1 IGW : Global Gender Issues

GLOBAL GENDER ISSUES Written by: Natalie Marie

2 IGW : Global Gender Issues

I love to be individual, to step

beyond gender.

Annie Lennox

3 IGW : Global Gender Issues

Objectives

1. Society's expectation of gender roles

2. Situations where inequalities between genders exist

3. Creating gender equality locally and globally

Introduction

The way we perceive gender as a society and culture has a direct impact on how each

gender is treated. Differences in the way females and males (and everywhere in between*)

are treated influenced a given culture, and that culture's gender norms and values.

Activity

Q. Do you feel that there should be difference in the way females

are treated to males? Think of both good and bad ways you

could be treated differently because of your gender. (For example

job opportunities, access to health).

Q. Are there situations in which different treatment is actually

required? (For example parenthood, health services)

It is important to remember that not all differences between female and male imply

inequity; think about the fact that men in Australia don’t often wear skirts or dresses, but

females do. Wearing a skirt is a gender difference which does not favour or inhibit either

gender.

Gender norms and values can however give rise to gender inequalities that systematically

empower one group to the detriment of the other. Throughout the world today, simply

being born a female can be hugely detrimental to your opportunities, your access to

education, your access to health and the outcomes associated with them. It’s important to

remember that reduced health of women does not remain to be the problem of women,

but can expand to include their children and the society they live within.

*Gender identity and Sex is a complicated and extensive concept outside of the scope of this module. In this module,

the definition of gender identity and sex is as follows.

Gender Identity: your internal sense of "gender", and the roles that are determined by your culture.

Sex : biological differences; chromosomes, hormonal profiles, and internal and external sex organs – female, male and

intersex.

4 IGW : Global Gender Issues

Below are just a few examples of current inequalities in access that affect women, and

women’s health.

Two-thirds of the 774 million people in the world who lack basic literacy skills are

female, without being able to read they are unable to access much of the health

related information needed to make informed decisions about their own and their

family’s health.

Women hold an average of only five per cent of seats in national parliaments in

Pacific Island countries and thus have a reduced control in policy relating to

women’s health

Half a million women die each year from complications during pregnancy that

could have been prevented, with more than 99 % of them in developing countries

Globally, one in three females experience physical and sexual violence. This rate

rises as high as two in three in countries with a third world status.

Development in third world countries is of vital importance to the future of global health;

societies without inequalities have a better chance to develop. When women and men have

equality, economies grow faster and are more stable; children's health improves and is less

of a burden on the government support system, and there and there is far less corruption.

Gender equality is a basic human right.

5 IGW : Global Gender Issues

Activity

In each of the following scenarios, gender norms and values, and

resulting behaviours, are negatively affecting health. In fact, the

gender picture in a given time and place can be one of the major

obstacles.

In groups of 2-4 think of ways the following situations could be

improved. Write these down on a piece of paper and then share

your ideas with the other groups and discuss solutions as a class.

(Hint: Education campaigns, Policy and law changes, support

groups and access to services).

A woman cannot receive needed health care because norms in her community

prevent her from travelling alone to a clinic.

A teenage boy dies in an accident because of trying to live up to his peers’

expectations that young men should be "manly" risk-takers.

A married woman contracts HIV because societal standards encourage her

husband’s promiscuity while simultaneously preventing her from insisting on

condom use.

A country's lung cancer mortality rate for men far outstrips the corresponding rate

for women because smoking is considered an attractive marker of masculinity,

while it is frowned upon in women.

Gender Equality

Gender equality implies that men and women should receive equal treatment unless there

is a sound biological reason for different treatment. Gender norms and values are not fixed

and they evolve over time and vary substantially from place to place. The way the world is

now is going to be very different to how it is in 50 years’ time, and you as an individual and a

collective have significant influence on the direction it takes. The poor health consequences

resulting from gender differences and gender inequalities can be changed.

6 IGW : Global Gender Issues

The concept of gender equality is based on the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

with the ultimate aim being to provide equality in law and equality in social situations. An

example in Australia of legal changes to support equality is the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.

United Nations Millennium Development Goals

The third goal for the United Nations Development goals is to

promote gender equality and empower women. The millennium

development goals recognise equality between men and women

is crucial to reducing poverty and ensuring full participation in

communities. The goals aim to ensure:

Women and men hold positions as leaders in their communities

Women and men equally participate in all levels of education

Women and men are equally able to undertake paid employment

As part of the millennium development goals Australia provides funding to aid programs

aiming to help promote gender equality and empower women in partner countries.

How can you make a difference as an individual?

Become an advocate in your community, speak up for injustices that you are aware of and

seek information regarding the rights of others. It is the little voices of change that combine

to form the roaring and moving voices of a collective. Awareness is the most powerful tool

of change in developing countries such as Australia, so

Stand tall and speak loud.

References

Sweetman C, GB. O (2005) Gender and the millennium development goals. OXFAM PUB,

Kronenfeld JJ (2012) Issues in Health and Health Care Related to Race/Ethnicity, Immigration, SES and Gender. Emerald Group Publishing Limited,

McGillivray M, Research WIfDE (2008) Achieving the millennium development goals. Palgrave Macmillan,