The world we live in is far away from the world we desire. Inspite of living in the 21st century- and in our so called modern societies – in terms of gender equality we still lagging behind.
The idea of gender equality applies to both men and women. As Emma Watson once said – Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong.
It is high time we as a society – stop putting down boundaries as to what a girl should do and how a boy must behave.
Every year on 11 October, the International Day of the Girl, UNICEF launches an annual campaign with girls to amplify their voices and stand up for their rights. This year the theme is, “My voice, our equal future”. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights.
While it is true that gender inequality affects boys and girls – a greater extent of the negative impacts are visible on girls.
The challenges which girls face on a day to day basis is heartbreaking. For instance, in rural places girls are not even allowed to go to school.
Young girls are forced to stop going to school once their menstruation starts due to the lack of sanitary products. Infact, in certain cultures girls have to live in a separate house during their menstruation.
According to a study published by UNICEF – Worldwide, nearly 1 in 4 girls aged 15–19 years is neither employed nor in education or training compared to 1 in 10 boys of the same age. By 2021 around 435 million women and girls will be living on less than $1.90 a day — including 47 million pushed into poverty as a result of COVID-19.
A lot of people still believe that girls must not do a job. Why are we as a society sitting in the comfort of our homes without trying to solve this issue together. Unless we educate and make our girls financially independent, how will we progress.
Further it is a common stereotype, that women are better at creative arts but are not good with sports. I would like to bring light to the fact – that girls can be good in whichever field they choose. Simply dissuading them from following their passion is something which needs to be changed.
As a community, our aim should be to create a society in which both boys and girls can choose their profession based on their passion, abilities, talents and skills.
According to a study published by United Nations for women – At least 144 countries have passed laws on domestic violence, and 154 have laws on sexual harassment.
However,, even when laws exist, this does not mean they are always compliant with international standards and recommendations or implemented.
Simply making laws to curb the violence isn’t enough. These laws need to be strictly implemented at an international level.
Another challenge which girls all over the world tackle, is a gender based wage gap.
The gender wage gap refers to the difference in earnings between women and men. Despite having high educational degrees, experience and skills – women all over the world are paid only 82 cents for every $1 a man makes.
This statistic is alarming and it is up to us to put an end to it. This is a message calling out to all managers and workplace heads to ensure that the total pay for women and men is based on degrees and credibility of their work instead of merely gender.
Let each one of us take this responsibility to make this world a better place for girls.
If we want to see a positive change, if we want to see a world with equal opportunities, if we decide today that we will be a part of the legacy in the years to come – Let Us Pledge to Ourselves to celebrate the girl child every day, to give her dreams wings and to provide her with the best resources to achieve her dreams.
It is time you use your voice for the world ‘s equality.