Why Gender Equality Is Important: A Complete Guide
There are so many topics that are worthy of debate, but this isn’t one of them. Women deserve equality; it is a human right. They should have equal access and opportunity to jobs, experiences, and freedoms as men do.
Sadly, women across both the country and the globe do not always enjoy equal freedoms. Whether it’s due to discrimination, unconscious bias, or societal expectations of gender roles, many women have had to fight to earn their spot in positions traditionally held by men.
We have a long way to go in reaching true gender equality. So, where do we start? In this article, we’re going to outline why gender equality is so important and some steps we can all take to achieve it within, if not ours, then in our children’s lifetimes.
What Does Gender Equality Really Mean?
Let’s start with the basics.
Gender equality means the condition of equality, regardless of an individual’s gender. Traditionally, this term was focused on the liberation of women from discrimination, but as we develop our understandings of gender, it can and should also include those that identify as non-binary, transgender, and genderqueer.
As a term, gender equality became more prevalent in the 1960s, as women’s liberation groups marched for fair treatment and equal opportunity. In 1971, the Equal Rights Amendment was introduced to Congress as a means of ensuring women’s rights, in a similar vein as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While the amendment was passed by congress, not enough states ratified it, meaning that the ERA is still not an official part of the constitution.
We’ll say that again. To date, there is no constitutional statement that supports women’s equality.
Recently, a few states have ratified the ERA, even though the deadline to do so passed in the late 20th century. The future of the amendment remains uncertain, but there can be no doubt of its value and the inherent worth of this platform.
At least 50% of the population aren’t men. We need the constitutional language that defends these citizens and ensures them equal access to their rights and freedoms.
Why Is Gender Equality So Important?
Sometimes talking about gender equality can feel counterintuitive. If everyone is supposed to be equal, why do we insist on pointing out our differences? It’s a complicated question. It is one that is very much informed by the moment we find ourselves in.
In the same way that we can rarely be “color blind” about people’s race and skin tones, we can rarely be blind to people’s presented genders. Our understanding of someone as a man, woman, or any other gender informs how we treat them. This happens on the subconscious level, regardless of whether or not we consider ourselves as having any form of bias.
Because that’s the case, it’s important to bring gender inequalities to the surface. It’s easier to deal with the problem when we can talk about it frankly and openly.
In so far as we want everyone to feel valued, respected, and treated like a human being, gender equality is an important subject for all of us to consider.
We’ll break that subject a little further in the next few sections.
Representation Matters
Seeing someone who looks like you or comes from a similar background achieving something opens a door for your brain. With an example of women's empowerment, you can start to imagine what it would be like for you to achieve those same, or even greater, things.
This is why representation matters.
That’s not to say that you couldn’t be the first of your gender, race, or age group to achieve anything. It’s just to say that it’s a lot easier when someone else has done it before, both for your own psyche and for the world around you.
In the business world, for every 100 men in leadership positions, there are 37 women in leadership positions. The sooner we set about equalizing the power dynamic and gender gap in organizations, the sooner we can achieve true equality and open the door to a new generation.
Intersectionality Matters
We can’t think about gender in a vacuum. It’s true that most women face some obstacles in the workplace and in other areas of their lives, but that is even more true for women of color.
According to McKinsey, the leadership problem is even more prevalent for Black women. They make up only 4% of the c-suite positions in the country and face lower wages.
What’s more, Black women and women of color often have to deal with microaggressions. These statements subtly but hurtfully underscore the idea that they’re not supposed to be there or that they have to work extra hard to earn their spot.
The same study reveals that 40 percent of Black women and 30 percent of Asian women say they need to work harder than their peers to remove barriers and prove their competence.
Gender equality and race equality must fight hand in hand.
Diversity Matters in the Empowerment of Women
As we mentioned, gender equality is important because it opens doors and provides examples for the next generation. That, in and of itself, makes it a worthy cause.
But in case you needed another reason, there’s also the fact that a more diverse workforce is also better for business.
Another study conducted by McKinsey observed that companies with the most gender diversity are 25% more likely to experience above-average profitability than those with the least gender diversity. Companies with more ethnic and culturally diverse employees? 35% more likely to see such economic growth and prosperity.
Diversity is not just a moral principle. It’s also good business.
What Can You Do To Support Gender Equality?
By now, we hope you’re excited to help support gender equality within your organization and community. Providing support and safety to all people is a well-intentioned cause that we think everyone can get behind.
So that said, let’s discuss ways we all can pitch in to fight our local and global gender gap.
Start At Home: Statistics from the United Nations
It might feel like gender equality is most relevant in the workplace, but the home is also an important place to examine gendered expectations.
Women take on three times more domestic work than men. As anyone who’s ever cooked dinner for an entire family will tell you: Domestic care is not simply a chore. It’s work, and it’s unpaid work at that.
Set an example in your home that everyone needs to contribute to unpaid care and domestic work. Someone’s gender does not imply certain household responsibilities, including childcare. Picking up the slack is a great way to reset those unconscious biases.
Additionally, encourage education. An educated girl and woman is powerful. When women go through primary education and secondary education, maternal mortality goes down along with poverty and hunger.
The United Nations specifically includes women in their 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to the power of women to positively influence public health and their local economies.
Vote For Women
Women, non-binary, and transgender people make up a shockingly small percentage of government positions. According to UN Women, globally, women represent only 25% of national parliamentary positions and just 7% of world leaders.
The first step in addressing this unequal share is to vote for politicians who represent different gender groups. We’re not saying you should vote for someone just because of their gender. That identifying trait does not mean they hold certain opinions.
Seek out politicians who align with your views and vote for a more diverse and equal government. Examine their stances on women's health, poverty, the gender pay gap, and more.
These social movements can and should absolutely happen on a national scale, but don’t forget to vote in local elections. Any declaration from elections will impact your day-to-day life more than larger elections.
Support Women’s Voices: Everyday Is International Women's Day
You know the phrase, “If you see something, say something?” Well, that’s an important one when it comes to gender bias and inequality. Too often, people’s reports of gender-based forms of discrimination are swept under the rug.
But if there’s one thing we learned from movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo, it’s that when we band together to point out injustice, the voices of many cannot be ignored.
Be an advocate for women in your organization, company, and community. If you notice microaggressions, prejudiced decision-making, or harassment happening, don’t stand idly by. Report it, share your resources, and make sure that equality is the law of the land.
We know it can be hard to put yourself out there in tense situations, but airing on the side of empathy will always win out.
Get Men Involved
We can’t expect women, non-binary, and transgender people to solve the issue of gender inequality. It’s on all of us to use our talents to create a more fair and equal world.
An important action to take is talking to young boys about their understanding of gender and bias. Toxic masculinity can be just as much a problem for boys as it is for girls.
Introduce positive masculinity: talk about positive role models, encourage going against the grain when it comes to gendered bullying, and break down gender stereotypes. These are important ways to help kids shape and mold the type of adult they grow into.
Men have to be a part of that conversation for it to be most effective.
Last Thoughts on Gender Equality
At the end of the day, gender equality comes down to a simple question. Do you believe everyone has the right to equal opportunity, protection in the law, and personal autonomy?
There’s really only one answer there. An unequivocal yes.
If you agree, join the fight to establish true gender equality in every corner of the country, including and most especially, for people of color, indigenous people, and Black people. If you believe in life, liberty, and justice for all, then it’s about time we get to the “all” part.
Sources:
Gender Equality | Britannica
Twelve Small Actions With Big Impact For Generation Equality | UN Women