News / Society

Economic Equality: An attainable goal for women to achieve

Monday, 29 July 2019 10:39 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 29 July 2019 10:47 AM ]

An Indian laborer collects water reeds near the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi on July 15, 2019. (Photo by AFP)

A bitter fact is that life is unfair and there has always been economic inequality; however, it does not have to remain unfair, especially if we wish to change the world into a better place for all.

According to the latest report on Global Gender Gap, women, globally, perform 66 percent of the labor and produce half of the food, but earn only 10 percent of the income and own one percent of the property.

An official at the United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) says in order to close the economic gap we need to take massive steps.

“The report shows that over the past twenty years, in terms of the key labor market indicators, the gender gaps are not closing in any meaningful way. So if we are going to have a change we really do need a quantum leap,” Shauna Olney, Chief, Gender, Equality and Diversity & ILOAIDS Branch of the ILO said in an interview titled Women deprived of their fair share on Press TV's Economic Divide program.

Socioeconomic experts say in order to attain gender economic equality, the strategy should be to empower and achieve the advancement of women.

Geraldine Byrne Nason, the United Nation's Chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women, says to achieve gender equality two main factors are essential: time and conviction, adding that gender quality needed to be pursued with political courage.

Geraldine Byrne Nason, UN Chair on the Status of Women. (file photo)

“Achieving gender balance empowering women and girls takes time - yes - but above all, it takes conviction and political courage,” she said.

Experts believe increasing diversity at all levels, and in all sectors, of the labor market, by encouraging employers to tackle bias in recruitment is another way to achieve this goal. Promotion and pay should be equal for both genders.

Writer and activist YahNé Ndgo says it would also be helpful if reporting on progress towards reducing pay gaps were mandatory. So annual statistics could raise awareness ofthe issue.

PressTV-Women deprived of their fair share

The economic inequality in general is a subject often talked about. But what is usually ignored is the gender pay inequality.

Experience has shown that many hands make light work and economic equality will be achieved at an exponential rate when everyone becomes aware and shows a willingness to make the world a better place for all to live in happily.

In the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “When we exclude women, everyone pays the price. When we include women, the whole world wins.”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk