Gender Inequality Is Everyone’s Problem

Gender inequality affects the vast majority of the world’s societies. It is often compounded by inequalities based on class, race, ethnicity and heteronormative sexual orientation, but gender remains the single most generalized vector of domination. This article argues that gender inequality is everyone’s problem and that we cannot have a free and equal society until women enjoy the same rights as men.

Several studies have reported convergence or at least the halting of divergence on a variety of welfare indicators, including education, economic activity and fertility (Morrisson and Murtin 2007; Goesling and Baker 2008), leading one development scholar to declare that “nearly everything that matters is converging.” However, these studies have not examined whether convergence is occurring globally or at regional levels, and their results can be misleading.

For example, global trends suggest that women are now pursuing tertiary education at the same rate as men (Global Gender Inequality). But this figure masks the fact that enrollments have been increasing faster in countries with low than high levels of global gender inequality. This has slowed the decline in global gender inequality.

In addition, the recent rise in global poverty has resulted in a decline in global gender inequality in some domains, such as access to health services and the prevalence of harmful practices (such as female genital cutting). But again, this trend could be masked by uneven population growth, as the world’s most populous countries have experienced the fastest gains.

The reversal of global gender inequality is a remarkable accomplishment, but it is far from complete. To address the remaining gaps, policy makers need to understand how gender norms shape preferences and behaviors, and take steps to change them.

Norms that reinforce inequality are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and social beliefs. Many of these norms are antiquated, but they persist in the form of attitudes and beliefs that limit women’s opportunities and impose rigid roles for both men and women. Changing these beliefs will require a long journey, and will need to be accomplished in conjunction with the pursuit of economic policies that foster individual freedoms and promote equality.

As a first step, governments should promote gender equality as a fundamental human right, enshrined in international treaties like the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. They should also support policies that improve the quality of women’s lives, including through providing access to education, healthcare and micro-credit. Finally, they should ensure that women are represented in parliaments and local government bodies. These are all crucial if we are to reduce gender inequality and achieve a more equal society. The 142 member states of the UN have ratified the Convention, but they must now implement it. This is the only way to end discrimination against women and to promote the achievement of universal human rights.