This article is focused on the following UN Sustainable Development Goal:
Gender equality refers to everyone having equal access to resources and opportunities, including economic participation and decision-making, regardless of gender. It appears that gender inequality has long been applied mainly to women since ancient times. The global rate of gender inequality is 68.1%, which is expected to take approximately 132 years to end. Examples of gender inequality in women are uneven access to education, lack of employment equality, lack of protections, poor medical care and lack of religious freedom. Gender inequality in the past is no different from now. In the old days, as in the present, women did not have the same education as men, and it was natural to do housework instead of working, and they were not involved in political factors. It is true that sexism has decreased and improved a lot in the present than in the past, however gender inequality still exists, therefore it is important to try various ways to eliminate it.
As indicated above, countries should provide chances and support to women in order to gain gender equality. Gender equality should be achieved by supporting women to more senior roles in political issues and creating transparent policy sexism. Women are currently not getting much involved in politics. In fact, according to the 2019 survey, only 24.3% of women in politics were reported. That is why it is important for women to increase their political stakes further. If women's stakes increase, if women's political power and remarks increase, there will naturally be an increase in organizations aimed at eliminating women's human rights and gender discrimination. As a result, many people will be aware of gender discrimination and will be able to solve the problem together. Also, if women become more involved in politics, transparent policies against gender inequality should be created. In these ways, sexism may be gradually reduced.
As aforementioned, gender inequality is an ongoing problem globally and provokes various issues toward women. Various countries are trying many ways, but Iceland is currently showing the best performance and stats. Iceland is the country that is best performing the methods presented above. According to the World Gender Gap Index 2022, Iceland's gender gap was almost completely resolved with 0.993 points, where 1 represents equality. Iceland ranks first in the overall index at this level, despite narrowing only 22% of the global gender gap in political empowerment as a result of more female heads of state and more female lawmakers over the past 50 years. This raises a question, so how did Iceland eliminate gender discrimination and achieve gender equality? The answer is that Iceland has policies to protect women's rights and that children have been receiving education on gender equality since they were young. The law, which was passed in 2000, was revised in 2008 with the primary objective of achieving equal rights across different social paradigms.
The law contains guidelines on gender equality that corporations and governments should conform by. Women should represent at least 40% on company boards, and it is conventional for women to be paid equally to males for their work.
This law lists nine instances of gender discrimination. Recognize the salary gap, distinguish between indirect and direct gender discrimination, and the negative effects of gender-based violence on society. Gender equality education in Iceland is very strict and essential. Children learn about gender equality at all levels of education and learn about it at universities. Due to this education, children in Iceland have become aware of the importance of gender equality and gender inequality from an early age. In this way, gender discrimination in future generations can be reduced and gender equality can be promoted.
Overall, gender discrimination is a problem that occurs all over the world and harms the human rights of most women. That is why gender equality must be maintained in any country. We can look at Iceland as an example of aspiring to achieve the great goal of gender equality. To do so, it is important to educate women about political power and gender equality in the country and children from an early age.
Remember, change starts with you.
“These Are the World's Most Gender-Equal Countries.” World Economic Forum, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/gender-equal-countries-gender-gap/.
“7 Laws That Show Why Iceland Ranks First for Gender Equality.” Global Citizen, https://www.globalcitizen.org/es/content/7-iceland-feminist-law-women/.
“About Gender Equality.” Go to Frontpage, https://www.government.is/topics/human-rights-and-equality/equality/about-gender-equality/#:~:text=The%20State%20of%20Equality%20in%20Iceland&text=Important%20legislation%20has%20been%20passed,and%20sexual%20violence%20and%20harassment.
Kasper-Claridge, M. (2018, November 20). Is Iceland a 'gender paradise'? – DW – 11/20/2018. dw.com. Retrieved November 23, 2022, from https://www.dw.com/en/gender-equality-battle-for-fundamental-human-rights/a-46363378
Saiesha. “Facts About Women’s Rights in Iceland - the Borgen Project.” The Borgen Project, 4 Apr. 2022, borgenproject.org/womens-rights-in-iceland. Accessed 23 Apr, 2022.
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