Let’s build a gender equal world!

By Hetvi Piplani

Gender Equality. We hear about this term every now and then. But do you really know what it means? Gender Equality means treating all genders equally, whether it is a girl or boy, man or woman, gay or queer. Further, every gender deserves equal access to resources and opportunities including economic participation and decision-making.

The world we live in is unfortunately biased. The accepted social norm is ‘preference for males.’ For instance, in most countries, including India, girls are not treated equally in comparison to the boys. Girls are not sent to school and often limited to performing household chores. They are still married off at an early age.

Even if they have a chance to go to school, girls are encouraged to take up subjects such as Arts or History assuming that Science, Math, and Engineering are more ‘male appropriate’ fields. There are numerous studies stating that women get paid far less than their male counterparts. Not just in education or the corporate world, even in sports, the prize money for women winners is less than men.

In my view, some of the possible causes of gender inequality are biological differences, societal norms, unequal access to education, poverty, racism, inappropriate depiction of women in the media, job segregation, low political/corporate representation of women, and lack of awareness.

However, organisations are helping promote women employees. And there are many ongoing global movements canvassing for fair and equal treatment for everyone. Each year, we celebrate the International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, while the month of June is celebrated as the Pride Month to promote equality towards the LGBTQ+ community.

The United Nations is further enforcing equal human rights through its global Human Rights Commission. Recently, the New Zealand cricket Board welcomed a step for ensuring equal wages for both the men and women cricket teams.

Thanks to people, organisations and governments globally working together to further spread awareness around gender equality. But, there is still a long way to go and several efforts are needed to bring about the change we want to see. So, we must collaborate and contribute to a gender equal world. A single source, organisation or person cannot solve the problem. We have to educate each other, sensitise and alter mind-sets.