Introduction
Equal access to educational and economic opportunities is the basis for building a gender-equal society and empowering women worldwide. In the modern world, education is vital in eliminating gender disparities and is the basis for further development and progress. Women who have access to education not only achieve a higher quality of life but also have better health and a higher income level. However, inequality in education is still present, especially in mathematical areas, which has negative consequences not only for women themselves but also for the development of society, as it prevents the progress of valuable personnel. Discriminatory manifestations against women are interdependent in various spheres of life.
Unequal access to education shapes the appropriate image of women in society and, as a result, leads to cases of violence. Thus, this paper sheds light on the need to build a gender-equal society and empower women. Analyzing the root causes of inequality, the results of recent research, and possible ways to improve the situation, this research provides a comprehensive approach to address the challenges of the current situation. Therefore, by eliminating restrictions on access to education and leadership positions for women and eradicating the root causes of violence, society can provide women’s potential with development opportunities, thereby leading to the prosperity of society.
Ensuring Equal Access to Education and Economic Opportunities
Equal access to educational and economic opportunities is a necessary aspect of achieving gender equality and empowering women worldwide. Education plays an essential role in the elimination of gender disparities since knowledge is the basis for further actions. Women who earn higher in the world have a better quality of life, health, and income levels. The concepts of education and gender equality are related since access to education is a reflection of gender-biased attitudes prevailing in society. Thus, the share of women in math-intensive fields is much smaller than that of men (Breda et al. 1). Such a trend is not only a confirmation of discrimination in the field of education but also threatens the potential loss of a valuable intellectual resource.
Access to education is limited to the possibility of the professional growth of valuable personnel, leading to an uneven share of men and women in the economic sphere. According to a study by the Asia Pacific Women’s Information Network Center (APWINC), women lack knowledge in the financial and digital sectors due to limited access to education (Fauzi et al. 107). Thus, there is a trend of interdependent discrimination in education and, accordingly, in employment. Accordingly, to provide women with equal opportunities for professional development, it is necessary first to ensure equal access to education.
Eliminating the gender gap and providing economic opportunities is essential, given the inequalities in the socio-economic life of women. Despite progress in this direction, women still need to overcome barriers and inflated requirements for employment, unequal pay, and undervaluation as professionals. In such a case, it is necessary to implement effective policies to ensure equal conditions and pay, help in childcare, and promote entrepreneurship among women. In creating an inclusive society, it is necessary not only to convince of the need for equal rights and opportunities but also to make such a way of life an indisputable norm.
It is worth noting that ensuring women’s access to business and the economy is an advantage for the entire society. If a woman is educated and economically empowered, she positively influences her home environment and the people around her, inspiring development and prosperity. Recent studies have proven the relationship between women’s education and the state of health of mothers and children (Mensch et al. 504). Thus, education for women is necessary not only to earn income but also to ensure a high level of well-being for themselves and their families. Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls requires equal access to education and economic opportunities to unlock the potential of women’s development.
Addressing Gender-Based Discrimination
Addressing discrimination and violence against women is critical because it violates human rights and stagnates societal development. Women and girls are victims of violence in various forms, such as sexual violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. According to a 2021 study, 45 percent of women have either been victims or personally known victims of violence since the Covid-19 period (United Nations). Such manifestations of violent behavior harm physical and mental health and form unacceptable behavior patterns in society.
It is worth noting that emphasis should be placed not only on protecting women from violence but, first of all, on eradicating manifestations of violent behavior. Since the victim cannot be guilty of the cruelty committed against them, the violence’s reasons and subjects must first be addressed. It is necessary to create a society where women and girls can develop without fear and limitations. It can be achieved through educational campaigns approved by law and measures to inform the public about the acceptability of behavior.
Addressing the problems of violence and discrimination provokes the improvement of society and clears the way to prosperity and mutual development. When discriminatory manifestations towards them do not burden women and girls, they can develop unhindered, personally and professionally. It ultimately has a positive effect on economic development and improves the living conditions of the entire society. Observing gender equality while eliminating manifestations of violence against women prioritizes economic gain and forces business opportunities for women (Lawless et al. 8). Thus, addressing gender-based violence and discrimination is a critical step toward building a prosperous society.
Empowering Women in Leadership
Finally, empowering women and encouraging them into leadership positions is critical to developing an inclusive society. Diverse leadership opportunities and perspectives among women lead to better process performance. At this stage, the indicators of the share of women in government positions require improvement, as the pace could be much better. According to the UN, at today’s rates, an equal share of women and men in parliamentary positions will be achieved in 40 years (United Nations). Such numbers indicate a significant need to create inclusive teams in power structures, education, and business.
The involvement of women in decision-making positions has advantages for the entire team and society as a whole. Diverse communities with significant participation of women are more innovative and creative and achieve high success rates (Xie et al. 2). Thus, empowering women and involving them in leadership positions can improve decision-making and foster a more creative approach to solving complex problems. The diversity in teams and equality between men and women lead to the destruction of stereotypes.
Moreover, it is essential to eliminate those traditional visions of women’s roles that harm society’s development and form a wrong perception of gender relations in children. Obtaining leadership positions should not depend on gender but on personal and professional skills. By positioning a woman as fully capable of leading large teams, corporations, or government, society can create a worthy image of a role model for the younger generation. When women are given leadership positions, it helps children realize the value of their potential contributions and inspires them not to be afraid of environmental pressures. Thus, by empowering women in leadership and decision-making, it is possible to achieve gender equality and form the right image of the role of women for the younger generation.
Conclusion
The path to establishing gender equality in all aspects of social life emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of negative trends and their elimination. By destroying barriers in the fields of education, business, and government, which stagnate the professional development of women, it is possible to create an inclusive society. This paper explored the importance of equal access to education and economic opportunities, analyzing the interrelationship of these spheres in achieving gender equality. Education was emphasized as a driving force for the development of society, taking into account its role in eliminating gender stereotypes.
In addition, the importance of access to economic opportunities and its positive impact on the quality of life and health status of women and society was emphasized. By addressing the root causes of negative trends in gender inequality, it is possible to create an inclusive society with suitable behavior models, which will be a worthy example for the younger generation. The research evidence presented in this paper confirms the critically needed role of implementing equality in society as a mandatory norm. Thus, governments, organizations, and individuals must promote gender equality through their actions and values, breaking down barriers and paving the way for gender-independent development.
Works Cited
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Fauzi, Fitriya, Darius Antoni, and Emi Suwarni. “Women Entrepreneurship in the Developing Country: The Effects of Financial and Digital Literacy on SMEs’ Growth.” Journal of Governance and Regulation, vol. 9, no. 4, 2020, pp. 106-115. Web.
Lawless, Sarah, et al. “Gender Equality is Diluted in Commitments Made to Small-Scale Fisheries.” World Development, vol. 140, 2021, pp. 1-15. Web.
Mensch, Barbara S., et al. “Evidence for Causal Links Between Education and Maternal and Child Health: Systematic Review.” Tropical Medicine & International Health, vol. 24, no. 5, 2019, pp. 504-522. Web.
United Nations. “Goal 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls.” United Nations. Web.
Xie, Luqun, et al. “Gender Diversity in R&D Teams and Innovation Efficiency: Role of The Innovation Context.” Research Policy, vol. 49, no. 1, 2020, pp. 1-13. Web.