Gender inequality is a pressing social problem that involves unequal treatment of men and women in society. Unfair or unequal treatment of gender may arise from discrepancies about psychology, cultural norms, or cultural practices prevalent in most communities. Most social disparities are empirically based, while some are socially constituted due to gender roles in society. According to Sigmund Freud, biology plays a significant role in determining gender identity and inequality in the community. Gender inequality is a major social problem that directly affects societal operations and collaborative relationships between men and women.
Causes of Gender Inequality
Gender inequality is a social problem prevalent in many communities globally. The existence of gender inequality is attributed to various factors that cause disparities between men and women. The following are the reason for the existence of gender inequality in many communities globally.
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The lack of legal protections is the leading cause of gender disparity between men and women. According to the World Bank, approximately one billion women lack legal protection against domestic sexual violence or domestic economic conflict (The World Bank, 2021). These factors adversely affect women's ability to prosper in economic and social activities and deny them the rights to live in freedom. In some communities, the lack of legal protection against harassment in schools, workplaces, and the public is rampant. For example, women are denied the opportunity to participate in the vital decision-making process at workplaces or serve in high-rank positions. Most communities especially in eastern cultures, women are shorn of chances to further education and participate in public or community decision-making processes.
Societal mindset is another major possible cause of gender inequality in many communities globally. Societal mindset directly affects how men and women are treated in society (The World Bank, 2021). In many cultures, men are valued more important than women due to their roles, such as looking after their families and being the head of their families. Social mindset creates wrong perceptions about the abilities and strengths of specific gender within the society. It adversely affects positive motives that can promote societal growth and development. Societal mindset can ignore gender contribution towards social development, such as better representation for women in leadership and cultural practices.
Furthermore, rigid cultural practices and traditions are other reasons for gender inequality in society. The lack of social flexibility that encourage women's participation in social activities such as policy and decision-making affects women's empowerment programs (The World Bank, 2021). Despite societal changes due to technological advancements, some communities still subscribe to traditional social practices that deter women's participation in communal activities contributing to a wide disparity between gender equality in these societies.
Lastly, uneven access to education is another reason for the existence of gender inequality in most societies. Education is one of the most fundamental factors that empower both men and women. However, in some communities, women are denied chance to further their careers because they are considered caretakers of children and men in society. According to the World Bank report, only a quarter of young women between ages fifteen and twenty-five are allowed to finish primary school (The World Bank, 2021). World Bank adds that women make two-third of illiterate people globally. The statistics show how women are denied the right to education.
Current Status of Gender Inequality
The fight against gender inequality continues to grow in modern societies to promote gender equality between men and women. Despite feminist groups and activist associations attempting to deter and eradicate gender inequalities in society, some social practices demean women's empowerment. Some social problems such as domestic violence continue to worsen in most communities globally, particularly in developing countries where the poverty level is high. Many domestic violence cases are reported in low-income earners, associated with a high level of poverty (The World Bank, 2021). Sexual harassment is another violence that is becoming worse in most communities, especially in eastern cultures. Spousal rape is one type of gender discrimination reported in countries like India. In India, the recent court ruling that rape laws do not apply to married couples shows the sexual suppression that contributes to the worsening gender inequality in some communities globally.
Restriction to land ownership possession of valuable assets is another gender discrimination worsening in some communities globally. In some underdeveloped countries, women are denied equal rights to land possession as men. In some developing countries, land and fixed properties belong to men because they are the heads of households (The World Bank, 2021). Restriction to ownership of value continues to worsen in most communities due to social mindset and perception that women are bad managers of wealth and valuable properties. Conversely, in western cultures, land and other valuable assets are equally distributed among men and women. Women have the right to purchase, own, and resale fixed assets under their names.
Lastly, frontline combat is another area where gender discrimination continues to worsen. Participation of women in military operations is still a significant challenge in the security sector despite the number of women joining the military increasing annually. Women are rarely assigned the role to head military teams set to combat security threats. Women's discrimination in the military is enhanced by the belief that women cannot handle challenging situations.
Possible Solutions for Gender Inequality
Even social growth and development depend on the equal participation of both men and women. Therefore, it is prudent to adopt strategies to deter women's discrimination in society. The following are possible solutions for gender inequality that can promote equity, social growth, and development.
Ending social injustices such as gender based-violence that violate women's rights and freedom to participate in communal activities. Developing strategies that protect women from social ill-practices like sexual assaults can reduce gender inequality because it will promote fair treatment of both men and women in society (The World Bank, 2015). Women empowerment initiatives can be achieved by adopting laws the protect women's rights and safety in the community.
The creation of women empowerment platforms such as feminism and activists groups can reduce gender inequality in most societies globally. Women empowerment groups should take legal actions against gender discrimination to promote gender equality in society. These groups should teach women and young girls how to respond and overcome gender discrimination through whistleblowing to deter violation of human rights. Developing economic forums such as the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act (S.2347) should be applied effectively to reduce gender inequality in society (The World Bank, 2015). Therefore, to enhance the smooth running of societal operations, it vital to adopt effective initiatives that deter gender discrimination between men and women.
Conclusion
In conclusion, gender inequality is a major social issue rampant in many societies globally. The lack of legal protections is the leading cause of gender disparity between men and women. In some communities expressly in eastern cultures, women are deprived of the opportunity for further education. The fight against gender inequality continues to grow in modern societies. Even though feminist groups and activists associations attempt to discourage and eradicate gender inequalities in society, some social practices degrade women's empowerment.
References
The World Bank. (2015). World Bank group gender strategy (FY16-23): Gender equality, poverty reduction and inclusive growth . World Bank. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/820851467992505410/world-bank-group-gender-strategy-fy16-23-gender-equality-poverty-reduction-and-inclusive-growth
The World Bank. (2021). Gender equality for development . World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/brief/dime-gender-program
