In many parts of the country, especially in a place like Nigeria gender inequality has rooted deep into our morals and distracted us from truly achieving much as a great country that we are. This article will explain what gender inequality is, triggers for inequality, and what we can do to help out.
What is gender inequality?
Gender inequality can be referred to as permitting people to be open to a wide range of opportunities only based on their gender. It is commonly referred to as the social identity of sexes whereby a person is allowed to have something just because he is male or she is female. According to statistics the female gender experience more inequality.
Gender equality is a fundamental human right that would form an important foundation for a peaceful, united, and sustainable nation. Although they're major progressive steps to gender equality over the last decades as more girls have been provided with the opportunity to attend school, early marriage for girls have been fought against, improvements in tackling sexual harassment cases and more women are now in leadership positions and serving in government.
We can't also sideline the fact that more laws are being made and reformed to foster gender equality. But despite this great improvement we still have challenges as the laws being made are not effective in places that have seen women as underprivileged to do certain things. There have been reports of physical and sexual violence of females between the age of 15 to 49 with their partners and an underrepresentation of women in offices that can help women gain gender equity.
More reports have shown that gender discrimination against females has given room for poverty and vulnerability in living as a female in most countries. There have been many unwon fights against this as everyone sees the need for gender equity. This is a war that both genders must fight to provide a peaceful place and future for the coming generations.
Triggers of gender inequality and discrimination
A few things that have been major sources of gender discrimination are listed below:
• Sexual Harassment and Exploitation
This is a major obstacle in gaining equality for all genders. More than 7 of 10 in every working woman has been sexually harassed or almost sexually harassed in a course to get employed. A global gender survey was conducted by STOP STREET HARASSMENT in January 2018 and the statistics showed the high rate and risks of sexual harassment and the reports of verbal and physical assaults to the female gender.
Women are widely known to have an increased risk to fall into harassment of any kind than men. They take advantage of the situations affecting the female gender and try to convince and control them that the only option they have is to be harassed. A fight against sexual exploitation and harassment for every individual, most importantly the female gender would bring a great increase in tackling gender inequality.
• Racism
Racism is prejudice and discrimination based on a person's race or ethical identity. Racism has played a major role in how women are treated generally across the globe. For example, A Nigerian woman travels to the UK in search of a greener pasture and gets a job opportunity, she could be disqualified because she's from Nigeria without having to even show what she has to offer and if she truly deserves the job. There have even been recent reports about American women being treated lesser than Asian women in situations that would warrant such. Everyone should fight for equity because we don't get to choose where we're born and we shouldn't be disqualified because of something we didn't get to choose.
• Inequality in workplaces
Recent developments have been showing that women have been downgraded in places of work even despite their qualifications and educations. Women are less promoted than men and even if they get promoted, they could be at risk of their jobs and they can't even become CEOs or take up managerial duties. This has also caused fear in the female gender as they can not voice out their needs and get paid for what they are worth.
Women negotiating pay has been seen as desperation or greed and has discouraged a lot of women from asking. New research has shown that women are underpaid than their male colleagues even while working in the same department and doing the same jobs. All this must be tackled if we hope to make a progress concerning the fundamental rights of being human that allows everyone equally regardless of race, tribe, gender, etc.
• The fight against gender inequality
This fight isn't only for the female gender, the male should also contribute as they have or would have female children that would also grow. Here are practical things to help the fight for equality and equity.
• Help NGOs that are in line with the female gender
You can help by volunteering or donating to support the Non-Governmental Organisation that carries out missions to support women and fight against the injustice and discrimination that surrounds them. These organizations thrive on support so you can do what you can do to contribute to a brighter future for both genders.
Supporting women in a leadership position
Women should support other women in leadership positions or that have enthusiasm for official political positions because they can help to further foster a peaceful environment for the rest of women. The war against gender inequality can't be won if women are not supportive of themselves and increase participation in legislation all over the nation.
There are other fields that women can also function well asides from politics, fields like business, sports, science, commerce, and finance, etc. The participation of women in such fields will increase awareness that women also have a lot to offer the community and the world at large.
The fight against gender inequality would gradually decrease as long as we take up the consciousness of our sense of human rights and deny no one the fundamental rights to live and make an impact in any way that they can.
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