What is GENDER EQUALITY?

When it comes to gender equality, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Possibly it is something related to gender inequality and this is because this term only exists for lack of it. To clarify this concept, in this Psychology-Online article we reflect together on what is gender equality, with practical examples and arguments to develop the topic under discussion.

Index

1. What is gender equality?
2. Examples of gender equality
3. Gender equality and intersectionality
4. Gender equality
5. Factors to enable gender equality
6. Gender equality symbol

Gender equality is the idea that all people, whether they identify as women or men, have the same opportunities and conditions for development. Your goal is no longer live in a logic of male domination that characterizes, until today, many relationships between genders in different spheres. It is still a concept that, in most cases, when used is in a context

That is, although the law establishes it and a large part of society considers that it is normal, gender equality does not is present in reality, since we boys and girls are conditioned to think about the differences between the sexes and their gender roles .

Why is gender equality important?

Even if a man and a woman have the same opportunities throughout their lives, it is quite possible that because of their sex, they will be treated differently. One of the examples of gender equality today is that, despite similar trajectories, structural factors do not allow the same job opportunities.

This is because despite the awareness of the need for gender equality in the spheres and its supposed incorporation in many spheres, we continue to live in a patriarchal system Y heteronormative in which, for example, despite the fact that women and men receive the same salary in many companies, it is they who finish using a larger share of spending on cosmetics or beauty salons, for example, because the patriarchal system, structurally, suggests this.

Another example of gender equality is the time management. Although they both work the same number of hours per week, in many households, women spend more time caring for the home and people. Therefore, women end up having less time available to study, rest or carry out other activities.

What is it like to be a feminist today? It is much easier to understand what gender equality is by looking at some examples and data on gender inequality. This information can even be used as arguments for gender equality in a debate. Some examples of gender equality are:

• Men and women win the same salary, But women end up spending more on products and services related to imposed aesthetic standards.
• Women have the same study opportunities, but they end up spending more time than men taking care of the house and people and this affects their study time.
• There are the same Job opportunities, but the race is stopped for 6 months due to maternity leave, while men do not have major disruptions and the result is a faster corporate promotion, filling the positions of leadership.

According to him world ranking of gender equality Posted by the World Economic Forum 2020 ^[1], the possible data and arguments for gender equality in a debate are:

• Only 25% of parliamentary seats are held by women worldwide
• Only 21% of women hold ministerial positions.
• Only 55% of women between the ages of 15 and 64 are in the labor market, while 78% of men of the same age are.

Gender equality has been analyzed from many perspectives. Next, we will look at some of the most common perspectives.

Intersectional feminism

Gender equality can and should always be analyzed under intersectional perspectives that go beyond the thought of 'man against woman', but consider the different conditions of that being as men and women who have different trajectories, realities and privileges.

Compare a middle-class cis white woman with a racialized man in poverty, for For example, it is not the same as comparing a man and a woman who live in the same conditions of race and class. So thinking more equitably about gender equality is always think plural: women and men. In this article, you will find more information about the intersectional feminism: what it is, types, books and examples.

Also, one of the important precautions when thinking about gender equality is consider gender fluidity and not reduce the thought only the binary identity. A lesbian transsexual woman, for example, despite being born biologically male, can suffer as much, if not more, than a cis woman. Here you will find more information about the gender non-binary.

Liberal feminism

Liberal feminism is a feminist line of thought that believes that we already live in a post-patriarchal society in which men and women have equal opportunities. However, in many societies, the reality reflected does not coincide with existing rights. Which shows that true gender equality goes beyond offering the same opportunities. That is, it also requires a structural change and way of thinking.

Otherwise, with current policies, gender equality translated into numbers will only really be seen many years from now. One way to accelerate this situation, according to intersectional feminist thinking, is think about gender equity before gender equality. That is, before thinking about equality, we must think about equity.

In addition to those mentioned, there are currently other types of feminism. Find out what the types of feminism that exist today.

According to the global ranking of gender equality published by the World Economic Forum in 2020, ^[1] at the pace of the steps we have taken around the world, true gender parity could only be achieved in 99 years. Fortunately, think about gender equity it is a way of achieving equality.

Gender equity exists as fair opportunity awareness for women considering structural, social and historical factors that go beyond existing laws. For gender equity to work, it is necessary to consider current differences in the treatment of each sex and commit to change. The image we show below is one of the best examples today that illustrates the concept of gender equality:

As we can see, gender equality is a broad concept and not a strategy or reality. The reality is gender inequality and the strategy to combat it is equity. The way to accelerate the achievement of gender equality, therefore, is to consider:

• Gender equality.
• Respect.
• Freedom to make decisions.
• Balance of powers.
• Awareness of gender, race and class.
• Understanding that men can and should be allies in the gender equality project through listening and equity.

In accordance with the goals to transform our world published by the UN ^[4], the path to gender equality consists in:

1. End all forms of discrimination.
2. Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres.
3. Extinguish all harmful practices, such as premature, forced and child marriages and female genital mutilation.
4. Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work.
5. Guarantee the full and effective participation of women and equal leadership opportunities at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
6. Guarantee universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
7. Carry out reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control of land.
8. Increase the use of basic technologies, in particular information and communication technologies, to promote the empowerment of women.
9. Adopt and strengthen sound policies and applicable legislation to promote gender equality and empower all women and girls at all levels.

The universally known symbol of gender equality:

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Gender equality: what is it with examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Intimate partner violence.

1. WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. Watch out for the 100-year gap. Available in:. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
2. FERRARI, Marilia, Lola. BRUNO, Maria Martha. GENDER AND NUMBER. Available in:. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
3. IBGE, Directorate of Research, Coordination of Population and Social Indicators.

• ALVES, José Eustáquio Diniz; CORRÊA, Sônia. Gender equality and inequality in Brazil: a preliminary overview, 15 years after Cairo. Books, p. 121-223, 2015.
• WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM. Watch out for the 100-year gap. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
• BALLE, Anna Vial. Psychology online. That is the type of liquid and how to know if I am.
• GENDER AND NUMBER. Observatório Brasil 50-50. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
• HOLANDA, Heloisa Buarque de. Brazilian feminist thought: formation and context. First reprint. Rio de Janeiro: Bazar do Tempo, 2019. 400p.