EQUALITY

Gender equality is a human right first and foremost. A woman has the right to live in dignity, free from hunger and fear. Women’s empowerment is also a critical strategy for achieving development and alleviating poverty. Women who are empowered increase the health and productivity of their families and communities, as well as the chances for future generations.

Discrimination against women and girls remains the most pervasive and persistent form of inequality, including gender-based violence, economic discrimination, reproductive health disparities, and harmful traditional practises. During and after humanitarian emergencies, particularly armed conflicts, women and girls face enormous hardship.

They typically have less access to medical care, property ownership, credit, training, and employment than men do. They are far less likely than men to be politically active and far more likely to be victims of domestic violence.

Equality between men and women exists when both sexes are able to share equally in the distribution of power and influence; have equal opportunities for financial independence through work or through setting up businesses; enjoy equal access to education and the opportunity to develop personal ambitions.

The first step towards women empowerment is educating a girl child. It is said that when you educate a woman, you educate the whole society. With good education, girls can get high paying jobs and consequently wage gaps could be lowered. Increased health awareness prevents early pregnancy and malnutrition. When women have more freedom, they can involve in unexplored areas like politics.