We explain what gender equality is, its objectives and why it is important. Also, examples in the world and in Mexico.
What is gender equality?
Gender equality refers to the dignity and rights that all people possess. This term refers to the right that men and women have to receive fair treatment, beyond gender, and to the fight to guarantee everyone's access to opportunities in the social, economic, political and domestic spheres.
The word gender encompasses several definitions that are related to each other. Gender is a state of mind in which a person self-determines as a man or a woman. Gender equality also reaches the non-binary gender, made up of those people who do not self-determine as men or women.
The great difference between genders in relation to decision-making or power causes social and political weakness. Currently, it seeks to implement in society greater gender equality towards women since it is the most discriminated gender.
The movement that vindicates women's rights emerged from the 70s when they began to demand gender equality that would equate women's access to health, education and political participation to that which only men had at that time.
In 1995, the World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, in which several international agencies and governmental and non-governmental institutions promoted the use of strategies to raise awareness in society about gender inequalities, regulated at the local and international level.
See also: Machismo
Why is gender equality important?
Gender equality is a human right. All people have rights and duties simply by virtue of being a person. Guarantee the rights of people of all genders It is essential for the construction of just societies and equitable.
The development of strategies for the promotion of gender equality seeks to ensure that all people have the opportunity to access the different spaces, goods and services they request.
Women do not always enjoy the same rights as men due to structural differences and the unequal distribution of power. Men and women must have equal participation in decision making, in access to education and a professional life. To reduce differences in the political, social and economic system, everyone must be able to express their ideas, priorities and opinions.
Inequalities in the treatment of people based on gender cause situations of violence, abuse and mistreatment, generating an individual and social imbalance. Societies and communities must develop different strategies that provide equal opportunities, both to men and women, to be active characters in the community, with equal access to resources, management and decision making.
To achieve balance and correct development in society, it is essential that the contribution of all people of any gender be respected, fulfilling the role of citizens, social individuals and generators of resources.
Examples of gender equality
- Access to politics. Both men and women have equal rights to hold public office. However, the political sphere is one of the scenarios in which the fight for gender equality must be addressed. The number of female leaders in political positions (presidencies, chambers of deputies, senators, judges, mayors and governors) around the world is much lower than that of men. This generates a lack of plurality and gender discrimination. It is important to promote women's participation in political life to tip the balance towards gender equality.
- Access to education. Receiving education is one of the fundamental human rights. There should be no discrimination based on gender, race, or culture to access it. There are still many countries in the world where access to education is not yet guaranteed.
- Access to work. All people have the right to access the same job opportunities regardless of gender. However, there is still a wage gap and differences in access to management positions between men and women. Gender equality fights to ensure that women have the same rights as men in the workplace.
- Fight against violence. Violence is one of the greatest violations of human rights, both for men and women. Violence against the female gender is one of the biggest social problems that women face.
Gender equity and gender equality
Although the concepts of equity and equality are often used synonymously, there is a difference between the two. On the one hand, Gender equality refers to giving equal treatment to all people regardless of their gender, since everyone has fundamental human rights.
On the other hand, gender equity seeks to consider, when appropriate, differences between genders to give each one what belongs to him. This implies access to certain rights or responsibilities.
Equity focuses on the idea of justice. For example: gender equality is giving women maternity leave in accordance with the implications of the pregnancy process.
Gender equality seeks to put into practice the theory that exposes gender equality. Gender equality leads the fight for the insertion of changes in different social spheres regarding the role of people.
Gender equality in Mexico
As in many other countries in Latin America and the world, in Mexico gender equality in the social, political and economic spheres is an outstanding debt. However, in recent decades There have been a series of reforms and advances in pursuit of the rights of Mexican women.
The National Women's Institute (federal government entity) works to comply with policies regarding gender equality. This organization seeks to raise awareness in the population and accompany the development of all stages of the lives of women and girls to achieve equitable participation in the political, cultural, economic and social life of the country.
One of the problems most fought against in Mexico is the eradication of violence against women. Gender violence against women (physical or psychological) is one of the most important aspects to resolve in defense of women.
Continue with: Feminist movement
References
- “Gender equality” at UNESCO.
- “Concept of gender equality” in the Library of the National Congress of Chile.
- Gender equality or equity? in Millennium.
- “Difference between gender equality and equity” on Wikipedia.
- “Gender equity” in the Ministry of Economy of Mexico.
- “Gender equity in Mexico” in El Economista.
- “Inmujeres” in the Government of Mexico.
- “The UN in action for gender equality in Mexico” in UN.
