In advanced nation, women still have many hurdles to cross

Mysuru: In addition to being a fundamental human right, gender equality is also a precondition for a world that is stable, affluent, and sustainable.

 

Over the past few decades, there has been a progress: more girls are attending school, fewer are being coerced into early marriages, more women are holding elected office and other leadership posts and laws are being changed to promote gender equality.

 

Despite these advancements, there are still many obstacles to overcome: 1 in 5 women and girls between the  ages of 15 and 49 report experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner within a 12 month period; discriminatory laws and social norms continue to be prevalent; women continue to be under represented at all levels of political leadership.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic’s consequences could undo the meagre progress that has been accomplished in favour of women’s rights and gender equality. The coronavirus outbreak makes already existing disparities for women and girls worse in every area, including security, the economy and social protection. In the fight against the virus, women are overrepresented among frontline healthcare providers and domestic caregivers. 

 

As a result of closing schools and a rise in senior citizens’ demands, women’s unpaid caregiving has expanded dramatically. The economic effects of COVID-19 are also more severely felt by women because they predominately labour in unstable employment. Women make up about 60% of the workforce in the unorganised sector, which increases the likelihood that they will become impoverished.

 

– By Fathima Ummer,

second BA, JPE

Christ College, Mysuru 

 

– Team Mysoorunews