Reducing Gender Inequality

Gender inequality harms everyone, and reducing it requires a mindset shift – one that acknowledges that gender norms impact not just women but men as well. It also means understanding the intersectionality of various identities – including age, race/ethnicity and religion.

Gender equality is about creating societies where people have equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities; are free to develop their ambitions, interests and talents without limitations; live in safety and freedom from violence both at home and at work; and are able to participate fully in economic, cultural and political life. It is a core aspect of sustainable development and essential to achieving universal human rights.

The world has made progress in reducing gender inequality, but there is still much work to be done. Gender-based discrimination still exists in many areas – including education, health, access to employment and economic participation, child marriage and unrecognized domestic work. In some countries, women only have two-thirds of the legal rights available to men (and in some cases, less than half).

Gender inequality is driven by a number of factors including social and economic norms, societal perceptions of gender roles, and beliefs about gender differences. While many of these factors are rooted in history, they can be changed with the introduction of new policies, laws and practices. This may include removing outdated or harmful stereotypes, encouraging girls and boys to take on different roles, and improving the quality of education, childcare and work.

A common misstep in tackling gender inequality is to treat women as a monolithic, homogenous group. This results in a one size fits all approach to interventions and change, which is ineffective at addressing the nuances and diversity of experiences between women. In particular, a one size fits all approach fails to consider the inequalities faced by women who are not white or middle class, and those that are marginalized by other intersecting identities such as religious identity, racial or ethnic minority groups, culturally or linguistically diverse, and LGBTQI+.

The prevailing gender norms that are perpetuated by society and reinforced in the media are an important contributor to gender inequality. Changing these norms can be challenging, but it is necessary to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential without being held back by restrictive norms of gender.

The most effective way to reduce gender inequality is to focus on the underlying causes of it. This can be achieved by adopting a holistic and intersectional approach that includes all individuals, regardless of their status or identity, as well as by ensuring that those who are most at risk are supported. For example, to ensure that children are protected from gender-based violence, we need to address the underlying issues of poverty and early marriage. We need to support and strengthen policies that promote family-centered care, provide financial support for families and increase access to quality education. This will help to prevent the need for early marriage and improve maternal health outcomes, while promoting the importance of shared parenting and a healthy relationship between partners.