Gender Equality: The Ongoing Challenges Women Face Compared to Men

erikabassovisionfa
Jun 17
4 min read

Gender inequality is a set of challenges that women face in various areas of life, often different from those faced by men. These disparities take many forms, such as the wage gap, difficulties in gaining access to leadership positions, gender-based violence and the difficulty of reconciling work and family.

The issue of gender equality is one of the most significant challenges of recent decades. This concept, beyond mere equality between men and women, covers a wide range of issues ranging from civil and social rights to economic equity to political representation.

Gender equality is a fundamental principle which aims to ensure that men and women enjoy equal rights, opportunities and treatment in all aspects of social, economic and political life. This concept is based on the idea that no individual should suffer discrimination or disadvantage because of their gender.

At a global level, this concept has been recognised as a fundamental objective by the UN and other international organisations. It is part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls and ensure equal opportunities in areas such as education, employment and political representation.

In the European context, gender equality is a central value and a priority objective of the European Union. The EU has adopted a number of directives, policies and programmes to promote gender equality and combat discrimination based on sex. These efforts include promoting gender balance in jobs, combating gender-based violence and promoting equality in political and economic decision making.

Global situation and international standards

Despite significant efforts in many parts of the world, women continue to face obstacles in their professional careers and representation in leadership positions. This gap manifests itself not only in terms of wage disparities, but also in access to employment opportunities, participation in the labour market and representation in decision-making roles.

To address these challenges, a number of international regulations and conventions have been adopted. An example is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. This international treaty is often described as the "International Charter of Women’s Rights" and aims to promote and protect the rights of women globally.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also played a key role in promoting gender equality through the enactment of a number of conventions and recommendations.

Gender Equality in the Italian Context

In Italy, the issue of gender equality in the world of work has been addressed through a series of laws and initiatives, both at national level and in line with European directives.

One of the milestones in this area is Law No. 125 of 10 April 1991, "Positive Actions for the Achievement of Gender Equality at Work", which introduced measures to promote equal treatment and opportunities between men and women in the workplace.

On the European front, Italy has joined various EU initiatives and directives aimed at promoting gender equality, such as the Strategy for Gender Equality 2020-2025, which focuses on issues such as gender violence, equal pay and equal participation and representation at all levels of the profession.

Gender Equality in the Spanish Context

In Spain, the concept of gender equality, or "igualdad de género" in Spanish, is a fundamental principle enshrined in the Constitution and promoted through various laws and policies. Despite progress, Spain continues to face significant challenges in achieving real equality, especially in areas such as work-life balance and the presence of women in leadership positions.

Equal access and treatment

Gender equality is based on the principle that all men and women should have equal opportunities and receive equal treatment in all areas, including work, education, health and political participation.

Spanish laws and policies aim to eliminate all forms of gender discrimination, including stereotypes and prejudices that can limit opportunities.

In many areas, such as politics and the world of work, measures have been introduced to increase the presence and representation of women, for example through gender quotas.

Progress and challenges

Spain has adopted specific laws on gender equality, such as Ley Orgánica 3/2007, which promotes effective equality between women and men and introduces measures for reconciling work and family life.

Spain has been a pioneer in Europe in approving same-sex marriage, recognising the right to civil union regardless of sexual orientation.

Another important aspect is the development of mentoring programmes and professional networks for women. These programmes can provide support, guidance and networking opportunities that are essential to professional advancement. It is crucial that companies and governments work together to tackle the gender pay gap. This can be achieved through the analysis and publication of wage data disaggregated by gender, the implementation of equal pay policies and the adoption of initiatives to raise awareness on this issue.

Promoting gender equality in the world of work is not only a question of social justice, but also an intelligent economic choice. Women’s full participation in the labour market can lead to greater economic growth, innovation and competitiveness. It is therefore in everyone’s interest - companies, governments and society - to work together to create more equitable and inclusive working environments.

Frequently Asked Questions on Gender Equality

Let us now look at some frequently asked questions that users often ask themselves when looking for information about gender equality:

- What is gender equality? Gender equality implies equality between men and women in terms of rights, treatment, responsibilities and opportunities as well as in the economic and social achievements.

- Why is gender equality important? Ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities in areas such as education, health, decent employment and participation in political and economic decision-making is crucial within today’s society.

This is conducive to the development of sustainable economies, which will benefit society as a whole and humanity as a whole.