In sociology, the word gender refers to the socio-cultural characterization of man and woman, the way societies make a distinction between men and women and assign them social roles. The distinction between sex and gender was introduced to deal with the general tendency to attribute women's subordination to their anatomy. For ages, it was believed that the different characteristics, roles and status accorded to women and men in society are determined by sex, that they are natural and therefore not changeable.
Gender is seen closely related to the roles and behavior assigned to women and men based on their sexual differences. In many non-Western communities, as soon as a child is born families and society begin the process of gendering. The birth of the son is celebrated, the birth of a daughter filled with pain; sons are showered with love, respect, better food and proper health care. Things are better in Canada but far from being called as ideal.
Gender Inequality is, therefore, a form of inequality which is distinct from other forms of economic and social inequalities. It dwells not only outside the household but also centrally within it. It seems not only from pre-existing differences in economic endowments between women and men but also from pre-existing gendered social norms and social perceptions.
Gender Inequality has an adverse impact on development goals as reduces economic growth. It hampers the overall well being because blocking women from participation in social, political and economic activities can adversely affect the whole society. Most developing countries have displayed gender inequality in education, employment and health.
It may be noted that in Canada, efforts to close Canada's gender gap are moving at a rate so slow, it could take Canadian women 228 years to catch up to men. Although Canada received an A+ in areas of health and education for women, a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) looks at Canada's gender gap in the last 20 years and reveals we lag behind in closing the gap for women in the areas of politics and income equality.
“I won’t be alive to see it close and neither will my children or my grandchildren," author Kate McInturff, said in a statement. But the biggest downfall for Canada is suffered by its female legislators, senior officials and managers. When looking at economics, countries are scored on labor-force participation, income and ratio of women to men in professional, technical and management positions.
“The economic gender gap is not due to a lack of qualifications, given Canada’s high levels of equality in access to education,” McInturff said. “In fact, the income gap is actually greater for women with university or college degrees than it is for those with high school diplomas. Having a university degree means a higher level of income overall, yes, but it also means facing a higher level of wage discrimination."
The forecast is even worse for Canadian women in politics. Although Canada now has six female premiers, the country even further behind in equal representation in government. Currently, women only make up 25 percent of the federal legislature." At this rate, Canada will close the gap on political participation in 392 years," McInturff, said in the report. "Canada will not achieve the equal representation of women in Parliament, in the cabinet, and as heads of state until the year 2404."
When women do hold positions in politics, Canadian advocacy group, "Equal Voice," says they're still plagued by negative stereotypes of women's abilities, media unbalance and sexist perceptions. Solutions to closing this gap aren't simple, especially if Canada is looking for the change in the near future. McInturff has stressed that not only do women need to participate in greater numbers in government, but this representation also needs to be supported by funding robust civil society organizations that work towards gender equality.
Comments
Post a Comment