5 Causes of Gender Inequality

Despite the current modern and progressive society, sadly gender bias exists, it is an urgent need to recognize that this issue affects all. What causes these inequalities?

Women are much disadvantaged in the workplace and on the homefront due to a lack of gender equality. Both males and females deserve equal rights and opportunities.

Societal Norms

Sadly, traditional beliefs in societies such as China and India favor males over women. This places females in disadvantaged and subservient situations. Societal pressures for women to take up caregiving roles on the homefront while glorifying the men who have a job.

Lack of Education

Gender bias where males are provided educational opportunities while females are made to stay home to provide care and perform household chores or married off at a young age. Without education, women are unable to participate in decisions concerning their life and became victims of violence and sexual abuse.

Not Aware of Their Rights

Uneducated women are ignorant about their basic rights and fall victim to human trafficking and are incapable to defend themselves against exploitation. They fail to make decisions regarding their reproductive health and are sucked into a negative spiral of poverty.

Lack of Equality in Employment

Women's contributions in caregiving and nurturing roles on the homefront are not valued and are looked down upon by employers when they reenter the workforce after a long career break. It is common that women are underpaid and undervalued compared to their male counterparts.

Lack of Political Representations

Without strong female role models and effective representations at the policy-making level in the Government, issues regarding women's rights and protections are often overlooked. Damaging stereotypes of men perceived to be great leaders lead to imbalanced gender representations in the National Parliaments.

The world benefits from gender equality. It generates peace and harmony. No doubt, it will take a few more generations to achieve true equality but the goal is to create awareness and tirelessly promote gender equality for all.