Gender inequality The unequal treatment of individuals based on their gender where by men or usually women are denied the same rights and opportunities across sectors of society. This inequality can be measured by the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) devised by the World Economic Forum. This index focuses on gaps between men and women across four key areas: Health, education, economy and politics.

TASKS: Complete the grid (next slide) to show the factors influencing gender inequality for education, access to reproductive health and employment. (Pg. 249-251) . For each factor, try and categorise the “sub-factors” as either economic, political or social. It will help if you read pages 249 – 251 completely before trying to complete the grid. Use Table 8.3; Figure 8.13, 8.15 & 8.16 to help you produce detailed notes.

Economic Political Social Educational opportunity Access to reproductive health services Employment opportunity

TASKS: 2) Explain why female education is so important in reducing gender inequality (page 249). 3) Outline what the UN is doing to try and achieve this. 4) Give an overview of why access to reproductive health services is so important in reducing gender inequality (page 250). 5) Explain why early marriage and early child bearing promotes gender inequality (i.e. explain the “cascading effect” on their lives). 6) Investigate what NGO’s like ICRW and Womankind are doing to try and improve gender equality. 7) Describe how “The Labour Force Participation Rate” varies globally (page 251). 8) Explain why this spatial variation exists (page 251).

What are the barriers to overcome? Some are easier than others Forced marriage – especially child brides Trafficking into forced labour including sex slaves Access to education and health care, especially when it costs Employment opportunity and political participation (delay following eventual education and priority of families) Wage equality (still an issue in developed countries) Access to family planning clinics/information Violence, conflict and war

The challenge of violence, wars and conflicts Violence (including domestic abuse where women cant speak out). During times of violent conflict, rape is frequently used as a military tactic to harm, humiliate and shame. Violence and war can also weaken systems of protection, security and justice. For these reasons, conflicts often exacerbate and escalate sexual violence. 

UN Conventions The “Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) aims to outlaw gender discrimination. They rely on NGOs who are better able to work with local communities to overcome very specific issues but with varying success.

UNDP respond to sexual and gender-based violence by: Increasing women’s political participation in justice and security sectors, conflict prevention and peacebuilding, and economic recovery; Help develop policies and legal frameworks that are inclusive and protective of women and women’s rights; Providing services for survivors, including medical, psycho-social, family, legal and economic assistance; Tackling  impunity for sexual and gender-based violence AND giving victims reparations to help them rebuild their lives; Engaging and raising awareness at community level and involving men in the process to tackle violence.

http://www. independent. co http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/iceland-women- protest-strike-gender-pay-gap-leave-work-early- a7378801.html#gallery

The Key: Women’s Empowerment The 5 components of Women’s Empowerment - Improving: - Women’s sense of self-worth; - Their right to determine choices; - Their right to access opportunities and resources; - Their right to have power and control their own lives, both within and outside the home; - Their ability to influence the direction of social change nationally and internationally. Which is the most important key? Justify your choice.