Webdesk: A recent UN assessment found “fundamental biases” against women, indicating a “decade of stagnation” in women’s rights worldwide.
According to a Monday UNDP research, approximately 90% of people hold anti-female sentiments. According to the 2017 World Values Survey, half of the worldwide public still thinks males better political leaders. Over 40% think men are better business CEOs, and 25% think domestic violence against women is appropriate.
The report emphasizes that gender-biased social norms hinder gender equality. Regional, income, development, and cultural biases exist. Since 2019, the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index (GII), a composite measure of gender inequality, stagnated, making gender equality by 2030 implausible.
Women Leadership
These biases lead to women’s leadership underrepresentation. Women hold less than one-third of managerial positions, and just 10% of heads of state or government are women. These discrepancies do not correlate with education. In 59 countries, women are more educated than males, but men earn 39% more.
Moreover, The COVID-19 pandemic and global pushback against women’s rights have compounded the situation. The paper notes that social norms restricting women’s rights hurt society. Pedro Conceição, head of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office, emphasizes women’s freedom and agency.
The study emphasizes change despite the gloomy condition. While, They mention parental leave regulations and labor market reforms changing attitudes regarding women in the workplace. The authors say governments are key to changing gender stereotypes. Challenge gender conventions by recognizing the economic worth of unpaid care work.
According to UN Women, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned in March that gender equality is declining and would take 300 years to attain. Guterres cited high maternal mortality, forced early marriages, and attacks on schoolgirls as indications that gender equality is becoming increasingly unlikely.
He advocated for urgent concerted action to increase education, income, and employment for women and girls, especially in developing nations, and encourage their participation in science and technology. Guterres said global frameworks must change to empower women and girls worldwide, citing centuries of patriarchal institutions, discrimination, and negative preconceptions that contribute to the gender gap in science and technology.
