IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING WOMEN TODAY

According to a Study by the US State Department  “the most important issues facing Women and girls are due to Gender  inequality”. Yet far too often, their voices, experiences, and contributions are overlooked or undervalued. They are underrepresented in the halls of political and economic power and overrepresented in poverty. Meanwhile, barriers—from gender-based violence and lack of political and economic opportunities, to laws that hold women to a different standard—block the path to progress.

Inequality and the low status of women and girls have vast political, economic, and social implications. This can limit the ability of communities to resolve conflict, countries to boost their economies, or regions to grow enough food. The untapped potential of women remains a lost opportunity for economic growth and development the world can ill afford.  The inclusion of women in peace and security, and conflict prevention and resolution is essential to ensure gains reach all members of society.

The Paz Foundation is committed to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls throughout the world. Our studies and experience has identified four key priorities to advance gender equality and the status of women and girls around the world:

• Women, peace, and security
• Women’s economic empowerment
• Gender-based violence
• Adolescent boys and girls protection programs  

WOMEN IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

According to POLITICO:  ”The biggest challenge facing women in the United States today is patriarchy.” This is especially evident in the realm of politics. Regardless of a woman’s experience, education or abilities, the patriarchal nature of U.S. society fosters the perception that women are less qualified and less competent than men. What patriarchy has done is convince people that a strong and intelligent woman represents a problem; a disruption to the social order rather than an integral part of it.

Globally; biased media coverage of women politicians—stories that focus on women’s fashion and looks at the expense of their ideas on policy—underscores this point. It is therefore no coincidence that the U.S. and most countries are completely out of step when it comes to electing a woman as president. While women have maintained the highest office of leadership in Liberia, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, Dominica and many countries around the world. 

GLOBAL STUDIES ON WOMENS ISSUES 

According the studies, visits to communities and reporting of the UN Women Organization : Violence and exploitation, the unequal division of unpaid care and domestic work, and discrimination in public office, all remain huge barriers”

Furthermore, these areas of inequality have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic: there has been a surge in reports of sexual violence, women have taken on more care work due to school closures, and 70% of health and social workers globally are women.

As a matter of fact, at the current rate, it will take an estimated 300 years to end child marriage, 286 years to close gaps. What is required is legal protection and removal of discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to be represented equally in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to achieve equal representation in national parliaments.

HOW MUCH PROGRESS HAVE BEEN MADE?

International commitments to advance gender equality have brought about improvements in some areas: child marriages have declined in recent years, and women’s representation in the political arena is higher than ever before. But the promise of a world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality, and where all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed, remains unfulfilled. In fact, that goal is probably even more distant than before, since women and girls are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

GENDER RELATED CHALLENGES

Worldwide, nearly half of married women lack decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. According to recent studies’ 35% of women between 15-49 years of age have experienced physical and/ or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence. Also, in 3 girls aged 15-19 have experienced some form of female genital mutilation/cutting in the 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where the harmful practice is most common with a high risk of prolonged bleeding, infection (including HIV), childbirth complications, infertility and death.

As a result, this type of violence doesn’t just harm individual women and girls; it also undermines their overall quality of life and hinders their active involvement in society.

WHY SHOULD GENDER-EQUALITY MATER TO ME

Regardless of where you live in, gender equality is a fundamental human right. Advancing gender equality is critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection and the well-being of girls and boys.

HOW MUCH PROGRESS HAVE BEEN MADE?

International commitments to advance gender equality have brought about improvements in some areas: child marriages have declined in recent years, and women’s representation in the political arena is higher than ever before. But the promise of a world in which every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality, and where all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment have been removed, remains unfulfilled.

WHAT IS THE PAZ FOUNDATION DOING TO CHANGE THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

The Paz Foundation is working on establishing Women and Children’s Shelters, Education and Job Training programs and young girls protection for violence and sexual education programs in various communities around the world.

 Author, 

Luis Ortiz Aguilar Sr.