Many countries claim Gender equality to be the most important thing of their society and the most focused ingredient for their economic survival.
What is Gender Equality?
It definition revolves around the equal rights and opportunities for both genders including economic participation and decision-making by valuing different behaviors and opinions within the society.
Gender equality, equality between men and women, entails the concept that all human beings, both men and women, are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles and prejudices. Gender equality means that the different behaviour, aspirations and needs of women and men are considered, valued and favoured equally. It does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Gender equity means fairness of treatment for women and men, according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities.
— ABC Of Women Worker's Rights And Gender Equality, ILO, 2000. p. 48.
Gender Equality, possible or not?
In many countries, around the globe, men have been given more rights and benfits than women. Majorly, they are running man-dominating societies pushing back women from getting their actual rights and opportunities. Women are forbidden to get basic education and are treated worse than animals.
They have less access to property ownership, credit, training and employment. They are far less likely than men to be politically active and far more likely to be victims of domestic violence.
Globally, there is a lot of work needs to be done within this grey area. Due to various cultures and traditions that portray women an object and it's not easy to get rid of such plague from society.
Global Efforts to Fight Inequality
Awareness among people is now been spread with regards to gender equality, in many countries, it's now the part of their basic curriculum along with many awareness sessions among students and adults.
In 2010, the European Union opened the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in Vilnius, Lithuania to promote gender equality and to fight sex discrimination. In 2015 the EU published the Gender Action Plan 2016-2020.[38]
Gender Equality Index
The United Nations Population Fund says:
About two thirds of the world's illiterate adults are women. Lack of an education severely restricts a woman's access to information and opportunities. Conversely, increasing women's and girls' educational attainment benefits both individuals and future generations. Higher levels of women's education are strongly associated with lower infant mortality and lower fertility, as well as better outcomes for their children.
No doubt, there a lot to do to solve the issue of gender inequality, there is alot to fight for and there is so much to stand up for!
Focusing on gender equality in nutshell, will bring economic prosperity and progress among various sectors of society. As both gender have equal potential and are equally efficient (if considered).