Gender equality is one of the objectives of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the belief that everyone should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against based on their gender.
The concepts of sex and gender are different. The former refers to the biological and physiological attributes that typically characterise men and women, while gender is rooted in social conventions, not biology.
Gender norms are a society’s prevailing views about how men and women should behave and appear differently, while gender roles are the separate sets of responsibilities a society expects men and women to assume. Gender stereotypes are oversimplified ideas about people based on their gender.
These three things are all connected and reinforce each other. To reduce inequality between men and women, the gender norms, roles and stereotypes that can hinder individuals from reaching their full potential need to be addressed.
Gender inequality encompasses a wide range of issues, one of which is the pay gap. Women tend to earn less than men for the same work, or work of equal value. Women are also often underrepresented in leadership roles in politics, business, and other fields.
In many parts of the world, there is often unequal access to education, where girls are still denied access to it, or are disadvantaged in terms of the quality of education they receive, compared to boys.
Stereotypical gender roles and expectations can, however, limit opportunities for both men and women and reinforce inequality.
Stereotypical gender roles often dictate certain career paths as more suitable for men or women. For example, men may be encouraged or expected to pursue careers in such fields as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while women may be steered towards traditionally feminine professions like teaching or nursing. This limits opportunities for the exploration of interests and potential in diverse fields.
Stereotypes about gender roles can lead to unequal expectations. Women, for example, are often expected to take on the majority of caregiving duties, which can hinder their ability to participate fully in the workplace and advance in their careers. Men may, similarly, face stigma or discrimination if they choose to pursue primary caregiving roles.
Stereotypical gender norms often dictate how individuals are expected to express their emotions. Men are typically encouraged to be stoic and avoid showing vulnerability, while women may be expected to be nurturing and empathetic. This can limit emotional expression for both men and women and contribute to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety.
Addressing gender inequality requires a multifaceted approach. Governments can enact and enforce laws and policies that promote gender equality, such as equal pay legislation, quotas for women in leadership positions, and laws against gender-based violence.
Education plays a crucial role in challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equality. This includes comprehensive sex education, awareness campaigns about the importance of gender equality, and efforts to challenge harmful gender norms.
Efforts to increase the representation of women in leadership positions in politics, business, and other fields can help challenge stereotypes and promote gender equality.
Stereotypes about gender roles and expectations can limit individuals’ opportunities, perpetuate inequality, and reinforce harmful norms and biases in society. These issues may be addressed through a combination of policy changes, education, economic empowerment, and community engagement.
However, addressing gender inequality is a global issue that requires international cooperation and collaboration. Countries need to work together to share best practices and resources.