Gender equality is a fundamental human right that all people in a given society are entitled to. It includes justice and equality among all the members of the society. Gender equality is crucial in order to achieve vision of a society where everyone has an equal right to survival, security, growth, and participation.
Over the years gender equality and women emancipation have been at centre stage in almost all progressive political ideologies. While as in the developed countries, the campaigns have not been much spectacular in the last few decades owing to their assimilation (women’s) in most of the human endeavors, social and political processes, the demands for rights and liberation of women from the shackles imposed by society, communities and institutions of power.
Amid the agreements and disagreements on what truly constitutes women empowerment and emancipation, some leeway has been observed with the clash of cultural values. Since the idea of women’s emancipation began to take root and later evolved into a global trend, many people have debated the subject, and the debate has really exploded.
The definition is often misinterpreted as a mission to free women from men’s shackles. When the idea made its way to the east, it became even more profound. The discourse exploded with vehemence and revenge against patriarchal cultures as a result of this intrinsic error.
As a result, women’s liberation became a beloved subject that was debated in conferences, forums, and other programmes around the world, where various ideas such as equality, empowerment, and other similar words originated. It was emphasized that women need more space and opportunities for self-expression.
At one time it seemed that the concepts like equality and empowerment are the real things which can solve the problems faced by women folk, but now it appears that the question, although very valid, have got blown out of proportion.
The idea that women empowerment means empowering women against men has rendered a severe blow to the otherwise noble cause. An impression has been created in the minds of females to view males as ruthless oppressors. This has adversely affected the scheme of life at the level of family and society.
Need of the hour is that the concept of women emancipation is made a part of overall task of social correction and not an exclusively female adventure. Despite the fact that the world has made significant progress in gender equality, a significant gap still exists in many parts of the world.
Gender inequalities in economic participation and opportunity, educational achievement, health and survival, and political empowerment must all be addressed. Educating children about the value of gender equality from an early age might be a good start in that direction.
(Author is a teacher and freelancer)
