Envision a society in which the majority of people are deprived of the chance to realize their complete potential. Welcome to the world of gender inequality, where prejudices and outmoded norms keep us behind.

Before going further into details, let’s uncover the difference between gender equality and gender equity. Gender equality refers to equal opportunities and treatment for men and women, regardless of their gender. Gender equity focuses on addressing systemic inequalities. It involves providing what is fair. Gender equality would give the same size shoe to everyone regardless of their foot size, but gender equity would provide shoes that fit each person’s foot by recognizing their differences.

Men and women are physiologically, biologically, socially, and emotionally different. They have different roles and different needs. They should be dealt with in the same way. Gender equity provides that if a woman is a PHD scholar and a man is only a high school graduate, there shouldn’t be any biases based on gender while giving the job.

Gender equality would give the same size shoe to everyone regardless of their foot size, but gender equity would provide shoes that fit each person’s foot by recognizing their differences.

Women with higher qualifications should get the job, and vice versa. There shouldn’t be any prejudice against any gender. They should be paid according to their working hours. There are some jobs at which men are great, and there are some things at which women are great. They should be assigned work according to their capabilities.

Gender mainstreaming was a concept introduced at the 1985 Nairobi World Conference on Women. It was an approach to policymaking that took into account the concerns of both men and women. It involved identifying the different needs of men and women because they are different and making policies accordingly. It was a crucial step to accelerate gender equity in the world.

In ancient times, women who were considered to be outspoken or possessed knowledge of herbalism were targeted and accused of witchcraft. This is a stark example of how prejudiced our world is. Women were considered to be inferior. They were not given the right to vote until the dawn of the 20th century. Women were considered to be emotionally weak; that’s why it was said that they couldn’t hold important positions in the system. Women’s intelligence and capabilities were neglected based on gender.

Men also face ill-treatment. They are expected to be strong in every situation. They are expected to hide their emotions; otherwise, they will not look masculine. They are taught since their childhood, boys don’t cry. According to the data from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the CDC, men are more likely to experience a heart attack than women, especially at a younger age. On average, men experience their first heart attack at age 65, while women experience their first heart attack at age 72.

There shouldn’t be any prejudice against any gender. They should be paid according to their working hours.

In the United States, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, resulting in approximately 805,000 heart attacks per year. Men also become the target of sexual assault and gender-based violence, but their voices are often not heard because they are men. The philosophical movement known as stoicism has its roots in classical Greece and Rome. It placed a strong focus on reason, restraint, and detachment from outside events. These objects have certain drawbacks even if they are thought to be highly advantageous for daily living. Stoicism and mistreating men are frequently associated.

Many males have learned to bottle up their feelings due to the emphasis on emotional control and suppression. Causing tension and anxiety to rise. Because stoicism emphasizes independence, some men put independence over their own needs. Lastly, males find it challenging to express their emotions in healthy ways due to the stigma around doing so, which negatively impacts both their relationships and mental health.

WHAT GIVES BIRTH TO THESE PREJUDICES?

Every society has its norms. And according to the theory of moral relativism, there is no right or wrong. One thing could be morally right in America and wrong in Pakistan. Every society disseminates its values, beliefs, and traditions as morally right. These traditions are passed from one generation to another without question. Whoever questions them is seen as a deviant. However, the prejudices I have mentioned above are common almost everywhere.

Girls are brought up differently. They are encouraged to play with dolls and be delicate, or they are told that one day they’re going to marry someone and they should learn how to cook, clean, etc. On the other hand, boys are taught to be strong, independent, brave, nonchalant, and less delicate. They are taught from a very young age that they will be the providers of their families.

WHAT IF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED TO ALL?

By increasing productivity and diversifying the economy, a more inclusive and diverse workforce can contribute to a 50% rise in economic growth. Implementing flexible work arrangements under Norway’s Flexible Work Arrangement Policy (2018) resulted in improved work-life balance for both genders and a 1.2% increase in GDP (The Influence of Flexible Work Arrangements on work-life balance by the Journal of Applied Psychology 2019).

Another illustration is the 2019 federal paid family leave program introduced in the United States, which benefits both men and women and increases GDP by 0.7%. The impact of paid family leave on employment (National Bureau of Economic Research results).

GENDER EQUITY IN PAKISTAN: A DISTANT DREAM?

Pakistan, a country with a population of almost 251.27 million, is a developing country with the 5^th largest population to accommodate. It has very few to almost zero opportunities. In a country where there are no opportunities for anyone (male, female, or transgender), the question of why Pakistan is not doing something about gender equity is ridiculous. But still, let’s talk about the 47.6% of employed people (as of 2023).

In Pakistan, gender inequity is very prominent, especially for women, because of the patriarchal mindset. The LFPR of women in Pakistan stands at 21%, well below the global percentage of 39% (National Report on the status of Women in Pakistan 2023). These statistics show that women are more subjected to gender inequity in Pakistan.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PROMOTE GENDER BALANCE GLOBALLY?

Education and awareness about gender-based discrimination and inequity are very important. There is a dire need to educate parents to let their children do what they are capable of, regardless of their gender. Let them decide their careers. The government should make policies for men and women where both of them can work together and contribute according to their skills.

Gender-inclusive language should be used to break stereotypes. Representation in all fields should be given according to the male-to-female population ratio. Only through these measures can we create a world of gender parity.