Why gender equality is important ?

 

Today we are a part of the 21st century where it, is seen a lot of development and social and economic standards of the people. A lot of societal norms and traditions are seen to be changed, and society has become liberal than ever. The age-old and orthodox norms followed by society have somewhere come to an end. Various discriminative barriers, such as geopolitical and other social barriers, are on the verge of extinction.  The 17 sustainable development goals by the United Nations focus on creating a sustainable society that is loved by all. At the social ripples, which is an initiative towards sustainable social development and is inspired by the united nations' sustainable development goals, they believe that gender equality is one of the important aspects of creating a sustainable and inclusive society that is equally loved by everyone that coexist.

Gender equality refers to the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision making and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations, and needs regardless of gender. But sadly, despite all the liberties and development in the norms of society, it is seen that one sex is given more importance than the other and the other one is looked down upon for no reason. Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini, who is on her mission towards sustainable social development, advocates the fact that gender inequality leads to disturbance in the development of the nation affecting the peace and harmony of society in which we all live.  

Importance of gender equality

The importance of gender equality can be explained, in various areas of society. The following points help us understand the importance of gender equality.

Gender equality promotes better productivity. 

If it is the scenario in the workplace that one gender, is given importance than the other one. Or the decision of an employee is overlooked based on his gender then, he might not be happy leading to less productivity, in the work, and results in the loss of the company and in-turn impacts the economy of the country.

Gender equality results in improved life of women

In many countries like Afghanistan, it is seen, that women are facing hilarious outcomes of gender inequality. They are living a pitiful life. This horrifying situation of the women in Afghanistan is said to be their culture. In many parts of India, also women are facing problems such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other issues. Some cases are seen, whereas some women feel it is their fate and does not talk about it outside. Gender equality changes this scenario and shifts the idea of a male-dominated society to an inclusive society.

Gender equality is an end to orthodox stereotyping.

In many countries, it is the situation to date that men are the financial supporters of the house, and women are there to look after the household chores. Also, women are looked down on as they are not helping their husbands financially. If the women fail to look after the house or children, they are said to be unmarriageable or useless.

Also, gender equality is an end to the orthodox stereotyping that if a girl is a spinster for a longer age, then there is a problem with a girl. The spinsters are judged by every person in society. Moreover, women are said to be incapable of doing physical work as compared to men.

Gender equality is an end to all the orthodox and traditional discrimination against women and all the genders of society. It promotes that women should be rightly represented in society and the workplace. Gender equality is not the topic to be issued or to be debated, but it is a topic that should be followed in reality.

Top 5 major advantages of gender equality

 Developing countries that are striving to achieve sustainable development should consider gender equality as one of the major measures towards development. Gender equality not only provides the nation's social well being by promoting peace and harmony, but it also accelerates the economic growth and development of the nation. A developing nation needs to provide every individual with equal opportunities to contribute to the nation's growth and development and promote peace and harmony in communities of the nation. Hence, it is an urgent need for the country to promote gender equality as it prevents violence against women and girls, and makes our communities safer and healthier. It is a human right and it is good for the economy.

Gender equality

The term gender equality refers to equal rights, responsibility, and opportunities that are provided, to people of every gender. Gender inequality affects the people of every gender including, women, men, trans, and gender diverse people in the communities. It also impacts the lives of children, and in-turn well-being of the family is dependent on gender equality.

The social ripples, which is an initiative towards sustainable social development, promote that the vision behind the United Nations sustainable development goal of gender equality is to

• Live in an inclusive environment.

• Have access to power, resources, and opportunities equally.

• Make people feel that they are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.

The following are the top 5 major advantages of gender equality

1. Gender equality promotes peace

There are millions of women and girls in different communities that every day falls prey to violence and discrimination. Due to this, the peace and harmony of the house are affected. Also, women face sexual abuse and harassment at their home and their workplace, making their life impossible to live. This violence and harassment have a direct impact on their health and mental well-being. Improving gender equality in men and women can reduce the amount of violence, and provides safety for those who are vulnerable.

2. Strengthen communication at the workplace

Gender equality in the workplace is very important. It boosts the success of the company by fostering a positive work environment. Gender equality doesn't mean that both men and women are the same. They are sexually different. The most important difference between men and women is the way they speak and have communication, and women are a powerhouse of creativity. When a woman communicates, she puts forward her ideas skillfully and creatively, which is very important for a business to become success full. And in the case of men, they are good at tackling the confrontation and issues. If gender equality is promoted at the workplace the combination of creative ideas and issues-tackling skills will provide a great work environment.

3. Gender equality accelerates economic growth and development.

When women and girls are given equal opportunities to gain a quality education, they can get good opportunities to find a good job and contribute to their family's economic well-being. Studies say if the diverse genders are given equal opportunities in the workplace the business will be more productive. The productive and united work by both men and women translates into the success of the business and improves the business's profitability. It, in turn, improves the GDP of the nation.

4. It benefits the lives of children.

Believe or not, children are the ones who are affected by the peace and harmony in society. Along with it, it is seen that when children are born, women choose to sit at home, losing their job so that they can take care of children. If men and women work and get paid equally, they can contribute to the children's welfare by equally participating in their education, nutrition, and healthcare. Research also says that when women, are given a quality education, the infant mortality rate can also be decreased.

5. Gender equality gives everyone equal opportunities

Education plays a vital role in promoting opportunities for everyone regardless of gender. In today's world, more boys are educated, than those girls. It is seen, most of the girls are not given quality education and are forced, to get married earlier under the name of tradition. Also, most of the girls fall prey to human trafficking because of their lower economic capacity. Hence, when gender equality starts with education, everyone has good opportunities to live an improved life.

Gender equality is a process which, cannot be achieved easily. It needs a lot of awareness generation and an individual's active participation to achieve gender equality. The mindset of the people should be changed, as they are emotionally attached to their tradition and old societal norms. It leads them to live a socially and economically backward life. The best way to promote gender equality and to reduce its effect on society's growth and development is to start from home.

Why does society make women feel required to have children?

 I am a woman and aware of all the social expectations that people have from a woman. Since from my childhood, or you can say from the time when I got to know about womanhood, I am hearing the old saying that 'a woman is incomplete without having children' or 'a woman becomes complete when she bears a child.' Since then, I was having the question, why? Today when this question has been raised, I would like to thank you. Also, I would share my views.

A woman is blessed with the reproductive system to bear the child during her childbearing days. But society has taken it in another way. The social norms are set for a woman, to bear a child so that she becomes complete and can take their dynasty forward.

 A child, that too a boy child is said to be the remark of their dynasty. I do not say that a woman should not give birth to a child. She should give birth to a child if she will’s to and is prepared to have it.

In many of the areas of society, a girl is forced to get married early instead of gainingan education. She is then forced to do house chores and also give birth to the child.

 The social norms had made women show proof of her fertility by reproducing a child against her wish.

Our society has trained a woman to think that a child will help her be complete and feel secured and live with dignity in society. It is one of the norms of the society that if a woman does not have children has no respect from society.

Why do you need feminism when we already have gender equality?

 

We are heading towards a new and developed society where every gender is said to be equal. There are equal rights and opportunities provided to every individual regardless of his gender so that they feel included and like to be part of the society. Gender equality at every phase has contributed to the development of the nation, socially and economically. Gender equality prevents society from violence against women and gives them equal opportunities everywhere in society. Gender equality mainly focuses on fighting against a society that is prone to the men's aggression that was much seen in older days.

But it is not the same scene now. Women are getting their rights equal to men also. The rate of harassment and violence in and out of the house is lessened. The government has taken all the measures to bring a sustainable society by promoting gender equality. Gender equality focuses on giving equal rights to women that are the same as that of the men. It is showcasing that women can have equal opportunities and equal education with society. Gender equality promotes that every gender is the same as a human. The definition of gender equality refers to the meaning that women should be treated the same as men that mean that they are equal to men means women are like men that is not possible.

Here The theory of feminism comes to picture. Feminism is defined as a woman should be treated as a woman only. They should be given their rights to education, equal salary, individuality, and freedom of choice. Most of the time in India, we see that women and girls are given the chance to have quality education and have a job of their own choice. But, when it comes to having a decision-making process at the workplace or choosing their life partners, they are under-represented. Feminism is all about having the freedom of choice and decision for their personal lives and at their workplace. Feminism is not about saying 'what a man can do a woman also do.' Whereas, it is all about saying a woman can do amazing things that men can never do. No! It does not mean that women are superior to men. It depicts that men and women are biologically different and should be seen as different individuals rather than keeping men and their powers as a threshold.

The word feminism and feminist movements are scenes to be controversial these days. Politicians and some parts of media have taken the definition in their ways. Some of them also have linked it with homosexuality. It has led to a fearful atmosphere for men about women dominating more in the future. It is not the case with feminism. The theory of feminism is not for dominating men or any other gender.

It is time to understand that feminism is not about empowering women or making them strong. It is also not about changing the world for women. It is about changing the perspective about gender equality that women are different as an individual.