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STATUS OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY

In the past, civilization allowed women only limited roles in society.  They believed that women were suited for domestic duties as mothers and wives. They did not allow them to participate in public life. Women always had to fight for their rights. While men are given their rights on a silver platter.  Around the world,  finding a job is much tougher for women than it is for men. Why though?

When men and women study the same syllabus, from the same teachers, in the same institute, why is it that we see comparatively fewer women in professional fields than men?

Is it the gender wage gap? Or is it simply the unacceptance of women in fields which are considered to be masculine?

Related: Fashion Rules the World

There are hundreds of examples when the things women showed interest in lost their importance.

In the early 19th century, women weren’t allowed to study, they were not educated as it seemed that it gave them no benefits in their marital life. Why do we only study male poets from the past like Byron, Shelley, and Wordsworth? Why is there no female poet? Because back then education was solely for men. Women were only taught cooking, cleaning, and sewing. However, that changed but equality is one thing that we women still haven’t achieved.  Industries and professions are divided for men and women when none of these things are inherently masculine or feminine.

In the 18th and 19th centuries,  fashion was considered a men thing. When men wear tights and heels (which they did at that time) they were considered to be of higher class. But, when women started to show interest in it, men left it, saying it was frivolous and a “women thing”. When wore tights and heels, they were considered to be attention-seeking. Red lip color or any kind of color was banned, in early times, saying that it led men astray. Those women who went against it were actually fined for breaking a LAW!

Similarly, in Russia, doctors have no value as most women opt for the medical profession. In Russia,  doctors are not respected. Why? Because now it’s considered to be a “women thing” as well.

In every field, every industry where women began to take interest in, their wages start to fall drastically. The gap in earnings between women and men although smaller than it was years ago, is still significant, women continue to be underrepresented in certain industries and occupations.

Even though time is changing now, people are more understanding and accepting.  There are more women in business and running companies than ever before. But still, 19.9% of women own businesses in America (which is said to be a country, where women are given equal rights).

According to Wikipedia,  the current global labor force participation rate for women is close to 49%, for men, it’s 75%. That’s a difference of 24% points, with some regions facing a gap of more than 50% points.

Women in Pakistan:

In many areas of Pakistan, women still don’t have the privilege of education.

53.6% of women are illiterate in 2021 according to Wikipedia. In Pakistan, a person would easily hire a sleek boy for a grade 2 job, whereas a woman with the same or higher education would have to start from grade zero.

Why are two individuals in a company, who do similar work at the same level of qualification but are not paid equally? Such situations are illegal? These things are discriminating. where is the equality they talk about? Where is our freedom? Why do people turn a blind eye to it?

The freedom to work by choice in conditions of dignity, safety, and fairness is integral to human welfare. Guaranteeing that women have access to this right is an important end in itself.

Elizabeth Cady Stantan, a U.S campaigner for women suffrage says:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident

that all men and women are created EQUAL.”

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How to rectify the situation:

  • The government should put an end to gender roles.
  • There should be stricter punishments for harassment.
  • There should be equal salaries among male and female employees.
  • Women should be given equal chances of employment as males.
  • It should be made compulsory to give education to women.
  • Women should have the freedom to work and make their own life choices.

Written by: YUMNA TARIQ (YT)

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