Written by Wanyu Shu (Amy) (G8)

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is necessary for a sustainable world. “Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore also half of its potential” (Martin), and despite historical progress, gender inequality remains a prominent issue today.

Women experience challenges in the job market with, first of all, employment. It is significantly more difficult for women to find a job and, as of 2022, the labour force participation rate for women is almost 47%, while for men that number is 72%, a 25% difference. Even with the gap in employment, when women do find a job, they tend to be put in more vulnerable conditions, doing lower quality jobs with little chances of promotion in the future(Martin). Additionally, there is also a decreasing, although persistent, wage gap between the two genders. Equal payment for comparable work should be a human right; however, women are denied that, with them only earning an average of 77% of men’s wages. This can prevent them from the ability to be fully independent and increases their chances of poverty (Kattan and Khan). 

In combination with less pay, gender-based violence is also a contributing factor in the oppression of women. Gender-based violence is acts of harm committed against someone based on their gender identity, which happens to girls and women in unreasonable numbers. Globally, 1 in 3 girls and women will be subjected to some kind of violence or abuse in their lifetime. Additionally, on average 30% of women who have ever been in relationships have had sexual and/or physical violence committed against them by their partners (Kattan and Khan). 

Despite some saying that every girl and woman should have the right to make their own choices related to the reproductive and sexual aspects of their own bodies, in many countries around the world, women are still unable to access the necessary health care to exercise these rights(Oxfam). For example, to have safe abortions, women in some countries are being forced to make a choice between putting their own health and lives at risk, or going to jail(Oxfam). The denial of abortion rights and choice in one’s own reproductive health for women can lead to many more challenges in their lives, including a higher chance of ending up in poverty, a lower chance of being fully employed, loss of promotion opportunities, and the danger of higher debts (60milliongirls). 

The inequalities in gender apply also to the education systems. Girls’ enrollment in primary school in low-income countries is 78% compared to the 88% world average (UN Women) . Only 31% for secondary school compared to the global average of 66%(Fredrickson). To this day, women still make up over two thirds of the world’s illiterate people. Furthermore, the girls in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable (FCV) contexts are 2.5 times more likely than those who are not (they’re 90% more likely) to be out of secondary school (International Labour Organisation ).

This even affects girls who are already enrolled in school. As soon as they enter school, they’re underestimated by everyone around them, peers and teachers alike. Most girls who experience the effects of this underestimation in school are too afraid to speak up because they are conditioned to feel as if they’re incapable of achieving great heights (Amnesty International ). 

As for taking action against gender inequalities, studies show that for every year of primary school education that a woman receives, it will eventually increase the wages of that woman by around 10-20%. It also encourages women to become independent, prevent teen pregnancy, and be less vulnerable to violence. The public urges the government and organisations globally to ensure that all children complete 12 years of education (Amnesty International). 

Spreading awareness is a way that anyone can help the issue of gender inequality. Spreading word about this issue helps first of all with increasing public knowledge and sensitivity. It betters the understanding of  the challenges women go through based on gender. Spreading awareness helps shatter and change the stereotypes and existing societal and gender norms (Amnesty International). It encourages people  to think hard about how these norms can impact decision making. Making gender inequalities a topic of discussion can change viewpoints on the issue because it can generate a space for debate, promote higher monetization, and incorporate it into mainstream media (EU Institute for gender Equality).  

In conclusion, women should be able to live without the fear of being underpaid, experiencing violence based on their gender, lack of human rights, or lack of education (Fredrickson). However, there is still a long way to go before women and girls can fully and comprehensively experience those rights. Until women can have and experience the same rights as men, gender inequality should be everyone’s problem because “women’s rights are human rights” .

Works Cited

60milliongirls. “8 Steps to Gender Equality (at Home and around the World) – 60 Million Girls.” 60 Million Girls, 7 Mar. 2020, 60millionsdefilles.org/en/eight-steps-to-gender-equality/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Amnesty International . “If You Defend Human Rights, You Defend Women’s’ Rights.” Amnesty International, 20 June 2024, www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/discrimination/womens-rights/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

EU Institute for gender Equality . “Gender Awareness-Raising.” European Institute for Gender Equality, 7 Apr. 2017, eige.europa.eu/gender-mainstreaming/tools-methods/gender-awareness-raising?language_content_entity=en. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Fredrickson, Caroline. “Equality Depends on Reproductive Rights | SDG Action.” SDG Action, 2 Mar. 2023, sdg-action.org/equality-depends-on-reproductive-rights/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

International Labour Organisation . “The Gender Gap in Employment: What’s Holding Women Back?” Ilo.org, 2017, webapps.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/Employment/barriers-women#unemployed-vulnerable. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Kattan, Raja Bentaouet, and Myra Murad Khan. “Closing the Gap: Tackling the Remaining Disparities in Girls’ Education and Women’s Labor Market Participation.” World Bank Blogs, 9 Mar. 2023, blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/closing-gap-tackling-remaining-disparities-girls-education-and-womens-labor-market. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Martin. “United Nations: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.” United Nations Sustainable Development, 19 Oct. 2023, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

Oxfam. “Gender Justice and Women’s Rights | Oxfam International.” Oxfam International, 25 Oct. 2024, www.oxfam.org/en/what-we-do/issues/gender-justice-and-womens-rights. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.

UN Women. “Facts & Figures.” UN Women – Headquarters, 2024, www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/commission-on-the-status-of-women-2012/facts-and-figures. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.