Before analysing issue of gender inequality in detail, it seems suitable to know as to what gender equality actually is. Generally, gender equality is considered provision of rights only to females, but in reality, it is achieved when women and men enjoy same rights and opportunities across all sectors in a society, including economic participation and decision-making and when different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured.

In contrast, it is to understand that gender equality is one of most debated and controversial topics of all time. It is 21st century where women are often seen working together with men or competing with them, where women are doing work which was considered impossible once even for men. For instance, it is so common to see women flying a plane, a woman leading a country, a woman winning Nobel Prize, women building software and women constructing buildings. So it is somehow right to say that in this century gender equality has finally become a reality. But as a matter of fact, there are two sides to everything. So if we turn our sights around, there are so many socio-economic constraints that force us to accept in negation reality of equality.

Without shadow of a doubt, all claims of gender equality and women’s emancipation are nothing more than hollow slogans and a myth. “Women are still victim of patriarchal system perpetuated capitalism, even developed nations have yet to ensure gender equality not to speak of third world countries”, which are marred by poverty and illiteracy. Plight of women in western world is also not satisfactory as issues of low wages, work place harassment and cases of rape are increasing. Moreover, these civilized nations are not yet ready or willing to see women in some powerful positions where they could try to bring change in lives of people.

Even in a country like United States, which boasts to be world’s lone superpower and torchbearer of human rights, all presidents had been males. No woman has ever been provided an opportunity to lead country. Same situation is with United Nations. All of eight secretaries-general of UN-last being Ban Ki-moon in list were males, no woman has ever been elected to this coveted post.

Problem with gender equality is mode of production and role of women in it. Social and religious super structure imposed by elite is another major hurdle in way of gender equality. However, it may exist by promoting fulfilment of women’s potential through education, skill development and employment, giving paramount importance to elimination of poverty, illiteracy and ill health among women, eliminating all practices that discriminate against women, assisting women to establish and realise their rights, including those that relate to reproductive and sexual health, adopting appropriate measures to improve women’s ability to earn income beyond traditional occupations, achieve economic self-reliance and ensure women’s equal access to labour market and social security systems, eliminating violence against women, ending discriminatory practices by employers against women, making it possible through laws, regulations and other appropriate measures.

Furthermore, governments should establish mechanisms to accelerate women’s equal participation and equitable representation at all levels of the political process and public life in each community and society and enable women to articulate their concerns and ensure equal participation of women in decision-making processes in all spheres of life. Governments and civil society should take actions to eliminate attitudes and practices that discriminate against and subordinate girls and women and that reinforce gender inequality. Governments should take measures to promote the fulfilment of girls’ and women’s potential through education, skills development and the eradication of illiteracy for all girls and women without discrimination of any kind, giving paramount importance to the elimination of poverty and ill health.

Similarly, governments, in collaboration with civil society, should take the necessary measures to ensure universal access, on the basis of equality between women and men, to appropriate, affordable and quality health care for women throughout their life cycle. Likewise, governments should take every possible action to remove all gender gaps and inequalities pertaining to women’s livelihoods and participation in the labor market through the creation of employment with secure incomes, leading to women’s empowerment and enhance their reproductive health.

Above all, legislation ensuring equal pay for equal work or for work of equal value should be instituted and enforced. Only concrete measures supported by positive action on ground can finally help achieve this demanding challenge of ensuring gender equality. Actions speak louder than words. Time to act is now!

In a nutshell, gender inequality has permeated the world and it may be right to say that ‘gender equality is a myth’. However, if the abovementioned issues are resolved, this myth can be broken. It is the only way to promote gender equality because it is a prerequisite that must be fulfilled if a country wants to tread the path that leads to development and prosperity.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 19 2023

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