GENDER EQUITY

Hence gender equality is that men and women should have

equal rights and opportunities.
The patriarchal system has put masculinity at the centre of the
universe which leads to favouring men and mostly ignoring
women.
Due to this men are mostly not aware of this system because
they have always enjoyed their privileges and favouritism.
The definition said men and women will have equal rights
opportunities but never said we would be treated the same in
society.
• WHAT IS GENDER EQUITY?
Fairness and Impartiality.
• Fairness has to do with just treatment without
favoritism or prejudice.
• Impartiality is defined as treating all parties equally.

Gender equity is the fair and just distribution of benefits

and responsibilities among people of all genders, and
protection from discrimination based on gender identity.
Moving Beyond Equality
In our evolving thinking over the last decade, we've realized that we need to
move beyond gender equality – where men and women are treated the same. Instead,
we must seek equity, which focuses on giving extra support to those who need it to
achieve equal outcomes.
Gender Equity at Home
• Home is often where children first learn gender roles and discrimination.

• Girls are usually expected to handle cooking, cleaning, and laundry,

while boys are not held equally responsible for household chores.

• This reinforces unequal expectations from an early age.

• Parents can promote gender equity by assigning chores equally to

children of all genders.

• Teaching shared domestic responsibilities helps build respect and

fairness at home and beyond.
 Global Gender Equity: A Persistent Challenge
• Gender equity is a basic human right, essential for a
fair and just society.
• Despite progress, a significant gap remains between
women and men in access to opportunities and power.
• Economic participation: Women often have fewer job
opportunities and earn less than men globally.
• Education access: Girls and women still face barriers to
both basic and higher education in many regions.
• Health and safety: Women face higher risks in health
care access and are more vulnerable to violence and
unsafe conditions.

• Political representation: Women remain

underrepresented in government and leadership
positions around the world.

• Achieving gender equity means ensuring equal access,

representation, and protection for all genders.
Empowering Women: A Key to Global Progress
• Guaranteeing women’s rights and opportunities is essential for achieving true
gender equity.

• Women reaching their full potential is also crucial for meeting global
development goals.

• Empowered women and girls improve the health, education, and economic
well-being of their families.

• Their contributions lead to stronger communities and more prosperous nations.

• Investing in gender equity creates a ripple effect that benefits everyone—

locally and globally.
Women’s Empowerment and the Role of
Men in Gender Equity
• Women’s empowerment is central to achieving gender equity.

• It involves:
Building a woman’s self-worth and confidence
Increasing her decision-making power
Expanding access to opportunities and resources
Ensuring control over her own life, at home and in society
Enabling her to influence change in her community and beyond
• However, gender equity is not just a women’s issue—it’s
about the relationship between all genders.

• The attitudes and actions of men and boys are crucial in

breaking down gender stereotypes.

• True progress happens when everyone actively supports

fairness, respect, and shared responsibility.
Girls' Education: A Powerful Investment in the Future
• Education is key to achieving gender equity and breaking cycles of poverty.

• While global progress has been made, girls still represent a larger share of out-of-school
children than boys.

• Educating girls offers one of the highest returns on investment in the developing world.

• An educated girl is more likely to:

Delay marriage and have fewer children , raise a healthier, more educated family ,earn an
income and contribute to the economy,
engage in political and civic life and be less vulnerable to diseases like HIV

• Prioritizing girls’ education helps build stronger communities and more equitable
societies for all.
Women's Health and Safety: A Cornerstone of
Gender Equity
Women’s health and safety are vital components of achieving gender equity.
• HIV/AIDS is a growing concern for women due to:
• Limited access to health education
• Unequal power dynamics in sexual relationships
• Gender-based violence

Maternal health is especially critical:

• Many women lack access to prenatal and infant care
• Pregnancy and childbirth often come with serious health risks, especially in low-
resource settings
• The issue is more severe in countries where girls marry and bear children too young,
often under the age of 18.
• Access to quality maternal care empowers women by:

• Providing vital health information

• Enabling informed decision-making

• Improving outcomes for both mothers and children

• Prioritizing women’s health means prioritizing stronger,

healthier communities.
• Women’s Economic and Political Empowerment: Closing
the Gap
• A final area of focus in attaining gender equity is women's
economic and political empowerment.
• Though women comprise more than 50 percent of the world's
population, they only own 1 percent of the world's wealth.
• Throughout the world, women and girls perform long hours of
unpaid domestic work.
• At all levels, including at home and in the public arena,
women are widely underrepresented as decision-makers.
Women’s Political Participation: A Key to True Democracy
• Globally, women in legislatures are outnumbered four to one, limiting
diverse representation.
• Women’s political participation is essential for achieving gender equality
and strengthening democracy.
• The World Economic Forum ranks the U.S. 19th on its gender gap
index.
• In the U.S., women make up less than one-fifth of Congress members,
highlighting political empowerment as the biggest gender equity
challenge.
• While the U.S. performs better in economic empowerment, women still
earn about 20% less than men on average.
• Increasing women’s political and economic power is crucial for a fair
and balanced society.
Education and Global Gender Equity: Progress and Challenges
• In the United States, women have very high educational attainment with
strong literacy rates and high enrollment at all levels.
• Currently, more women than men attend college in the U.S.
• Scandinavian countries like Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden lead
the way with:
• Fair distribution of income, resources, and opportunities between men
and women
• The largest gender gaps exist mainly in the Middle East, Africa, and
South Asia.
• Yet, some countries in these regions—such as Lesotho, South Africa,
and Sri Lanka—rank higher than the U.S. on gender equality measures.
• This shows that progress is possible everywhere, and every country
can learn from one another.
Peace Corps and Gender Equity: Empowering Women and Girls
Worldwide
What is the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps is a U.S. government program that sends American
volunteers abroad to work on development projects in communities
around the world.
• Peace Corps Volunteers work globally to promote gender equity and empower
women and girls in communities.
• Many Volunteers run programs like Girls Leading Our World (Camp GLOW), which
builds girls’ self-esteem and leadership skills.
• Volunteers support gender equity by providing:
Health education
Business development assistance
Raising awareness about women’s rights and their vital community contributions
• These efforts help create lasting change by empowering women as leaders and equal
participants.
Gender Equity in Society: Key Measures for Fairness
• Society plays a crucial role in shaping social, economic, political,
and ethical aspects of individual growth and socialization.
• To promote gender equity, it’s important that all genders listen to
each other and understand experiences of unfair treatment.
• A formal mechanism or framework should be established to
maintain and monitor equity among genders.
• Governments and relevant departments must take active steps to
identify and eliminate gender disparities and gaps.
• Collective effort is needed to build a society where everyone has
equal opportunities and fair treatment regardless of gender.
Gender Equity in the Workplace
• During World War II, many American women entered the workforce as men
went off to fight, marking a significant shift in employment patterns.

• Since then, women have pursued professional careers but have faced
barriers such as the “glass ceiling”—an invisible limit on career
advancement.

• Society often judges men negatively when they choose careers traditionally
seen as “women’s work,” like dental assistants, childcare workers,
administrative assistants, or stay-at-home parenting.

• True gender equity means breaking down stereotypes and allowing all
individuals to pursue careers free from bias and discrimination.
• Gender equity means all genders—men, women, and non-
binary individuals—can pursue the career paths they choose.

• Everyone should have equal access to opportunities like

promotions, leadership roles, and important projects.

• Decisions in the workplace should be made based on skills

and performance, not gender.

• This creates a fair environment where talent and hard work

are recognized and rewarded equally.
Gender Equity in Sports
• Women have made significant progress in professional
sports, but the pay gap remains a major issue.
• Female basketball players train just as hard, yet earn
only a fraction of what male players make.
• They also play nearly half the number of games
compared to NBA players.
• Gender equity in sports means all athletes receive fair
opportunities, including equitable pay and scheduling.
• Decisions about salaries and game structures should be
made through an equity lens, not based on gender.
• BENEFITS OF GENDER EQUITY
• Gender equity improves opportunities for all and allows
people to pursue their dreams despite gender. Below
are several benefits of gender equity.

• Health Care Benefits

• Workplace Benefits
• Societal Benefits
Health Care Benefits:
• Gender equity in health care is essential due to
historical bias favoring the male anatomy in medical
research and education.
• Women's physical pain is still too often dismissed as
emotional, psychological, or exaggerated.
• True equity means all genders are taken seriously,
heard, and treated with respect in medical settings.
• Health care should be based on individual needs, not
gender-based assumption
Workplace Benefits of Gender Equity

• Employers gain when all voices and ideas are valued

equally, without prejudice or favoritism.
• A workplace that embraces diversity of thought and is free
from inequities improves job satisfaction for everyone.
• Gender equity fuels creativity and innovation, leading to
better problem-solving and growth.
• Creating an equitable environment opens doors to new
opportunities and endless possibilities for organizations
and employees alike.
Societal Benefits of Gender Equity
• Gender equity breaks down barriers that hold society back
and promotes fairness for all genders—male, female,
transgender, and nonbinary.
• It opens up opportunities for women to succeed in
traditionally male-dominated professions, strengthening the
workforce.
• Encouraging all genders to express themselves without fear
of bias or discrimination fosters better collaboration in
families, communities, workplaces, and politics.
• Gender equity helps reduce crime and violence against
women, contributing to safer communities for everyone.
How to Promote Gender Equity in Your Community

• Celebrate strong women who have broken barriers and

made history in all areas of life.
• Share stories of women’s achievements with neighbors,
community members, and coworkers to raise awareness.
• Support and join organizations working toward gender
equity through giving, advocacy, or volunteering.
• Educate yourself continuously about gender equity to better
understand the issues and solutions.
• Small actions in your community help build a culture of
respect, fairness, and opportunity for all genders.