7 Challenges to Ending Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is differences in power, wealth, health, and opportunity based on people’s assigned sex at birth. These differences are avoidable and unfair, and when they affect women and girls more than men or boys, they are known as sexism. Gender inequality is a key driver of poverty, and it can be addressed by tackling the barriers that prevent women and girls from getting an education, access to healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, and having a seat at the decision-making table.

Inequality exists in many forms, and it is a complex and intersecting problem. It can be hard to know where to start, but the following seven issues are good places to begin:

Pay gaps are one of the most visible forms of gender inequality. However, it is important to note that paying women less than men doesn’t necessarily imply discrimination; large pay gaps can exist in the absence of explicit or implicit bias in hiring practices. It is also essential to recognize that there are different ways to measure the gap, and that using an average can misrepresent the true extent of the gap.

Although much progress has been made keluaran sgp toward gender equality, there is still work to do. The most pressing challenges include reducing the prevalence of violence against women and girls, providing equal access to quality education for both girls and boys, and increasing economic opportunities and employment rates for all.

Violence against women and girls is a global challenge, with many factors driving it. A combination of poverty, lack of education and cultural norms can put women and girls at higher risk for violence. Globally, an estimated 26 per cent of ever-partnered women have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner or acquaintance. Violence is especially common during and after periods of crisis, such as conflict or natural disasters.

Inequalities in education are linked to gender inequality and are a critical part of the poverty equation. When families can afford to send all children to school, they can provide them with a foundation for future success. Yet, there are many obstacles to achieving universal education, including cultural and religious beliefs that discourage female education, family disapproval of girls’ schooling, and the fact that women and girls often take on household chores in order to support the family’s financial situation.

When countries invest in gender equality, they can end global poverty for everyone. This is because when women and girls receive a quality education, access to healthcare and sustainable livelihoods, and have a seat at the decision-making table, economies shift, and communities escape poverty. Gender equality is a prerequisite for ending global poverty, and there are many ways to get started. For example, countries can promote laws, policies, and budgets that advance gender equality, and they can commit to improving and monitoring their progress through a Minimum Set of Gender Indicators. Learn more here.