus to enhance the situation. There is no reason for humanity to delay such an important issue in the favor of other matters, mainly economic and geopolitical. Therefore, societies should work to achieve gender equality and activate it to make humans’ coexistence easier.
However, some would still refer to the differences between men and women or males and females as biological differences between the two sexes and state that the development should take its trajectory and time. This is wrong and the differences exist in our society due to the patriarchal societies that existed on earth throughout history. Concretely, men and women were not given the same possibilities and rights whilst men were privileged and women were and still are, to an extent, oppressed. It is not about biological differences but rather societal ones that humans and mainly, men, have developed and incorporated into the societal structure. In other words, men and women are not given the same positions in the social structure which is not in any context of the biological differences among men and women. Therefore, claiming that and reducing the issue to only several differences is not right because it is a comprehensive global problem that humanity should address the situation about, that is gender equality. Moreover, this claim about giving time to address gender inequalities is not reasonable because injustice and inequality are always urgent and need to be solved to protect the oppressed ones and to avoid counting more victims of these inequalities.
The issue of gender inequality in our modern world is not only about just societies but it is even about what is most beneficial for our world. It is related to the core of development issues in our world. According to Maria Ruth Jones and Florence Kondylis (NA) in their research Gender Equality for Development published at Worldbank.org, gender equality and enhancing it has economic aspects about opportunities and human capital. That is, empowerment of women and access to finance would consequently result in more humans given opportunities and thus, more opportunities in general, which, in turn, the whole of humanity can benefit from and enhance the development in the world (Ruth Jones & Kondylis, NA). That is, achieving gender equality is not only about the societal dimension of the matter but even about societal development in general. In order to enhance development in our societies, we should, therefore, collectively work to achieve gender equality and eliminate all inequalities that exist in our societies.
Finally, gender equality, or more precisely, gender inequality as a social phenomenon is a global matter that is crucial to address. This is because the outcome of achieving gender equality in the world would result in such positive aspects that are beneficial for everyone, not only in the social sphere but even in other areas such as development and the economy. However, the matter is not about a natural process that should take time to develop. It is about the progression that humans do in that field to achieve gender equality and eliminate gender inequalities. Therefore, a consensus among lawmakers and governments is to take place to achieve this global goal. It is already urgent and humanity needs to address this as soon as possible because there is a lot to do in that field. Gender equality or the prevailing gender inequality in our modern societies is among the most important issues in the modern world.
Sources
UNICEF. NA. Gender Equality. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org/gender-equality
Ruth Jones, Maria & Kondylis, Florence. NA. Gender Equality for Development https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/brief/dime-gender-program