Equality

 

Global Issues: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Gender equality is a human right, but our world faces persistent gaps in access to decision-making opportunities and power for women and men. Securing women's rights and giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential is essential not only to achieve gender equality, but also to meet various international development goals. Gender equality means that they have equality in terms of education, treatment, and rights in voice and life choices. Education is important for women, and if a woman is more educated it will delay her marriage and be able to provide for her family first. Health is important for humans considering that many HIV cases that occur in women are due to the poor life cycle. The final area of ​​focus in achieving gender equality is the economic and political empowerment of women. Although women make up more than 50% of the world's population, they only own 1% of the world's wealth. In the world there are so many women and children who do household chores after they are married and without pay, sometimes when things are difficult, they need money more than what their husbands give and that requires women to work.

Globally, no country has fully achieved gender equality. Scandinavian countries such as Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden are leading the world in their progress towards closing the gender gap. Within these countries, there is a relatively fair distribution of income, resources and opportunities for men and women. The largest gender gaps were identified especially in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. However, a number of countries in the region, including Lesotho, South Africa, and Sri Lanka outperform the United States on gender equality. Around the world, Peace Corps Volunteers work with communities to work on gender equality and empower women and girls. In 1974, Congress signed the Percy Amendment requiring Peace Corps Volunteers to actively integrate women into the economic, political, and social development of their countries. Many Peace Corps Volunteers are implementing the Camp GLOW, or Girls Leading Our World, program to help girls develop self-esteem and leadership skills. Recognizing that men and men should be equal partners in achieving gender equality, Volunteers also teach boys leadership and life skills through the Teaching Our Boys Excellence (TOBE) camp. Peace Corps volunteers promote gender equality and women's empowerment through health education, business development, and by raising awareness of women's rights and contributions to their communities.

Source : https://www.peacecorps.gov/educators/resources/global-issues-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment/