Article for the day
An Article on Gender Equality by
All human beings, both men and women are free
To develop their personal abilities and make
choices without any form of limitation.
It means that the different needs of men and
women are considered and favoured
equally. This however is far from the present
situation in many countries all over the world.
Men are usually considered first in several
aspects in our modern and traditional societies.
In the areas of employment, poitics, economic
activities and religion, men are considered first.
Male domination in these prominent areas is a
contributing factor to the state of backwardness of
many nations.
Gender equality is a situation characterized by women enjoying the same rights and opportunities as men. It is the freedom of men and women
to develop their personal abilities and make choices
without the limitatons set by stereotypes, rigid
gender roles and prejudices. It does not necessarily
mean that men and women have to become the same.
It implies that the gap between men and women
should be bridged. Gender equality can be traced
to the first Armenian republic of 1918-1920.
Armenia was one of the first countries in the world
to give women the right to vote and be voted for into
public office. In 1920, Dr. Diana Abgar was
appointed ambassador to Japan which makes
her the first female ambassador in history.
Only four of 135 nations have achieved gender
equality. They include; Costa Rica, Cuba,
Sweden and Norway.
Gender inequality on the other hand, refers to
unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals
either wholly or partially, due to their gender. It arises from differences in gender roles. The females are the major victims of gender inequality and discrimination. It is a disparity in status, power and prestige between men and women. It ranges from violence against women to no opportunities to be involved in the decision making process of the country.
Gender inequality appears in many forms. During wars, women are seen as targets and are subjected to rape or decapacitation. In some nations, 'honour killing' is a prevailing tradition. This practice involves killing women who have been accused of bringing dishonour to the family name. The issue of genital mutilation is not an exception.
In Yemen and some other countries of Africa, a female child is circumcised for supposedly different reasons. Early marriage has not made life easy for the female child either. These girls are mostly in their teenage years. They become young wives taking care of old men and many die during childbirth or of some diseases that are not looked into immediately. However young boys are not married off as teenagers or children. They're either sent to school or made to learn a trade before they think of marriage. Women go through eveil rites after the death of their husbands in some parts of Africa. On the other hand, men are advised to remarry after the death of wives and the do not go through any rites.
Gender inequality is caused by low awareness among the population. Most people are not aware of the fact that a female child is equally as important as the male child. People have an erroneous belief that a girl child is an additional responsibility that must be gotten rid of. Some people do not know the importance of a female child. Hence they have decided to shun the innocent females. A female can be a professional in top sectors of the economy. Prestigious positions in the health, education, agricultural sectors can be handled effectively by women too. The mentality is that since the me have always been at the helm of affairs, it should continue that way.
In some remote parts of the African continent, a female child is used for various evil rites due to the custom and tradition of the natives. Young virgins are used for several forms of rituals and are killed in the process. This is done in the name of purifying the family. Some native families still perform these fetish rites. In the Eastern part of Nigeria, the first male child inherits the fathers properties and decides the future of the female child. Furthermore, the constitution adopted by some countries deny women some basic rights. Women are not allowed to drive, neither are the allowed to vote in some countries.
There is no doubt that gender inequality has many negative effects on family and state as a whole. However, gender equality can be realized globally.
Firstly, the laws enacted in the constitution should be aimed at putting an end to child marriage and sexual harrassment. Giving a female into marriage at a tender age is an impediment to the female child's education. A girl child should be allowed to go to school and study like her male counterpart. As this is going on, she would acquire home management skills which would ripen her for marriage. In addition sexual harrassment and violence against the girl child should be severly punished. Hence a female child would be proud and happy to stand next to the male child without fears of trauma.
Secondly, education should be made insensitive to gender. Education is a process of teaching and learning to improve knowledge generally and not specifically. Therefore a female child should be allowed to take part in the learning process. An illiterate mother cant help her children effectively. However if a girl child is allowed to make use of her right to learn, she can make something good out of herself. Gradually the rate of illiteracy reduces.
Moreover, women should be allowed at the helm of affairs of the nation. There should be increased participation of women in local, regional, national and international legislation. Women should be enabled to partake in the decision making of government. Ideas and innovations coming from both men and women will steer the nation toward positive national growth. Being compassionate in nature, women will establish lots of projects to aid the poor and assist to train the less privileged and the struggling kids to be great in the future.
Gender equality is no doubt a path to global development. There are many benefits to be derived ranging from economic to social and health wise. More countries should aim to achieve gender equality to a high percentage. A woman was born to be a companion to man not a slave of man.
All human beings, both men and women are free
To develop their personal abilities and make
choices without any form of limitation.
It means that the different needs of men and
women are considered and favoured
equally. This however is far from the present
situation in many countries all over the world.
Men are usually considered first in several
aspects in our modern and traditional societies.
In the areas of employment, poitics, economic
activities and religion, men are considered first.
Male domination in these prominent areas is a
contributing factor to the state of backwardness of
many nations.
Gender equality is a situation characterized by women enjoying the same rights and opportunities as men. It is the freedom of men and women
to develop their personal abilities and make choices
without the limitatons set by stereotypes, rigid
gender roles and prejudices. It does not necessarily
mean that men and women have to become the same.
It implies that the gap between men and women
should be bridged. Gender equality can be traced
to the first Armenian republic of 1918-1920.
Armenia was one of the first countries in the world
to give women the right to vote and be voted for into
public office. In 1920, Dr. Diana Abgar was
appointed ambassador to Japan which makes
her the first female ambassador in history.
Only four of 135 nations have achieved gender
equality. They include; Costa Rica, Cuba,
Sweden and Norway.
Gender inequality on the other hand, refers to
unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals
either wholly or partially, due to their gender. It arises from differences in gender roles. The females are the major victims of gender inequality and discrimination. It is a disparity in status, power and prestige between men and women. It ranges from violence against women to no opportunities to be involved in the decision making process of the country.
Gender inequality appears in many forms. During wars, women are seen as targets and are subjected to rape or decapacitation. In some nations, 'honour killing' is a prevailing tradition. This practice involves killing women who have been accused of bringing dishonour to the family name. The issue of genital mutilation is not an exception.
In Yemen and some other countries of Africa, a female child is circumcised for supposedly different reasons. Early marriage has not made life easy for the female child either. These girls are mostly in their teenage years. They become young wives taking care of old men and many die during childbirth or of some diseases that are not looked into immediately. However young boys are not married off as teenagers or children. They're either sent to school or made to learn a trade before they think of marriage. Women go through eveil rites after the death of their husbands in some parts of Africa. On the other hand, men are advised to remarry after the death of wives and the do not go through any rites.
Gender inequality is caused by low awareness among the population. Most people are not aware of the fact that a female child is equally as important as the male child. People have an erroneous belief that a girl child is an additional responsibility that must be gotten rid of. Some people do not know the importance of a female child. Hence they have decided to shun the innocent females. A female can be a professional in top sectors of the economy. Prestigious positions in the health, education, agricultural sectors can be handled effectively by women too. The mentality is that since the me have always been at the helm of affairs, it should continue that way.
In some remote parts of the African continent, a female child is used for various evil rites due to the custom and tradition of the natives. Young virgins are used for several forms of rituals and are killed in the process. This is done in the name of purifying the family. Some native families still perform these fetish rites. In the Eastern part of Nigeria, the first male child inherits the fathers properties and decides the future of the female child. Furthermore, the constitution adopted by some countries deny women some basic rights. Women are not allowed to drive, neither are the allowed to vote in some countries.
There is no doubt that gender inequality has many negative effects on family and state as a whole. However, gender equality can be realized globally.
Firstly, the laws enacted in the constitution should be aimed at putting an end to child marriage and sexual harrassment. Giving a female into marriage at a tender age is an impediment to the female child's education. A girl child should be allowed to go to school and study like her male counterpart. As this is going on, she would acquire home management skills which would ripen her for marriage. In addition sexual harrassment and violence against the girl child should be severly punished. Hence a female child would be proud and happy to stand next to the male child without fears of trauma.
Secondly, education should be made insensitive to gender. Education is a process of teaching and learning to improve knowledge generally and not specifically. Therefore a female child should be allowed to take part in the learning process. An illiterate mother cant help her children effectively. However if a girl child is allowed to make use of her right to learn, she can make something good out of herself. Gradually the rate of illiteracy reduces.
Moreover, women should be allowed at the helm of affairs of the nation. There should be increased participation of women in local, regional, national and international legislation. Women should be enabled to partake in the decision making of government. Ideas and innovations coming from both men and women will steer the nation toward positive national growth. Being compassionate in nature, women will establish lots of projects to aid the poor and assist to train the less privileged and the struggling kids to be great in the future.
Gender equality is no doubt a path to global development. There are many benefits to be derived ranging from economic to social and health wise. More countries should aim to achieve gender equality to a high percentage. A woman was born to be a companion to man not a slave of man.
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