Imagine a world where half the population is denied the opportunity to reach their full potential. Welcome to the reality of gender inequity, where outdated norms and biases hold us back. Before going further into details, let’s uncover the difference between gender equality and gender equity.
Gender equality refers to equal opportunities and treatment for men and women, regardless of their gender. Gender equity focuses on addressing systemic inequalities. It involves providing what is fair. Gender equality would give the same size shoe to everyone regardless of their foot size, but gender equity would provide shoes that fit each person’s foot by recognizing their differences. Men and women are physiologically, biologically, socially, and emotionally different. They have different roles and different needs. They should be dealt with accordingly.
Gender equity provides that if a woman is a PhD scholar and a man is only a high school graduate, there shouldn’t be any biases based on gender while assigning them a job. Women with higher qualifications should get the job, and vice versa. There shouldn’t be any prejudice against any gender. They should be paid according to their working hours. There are several jobs in which men are great, while there are some in which women and girls excel. They should be assigned work according to their capabilities and not their gender.
Gender mainstreaming was a concept introduced at the 1985 Nairobi World Conference on Women. It was an approach to policymaking that took into account the concerns of both men and women. It involved identifying the different needs of men and women and formulating policies accordingly. It was a crucial step to accelerate gender equity in the world.
In ancient times, women who were considered to be outspoken or possessed knowledge of herbalism were targeted and accused of witchcraft. This is a stark example of how prejudiced our world is. Women were considered to be inferior. They were not given the right to vote until the dawn of the 20th century. Women were at a historical and social disadvantage and considered to be emotionally weak, which is why it was said that they couldn’t hold important positions in the system. Female intelligence and capabilities were neglected based on gender stereotypes.
Men also face ill-treatment in the current set-up. They are expected to be strong in every situation. Expected to hide their emotions in case they do not look masculine. They have been taught since their childhood—boys don’t cry.
According to the data from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the CDC, men are more likely to experience a heart attack than women, especially at a younger age. On average, men experience their first heart attack at age 65, while women experience their first heart attack at age 72. In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, resulting in approximately 805,000 heart attacks per year.
Stoicism is a school of thought that originated in ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasized reason, self-control, and indifference to external events. These things are considered very beneficial for practical life, but they also have some negative consequences. Stoicism is often linked with the ill-treatment of men. The emphasis on emotional control and suppression has led many men to bottle up their emotions. Resulting in increased stress and anxiety. Stoicism focuses on self-reliance, due to which some men neglect their own needs and prioritize independence. Men are also the target of sexual assault and gender-based violence, but their voices are often left unheard. Finally, the discouragement of emotional display has made it difficult for men to display emotions in healthy ways, damaging their mental health and their relationships as well.
What Gives Birth To These Prejudices and Inequality?
Every society has its own norms. According to the theory of moral relativism, there is no right or wrong. One could be morally right in America and wrong in Pakistan. Every society disseminates its own values, beliefs, and traditions as morally right. These traditions are passed from one generation to another without question. Whoever questions them is seen as a deviant. However, the prejudices I have mentioned above are common almost everywhere. Girls are brought up differently. They are encouraged to play with dolls and be delicate, they are told that one day they’re going to marry someone and they should learn how to cook and clean, etc. On the other hand, boys are taught to be strong, independent, brave, nonchalant, and less fragile. They are taught from a very young age that they will be the providers of their families.
What If Equal Opportunities Are Provided To All?
Creating equal opportunities can boost economic growth by up to 50%, as a more inclusive and diverse workforce can lead to increased productivity and economic diversification. Norway’s Flexible Work Arrangement Policy (2018) implemented flexible work arrangements, leading to increased work-life balance for both men and women and a 1.2% boost to GDP (The Impact of flexible work arrangements on work-life balance by the Journal of Applied Psychology 2019).
Another example is the United States’ Paid Family Leave Policy (2019), which introduced a federal paid family leave policy that benefits both men and women and resulted in a 0.7% boost to GDP. (The effects of paid family leave on the labor market Outcomes by the National Bureau of Economic Research).
Gender Equity In Pakistan: A Distant Dream?
Pakistan, a country with a population of almost 251.27 million, is a developing nation with the 5th largest population in the world. It has almost zero opportunities. In a country where there are no opportunities for anyone (male, female, or transgender), the question of why Pakistan is not doing something about gender equity is ridiculous. But still, let’s talk about the 47.6% of employed people (as of 2023).
In Pakistan, gender inequity is very prominent, especially for women, because of the patriarchal mindset. The labor force participation rate (LFPR) of women in Pakistan stands at 21%, well below the global percentage of 39% (National Report on the Status of Women in Pakistan 2023). These statistics show that women are more subjected to gender inequity in Pakistan.
What Can We Do To Promote Gender Balance Globally?
We need to increase access to education and spread awareness about gender-based discrimination and inequity. There is a dire need to educate parents to let their children do what they are capable of, regardless of their gender. Let them decide their careers. The government should make policies for men and women where both of them can work together and contribute according to their skills. Gender-inclusive language should be used to break stereotypes. Representation in all fields should be given according to the male-to-female population ratio. Resources and opportunities should be equally available. Only through these measures can we create a world of gender parity.
If you want to submit your articles and/or research papers, please check the Submissions page.
The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift.
She is a student of International Relations with a passion for law, politics, and current affairs.