March 8: what hampers a woman’s growth

Such headlines have become common these days. Every newspaper/magazine, around the world, carries at least one story daily on how a woman is breaking the gender barrier to achieve equal social, financial and political representation in society. Or, how women have taken a giant leap forward, claiming their role in the building of a new world order. So far, so good.

But is that reality, or is it perceived reality? And if it is the latter, then what is it that stalls a woman’s journey from being empowered to becoming powerful?

Let’s take a look at the data to see how women have progressed in the last decade, and in which areas.

Woman’s progress: what does the latest data indicate?

According to the latest UN report on gender equality and sustainable development goals, “the world is failing girls and women.”

The report states: The Gender Snapshot 2023 warns that, if current trends continue, over 340 million women and girls – an estimated 8 percent of the world’s female population – will live in extreme poverty by 2030, and close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity. The gender gap in power and leadership positions remains entrenched, and, at the current rate of progress, the next generation of women will still spend on average 2.3 more hours per day on unpaid care and domestic work than men.

The report also highlights the fact that climate change may result in close to 158.3 million women and girls falling into poverty worldwide. This number is 16 million more than the total number of males facing the same.

Another crucial fact highlighted by the report is that “older women face higher rates of poverty and violence than older men. In 28 of the 116 countries with data, less than half of older women have a pension; in 12 countries, less than 10 percent have access to a pension.”

Women’s Right to Education: Despite sustained efforts by governments and social agencies worldwide to educate women, around 130 million girls are out of the education system. Around 32 million of these are of primary school age, and 97 million of secondary school age.

Violence Against Women: Before the pandemic, 1 in 3 women faced physical or sexual violence, mostly from their partners. However, since COVID-19 hit the world, there has been an increase in all types of violence, mental, physical, and sexual, against women worldwide.

The World Health Organisation records show that almost over a quarter of women, aged 15-49 years, have faced physical or sexual violence by their partners at least once in their lifetime. “The prevalence estimates of lifetime intimate partner violence range from 20% in the Western Pacific, 22% in high-income countries and Europe and 25% in the WHO Regions of  the Americas to 33% in the WHO African region, 31% in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region, and 33% in the WHO South-East Asia region,” the report states. In conflict zones, it is often women and girls who bear the brunt of violence, especially sexual violence

In conflict zones, it is often women and girls who bear the brunt of violence, especially sexual violence.

Women in Leadership Roles: Studies conducted by UN Women reveal that women remain under-represented politically at all levels of decision making around the world. As per the data, in 26 countries, only 28 women serve as Heads of State; women represent 22.8 percent of cabinet members heading ministries, leading policy areas; and there are only 13 countries in which women hold 50 percent or more of the positions of cabinet ministers leading policy areas.

As for their role in the economy, the 2023 Global Gender Gap report published by the World Economic Forum states that women constitute 41.9% of the workforce. The proportion of women in senior leadership roles (Vice-President, Director, or C-suite) has in fact decreased.

Are Women Their Own Enemies?

Why, despite the continued support of authorities and human rights groups and numerous policies devised by governments, do women fare badly in terms of equitability and equal socio-political rights?

The reasons are aplenty, of course. Patriarchy being prime amongst them. However, there is a lesser-known yet crucial aspect that is instrumental in stalling women’s progress. In most cases, especially in Eastern societies, it is women who are responsible for the plight of their own gender. They consider themselves to be lesser than their male counterparts. Invariably, it is the mother who shows preference for the male child, especially in third world countries. Girls are taught to be homemakers. Their role in society is pre-defined. And while they do have the right to education and the right to work, they don’t have the freedom to right the wrong.