Why is gender equality important for sustainable development?
Gender equality means treating men and women equally in all areas of life without any discrimination. If these two genders are not treated equally, then our entire economy gets severely affected. Most of the individuals are themselves not aware of the fact that they are a victim of gender inequality whether it's the field of securing a good job, marriage, or having a place in society. Women have been treated weaker than men for years and even today as well. For example, for most of the field marketing work, corporates choose men over women. It insults the caliber of a woman.
In this article today, you are going to get a clear and appropriate idea of how gender equality plays a significant role in sustainable development.
What is the real face of gender inequality today?
Women lately have been seen as a prop to do household work, take care of children, or get married as soon as she reaches 18. We, as part of this orthodox mentality of society, have been neglecting the needs of women for ages now. We have not been realizing how badly it can affect our economic development and its sustainability. Women are seen as more of an emotional, unreliable, and weak part of society. Due to this, she fails to get good assignments, jobs and build her life according to her dreams. Apart from the society her own family becomes toxic and pressurizing towards her. They command her how to live life, what to do and what not to. Gender inequality shows us that the power and rights distribution between men and women are not equal. For example, if a woman works for extra hours in the office, she is generally paid less than men. According to one of the legit research, women worldwide spent almost 90% of their salary coming from jobs for the betterment of their family. Whereas, the same study shows that Men spent only 30% of their salary. This shows that when maximum women get good jobs, the overall family health gets better, especially for her children. According to the UN states, it will lead to curtailing the child mortality rate by a great amount.
On the other hand, other studies revealed that maximum landlords all across the world are men, and women landowners are less than 20%. In Africa, women landowners are less than 5%. Well, one of the related researches on gender equality showed that the majority of the gender that is a victim of hunger worldwide is Women. All such statistics are the current reality that needs much emphasis. By working on these loophole areas I.e, by empowering women and their rights, we can attain gender equality at the earliest to have sustainable development.
Why is gender equality important for sustainable development?
Sustainable Development is a bigger picture that is attained after enhancing gender equality. And, this is the by-product of women's empowerment. By providing good living facilities to women, employment opportunities, and higher education worldwide, attaining sustainable development gets easier. Moreover, gender equality leads to strengthened economic growth. It's highly quintessential for the countries that have low employment rates and limited economic opportunities.
According to one of the data, provided by the UN-based women - the countries with the members of OECD - Economic Cooperation and Development, the 50% of the economic development and its growth in the last 50 years has been possible because of the better education opportunities provided to the girls. The UN-based women also revealed that this economic growth has also been possible due to the higher schooling years attained by the girls in comparison to the boys.
Gender equality can never be attained and will not be leading to sustainable development in case women continue to stay under a trap of gender biases. After banishing sexual harassment, limiting women to work inside the households, unpaid labor, etc only we can look forward to gender equality. Apart from this, it also was revealed that women make only 82 cents with the work value of 1 dollar contributed by her, unlike men who get 1 dollar for 1 dollar work, etc. This gender pay disparity and gap is leading nowhere but destroying sustainable development. Also, according to the world bank, this disparity or gender inequality leads to the loss of income of over 172 trillion dollars. All such practices are Ill and would not allow the country to grow, develop and prosper today. Simply put, in words, to sustain development, proper gender equally plays a 100% role and we as a resident of our respective countries can only bring change to it.
How can an individual contribute to gender equality?
The best way that you can contribute to gender equality individually is by joining hands with the women empowerment groups. Lately, the ever-increasing gap between men and women in low-income countries and middle-income countries has disturbed sustainable development. But, by being a part of the support groups, you can raise wide awareness regarding gender equality through blogs, workshops, rallies, and personal visits. By enhancing the education of women, letting them choose their career independently, roam freely, getting married at the desired age, we can easily contribute to gender equality and sustainable development. All we need to do is create awareness among ourselves and our peer members and encourage them to make a long chain of supporters of gender equality to reach the maximum number of people possible.
Key Takeaways
With the astonishing facts we focused upon today, it's highly shameful for us as a part of society to continue with the gender inequality practices. It's high time now, we need to develop and reprogram our minds by broadening them. Things will get much better in the future if gender equality is there in various areas of life. It will not only increase the independence of a woman but also her safety. With the growth of mind, gender equality shall emerge that eventually will lead to sustainable development.
References
https://www.gvi.co.uk/blog/why-is-gender-equality-important/