Gender Equality: You’ve Come a Long way Baby…

The 2012 World Development Report published earlier this year focuses on Gender Equality and Development. Each year the World Bank focuses on a particular area of interest within the parameters of global development, but it was this year’s topic on Gender Equality, which caught our attention here at Girlosophy. The Report shows that whilst women’s lives around the world have improved dramatically, gaps remain in many areas.

For many people living in the developed world we have generally assumed that core developmental objectives are focused in the typical areas of agricultural development, technological development, poverty reduction or improving medical services. This report indicates that whilst these areas are all vital, of equal importance is improving gender equality between the sexes in all countries. The report indicates that gender equality should be viewed as a core development objective in its own right. Its all round smart economics.

There are many examples of gender disparities around the world, even in wealthy countries. The report found that since 1980 women in all parts of the world live longer then they ever have, but in low and middle income countries women and girls are much more likely to die younger (for a range of reasons) then their male counterparts. Globally over a third of women die in childbirth (Chapter 5), over a sixth of girls die in childhood (Chapter 3), and about 2/5ths of girls are never even born due a preference for sons, (Chapter 3).

When it comes to education, women and girls still suffer disparities in schooling, with enrollment for girls much lower than for boys in disadvantaged areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, and some parts of South Asia. Additionally, women are much more likely than men to work as unpaid family laborers, typically working smaller plots than men if they are farmers, or if they are business owners, running smaller companies and in less profitable sectors. As a result, women everywhere tend to be paid less than men. This of course comes as no surprise, as it is generally accepted that even in developed countries such as Australia women get paid less than men.

“..in low and middle income countries women and girls are much more likely to die younger (for a range of reasons) then their male counterparts.”

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to allow women the right to vote in that country (although they still do not have the right to drive!) highlights another point of obvious disparity between the sexes. In many developing countries, and still in some developed countries women remain under represented in politics and have less opportunities to have their voice heard. On the home front too, women - particularly poorer women – have less control over the resources and money flow in their households. Whilst some improvements can be seen, there is still a way to go in this area too.

Improving the standing of women in all countries is presumed to go hand in hand with the improvement in socio-economic conditions and the growing wealth of a third world country. Research shows however, that it is as much the influence of the markets and institutions evolving with income growth, which begin to close the gender gap. For example: women’s position will improve with income growth allowing for greater government investment in education, market improvement opening up jobs for women, more personal wealth and knowledge flowing to women, meaning they will have more influence in the household and community at large. All of these improvements in the situation of women may evolve natural, but policy makers should pay close attention to potential pay-offs to the country and society at large, if laws are created to ensure that the gender gap is closed.

So what can girls and women achieve if gender equality was improved across the world? So much, baby! Women now represent 40% of the global labor force and 43% of the world’s agricultural labor force, and more then half the world’s university students. Productivity will be raised if all their skills and talents are better utilized and valued.

If female farmers in Malawi and Ghana were allowed the same access to fertilizer and other resources as men maize production would increase by 1/6^th. Likewise if women in some countries were allowed to work in some sectors where they are currently discriminated against labor productivity could increase by as much as 25% in some countries.

The flow on effects will improve the status of women for not only this generation, but for the next, with greater planning and spending in ways to benefit children.  Empowering women will have resulting economic, political and social improvements and allow women’s voices to be heard, in some countries for the first time.

In policy development governments need to target the root of the cause, be it maternal morality or economic opportunities. Each country will need to examine their own conditions and priorities issues as well as address constraints either simultaneously or sequentially. Fortunately, the linked nature of these issues means that when one area is addressed there should be flow on benefits to all areas.

The good news is, if you want to get involved in this process you can. The THINK EQUAL campaign has ideas for how you can spread the word about closing the gender gap in your country and around the world. For more information visit their website. And the Care 2 Petition assists young girls in Malawai get an education. By liking them on Facebook you can donate. 

And, can I say – ‘sisters are doing it for themselves!’ now?

Learn more:
Think Equal: What does EQUAL mean to you?
Join My Village
UN Women 

Photographer: Anthea Paul