What is gender equality? A basic human right explained, and where inequality is most strongly felt
- Issues of gender equality affect societies all around the world, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic background
- In 70 years, not one woman has been appointed to China’s Politburo Standing Committee, the country’s highest governing body
Gender equality is the state of equal access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender. It is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and are equally favoured.
Issues of gender equality – a fundamental human right – affect societies all around the world, regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic background.
The global anti-sexual harassment movement #MeToo and Hollywood’s Time’s Up campaign have directed conversation towards power imbalances and abuse, particularly in the Western entertainment industry, but there is still a long way to go.
According to the UN, husbands in 18 countries can legally prevent their wives from working; in 39 countries, daughters and sons do not have equal inheritance rights; and 49 nations lack laws protecting women from domestic violence.
Change in attitudes and societies can only happen by empowering women and girls with equal access to education, health care, a decent job, and fair representation in political and economic decision-making processes.
When looking at the representation of men and women in a range of roles – the best way to measure gender equality – the imbalance becomes clear.