Gender equality still remains a myth

The idea of equality between men and women mooted through securing voting rights denied to women was one of many reform movements like the anti-slavery movement, temperance movement and moral reformation movements that began before the civil war in America.

After a prolonged struggle victory crowned women on August 26th, 1920 when through the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution they finally secured voting rights that made them part of the democratic process as citizens on the same footing as their male counter parts.

Official celebration of 26th August as women’s equality day came 51 years later in 1971 making it one of the “many days” in the country’s history that need commemoration and celebration. However over time ‘Women’s equality day’ began to imply more than just nostalgia about the right to vote.

It spread to demands of equality in education, employment and other fields making the case for a level playing field for women in every sphere of activity. Like all other special days, this day finds echo in other parts of the world and one wonders whether women’s equality 98 years later is myth or reality?

Equality remains a myth because there are just 25.4 percent women in state legislature and 20 percent in the US Congress even as women’s organisations have been crying hoarse that they need to have women running for every office in the country. This representation is reflected more or less elsewhere in the world too.

It is worthwhile in this context to note the observations on gender gap tabled by an exhaustive report on this issue at the World Economic Forum Summit in 2017. Four key areas of health, education, economy and politics in the report have Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the Forum spell out the fact that future economies that are dynamic and inclusive require a world where both men and women have equal opportunities. “When women and girls are not integrated as- both beneficiary and shaper- the global community loses out on skills, ideas and perspectives that are critical for addressing global challenges and new opportunities” he says.

The report pegs the gender gap with regard to economic opportunity as one that will take 217 years to fill, a daunting time frame indeed. This startling revelation is based on ground reality where women despite making undeniable advances in education, employment, sports and politics remain under-represented in politics as well as business earning unequal wages for the same work in the employment sector, the world over.

The fundamental reason for existing gender inequalities is the exclusion of women from global and national decision making with programmes and policies failing to take their needs into consideration. 

One of the realities that need to be addressed is the backlash one sees when women enter spaces that were once completely’ male dominated’, visible in the form of sexual harassment, violence and different forms of humiliation both at home and the work place. Increasing awareness, thanks to a world connected through technology and social media provide a platform to highlight   issues that took years to gain momentum in the past.

Women’s voices are now ringing out loud and clear. Going beyond statistics and comparisons of narrowing gender gaps, women have gained the strength to challenge gender prejudices and claim their place under the sun.’ Women’s equality day’, is truly an occasion to reinforce faith in realising an equal world and making it aware one more time that “women’s rights are human rights”.

By Aruna Ravikumar