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GP Model Essays “We can never close the gender divide.” Do you agree?

“We can never close the gender divide.” Do you agree? 

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GP Essay Question: Model Essay

As the COVID-19 pandemic pushes on and persists to affect lives and livelihoods around the world, we are witnessing a tide of economic fallout, which has a regressive effect on gender equality. According to Mckinsey Research, women’s jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable in this crisis compared to men’s jobs and It is predicted that women make up 39 percent of global employment, will account for 54 percent of overall job losses. Some put forth the view that we can never close the gender divide due to such economic realities, legislative barriers and sexist mindsets that pervades in our society today, creating an irreconcilable chasm between males and females. This has led some to believe that the gender divide is insurmountable. However, it is my conviction that while closing the gender divide will be difficult, it is not out of the question, mainly attributed to changing attitudes in legislature and shifts in societal mindsets towards women. Ergo, it will be difficult, but closing the gender divide is indeed possible.

Some espouse the opinion that it is not possible to close the gender divide largely due to the existence of legislative barriers that institutionalise gender discrimination and perpetuate gender inequality. In Singapore, for instance, although the Government has taken steps in the recent years to educate and incentivise employers to be fair and to promote flexible work arrangements so that, yet there is still an absence of legislation that clearly lays out employer duties and responsibilities, this results in many companies being able to get away with little more than superficial commitments to be more inclusive. The situation is even more bleak in less developed countries like India. In the recent years, the numerous cases of rape across the country once again exposed the failures of the criminal justice system. Nearly six years after the government amended laws and put in place new guidelines aimed at justice for survivors of rape and sexual violence, yet girls and women continue to face barriers to reporting such crimes. Victim-blaming is also rampant, and the lack of witness and victim protection laws make girls and women from marginalized communities even more vulnerable to harassment and threats. Across the spectrum, from developing to more developed countries, what persists is a disturbing observation that legislation either explicitly hurts women and promotes sexism, or it condones behaviours that hurt women and promote sexism. It remains a deeply painful and saddening reality that the patriarchy continues to be entrenched in legislature, and ingrained in societal institutions, leading some to think that it is a futile quest and that we can never close the gender divide. In view of all these challenges, it does seem like an uphill task when it comes to closing the gender divide. But to say that it is an impossible dream would be too fatalistic. I strongly stand by the view that closing the gender divide is not completely impossible- there is definitely more than a glimmer of hope. First and foremost, there have been changing attitudes in legislature that have led to tremendous progress for women’s rights on paper. Right here in Singapore, the government has just announced that they will embark on a review of women’s issues showing a strong committed step towards greater gender equality. In the pipeline are a series of engagements termed as “Conversations on Women Development” scheduled to take place between the public and private sectors, as well as non-governmental organisations, with the objective of identifying and tackling issues concerning women in Singapore.   These will culminate in a White Paper to be issued by the Government in the first half of 2021.

Across the globe, in terms of the right to political representation, the presence of women   has been growing- in the upcoming US Presidential elections, Kamala Harris’s nomination as the Vice President for the democratic party is a milestone. She is the first woman and the first person of colour to serve as vice president.   In Canada, Justin Trudeau made half the ministers in his cabinet women. Similarly, in Singapore, other than having a first female president, the recent election 29 per cent of the 93 seats for elected Members of Parliament (MPs), 27 – or elected seats – went to women, compared to 21 out of 89 seats after the 2015 polls. Even in countries without a female head of government, changes in legislature have indeed been growing to ameliorate gender inequality and boost the rights of women. Japan has adopted new legislation to promote women’s political participation by urging political parties to make the number of male and female candidates as equal as possible and set targets for gender parity. Notoriously patriarchal countries like Afghanistan had a record of 417 female candidates that participated in the October parliamentary elections in 2018. These are all concrete evidence that legislature has been changing to increase rights for women and enact gender parity, closing the gender divide. With more female representation in politics and in view of these steps towards women representation, it is still very much possible for us to close the gender divide in the near future.  

In addition to this, it is definitely possible to close the gender divide because there has also been shifting societal attitudes towards women. At a societal level, the #MeToo movement directed unprecedented attention to the historic injustices and inequalities experienced by women, specifically those related to sexual harassment in the workplace. Led by grassroots activists, this movement gained traction across Asia, opening space for countless stories of harassment and new opportunities to hold perpetrators to account. Even countries that have been traditionally patriarchal in nature like South Korea is making headways in gender equality. Enterprising Korean women are increasingly visible in a traditionally male dominated country like South Korea. More young women are earning university degrees than men. More than 70% of women between 25 and 34 are active in the workforce. Young women are far more vocal than previous generations in challenging the conservative social mores that hold them back. For instance, two female Youtube Influencers Jung Se-young and Baeck Hana, are part of a wave of feminist activism that has swept South Korea. These ladies have cut their hair, thrown away their make-up and sworn off relationships with men. With the advent of social media, the influence of feminism is increasing spreading across social media platforms and society is waking up to the fact that young digital natives no longer want these conservative traditions, and women are free to reject them. Thus, it is highly possible that due to shifting societal attitudes that promote gender equality, the gender divide will be definitely be closed.  

All in all, although the path towards gender equality may seem frustratingly slow. But the fact that inequality is now being openly discussed is progress in itself. In these recent years, societies and government worldwide have been placing gender equality issues on their agenda. With this growing trend towards more rights for women on paper, coupled with the shifting societal mindsets, it is completely possible that our generations will be able to close the gender in our lifetime. The journey towards gender equality may be winding. There is no silver bullet and admittedly there is a lot to do in the field of equality, but nothing is impossible. We must and can continue to fight and narrow the gender divide.  

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5 Powerful Essays Advocating for Gender Equality

Gender equality – which becomes reality when all genders are treated fairly and allowed equal opportunities –  is a complicated human rights issue for every country in the world. Recent statistics are sobering. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 108 years to achieve gender parity . The biggest gaps are found in political empowerment and economics. Also, there are currently just six countries that give women and men equal legal work rights. Generally, women are only given ¾ of the rights given to men. To learn more about how gender equality is measured, how it affects both women and men, and what can be done, here are five essays making a fair point.

Take a free course on Gender Equality offered by top universities!

“Countries With Less Gender Equity Have More Women In STEM — Huh?” – Adam Mastroianni and Dakota McCoy

This essay from two Harvard PhD candidates (Mastroianni in psychology and McCoy in biology) takes a closer look at a recent study that showed that in countries with lower gender equity, more women are in STEM. The study’s researchers suggested that this is because women are actually especially interested in STEM fields, and because they are given more choice in Western countries, they go with different careers. Mastroianni and McCoy disagree.

They argue the research actually shows that cultural attitudes and discrimination are impacting women’s interests, and that bias and discrimination is present even in countries with better gender equality. The problem may lie in the Gender Gap Index (GGI), which tracks factors like wage disparity and government representation. To learn why there’s more women in STEM from countries with less gender equality, a more nuanced and complex approach is needed.

“Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality” – Liz Plank

When it comes to discussions about gender equality, it isn’t uncommon for someone in the room to say, “What about the men?” Achieving gender equality has been difficult because of the underlying belief that giving women more rights and freedom somehow takes rights away from men. The reality, however, is that gender equality is good for everyone. In Liz Plank’s essay, which is an adaption from her book For the Love of Men: A Vision for Mindful Masculinity, she explores how in Iceland, the #1 ranked country for gender equality, men live longer. Plank lays out the research for why this is, revealing that men who hold “traditional” ideas about masculinity are more likely to die by suicide and suffer worse health. Anxiety about being the only financial provider plays a big role in this, so in countries where women are allowed education and equal earning power, men don’t shoulder the burden alone.

Liz Plank is an author and award-winning journalist with Vox, where she works as a senior producer and political correspondent. In 2015, Forbes named her one of their “30 Under 30” in the Media category. She’s focused on feminist issues throughout her career.

“China’s #MeToo Moment” –  Jiayang Fan

Some of the most visible examples of gender inequality and discrimination comes from “Me Too” stories. Women are coming forward in huge numbers relating how they’ve been harassed and abused by men who have power over them. Most of the time, established systems protect these men from accountability. In this article from Jiayang Fan, a New Yorker staff writer, we get a look at what’s happening in China.

The essay opens with a story from a PhD student inspired by the United States’ Me Too movement to open up about her experience with an academic adviser. Her story led to more accusations against the adviser, and he was eventually dismissed. This is a rare victory, because as Fan says, China employs a more rigid system of patriarchy and hierarchy. There aren’t clear definitions or laws surrounding sexual harassment. Activists are charting unfamiliar territory, which this essay explores.

“Men built this system. No wonder gender equality remains as far off as ever.” – Ellie Mae O’Hagan

Freelance journalist Ellie Mae O’Hagan (whose book The New Normal is scheduled for a May 2020 release) is discouraged that gender equality is so many years away. She argues that it’s because the global system of power at its core is broken.  Even when women are in power, which is proportionally rare on a global scale, they deal with a system built by the patriarchy. O’Hagan’s essay lays out ideas for how to fix what’s fundamentally flawed, so gender equality can become a reality.

Ideas include investing in welfare; reducing gender-based violence (which is mostly men committing violence against women); and strengthening trade unions and improving work conditions. With a system that’s not designed to put women down, the world can finally achieve gender equality.

“Invisibility of Race in Gender Pay Gap Discussions” – Bonnie Chu

The gender pay gap has been a pressing issue for many years in the United States, but most discussions miss the factor of race. In this concise essay, Senior Contributor Bonnie Chu examines the reality, writing that within the gender pay gap, there’s other gaps when it comes to black, Native American, and Latina women. Asian-American women, on the other hand, are paid 85 cents for every dollar. This data is extremely important and should be present in discussions about the gender pay gap. It reminds us that when it comes to gender equality, there’s other factors at play, like racism.

Bonnie Chu is a gender equality advocate and a Forbes 30 Under 30 social entrepreneur. She’s the founder and CEO of Lensational, which empowers women through photography, and the Managing Director of The Social Investment Consultancy.

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About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

GP Model Essays – Gender Inequality

Are you looking for quality JC H1 General Paper model essays on Gender Inequality ? Have you been searching for good full length and complete samples answers, but cannot find any? We understand, and that’s why we wrote these few complete answers for you, even with meaningful and useable quotes to use. As you start using the following model essay examples for your upcoming Promos exams, or your eventual Cambridge – UCLES  – SEAB GCE ‘A” level examinations (Syllabus: 8807), as to serve the GP theme of Social Issues , Work , Women, Family, etc, question types.

The following are several full length model essay samples for this GP topic of gender inequality, for your perusal. Bookmark this page on your browser, so that you can return to us at AceSpecialistHub.com easily.

Q1: Examine whether “the weaker sex” is an appropriate description of women today?

The weaker sex can be defined as the sex that is less independent, less able to look after themselves and makes less of a contribution to the society than the dominant sex. In the past, men were looked upon as the dominant sex and thus they have always had many advantages over women, especially since traditional beliefs depict women as being weaker. Even today, women are still seen as the weaker sex, in the physical, psychological, economical and political aspects.

Research in biological science has testified that women are born with more fat than muscles. Hence, women are physically less strong than men, with female weightlifters and samsui women being possible exceptions. In a sense, therefore, women lose out to men in jobs that re quire physical strength since they are less capable of doing strenuous work. Moreover, nature has it that women are the ones to give birth, and during the gestation period of nine months, women experience general discomfort and tire easily. This may in turn affect their work performance. In addition, women have to suffer pain during child bearing and they usually have to rest for a few days after child-birth before they are fit enough to work again. Of course, this could mean that women can endure pain much better than men. However, modern women often rely on medicine (painkillers) during child-birth and many prefer to have an operation instead of having the baby delivered naturally, so in actual fact, they do not have to endure much pain. Another aspect of the physical weak ness of women is that, except in Israel, women are not required to do National Service, thus leading people to think that women are physically less strong than men. Female weightlifters have proven that women can be as strong as men through training but few women are willing to give up their feminine image for a muscular body. (Such an area of gender equality is scary…)

Besides being physically weaker than men, women are also psychologically weaker than men. Women are generally more sensitive and softer hearted than men. Hence, they may tend to mix feelings with work. As a result, women may lose out in business as they tend to sympathize with others too much. No doubt, there are women who are skilful in business but they are a minority and most of them are under a glass ceiling at work as they are considered the weaker sex and men are generally unable to accept female superiors. The fact that women give in to their emotions more readily has thus become a perceived setback to women’s careers. Another psychological weakness of women is that they are more prone to depression. Moreover, women have a higher suicide rate than men. Women are better at establishing good relationships with others and this may help in their work but on the whole, women are still the weaker sex in a psychological sense.

Tradition has it that women do not have to work. Even today, this idea is deep-rooted in many people’s minds and therefore fewer women than men work and thus women make a smaller economic contribution to the country and to their families. In the Third World countries, women usually work for more hours than men but despite this fact, they are still seen as the weaker sex as they are paid very little for their work, that is, if they are paid at all. In certain countries such as India, traditional marriage customs have it that the woman’s family has to pay a huge dowry to the husband for the husband to take care of the wife, indicating that the wife is incapable of taking care of herself. In other countries such as European countries, should a marriage end in divorce, the husband is often required to pay alimony to the wife as it is thought that the wife may be unable to survive independently. For centuries, husbands were the breadwinners. Today, even though more women are going out to work, the wives still get allowances from their husbands, who felt that it is their responsibility to provide for their wives, who are the weaker sex. (As of 2021, here are the top 10 female CEOs in the world)

In the past, women were not allowed to participate in politics as they were considered incapable of handling such matters. Even today, far fewer women are active in politics than men. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is one of the few. In Singapore, there is only one female member in the parliament (that has change since. Halimah was sworn in on 14 September 2017 as the 8th President at The Istana.) Much of this situation can be attributed to the sensitive and emotional nature of women which renders them less suitable candidates for politics as they are more prone to mix feelings with work. On the other hand, however, women are more caring and have keener minds which allows them to observe an issue from many different points of view and thus to make better decisions on the best action to take. However, even though women have this advantage, not many women are willing to go into politics and also few people, especially men, are able to accept female leaders. As such, women are the weaker sex. (The fresher examples are Kamala Devi Harris, an American politician and attorney who is the 49th and current vice president of the United States.) (Some examples of political issues in Comprehensions questions here)

In conclusion, women can be seen to be weaker than men in physical, psychological, economic and political aspects. It can also be seen that men have more advantages over women than women have over men and this is further reinforced by traditional attitudes (that women are weaker) which are still deep-rooted in most societies. (This topic on Inequality in Gender is definitely a repeated trends question . Look out for it.)

Q2: Women today are better off than those in the past.’ Discuss.

COMMENTS Weakness:

1. One-sided treatment of the topic. Candidates sim ply agreed with the question without analysing it. They discussed only the positive aspects of the modern women’s life. There was no mention whatsoever of how possibly modern women can be considered worse off than women in the past.

2. Over-generalization. E.g. giving a description of the improvements in the lot of women in an urbanised / developed setting, and generalizing from this that all women today are thus better off.

3. Limited scope of discussion. A number of GP students limited their scope of discussion to Singapore, whether consciously made of the conditions in other countries like China, Japan. No mention was pan-America etc. to add a geographical dimension to their discussion.

4. Wrong focus. There were cases where: (a) the focus was on comparison between men and women (instead of between women in the past and present),

(b) candidates were preoccupied with providing a long discussion on discrimination that still exists against women, without relating it to the question.

5. Lack of clear organization. Skipping back and forth from the past to the present in a very confusing manner, with no overall cohesion.

6. Lack of development of ideas. Some candidates merely listed ideas. This could be due to either lack of time or knowledge.

7. Sweeping and exaggerated remarks. E.g. ‘Society no longer discriminates against women.’ ‘Women in the past did not have to worry about anything except their children and husbands.”

Strengths: 1. The better candidates did present both sides of the picture and cited good examples to support their statements.

2. A few candidates were able to offer critical insights into the situation of women today. They saw the irony of career-women in Singapore employing Filipino/Sri Lankan maids and treating them in the same way their mothers or grandmothers were once treated, i.e. ‘slaves” with a low status, with little or no freedom. Thus these employers seem to have perpetuated the discrimination against women themselves the lot of women in general has therefore not improved.

SUGGESTED APPROACH A. Yes, women today are better off than those in the past in certain areas marriage, education, politics etc. Several movements over the years (suffragette movement, Women’s Liberation Movement) as well as general changes, have brought about improvements in women’s social, political and personal standing in life.

Laws exist to protect their rights..

Chiefly seen in more developed parts of the world.

Specific areas of discussion: E.g.: 1. Marriage.

(a) In developed countries today, women have the freedom: (i) to choose to remain single or to get married, (ii) to choose their own life partner (as against arranged marriages in the past) (iii) to go out to work after marriage (as against being compelled to being a full-time home maker).

(b) Polygamy is out and monogamy in, in most mod ern societies.

(c) The modern woman also enjoys legal rights like the right to file for separation/divorce. Thus she does not have to remain trapped in an unhappy. marriage.

(d) Widows can and do remarry without having to fear the wrath of society.

2. Education, employment and social status. Modern women, in developed countries especially, have the opportunity to be educated up to the tertiary level. They have earning power and are thus financially independent. Their social status is enhanced, especially in the case of those who are successful in climbing up the corporate ladder.

3. A higher standard of living. E.g.: (a) Modern home appliances like the washing ma chine and the dish-washer have made housework easier for the modern housewife in developed countries. She thus can have more time for leisure. (b) Medical advancement has made childbirth safer. Family planning allows the modern woman to determine the size of her family.

4. Politics. (a) Modern women have the right to vote and thus do have a say in how their country is governed. (b) A few women have made history by becoming Prime Minister (e.g. Margaret Thatcher) or President (e.g. Mrs Aquino), Halimah Yacob and Kamala Harris in recent times.

(c) Oxford-educated Aung San Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1991 in recognition of her ef forts in fighting for democracy in her country. Myanmar.

B. Women today may not be better off than women in the past. 1. In developed countries/urbanised societies: e.g. (a) Pressure/stress. The modern working mother leads a stressful life in trying to be a good wife / mother as well as a competent career mother. (b) (i) Discrimination against women still exists today, even in the developed countries. (ii) Stereotyping. E.g. Modern advertisements. that depict women as sex objects / bimbos.

2. In the more backward, conservative/traditional cultures:

Poor quality of life/low social status. e.g. (i) India. Parents still prefer sons to daughters. Arranged marriages are still quite common. Cases of bride-burning by husbands unhappy over dowry payments have often been re ported in the newspapers.

(ii) China. Pregnant women, especially in the rural areas, have been forced to undergo abortion by officers keen to uphold China’s “one-child family’ policy.

Expect more GP model essays for Gender Inequality topic , as this is definitely a Repeated Trends question. (Alternatively, you can read the related pages for family, social issues, children, etc.)

Happy revision!

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• 06 September 2023

Gender equality: the route to a better world

You have full access to this article via your institution.

The Mosuo people of China include sub-communities in which inheritance passes down either the male or the female line. Credit: TPG/Getty

The fight for global gender equality is nowhere close to being won. Take education: in 87 countries, less than half of women and girls complete secondary schooling, according to 2023 data. Afghanistan’s Taliban continues to ban women and girls from secondary schools and universities . Or take reproductive health: abortion rights have been curtailed in 22 US states since the Supreme Court struck down federal protections, depriving women and girls of autonomy and restricting access to sexual and reproductive health care .

SDG 5, whose stated aim is to “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”, is the fifth of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, all of which Nature is examining in a series of editorials. SDG 5 includes targets for ending discrimination and violence against women and girls in both public and private spheres, eradicating child marriage and female genital mutilation, ensuring sexual and reproductive rights, achieving equal representation of women in leadership positions and granting equal rights to economic resources. Globally, the goal is not on track to being achieved, and just a handful of countries have hit all the targets.

How the world should oppose the Taliban’s war on women and girls

In July, the UN introduced two new indices (see go.nature.com/3eus9ue ), the Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) and the Global Gender Parity Index (GGPI). The WEI measures women’s ability and freedoms to make their own choices; the GGPI describes the gap between women and men in areas such as health, education, inclusion and decision making. The indices reveal, depressingly, that even achieving a small gender gap does not automatically translate to high levels of women’s empowerment: 114 countries feature in both indices, but countries that do well on both scores cover fewer than 1% of all girls and women.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made things worse, with women bearing the highest burden of extra unpaid childcare when schools needed to close, and subjected to intensified domestic violence. Although child marriages declined from 21% of all marriages in 2016 to 19% in 2022, the pandemic threatened even this incremental progress, pushing up to 10 million more girls into risk of child marriage over the next decade, in addition to the 100 million girls who were at risk before the pandemic.

Of the 14 indicators for SDG 5, only one or two are close to being met by the 2030 deadline. As of 1 January 2023, women occupied 35.4% of seats in local-government assemblies, an increase from 33.9% in 2020 (the target is gender parity by 2030). In 115 countries for which data were available, around three-quarters, on average, of the necessary laws guaranteeing full and equal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights had been enacted. But the UN estimates that worldwide, only 57% of women who are married or in a union make their own decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Systemic discrimination against girls and women by men, in many contexts, remains a colossal barrier to achieving gender equality. But patriarchy is not some “natural order of things” , argues Ruth Mace, an anthropologist at University College London. Hundreds of women-centred societies exist around the world. As the science writer Angela Saini describes in her latest book, The Patriarchs , these are often not the polar opposite of male-dominated systems, but societies in which men and women share decision making .

After Roe v. Wade: dwindling US abortion access is harming health a year later

One example comes from the Mosuo people in China, who have both ‘matrilineal’ and ‘patrilineal’ communities, with rights such as inheritance passing down either the male or female line. Researchers compared outcomes for inflammation and hypertension in men and women in these communities, and found that women in matrilineal societies, in which they have greater autonomy and control over resources, experienced better health outcomes. The researchers found no significant negative effect of matriliny on health outcomes for men ( A.  Z. Reynolds et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 117 , 30324–30327; 2020 ).

When it comes to the SDGs, evidence is emerging that a more gender-equal approach to politics and power benefits many goals. In a study published in May, Nobue Amanuma, deputy director of the Integrated Sustainability Centre at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies in Hayama, Japan, and two of her colleagues tested whether countries with more women legislators, and more younger legislators, are performing better in the SDGs ( N. Amanuma et al. Environ. Res. Lett. 18 , 054018; 2023 ). They found it was so, with the effect more marked for socio-economic goals such as ending poverty and hunger, than for environmental ones such as climate action or preserving life on land. The researchers recommend further qualitative and quantitative studies to better understand the reasons.

The reality that gender equality leads to better outcomes across other SDGs is not factored, however, into most of the goals themselves. Of the 230 unique indicators of the SDGs, 51 explicitly reference women, girls, gender or sex, including the 14 indicators in SDG 5. But there is not enough collaboration between organizations responsible for the different SDGs to ensure that sex and gender are taken into account. The indicator for the sanitation target (SDG 6) does not include data disaggregated by sex or gender ( Nature 620 , 7; 2023 ). Unless we have this knowledge, it will be hard to track improvements in this and other SDGs.

The road to a gender-equal world is long, and women’s power and freedom to make choices is still very constrained. But the evidence from science is getting stronger: distributing power between genders creates the kind of world we all need and want to be living in.

Nature 621 , 8 (2023)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-02745-9

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What does gender equality look like today?

Date: Wednesday, 6 October 2021

Progress towards gender equality is looking bleak. But it doesn’t need to.

A new global analysis of progress on gender equality and women’s rights shows women and girls remain disproportionately affected by the socioeconomic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling with disproportionately high job and livelihood losses, education disruptions and increased burdens of unpaid care work. Women’s health services, poorly funded even before the pandemic, faced major disruptions, undermining women’s sexual and reproductive health. And despite women’s central role in responding to COVID-19, including as front-line health workers, they are still largely bypassed for leadership positions they deserve.

UN Women’s latest report, together with UN DESA, Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2021 presents the latest data on gender equality across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The report highlights the progress made since 2015 but also the continued alarm over the COVID-19 pandemic, its immediate effect on women’s well-being and the threat it poses to future generations.

We’re breaking down some of the findings from the report, and calling for the action needed to accelerate progress.

The pandemic is making matters worse

One and a half years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, the toll on the poorest and most vulnerable people remains devastating and disproportionate. The combined impact of conflict, extreme weather events and COVID-19 has deprived women and girls of even basic needs such as food security. Without urgent action to stem rising poverty, hunger and inequality, especially in countries affected by conflict and other acute forms of crisis, millions will continue to suffer.

A global goal by global goal reality check:

Goal 1. Poverty

In 2021, extreme poverty is on the rise and progress towards its elimination has reversed. An estimated 435 million women and girls globally are living in extreme poverty.

And yet we can change this .

Over 150 million women and girls could emerge from poverty by 2030 if governments implement a comprehensive strategy to improve access to education and family planning, achieve equal wages and extend social transfers.

Goal 2. Zero hunger

The global gender gap in food security has risen dramatically during the pandemic, with more women and girls going hungry. Women’s food insecurity levels were 10 per cent higher than men’s in 2020, compared with 6 per cent higher in 2019.

This trend can be reversed , including by supporting women small-scale producers, who typically earn far less than men, through increased funding, training and land rights reforms.

Goal 3. Good health and well-being

Disruptions in essential health services due to COVID-19 are taking a tragic toll on women and girls. In the first year of the pandemic, there were an estimated 1.4 million additional unintended pregnancies in lower and middle-income countries.

We need to do better .

Response to the pandemic must include prioritizing sexual and reproductive health services, ensuring they continue to operate safely now and after the pandemic is long over. In addition, more support is needed to ensure life-saving personal protection equipment, tests, oxygen and especially vaccines are available in rich and poor countries alike as well as to vulnerable population within countries.

Goal 4. Quality education

A year and a half into the pandemic, schools remain partially or fully closed in 42 per cent of the world’s countries and territories. School closures spell lost opportunities for girls and an increased risk of violence, exploitation and early marriage .

Governments can do more to protect girls education .

Measures focused specifically on supporting girls returning to school are urgently needed, including measures focused on girls from marginalized communities who are most at risk.

Goal 5. Gender equality

The pandemic has tested and even reversed progress in expanding women’s rights and opportunities. Reports of violence against women and girls, a “shadow” pandemic to COVID-19, are increasing in many parts of the world. COVID-19 is also intensifying women’s workload at home, forcing many to leave the labour force altogether.

Building forward differently and better will hinge on placing women and girls at the centre of all aspects of response and recovery, including through gender-responsive laws, policies and budgeting.

Goal 6. Clean water and sanitation

In 2018, nearly 2.3 billion people lived in water-stressed countries. Without safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and menstrual hygiene facilities, women and girls find it harder to lead safe, productive and healthy lives.

Change is possible .

Involve those most impacted in water management processes, including women. Women’s voices are often missing in water management processes. 

Goal 7. Affordable and clean energy

Increased demand for clean energy and low-carbon solutions is driving an unprecedented transformation of the energy sector. But women are being left out. Women hold only 32 per cent of renewable energy jobs.

We can do better .

Expose girls early on to STEM education, provide training and support to women entering the energy field, close the pay gap and increase women’s leadership in the energy sector.

Goal 8. Decent work and economic growth

The number of employed women declined by 54 million in 2020 and 45 million women left the labour market altogether. Women have suffered steeper job losses than men, along with increased unpaid care burdens at home.

We must do more to support women in the workforce .

Guarantee decent work for all, introduce labour laws/reforms, removing legal barriers for married women entering the workforce, support access to affordable/quality childcare.

Goal 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

The COVID-19 crisis has spurred striking achievements in medical research and innovation. Women’s contribution has been profound. But still only a little over a third of graduates in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics field are female.

We can take action today.

 Quotas mandating that a proportion of research grants are awarded to women-led teams or teams that include women is one concrete way to support women researchers. 

Goal 10. Reduced inequalities

Limited progress for women is being eroded by the pandemic. Women facing multiple forms of discrimination, including women and girls with disabilities, migrant women, women discriminated against because of their race/ethnicity are especially affected.

Commit to end racism and discrimination in all its forms, invest in inclusive, universal, gender responsive social protection systems that support all women. 

Goal 11. Sustainable cities and communities

Globally, more than 1 billion people live in informal settlements and slums. Women and girls, often overrepresented in these densely populated areas, suffer from lack of access to basic water and sanitation, health care and transportation.

The needs of urban poor women must be prioritized .

Increase the provision of durable and adequate housing and equitable access to land; included women in urban planning and development processes.

Goal 12. Sustainable consumption and production; Goal 13. Climate action; Goal 14. Life below water; and Goal 15. Life on land

Women activists, scientists and researchers are working hard to solve the climate crisis but often without the same platforms as men to share their knowledge and skills. Only 29 per cent of featured speakers at international ocean science conferences are women.

 And yet we can change this .

Ensure women activists, scientists and researchers have equal voice, representation and access to forums where these issues are being discussed and debated. 

Goal 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

The lack of women in decision-making limits the reach and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergency recovery efforts. In conflict-affected countries, 18.9 per cent of parliamentary seats are held by women, much lower than the global average of 25.6 per cent.

This is unacceptable .

It's time for women to have an equal share of power and decision-making at all levels.

Goal 17. Global partnerships for the goals

There are just 9 years left to achieve the Global Goals by 2030, and gender equality cuts across all 17 of them. With COVID-19 slowing progress on women's rights, the time to act is now.

Looking ahead

As it stands today, only one indicator under the global goal for gender equality (SDG5) is ‘close to target’: proportion of seats held by women in local government. In other areas critical to women’s empowerment, equality in time spent on unpaid care and domestic work and decision making regarding sexual and reproductive health the world is far from target. Without a bold commitment to accelerate progress, the global community will fail to achieve gender equality. Building forward differently and better will require placing women and girls at the centre of all aspects of response and recovery, including through gender-responsive laws, policies and budgeting.

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Gender equality in the workplace

Ever considered why female leaders are almost always referred to as ‘women leaders’? Why must the gender of the person be highlighted? It is because having females in leadership positions is still not the norm yet and women leaders are celebrated when they make it to the top in spite of the odds. On the flipside, for males, the adage that ‘privilege is invisible to those who have it’ rings true as leaders are assumed to be male, unless otherwise stated. Consequently, the privilege that males have is to be easily recognised as leaders while women have to put in greater effort to show their competency.

Watch this speech to hear the anecdote of conversation between a white and black woman (at 1:02), illustrating the invisibility of privilege:

  Women in the Workplace , an annual report published by McKinsey & Co and LeanIn.org that studies the state of women in corporate America, shows dismaying statistics. Women only make up 22% of C-suite positions, whereas 48% of the entry-level workforce are made up of women.

Gender equality is the state in which access to resources and opportunities is unaffected by gender. In the workplace, having equal access for both males and females means that decisions made for rewards, promotions, and treatment are unbiased against any gender. Unfortunately, not only are women not being promoted at the same rate as men, women are reported to more likely face everyday discrimination such as being talked down, having to produce more evidence of competence, or being mistaken for someone more junior.  

State of gender equality in Singapore

While progress has been made in how society has less entrenched traditional views of gender roles compared to the past, and education attainment are almost equal at tertiary level, there are still gaps to be worked on. One such issue is that gender pay gap still exists and the challenge is a systemic one . The World Economic Forum predicts that it will take 217 years for the wage gap to close. In Singapore, the median salary difference between males and females is at 18%, and even up to 40% in certain industries. Guidelines for fair employment remain voluntary, and the onus is on the companies to ensure that their policies do not systematically perpetuate the wage gap.

Call for women to step up, and lean in

“Do not leave before you leave” was Sheryl Sandberg’s advice to other women in her book ‘Lean In’ published in 2013. Five years ago, she urged women not to hold back, or check out of their careers years before they even start a family. She believed that some women lowered their own expectations of what they can achieve and that paved the way for them to make the decision to put a halt in their careers for family.

Lean In was a movement that propelled the feminist movement forward, but also one that received criticism of being insensitive to less privileged women who may not have access to the same resources that would allow them to ‘lean in’. It is still a question of whether women can ‘ have it all ’, and resources such as spousal support and child care options are just two of the enabling conditions.  

For both genders to be truly equal, it takes the the community, corporates, and individuals to make the effort in setting the right conditions.

Questions for further personal evaluation:

• What are the gender norms you believe in?
• Do you think it is possible for society to achieve gender equality?  

Useful vocabulary:

• ‘pipeline’: a channel or system supplying resources (can be human resource)
• ‘platitudes’: a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful
• ‘reproach’ : express to (someone) one’s disapproval of or disappointment in their actions

Here are more related articles for further reading:

• World Economic Forum : It’s a Catch-22 situation where women leaders are needed for more promotion of women.

“Our data shows that when women are better represented in leadership roles, more women are hired across the board. This holds true even when considering disparities in the size of female talent pools across industries.

This is not necessarily surprising. Numerous studies suggest that, consciously or not, individuals are more likely to hire people like them. Female candidates may also self-select into companies with higher proportions of leaders who are women, attracted to companies perceived as having more opportunities for advancement or mentorship. Additionally, prior World Economic Forum research indicates that female CEOs actually pay their high-earning women more than male CEOs do, which may create a financial incentive for women to join such companies.”

• The Atlantic : A journalist observes the lack of women representatives in stories covering science – and makes it a point to find them.

“Women in science face a gauntlet of well-documented systemic biases. They face long-standing stereotypes about their intelligence and scientific acumen. They need better college grades to get the same prestige as equally skilled men, they receive less mentoring, they’re rated as less competent and less employable than equally qualified men, they’re less likely to be invited to give talks, they earn less than their male peers, and they have to deal with significant levels of harassment and abuse.

Gender biases are also entrenched in the media, where, in the words of the sociologist Gaye Tuchman, women are being “symbolically annihilated.” As Adrienne noted in her piece, “both in newsrooms and in news articles, men are leaders—they make more money, get more bylines, spend more time on camera, and are quoted far more often than women.” Again, there’s plenty of data on this. Several analyses show that in news stories, male voices outnumber female ones, typically by a factor of three—the same ratio Adrienne found in her work.”

Picture credits:https://unsplash.com/photos/U2BI3GMnSSE

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• Gender Equality Essay

Introduction to Gender Equality

In a society, everyone has the right to lead his/her life accordingly without any discrimination. When this state is achieved where all individuals are considered to be equal irrespective of their caste, gender, colour, profession, and status, we call it equality. Equality can also be defined as the situation where every individual has the same rights and equal opportunity to grow and prosper. 

Every individual of society dreams for equal rights and access to resources available at their disposal, but there is a lot of discrimination. This discrimination can be due to cultural differences, geographical differences, the colour of the individual, social status and even gender. The most prevalent discrimination is gender inequality. It is not a localised issue and is limited to only certain spheres of life but is prevalent across the globe. Even in progressive societies and top organisations, we can see many examples of gender bias. 

Gender equality can only be achieved when both male and female individuals are treated similarly. But discrimination is a social menace that creates division. We stop being together and stand together to tackle our problems. This social stigma has been creeping into the underbelly of all of society for many centuries. This has also been witnessed in gender-based cases. Gender inequality is the thing of the past as both men and women are creating history in all segments together.

Gender Equality builds a Nation

In this century, women and men enjoy the same privileges. The perception is changing slowly but steadily. People are now becoming more aware of their rights and what they can do in a free society. It has been found that when women and men hold the same position and participate equally, society progresses exclusively and creates a landmark. When a community reaches gender equality, everyone enjoys the same privileges and gets similar scopes in education, health, occupation, and political aspect. Even in the family, when both male and female members are treated in the same way, it is the best place to grow, learn, and add great value.

A nation needs to value every gender equally to progress at the right place. A society attains better development in all aspects when both genders are entitled to similar opportunities. Equal rights in decision making, health, politics, infrastructure, profession, etc will surely advance our society to a new level. The social stigma of women staying inside the house has changed. Nowadays, girls are equally competing with boys in school. They are also creating landmark development in their respective profession. Women are now seeking economic independence before they get married. It gives them the confidence to stand against oppression and make better decisions for themselves.

The age-old social structure dictated that women need to stay inside the home taking care of all when men go out to earn bread and butter. This has been practised for ages when the world outside was not safe. Now that the time has changed and we have successfully made our environment quite safer, women can step forward, get educated, pursue their passion, bring economic balance in their families, and share the weight of a family with men. This, in a cumulative way, will also make a country’s economy progress faster and better.

Methods to measure Gender Equality

Gender equality can be measured and a country’s growth can be traced by using the following methods.

Gender Development Index (GDI) is a gender-based calculation done similar to the Human Development Index. 

Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) is a detailed calculation method of the percentage of female members in decision-making roles. 

Gender Equity Index (GEI) considers economic participation, education, and empowerment.

Global Gender Gap Index assesses the level of gender inequality present on the basis of four criteria: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, political empowerment, health and survival .

According to the Gender Gap Index (GGI), India ranks 140 among 156 participating countries. This denotes that the performance of India has fallen from the previous years, denoting negative growth in terms of closing the gender gap. In the current environment where equality and equal opportunities are considered supreme, this makes India be at a significant disadvantage.

Roadblocks to Gender Equality  

Indian society is still wrecked by such stigmas that dictate that women are meant to manage the home and stay indoors. This is being done for ages, leading to neglect of women in areas like education, health, wealth, and socio-economic fields. 

In addition to that, the dowry system is further crippling society. This ill practice had led to numerous female feticides. It has created a notion that girls are a burden on a family, which is one of the primary reasons a girl child cannot continue her education. Even if they excel in education and become independent, most of them are forced to quit their job as their income is considered a backup source, which is not fair. New-age women are not only independent, but they are confident too. The only thing they demand from society is support, which we should provide them.  

Along with dowry, there is one more burning issue that has a profound impact on women's growth. It is prevalent in all kinds of society and is known as violence. Violence against women is present in one or another form in public and private spaces. Sometimes, violence is accompanied by other burning issues such as exploitation, harassment, and trafficking, making the world unsafe for women. We must take steps to stop this and ensure a safe and healthy place for women.  

Poverty is also one of the major roadblocks towards gender equality. It has led to other malpractices such as child marriage, sale of children, trafficking and child labour, to name a few. Providing equal job opportunities and upliftment of people below the poverty line can help bring some checks onto this.

Initiative Towards Gender Equality

Any kind of discrimination acts as a roadblock in any nation’s growth, and a nation can only prosper when all its citizens have equal rights. Most of the developed countries has comparatively less gender discrimination and provide equal opportunity to both genders. Even the Indian government is taking multiple initiatives to cut down gender discrimination. 

They have initiated a social campaign called “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana” to encourage the education of girl children. Besides this, the government runs multiple other schemes, such as the Women Helpline Scheme, UJJAWALA, National Mission for Empowerment of Women, etc., to generate awareness among the people. Moreover, as responsible citizens, it is our responsibility to spread knowledge on gender discrimination to create a beautiful world for wome n [1] [2] .

FAQs on Gender Equality Essay

1. What Makes Women Unequal to Men?

The social stigmas and beliefs that have been running deeply in the veins of all families make women unequal to men. Women are considered to be a burden by many families and are not provided with the same rights men enjoy in society. We are ill-informed regarding women’s rights and tend to continue age-old practices. This is made worse with social menaces such as the dowry system, child labor, child marriage, etc. Women can gather knowledge, get educated, and compete with men. This is sometimes quite threatening to the false patriarchal society.

2. How can We Promote Gender Equality?

Education is the prime measure to be taken to make society free from such menaces. When we teach our new generation regarding the best social practices and gender equal rights, we can eradicate such menaces aptly. Our society is ill-informed regarding gender equality and rights. Many policies have been designed and implemented by the government. As our country holds the second position in terms of population, it is hard to tackle these gender-based problems. It can only be erased from the deepest point by using education as the prime weapon.

3. Why should Women be Equal to Men?

Women might not be similar to men in terms of physical strength and physiological traits. Both are differently built biologically but they have the same brain and organs to function. Women these days are creating milestones that are changing society. They have traveled to space, running companies, creating history, and making everyone proud. Women are showing their capabilities in every phase and hence, they should be equal to men in all aspects.

4. Mention a few initiatives started by the Indian Government to enable gender equality.

The Indian government has initiated a social campaign called “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana” to encourage girls’ education. Besides this, the government runs multiple other schemes, such as the  Women Helpline Scheme, UJJAWALA, National Mission for Empowerment of Women, etc., to generate awareness among the people.

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Social Inequality — Gender Equality

Essays on Gender Equality

Gender equality essay topics and outline examples, essay title 1: striving for gender equality: challenges, progress, and future perspectives.

Thesis Statement: This essay explores the global journey toward achieving gender equality, examining the persistent challenges, the significant progress made, and the potential future directions for advancing the cause of gender equality in all aspects of life.

• Introduction
• The Gender Equality Agenda: Goals and Key Principles
• Obstacles to Equality: Discrimination, Stereotypes, and Institutional Barriers
• Progress in Education and the Workforce: Breaking Down Gender Norms
• Gender-Based Violence: Combating Domestic Violence and Harassment
• Global Initiatives: UN Sustainable Development Goals and International Agreements
• Empowering Women: Leadership, Political Participation, and Economic Empowerment
• Future Prospects: Technology, Education, and the Role of Men in Promoting Equality
• Conclusion: The Ongoing Struggle and Hope for a Gender-Equal World

Essay Title 2: The Intersection of Gender and Social Justice: Exploring the Interconnected Struggles

Thesis Statement: This essay delves into the intersectionality of gender and social justice, examining how gender inequality intersects with other forms of discrimination and how addressing these interconnected struggles is crucial for achieving a more just and equitable society.

• Understanding Intersectionality: Overlapping Forms of Discrimination
• Race and Gender: The Experiences of Women of Color
• Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and the Wealth Gap
• Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation: LGBTQ+ Rights and Inclusion
• Disability and Gender: Challenges Faced by Disabled Individuals
• Intersectional Activism: Movements and Advocacy for Equity
• Building Inclusive Communities: Strategies for a More Just Society
• Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Intersectional Approaches to Gender Equality

Essay Title 3: Gender Equality in the Workplace: Breaking Down Barriers and Promoting Inclusivity

Thesis Statement: This essay focuses on the realm of the workplace, addressing the challenges women face in achieving gender equality, examining diversity and inclusion initiatives, and highlighting the benefits of gender-balanced organizations.

• The Gender Wage Gap: Causes, Consequences, and Progress
• Workplace Discrimination: Stereotypes, Bias, and Microaggressions
• Women in Leadership: Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Achieving Parity
• Diversity and Inclusion: Strategies for Creating Gender-Equal Workplaces
• Legal Protections: Labor Laws and Policies to Address Gender Discrimination
• Corporate Responsibility: The Role of Businesses in Advancing Equality
• Measuring Success: Metrics for Gender Equality in the Workplace
• Conclusion: The Imperative of Gender Equality in the Professional World

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Why gender equality is still not achieved, not a feminist but a female ‘equalist’, gender equality and income level, the importance of gender equality for sustainable future, gender equality as a matter of social justice, gender equality issues in the aviation industry, why iceland ranks first for gender equality, the major gender equality debates, the issue of gender equality: a review of literature, the different factors hindering the achievement of gender equality in society, the effect of gender equality on present and future of youngest generation of women, gender equality and sexual harassment issue, the future of gender equality in the workplace, the quest for gender equality and women's challenge in world leader opportunities, feminism and its effect on society, the worldwide issue of women's equality, conformity, equal rights, and same-sex attraction as depicted in f. scott fitzgerald's book the great gatsby, the issue of gender rights in the philippines, positive and negative sides of feminism.

Gender equality, also known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender.

In 2015 there were only 21 female heads of state in the entire world. Over 150 countries have at least one actively sexist law. In most countries, women only earn between 60 and 75% of men’s wages - for the same work. There are approximately 781 million illiterate adults worldwide – two-thirds of whom are women.

1. Gupta, G. R., Oomman, N., Grown, C., Conn, K., Hawkes, S., Shawar, Y. R., ... & Darmstadt, G. L. (2019). Gender equality and gender norms: framing the opportunities for health. The Lancet, 393(10190), 2550-2562. (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30651-8/fulltext) 2. Inglehart, R., Norris, P., & Welzel, C. (2003). Gender equality and democracy. In Human values and social change (pp. 91-115). Brill. (https://brill.com/display/book/9789047404361/B9789047404361_s007.xml) 3. Pascall, G., & Lewis, J. (2004). Emerging gender regimes and policies for gender equality in a wider Europe. Journal of social policy, 33(3), 373-394. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-social-policy/article/abs/emerging-gender-regimes-and-policies-for-gender-equality-in-a-wider-europe/620412A9D1716CC48259C59F9BA95364) 4. Walby, S. (2004). The European Union and gender equality: Emergent varieties of gender regime. Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State & Society, 11(1), 4-29. (https://academic.oup.com/sp/article-abstract/11/1/4/1654404) 5. Carli, L. L. (2020). Women, gender equality and COVID-19. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 35(7/8), 647-655. (https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/GM-07-2020-0236/full/html) 6. Kabeer, N., & Natali, L. (2013). Gender equality and economic growth: Is there a win‐win?. IDS Working Papers, 2013(417), 1-58. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.2040-0209.2013.00417.x) 7. Falk, A., & Hermle, J. (2018). Relationship of gender differences in preferences to economic development and gender equality. Science, 362(6412), eaas9899. (https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aas9899) 8. Breda, T., Jouini, E., Napp, C., & Thebault, G. (2020). Gender stereotypes can explain the gender-equality paradox. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(49), 31063-31069. (https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2008704117) 9. David, M. E. (2015). Women and gender equality in higher education?. Education Sciences, 5(1), 10-25. (https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/5/1/10)

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The Gender Pay Gap and Strategies for Equality Essay

Implementing gender equality policies is necessary to give women equal chances. To guarantee the presence of women in working groups, adequate oversight is required. Equal chances for women should be provided to prevent female aggression. They can compete in labor in the organization relative to males. When women are denied chances in society, they speak up for their rights and engage in violent behavior (Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens, n.d.). To promote equality and further the socialization process, it is essential to regularly review an organization’s records to ensure that women are employed there.

Consequently, these normative theories critically assess the problem and offer answers by endorsing a person’s arguments by their preferences. These theories study how gender norms and inequality are maintained using a conflict perspective. These theories, further, will encourage women’s employment decisions and provide them with happiness if they want to do so. Whether a practice is morally excellent or immoral, deontological ethics is the branch that adheres to a code of ethics. These actions do not consider their effects. In contrast, a utilitarian ethic asserts that a method should be implemented with highly favorable results.

To address the gender wage gap, additional job options are needed. As CEO, you should put policies into place that will give women in the organization chances to work in appropriate positions. By including more women and avoiding including more males than women, the disparity may be reduced to 10%. Because some jobs may only be done, especially by males, the gap cannot be zero. Men are powerful enough to do every activity, but women cannot accomplish every duty correctly. The gap will therefore persist but may be closed.

Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens . (n.d.). Web.

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Essays About Gender Inequality: Top 5 Examples and 8 Helpful Prompts

Essays about gender inequality discuss a timely subject. Discover our guide with examples and prompts to assist you in writing.

Gender inequality is a global issue where one person’s perception and treatment of others depend on predetermined social expectations, leading to discrimination. Children can learn negative stereotypes, live with these biases, and carry them into adulthood. Parents who teach their kids prejudice are one of the reasons for gender inequality that spills into everyone else’s lives. 

Organizations like UNICEF actively form partnerships worldwide to stop and promote gender equality . Their efforts include career support, higher quality maternal care, skills development, and more. Your gender inequality essay can help promote gender equality that prevents violence against all genders. In addition, by discussing the topic, more people can better understand the seriousness of the issue. Check out our round-up of the best essay writing apps to get started!

5 Essay Examples 

1. gender inequality: sources and consequences by anonymous on edubirdie.com, 2. the issue of gender inequality in the media in america by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. gender inequality is a huge issue from past by joshua blake, 4. the problem of gender inequality in the workplace by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 5. gender inequality: are there any positive changes by anonymous on eduzaurus.com, 1. gender inequality: defined, 2. impact of gender inequality, 3. fighting gender inequality, 4. types and causes of gender inequality, 5. gender inequality as a global problem, 6. politics and gender inequality, 7. who are the most affected by gender inequality, 8. gender inequality and family dynamics.

“Humanity requires both men and women to move forward together, and they both are equally important. There are no reasons why women should be seen as the “weaker” sex.”

The author firmly believes that people must control old habits and notions about genders for everyone’s sake. This essay further delves into how culture and history devalue ​​women and prove that men are more powerful as they bring money and do more physical work. The media also assists in making viewers think women are sexual objects, with how most magazines and promotions cater to men’s satisfaction.

The writer understands that gender inequality is impossible to fix immediately. So they recommend parents teach their children to avoid stereotyping. Companies should also ensure equal treatment for both genders when providing job opportunities. They also mention that more influential people will speak about the problem as the unjust treatment continues.

“There is no doubt that every form of media today will have some sort of gender stereotypes and generalizations about male and female roles.”

In this gender inequality essay, the writer explains not only what stereotypes are but also how the media harms the lives of young men and women when these labels are reinforced. This includes the stereotype of being a housewife, the most common stereotype.

The writer describes how the media is at fault for promoting a negative body image. When mainstream channels portray the “perfect” male or female body, and viewers see that they are far from what those ideal types look like, it can lead to physical and mental health problems. 

“It is certain that gender inequality is a huge issue from the past to present especially [as it] occurs among women.”

To identify the causes of gender inequality, Blake uses various studies to prove that Hofstede and Schwartz’s framework on the cultural dimension influences the differences between men and women.

A good example is Schwartz’s hierarchy and Hofstede’s power distance, which both refer to unequal power distribution and sources. Some dimensions are very similar and correspond to each other, such as masculinity and mastery, femininity and harmony, autonomy and individualism, conservatism, and collectivism.

“Both genders can have the same education and experience, yet the male gets a higher wage payment compared to female.”

In discussing the topic, the author uses various statistical data to prove that gender inequality in the workplace is still present today but is improving. For example, according to their findings, American men earn one dollar while women earn only 89 cents. 

Americans are also against the women who return to work after giving birth and say men shall continue without paternity leave. But ultimately, the writer believes that when there’s gender inequality in a company, they lose the opportunity to keep their best resources.

“Gender inequality can be defined as not giving equal opportunities to people because of their biological sex.”

The essay mentions how TV shows and personalities like Emma Watson , who speak their minds on how the media portrays genders, help shed more light on gender inequality. Therefore, they encourage others to become a part of something revolutionary. However, it also shows little change in gender differences after more people became aware of the situation. The piece also notes how today’s parents are raising their children, allowing them to eliminate gender-based oppression.

8 Prompts for Essays About Gender Inequality

Explain to your readers the main topic and how inequality occurs in modern society. Give an example of gender inequality that is very common and how both sexes react to it. Conclude your essay with recommendations on how these issues can be resolved and avoided.

In reality, gender inequality has negative impacts on everyone. Discuss how this problem takes away opportunities, develops destructive behaviors, and puts people in dangerous situations. Offer real-life examples, surveys, and data to support your claims to make the essay more informative and credible.

Gender inequality has been a prevalent issue since the beginning of time and is still a pressing matter today. Use this prompt to identify and discuss steps governments, organizations, schools, churches, parents, and individuals should take to avoid being gender biased. 

Share ways to promote gender equality through simple tasks like sharing household chores between housemates, no matter the gender, calling out sexist jokes, and learning more about the topic.

To make your essay more effective, incorporate convincing and powerful writing. Read our guide on persuasive writing to know more.

Talk about the various types of gender inequality, such as gender discrimination in education, sexual violence, unequal pay and recognition, racism, and ownership inequality. Add their causes and roots. 

It’s best if you can interview someone who experiences this imbalance. Let them relay what they felt and why they think it happened. Include other examples to allow your readers to visualize and understand the situations.

Do thorough research and find survey data showing the number of people who are still victims of gender inequality. Look for the best and most reliable source and check how it differs from one location to the other. Discuss your findings and share your opinion on what contributes to this discrimination.

Use this prompt if you want to tackle fundamental problems related to gender inequality. Discuss how women and men are treated in politics and give examples of situations that demonstrate it. The more famous the incidents are, the better. You can also compare if there’s a relevant difference between how female and male politicians lead.

Although all are affected by this bias, who are the most prone to it? Search for applicable data from reputable sources to determine and expound on the number of people involved. Include how these people are influenced and why.

Gender inequality also occurs in wealthy families or nobility, where whoever is in charge of a business or place needs power and the ability to dominate others. Search for countries and cultures that still follow a patriarchal structure. Add your opinion on whether it’s time to modify these structures or its best to keep them as is for traditions’ sake.

If you’re still stuck, maybe this topic is not for you. Check out our general resource of essay writing topics.

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Essay on Gender Equality

Students are often asked to write an essay on Gender Equality in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Gender Equality

Understanding gender equality.

Gender equality means that all genders have the same rights and opportunities. It’s about respecting everyone, regardless of whether they’re a boy or a girl.

Why is Gender Equality Important?

Gender equality is important because everyone deserves to be treated fairly. It helps us learn from each other and grow as a society. Without it, we miss out on the talents and skills of half the population.

How Can We Achieve Gender Equality?

We can achieve gender equality by treating everyone equally, regardless of their gender. This includes giving everyone the same opportunities in education, work, and life. It’s about fairness and respect.

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250 Words Essay on Gender Equality

Introduction.

Gender equality, a cornerstone of social justice, is more than a fundamental human right. It’s a prerequisite for a sustainable, peaceful, and prosperous world. It calls for equal opportunities and benefits for both men and women, challenging traditional norms that perpetuate inequality.

The Imperative of Gender Equality

Gender equality is not just about fairness but also about harnessing the untapped potential of half the world’s population. It’s about acknowledging the fact that men and women, despite their biological differences, are equally capable of contributing to society. The exclusion or marginalization of any gender hinders societal progress.

Challenges to Gender Equality

Despite strides made, gender inequality persists. Discriminatory laws, gender stereotypes, and institutional biases continue to impede gender equality. Women, for instance, often face wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership positions, and disproportionate burden of unpaid care work.

The Path to Gender Equality

Achieving gender equality requires systemic changes. It starts with education, promoting gender-sensitive curricula to dismantle harmful stereotypes. Legal reforms are also crucial for ensuring equal rights and opportunities. Additionally, institutions must foster an environment that promotes gender diversity and inclusion.

Gender equality is not a women’s issue, but a human issue. It affects us all. The journey towards gender equality is complex and challenging, but it’s a journey worth taking. As we strive for a more equitable world, we must remember that every step, no matter how small, brings us closer to this goal.

500 Words Essay on Gender Equality

Gender equality, also known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities, irrespective of gender. It is a critical aspect of a just and democratic society, and its importance cannot be overstated. This essay explores the concept of gender equality, its implications, and the role of society in achieving it.

The Concept of Gender Equality

Gender equality is not merely about equal representation of men and women in all areas of society. It is fundamentally about respecting human rights and dignity, and acknowledging the value of every individual. It involves the eradication of harmful stereotypes and biases that have been deeply ingrained in our societies, and it requires us to challenge traditional power structures that perpetuate inequality.

Implications of Gender Equality

Gender equality has far-reaching implications. Economically, it can lead to increased productivity and economic growth. According to the World Economic Forum, reducing the gender gap in employment could result in a GDP increase of up to 16% in some countries. Socially, gender equality can lead to healthier and more educated families, and it can promote peace and reduce violence. Politically, it can lead to more representative and effective governance.

Despite the clear benefits of gender equality, numerous challenges persist. Socio-cultural norms and beliefs often uphold gender inequality, making it difficult to change attitudes and behaviors. Moreover, institutional structures and practices can reinforce gender disparities. For instance, women are often underrepresented in leadership positions, and they are more likely to experience poverty and violence.

The Role of Society in Achieving Gender Equality

Society plays a pivotal role in achieving gender equality. Education is a powerful tool in this regard. By promoting gender-sensitive education, we can challenge harmful stereotypes and promote respect for all genders. Moreover, legal reforms are necessary to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their gender. Policies should be implemented to promote equal pay, parental leave, and representation in leadership positions.

Furthermore, individuals also have a role to play. We must challenge our own biases and stand up against discrimination. By doing so, we can contribute to a culture of respect and equality.

In conclusion, gender equality is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a just and democratic society. It has vast implications for economic growth, social wellbeing, and political effectiveness. While challenges persist, through education, legal reform, and individual action, we can work towards a more equal and just society. The path to gender equality may be long and fraught with obstacles, but it is a journey that we must undertake for the betterment of our society and future generations.

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Gender Inequality Essay

500+ words essay on gender inequality.

For many years, the dominant gender has been men while women were the minority. It was mostly because men earned the money and women looked after the house and children. Similarly, they didn’t have any rights as well. However, as time passed by, things started changing slowly. Nonetheless, they are far from perfect. Gender inequality remains a serious issue in today’s time. Thus, this gender inequality essay will highlight its impact and how we can fight against it.

  About Gender Inequality Essay

Gender inequality refers to the unequal and biased treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender. This inequality happens because of socially constructed gender roles. It happens when an individual of a specific gender is given different or disadvantageous treatment in comparison to a person of the other gender in the same circumstance.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Impact of Gender Inequality

The biggest problem we’re facing is that a lot of people still see gender inequality as a women’s issue. However, by gender, we refer to all genders including male, female, transgender and others.

When we empower all genders especially the marginalized ones, they can lead their lives freely. Moreover, gender inequality results in not letting people speak their minds. Ultimately, it hampers their future and compromises it.

History is proof that fighting gender inequality has resulted in stable and safe societies. Due to gender inequality, we have a gender pay gap. Similarly, it also exposes certain genders to violence and discrimination.

In addition, they also get objectified and receive socioeconomic inequality. All of this ultimately results in severe anxiety, depression and even low self-esteem. Therefore, we must all recognize that gender inequality harms genders of all kinds. We must work collectively to stop these long-lasting consequences and this gender inequality essay will tell you how.

How to Fight Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is an old-age issue that won’t resolve within a few days. Similarly, achieving the goal of equality is also not going to be an easy one. We must start by breaking it down and allow it time to go away.

Firstly, we must focus on eradicating this problem through education. In other words, we must teach our young ones to counter gender stereotypes from their childhood.

Similarly, it is essential to ensure that they hold on to the very same beliefs till they turn old. We must show them how sports are not gender-biased.

Further, we must promote equality in the fields of labour. For instance, some people believe that women cannot do certain jobs like men. However, that is not the case. We can also get celebrities on board to promote and implant the idea of equality in people’s brains.

All in all, humanity needs men and women to continue. Thus, inequality will get us nowhere. To conclude the gender inequality essay, we need to get rid of the old-age traditions and mentality. We must teach everyone, especially the boys all about equality and respect. It requires quite a lot of work but it is possible. We can work together and achieve equal respect and opportunities for all genders alike.

FAQ of Gender Inequality Essay

Question 1: What is gender inequality?

Answer 1: Gender inequality refers to the unequal and biased treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender. This inequality happens because of socially constructed gender roles. It happens when an individual of a specific gender is given different or disadvantageous treatment in comparison to a person of the other gender in the same circumstance.

Question 2: How does gender inequality impact us?

Answer 2:  The gender inequality essay tells us that gender inequality impacts us badly. It takes away opportunities from deserving people. Moreover, it results in discriminatory behaviour towards people of a certain gender. Finally, it also puts people of a certain gender in dangerous situations.

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Gender Equality Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Women , World , Women's Rights , Civil Rights , Democracy , Gender Equality , Society , Sports

Words: 2750

Published: 12/19/2019

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Gender equality

Gender equality refers to the equal treatment and representation of both men and women in any aspect humanity. Gender equality ideologies arose from the beliefs that there were many forms of gender inequalities and injustices, mostly the females being the victims. The equality between men and women has become one of the most talked about in sport, politics, and society and education sectors all over the world. The efforts to foster equality between men and women have helped to improve the lives of millions of citizens worldwide. Even though there are still some kinds of inequalities, especially in third world countries, gender equality has helped attain three major goals. These include gender mainstreaming, which is the integration of gender related perspectives into countries’ policies and formulation of legislations that foster equal treatment of all genders. The third goal is the formulation of specified measures that promote the advancement of girls and women, who are the victims of any kind of gender inequality.

Women face various barriers in different fields such as education, labor, sports and even in family set ups. Sports have emerged as one of the areas where women can really make their impact felt worldwide. Women and girls face different types of challenges in their efforts to take part in sports, an issue that leads to most females failing to attain their potential which would otherwise make them reap the benefits of sports and physical activities. All over the world, women are discriminated and stereotyped in the sports world. female athletes for instance, get little media coverage, others are subjected to derogatory and sexist language from media people and society as a whole.

The sporting community epitomizes various gender stereotypes which have been persistently affecting gender equality all over the world hence; it has led to the resistance of any meaningful gender reforms. Through the creation of opportunities for girls and women to get involved in sports, society can empower the female members of the society at individual levels. The empowerment can be done by promoting the ladies’ self confidence, team work skills, leadership and winning or success mentality. This involvement will provide a challenge to existing norms of gender and roles in the society. Sports play a role in giving a chance which women can redefine the concepts of masculinity and feminity and at the same time challenge the stereotypes that label females as weak or inferior individuals. This will be a demonstration to the community that women are able to perform just as well as men given equal opportunities and resources. The promotion of women’s and girls’ engagement in sports can be very instrumental in gender equality and in empowering women and general social changes in society.

For gender equality t be attained in the sporting world, there is need for the eradication of the existing disparities in participation of sporting activities. Currently, sports are considered to be something masculine. Very few women are given the opportunity to fully take part in sport. This is more so in school where female students are given the mentality that sports are not a woman’s niche. Efforts to achieve gender equality have been spearheaded by several human rights groups as well as governments. Sport was identified as one of those areas where gender equality can be boosted. This led to the increased participation of women in sport activities. Today, there are female teams for almost all sports. Events like the Olympics currently feature both men and women in all the registered games. This has boosted gender equality whereby women are given same media focus, equal chances and equal recognition in sports. This helps boost their confidence and enhance their stature in society because of the increased responsibility, recognition and respect.

The equal participation is not only in sport, currently, women are increasingly finding their way into activities that were initially exclusively for men. Women today have access to proper education just like the boy child. The labor industry has also become sensitive about gender equality. Many organizations and employers are now stressing on giving equal opportunities to both men and women as long as they are qualified professionals. This could be because of the change in the earlier mentalities where women were degraded as weak and poor individuals who could not perform to the levels that men can. Even in senior national jobs like the military, where women could not get such slots, there are now women holding some of those positions. Therefore, it is clear that to achieve gender equality, there is need to promote equal participation of all genders in every aspect of human activity. Only then will the fruits of gender equality be realized in society. Gender disparities in sport, education, labor sectors and society should be eradicated to ensure this is achieved.

Sport is known to help in enhancing gender equality in different ways. In the past, there were cases where there was a lot of gender disparities in terms of rewards given to sports people. Women and men would all take part in a particular sporting event but the winners would only be men. Women were not given any form of recognition for their efforts, something that was demoralizing the female gender. This was a chauvinistic approach which has changed in the modern world of sports. Today, sports are more organized in that in each sport event, there are male and female categories. In such a set up, there is a very fair and healthy platform to promote competition because women can now take part in competitions with more ambition of getting rewards in their category. The gender equality in terms of giving rewards in sport has helped to provide women with opportunities to pursue their dreams and objectives knowing they also have an equal chance of getting rewards just like the men in the sport.

The disparities in terms of rewards are not restricted to just sport. In the labor market, only men used to be rewarded with promotions and other forms of rewards like pay rise by their employers. Women were treated as thought they were inexistent because of chauvinism and bias. The education sector was also hampered by disparities in that only the boy child was thought to have the right to access quality education. This was mostly experienced in the third world nations where women are degraded and overlooked. In the political sector, women found it hard to get elected to any kind of position. However, with the gender equality campaign, women are now equals of men. They now access education just like the boys. Even now days there are women holding senior political offices as well as the corporate world. Women are now getting the rewards of gender equalities. Even though the gender disparities in terms of accessing rewards for their efforts are not as significant as expected, it is fair to say that women are slowly beginning to be a force in every dimension. This is proven through the rewards they are receiving today. For instance, there are women who have received Nobel prices and other recognized awards not only in sport.

Another area where gender inequality has to be dealt with is in the media coverage. Women who take part in sports have in the past received very little coverage by the media compared to their male counterparts. In sports like basketball in the United States, the men’s basket ball teams receive so much media coverage, the players are known by almost everyone in America. However, the women’s basket ball teams get very little attention from the media. They are almost nonexistent! There is need to promote equality in terms of media coverage for both men and women in sport. Sports should be a unifying factor hence both sexes must be represented equally. In sports like the Olympics, every gender must receive equal airplay during their performances. Only then will the women all over the world know that they can also work their way to the international stage and play in such big tournaments.

Equal media coverage for all genders must also be extended to other career fields like politics and management. This will help boost the confidence of the aspiring females and males who want to reach top levels in their respective careers. More so, the equal media coverage will help erase the mentality of gender inequality among the young generation who will grow up viewing both men and women as equal individuals who can achieve their potential as long as they do their best. There are still media coverage disparities based on gender in the world of sport and other areas. However, more efforts need to be put in to erase such disparities because they are disrupting factors which affect gender equality.

Gender equality is also affected by role modeling. Role models are important people in building confidence, self belief, work ethic and determination to achieve among young people. In sports, role models are those individuals who are known to be successful sports people. Young people will look up to such individuals as their mentors to work hard and emulate in future. Unfortunately, there is a huge disparity in terms of gender distribution of these mentors. There are more male sports men compared to women who can be viewed as potential mentors or role models. This makes the girl child lose their interest in sport just because they cannot identify any successful people in sport who are women. Therefore, the lack of mentors is an issue that is affecting gender equality in the sports world negatively. There is need for those women who have taken part in major sports events to come out and speak of their past exploits and how good it is to be a successful sports woman. This will provide young girls with the urge to get involved in sport since there will be people to look at and make them want to emulate their role models.

Role modeling is not only important n sport, even in education and career choices, individuals have to identify role models in order to make it. Women have in the past been less successful in many areas because of chauvinism and gender inequalities. However, with the renewed emphasis on gender equality in every aspect of human life, women have begun to succeed just like men. There are now famous women in sports like tennis, athletics and swimming. There are also learned individuals of all genders today. Therefore the successful women and men should provide guidance and inspiration for both young men and women. This will promote gender equality because both genders will benefit and have equal chance of succeeding.

There are factors that have promoted gender inequality in the past which should be discouraged. Apart from the other disparities, there is the issue of the use of discriminatory language in society. In the past, women were regarded as an inferior gender. Therefore, they were discriminated and would often receive abusive language from the males. Those women who managed to perform well in sports, education and other careers were greeted with offensive language which was demoralizing. To enhance gender equality, women in society, especially sports, should not be abused but encouraged to perform even better. This will be to the benefit of the future generations as well as to the women in society because they will become independent and dependable people in society.

Gender equality can only be achieved through policy reforms in society. This will involve them streamlining of the institutional and society structure to provide women with equal opportunity to take part in decision making, responsibility and many other areas that are dominated by men like in sports. There are many groups in the world today advocating for gender equality. The reforms should be meant to empower women, who are mostly affected by gender inequality, to be dependable, responsible, confident and hardworking individuals in society. This will be beneficial to both genders. Such policies would make society a friendly place for women who have the past been abused, mistreated and sidelined by the men because of cultural, religious and chauvinistic assumptions.

Women’s participation in sport will be specifically beneficial in several ways. First, sports would help in promoting the health of both women and men. Initially, sport was viewed as a man’s niche. However, physical activity for women and girls also would help them have a health life. Physical activities will reduce chances of diseases and conditions like obesity which affect human beings who have little physical activity. It will also promote women’s confidence that they can do anything that men can do as long as they are provided with the opportunities.

Sport will help women know how to work in teams and promote their teamwork skills. This will help build a good relationship between and among women and men. They will also have the chance to identify role models and try to emulate them in what they do. There is also a chance that gender equality promotes academic success of women because they will have the opportunity to work and achieve what they want. Sport provides women with focus and discipline which are instrumental factors in academic success. Other benefits of sport include workplace skills, community and economic development, peace and national building.

Therefore, given the leadership and teamwork skills and self confidence, women and girls can challenge the norms of society which seem to degrade women. Even with the tough situations and conditions that women face today, their increased participation in sports can increase their recognition and role in society. Women should continue to take part in sports, strive to get good education and fight to get equal opportunities like men in the society. With the help of society groups and human rights groups, women can advocate for reforms in the society and policies that will provide equal chance and treatment for both women and women in the world. Gender equality will play a very important role in ensuring that the social, economic and political aspects of human life are promoted and human rights for both women and men are upheld.

Connolly, S. (2005). Gender Equality (Illustrated ed.). London: Black Rabbit Books. Dorall, C., & Roberts, M. (2005). Gender Equality: A Decade of Commonwealth Action : a Reference Book for Gender Ministers. London: Commonwealth Secretariat. Eya, R. (2005). Gender Equality: From a Christian Perspective. New Jersy: Ifendu Pulications. Healey, J. (2009). Gender Equality. London: Spinney Press. Inglehart, R., & Norris, P. (2003). Rising Tide: Gender Equality and Cultural Change Around the World (illustrated, reprint ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. International Labour Office. (2007). Gender Equality Around the World: Articles from World of Work Magazine 1999-2006. New York: International Labour Organization. Kabeer, N., Agneta, S., & Magnus, E. (2007). Global Perspectives on Gender Equality: Reversing the Gaze (illustrated ed.). New York: Routledge. McClain, L. C., & Grossman, J. L. (2012). Gender Equality: Dimensions of Women's Equal Citizenship (illustrated ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Miller, F. P., Vandome, A. F., & McBrews, J. (2010). Gender Equality. London: Alphascript Publishing. Rosner, S., & Shropshire, K. L. (2004). The Business of Sports (illustrated ed.). New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Ruxton, S. (2004). Gender Equality and Men: Learning From Practice (illustrated ed.). New York: Oxfam. Sainsbury, D. (1996). Gender, Equality, and Welfare States (illustrated, reprint ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Van Der Vleuten, J. M. (2007). The Price of Gender Equality: Members States and Governance in the European Union (illustrated, reprint ed.). New York: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Wright, E. O. (2009). Gender equality: transforming family divisions of labor. Michigan: Verso.

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