When talking about gender equality, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Possibly it is something related to gender inequality and this is because this term only exists due to lack of it. To clarify this concept, in this Psychology-Online article we reflect together on what is gender equalitywith practical examples and arguments to develop the topic under discussion.
What is gender equality?
Gender equality is the idea that all people, whether they identify as women or men, have the same opportunities and conditions for development. Your goal is no longer live in a logic of male domination that characterizes, until today, many relationships between genders in different spheres. It is still a concept that, in most cases, when used is in a context of gender inequality. This is because, although there are laws and policies that determine gender equality, in practice it still does not exist. structural reasons.
That is to say, although the law establishes it and a large part of society considers it normal, gender equality is not present in reality, since boys and girls are conditioned to think about the differences between the sexes and their gender roles .
Why is gender equality important?
Even if a man and a woman have the same opportunities throughout their lives, it is very possible that they will be treated differently because of their sex. One of the examples of gender equality today is that, despite similar trajectories, structural factors do not allow the same job opportunities.
This is because despite the awareness of the need for gender equality in the spheres and its supposed incorporation in many spheres, we continue to live in a patriarchal system and heteronormative in which, for example, despite the fact that women and men receive the same salary in many companies, they are the ones who end up using a greater part of the spending on cosmetics or beauty salons, for example, because the patriarchal system, structurally , suggests this.
Another example of gender equality is the time management. Although both work the same number of hours per week, in many homes, women spend more time caring for the home and people. Therefore, women end up having less time available to study, rest or carry out other activities.
Examples of gender equality
It is much easier to understand what gender equality is by looking at some examples and data about gender inequality. This information can even be used as arguments for gender equality in a debate. Some examples of gender equality are:
- Men and women win same salary, but women end up spending more on products and services related to imposed aesthetic standards.
- Women have the same opportunities to studybut they end up spending more time than men taking care of the house and people and this affects their study time.
- There are the same Job opportunitiesbut the career stops for 6 months due to maternity leave, while men do not have major interruptions and the result is faster corporate promotion, occupying leadership positions.
According to him world gender equality ranking published by the World Economic Forum 2020, the possible data and arguments for gender equality in a debate are:
- Only 25% of parliamentary seats are held by women worldwide
- Only 21% of women hold ministerial positions.
- Only 55% of women between 15 and 64 years old are in the labor market, while 78% of men of the same age are.
Gender equality and intersectionality
Gender equality has been analyzed from many perspectives. Below we will look at some of the most common perspectives.
Intersectional feminism
Gender equality can and should always be analyzed by going beyond the thinking of ‘man against woman’, but rather considering the different conditions of that being as men and women who have different trajectories, realities and privileges.
Comparing a white, middle-class cis woman to a racialized man in poverty, for example, is not the same as comparing a man and a woman living under the same race and class conditions. So thinking more equitably about gender equality is always think in plural: women and men. In this article, you will find more information about the .
Furthermore, one of the important precautions when thinking about gender equality is consider gender fluidity and not reduce thinking only to binary identity. A lesbian transsexual woman, for example, despite being born biologically male, can suffer as much, if not more, than a cis woman. Here you will find more information about it.
Liberal feminism
Liberal feminism is a school of feminist thought that believes that we already live in a post-patriarchal society in which men and women have equal opportunities. However, in many societies, the reflected reality does not coincide with existing rights. Which shows that true gender equality goes beyond offering equal opportunities. That is, it also requires a structural change and way of thinking.
Otherwise, with current policies, gender equality translated into numbers will only be truly perceived in many years. One way to accelerate this situation, according to intersectional feminist thought, is think about gender equality before gender equality. That is, before thinking about equality, we must think about equity.
In addition to those mentioned, currently, there are other types of feminism. Find out what the are.
Gender equality
According to the global gender equality ranking published by the World Economic Forum in 2020, at the pace of the steps we have taken around the world, true gender parity could only be achieved in 99 years. Fortunately, thinking about gender equity It is a way to achieve equality.
Gender equality exists as fair opportunity awareness for women considering structural, social and historical factors that go beyond existing laws. For gender equality to work, it is necessary to consider the current differences in the treatment of each sex and commit to change. The image we show below is one of the best examples today that illustrates the concept of gender equality:
Factors to enable gender equality
As we can see, gender equality is a broad concept and not a strategy or reality. The reality is gender inequality and the strategy to combat it is equity. The way to accelerate the achievement of gender equality, therefore, is to take into account:
- Gender equality.
- Respect.
- Freedom to make decisions.
- Balance of powers.
- Gender, race and class awareness.
- Understanding that men can and should be allies in the gender equality project through listening and equity.
In accordance with the goals to transform our world published by the UN, the path to achieving gender equality consists in:
- End all forms of discrimination.
- Eliminate all forms of and girls in public and private spheres.
- Extinguish all harmful practices, such as early, forced and child marriages and female genital mutilation.
- Recognize and value unpaid assistance and domestic work.
- Guarantee the full and effective participation of women and equal leadership opportunities at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
- Guarantee universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
- Carry out reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control of land.
- Increase the use of basic technologies, particularly information and communication technologies, to promote women empowerment.
- Adopt and strengthen strong policies and applicable legislation to promote gender equality and empower all women and girls at all levels.
Gender equality symbol
The universally known symbol of gender equality:
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References
- WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. Beware the 100 year gap. Available at:
- FERRARI, Marilia, Lola. BRUNO, Maria Martha. GENDER AND NUMBER. Available at:
- IBGE, Research Directorate, Population Coordination and Social Indicators.
Bibliography
- ALVES, José Eustáquio Diniz; CORRÊA, Sônia. Gender equality and inequality in Brazil: a preliminary overview, 15 years after Cairo. Books, p. 121-223, 2015.
- WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. Beware the 100 year gap. Accessed May 28, 2020.
- BALLE, Anna Vial. Psychology online. That’s the type of liquid and how to know if I am.
- GENDER AND NUMBER. Brazil 50-50 Observatory. Accessed May 28, 2020.
- HOLLAND, Heloisa Buarque de. Brazilian feminist thought: training and context. First reprint. Rio de Janeiro: Bazar do Tempo, 2019. 400p.