Sunday, 29 January 2017

Gender Equality by Riya Koundinya

Gender Equality

Gender Equality. When we think about it, we mostly think of women. Why?? Let me tell

you. This is because men usually have the upper hand or advantages on most

situations. In most of the countries the thousand of gender norms that we humans have

created, result in huge disadvantages for women. Personally i believe that there is a

distinct reason that we have two genders. Each one of them meant to perform different

tasks. But, that does not mean that they are treated differently and mistreated,

especially women. I think that gender equality should be attained worldwide and women

should start being treated and respected the same way that men are.

In many of the rural places, women are treated extremely unfair. They are beaten up,

made to stay at home, look after children, and they can never reach their potential and

what they are meant to do. This is extremely unfair. In Iraq, more than 1 million women

have been taken away from their homes and many more are unable to even buy or pay

for their food. In Pakistan, women are gang raped, and most of the girls are married

before they are 18, not given a proper education. Why?. we will never know. 90% of

women in Pakistan are domestically violated. This is just one of the few things that

happen. What i fail to understand is why the men don’t go through any of this, apart

from the fact that most of the things that women go through ( the rapes, domestic

violence, mistreated, etc) are all caused by the men.

Every year almost 62 million girls are denied an education. Imagine if we give all of

those girls an education, what a difference the world would face. Most of the girls that

are mistreated, don’t have proper education, are married before 18, and have children

at a very young age. Most of them die due to childbirth. Maternal mortality is the

leading cause of death in low-income countries. It is also said that women are 55%

more likely to be HIV positive if they have experienced intimate partner violence.

Another thing is that children learn at a very young age about the distinct expectations

for boys and girls, and they learn how they are different.

Most parents buy their boys trucks, cars, sports equipment and the girls? Well, we are

usually bought dolls, barbie’s, kitchen sets, princesses. It is said that the family is the

most influential during them learning the differences between genders.

If you have ever noticed, during baby showers, and birth clothes, the boys things will be

blue, and the girls color is usually pink. And during the young ages if a boy likes pink it

is considered like a sin. That’s all because of the norms that society has created.

A statement that is said very often is “ boys will be boys”, this is usually said in relation

to when a boy misbehaves, become a bit aggressive, and so on. Although, when a girl

does it, it isn't expected because we girls are mostly taigh to be elegant, behaved,

grounded, full of manners etc. Why? Again, it’s the norms and traditions that society has

created.

A lot of people will disagree by saying that kids choose what they want to play with, and

that things have changed, but this is what i think and i personally feel that although

things have gotten better, it could improve more.

Society, Culture, Tradition. All play a major role in Gender Equality. Society has set

norms that each gender must follow, traditions have made rules against what each must

do and they have to be followed. Certain cultures have also set up restrictions and rules

that must be followed. Most of these norms lead to disadvantages to the girls, such as

not being able to go school so that the girl can learn the way if the house, or learning to

cook instead of going to school. Or having to be at home a certain home because it’s

dark or other stupid things, but on the other hand the boys are given more freedom.

Why, again the same reasons.

Many people will again disagree by saying that it’s for safety reasons and because there

is a time for everything, and again I personally don’t find it fair,

Even today, men typically occupy positions of power within the job economy. Also

experiments have shown us that women earn about 10-30% less than men do just

because they are women. Although there are times when women do more efficient and

more work than a man does. Again all due to the norms.

I hope that one day these norms will be broken and we will live in a world where both

girls and boys are treated the same way and especially women are finally treated with

respect and aren't mistreated. I certainly hope that after reading this essay you join me

along with millions of other in trying to attain gender equality worldwide.

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