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The World Bank’s New Gender Strategy: Female Leadership

World Bank's New Gender StrategyAcross the world, gender equality is “an urgent imperative,” according to the World Bank. The global community is currently grappling with an unparalleled series of crises disproportionately affecting women and girls. Gender equality is a cornerstone for fostering a world characterized by peace and prosperity, playing an essential role in the global developmental trajectory.

While achieving gender equality is a continuous challenge for the worldwide community, the proposed World Bank Gender Strategy 2024-2030 attempts to “accelerate gender equality for a sustainable, resilient and inclusive future in alignment with the World Bank Evolution Roadmap.” The strategy actively promotes engagement with public and private sector clients, development partners, civil society and other critical stakeholders to achieve key objectives. Objectives include engaging women as community leaders and increasing opportunities for women, both crucial in addressing gender-specific challenges and promoting overall economic and social progress.

Empowering Women in Eastern and Southern Africa

The World Bank article, “Transforming the Lives of Women and Girls in Eastern and Southern Africa,” focuses on applying the institution’s new Gender Strategy in East and South Africa from 2016-2023 and exploring the future implications of this updated approach. In both Eastern and Southern Africa, women and girls are faced with extreme educational and economic disadvantages continuously. While essential strides for gender equality have been made within these regions, there is still far more to achieve.

“In AFE countries, only 26% of women had an account with a financial institution in FY17 and women are 24% less likely than men to have an account. Only 10% of women borrowed for their business or farm and business ownership is disproportionately skewed toward men; for instance, 70% of Rwanda’s businesses are owned by men.” Ultimately, the World Bank hopes to close these gender gaps and boost female empowerment by continuing to engage women as leaders and increase their opportunities within communities.

Addressing Gender Disparities

In response to the challenges of gender equality, specific projects have been launched by the World Bank’s Gender Strategy to increase women’s participation in entrepreneurial endeavors. One example is the Ethiopia Women Entrepreneurship Development Project, aiming to increase earnings and employment for women in targeted cities. The program guarantees participants access to finances and supports the development of their entrepreneurial and technical skills. It has provided more than 24,000 women with loans, leading to an average income increase of 68%.

The Intersection of Gender Equality and Global Health

The World Bank will continue establishing and developing its New Gender Strategy program because of the positive effects investing in women and girls can have within communities, as shown through a U.N. case study on investing in women’s leadership. The disproportionately high HIV infection rates among adolescent girls and young women, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, stem from intersecting factors such as unequal power dynamics, gender norms and limited access to health care and resources.

To combat this, empowering young women through providing education, access to resources and leadership opportunities is crucial for reducing HIV incidence and achieving global health and gender equality targets. “The world will not be able to defeat AIDS while reinforcing patriarchy. The only effective route map to ending AIDS and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is a feminist route map,” quoted Winnie Byanyima, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director.

In Summary

The pursuit of gender equality remains an urgent global imperative, especially amid crises disproportionately impacting women and girls. The World Bank’s Gender Strategy 2024-2030 aims to accelerate equality and global improvements by empowering women as leaders within communities and achieving goals of economic gender equality. Initiatives like the Ethiopia Women Entrepreneurship Development Project exemplify targeted efforts to enhance women’s economic participation and empowerment, echoing the broader call to bridge gender gaps worldwide.

– Marisa Kole
Photo: Unsplash

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Aurat Foundation: Fighting Poverty in Pakistan

Aurat FoundationIn a 2023 report, the World Bank expected poverty level in Pakistan to reach 37.2%. This percentage is slightly below the previous rate of 39.8% in 2018, however, when adjusting for population growth, the number of Pakistanis living in poverty has grown by nearly 3 million since 2018. Considering these rates, this article will outline three factors that are contributing to individuals being poor in Pakistan today.

Deeply Rooted Inequalities in Pakistan

Social inequalities, specifically those rooted in gender workplace discrimination, are the first factor leading to individuals being poor in Pakistan. According to the World Bank, gender inequalities remain persistent in Pakistan, with only one out of four working-age women participating in the labor force and 80% of these women working in agriculture. The majority of women therefore find themselves concentrated in low-paid jobs and have limited opportunities for upward mobility in the formal sector of the economy, making these social inequalities a primary factor of being poor in Pakistan.

Environmental Degradation in Pakistan

Environmental Degradation is the second factor contributing to being poor in Pakistan today. Asian Development Bank (ADB) outlines a clear connection existing between environmental degradation and poverty, with both factors continually reinforcing each other. “Increasing air pollution and contamination of ground and surface water,” for example, are “the most commonly cited indicators of environmental degradation in Pakistan” and ones that those living in poverty are especially vulnerable to. Long-term exposure to these pollutants has significant effects on the health of impoverished individuals, who must then devote significant portions of their already limited incomes to health costs.

Limited Poverty Reduction Programs

The final factor contributing to being poor in Pakistan is the insufficient poverty reduction programs that the country has implemented. Although Pakistan indeed has a long history of poverty reduction programs, these programs tend to focus on only one measure of poverty and thus often fall short of reducing overall poverty levels. These programs also account for only about 2% of GDP and have a limited outreach, thus making them the third factor that is contributing to poverty in Pakistan.

The Good News: Aurat Foundation

Established in 1986, the Aurat Foundation focuses on spreading awareness and creating a society where men and women are coequal, both possessing the right to lead their lives in whichever ways they decide. This right extends to the formal sector of the economy, a sector that with a current male domination. Throughout its many years of operation, the Aurat Foundation has therefore established itself as a prominent NGO in Pakistan, specifically focusing on “providing grants, undertaking advocacy for women’s economic empowerment through gender-responsive budgetary allocations and incorporating of women’s concerns into the macro-economic policy framework and social protection programs.”

In addition to women’s political and economic empowerment, the Aurat Foundation contributes to disaster relief, particularly in launching the Motherland Flood Relief Campaign which responded to “Pakistan’s worst-ever floods in 2010.” These floods are ones that disproportionately affect the poor in Pakistan as these individuals lack the resources necessary to rebuild their lives after such a disaster.

In understanding these deeply rooted inequalities, the effects of environmental degradation and limited poverty reduction programs, the detrimental effects of being poor in Pakistan become clear. However, looking at the Aurat Foundation’s work, people can learn how to mediate these effects for each impoverished individual in Pakistan for a better future.

– Staff Reports
Photo: Pixabay

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Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in Lithuania

Gender Equality in LithuaniaThe principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment has been held since 1992, but recent years have marked a period of change in gender equality initiatives in Lithuania. Before then, few movements or government legislations existed that encouraged great institutional change in gender equality, particularly in industries such as science and research.

Governmental Gender Equality Initiatives

The Ministry of Social Security and Labour is in charge of equality policy in Lithuania and ensuring that their strategies are effectively implemented.  In 2021, this government group took on responsibility for ensuring gender equality as a core value in the work of the nation’s central government. The ministry also had an internal structure named the Equal Opportunities and Equality between Women and Men Group, which oversees government policy on anti-discrimination and gender equality. This group has eight employees, two of whom work strictly on gender-based issues.

Initiatives in the Workplace

In 2016, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour implemented the initiative “Municipal Success Code- Gender Equality.” This project aims to reduce gender disparities regarding both the right to work and rights at work by purposely targeting issues such as the wage gap between genders and public education on the impacts of this inequality. This project ran until December 2019.

This program tackled the gender pay gap in municipalities by raising public awareness, identifying factors that determine equality and developing targeted solutions. Consequently, in 2017, a list of gender-based inequality indicators was compiled, encompassing nine key factors: “demography, knowledge, participation in the labor market, access to social services, economic power (resources), authorities and decision-making, health and health services, domestic violence and time.” This list of specifics meant that the correct targeted measures could be issued to the appropriate people and areas.

Lithuania’s movements towards women’s rights in the workplace have made an impact. The percentage of unemployed females (5.5%) stands slightly lower than the unemployment rate of men, which is currently at 7%. However, there is still progress to be made in this sector, as the proportion of females spending time on unpaid chores remains at 18.7%, which is notably higher than the male figure of 9%.

Women’s NGOs in Lithuania

“According to data from the Lithuania’s Women’s Information Centre, there were 63 women’s NGOs in existence on 1 January 1999.” Although there is no “umbrella term” involving all organizations for women in Lithuania, the Lithuanian Women’s Association embraces 12 member organizations. Additionally, 18 women’s organizations are involved in this association’s coordination council and the Women’s Information Centre was founded as a mediator for all the organizations in the nation. This has been monumental for women’s rights.

For instance, these initiatives sped up the implementation of the Law on Equal Opportunities, which benefits women’s rights in the opportunity to and ability to engage in public life. Additionally, it focuses on improving sectors such as transport and infrastructure. Another significant example was their cooperation to engage in protests against “quotas established for men during the entrance examinations at the Kaunas Institute of Technology in 1998.” These quotas were put in place by the university itself, demonstrating the severity of institutional gender bias. This powerful initiative meant that these quotas were soon abolished.

Initiatives Against Violence Against Women

Violence against women is a serious problem in Lithuania. The 2014 European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights survey data results demonstrated that, since the age of 15, 31% of women in Lithuania have experienced physical and/or sexual violence. The Network of Specialized Assistance Centres was set up by NGOs and has been in place since 2012. This initiative set up centers to support victims of violence, educate them on how and where they can receive this aid and help in restoring interpersonal relationships with family members.

Further, in 2012, the Lithuanian government initiated an Inter-Institutional action plan focused on crime prevention and the control of violence, with a particular emphasis on violence against women. In 2015, more than 8,000 women received assistance through these centers. Lithuania currently operates 17 specialized support centers to aid women who are victims of domestic violence.

Looking Ahead

Thanks to these efforts, Lithuania ranks ninth globally for gender equality, as reported by the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report for 2023. Elements of gender equality can be seen in the social aspects of everyday life in Lithuania. For instance, the literacy rate of males and females aged 15 and above stands at 99.8%. With the ongoing support of the Lithuanian government, the fight for gender equality is certainly progressing in the right direction and can be expected to strengthen even further.

– Eva McMonigle
Photo: Flickr

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The Intersectionality of Gender and Poverty in India

Gender and Poverty in IndiaAccording to NITI Aayog’s National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023, 14.96% of the Indian population live in multidimensional poverty. However, like the rest of the world, there is an intersectionality between gender and poverty in India. In particular, women are most susceptible to experiencing poverty and poverty most harshly impacts them. SwaTaleem is a nonprofit organization based in India that recognizes this intersectionality and works to uplift and empower girls and women in India.

Gendered Impact of Poverty

In the 1980s, feminists analyzed this intersectionality of poverty and gender and came to the conclusion that poverty affected women more than it affected men and that females suffered more than their male counterparts. This phenomenon and understanding came to be known as the “feminization of poverty”– a global truth. According to projections by UN Women, UNDP and the Pardee Center for International Futures from February 2022, an estimated 388 million women and girls lived in extreme poverty globally, compared to 372 million men and boys. This gender-based gap has only widened since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in developing nations like India.

When examined, there are many reasons why this might be the case. According to a 1995 paper written by Kathryn King in Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature, Vol. 14, No. 1, titled “Of Needles and Pens and Women’s Work,” others have traditionally restricted women to the private sphere of society and this remains largely true in the rural and sub-rural areas of India.

Killing of the female child after birth (infanticide) or even before birth (foeticide) is common in many urban and rural households, and if that is not the case, they experience neglect and exploitation with a noticeable bias toward the male child of the family. Even in urban areas, issues like double burden (that is, women having to take up the responsibility of both taking care of the household and children and of working) and the gender wage gap prevail. Additionally, a lot of the work women do in the household falls under the category of unpaid (and unrecognized) labor.

Education for The Poor Girl Child

As per data, more than 53 million girls in India–between the ages of 12 and 18–belong to underprivileged communities. Even though school enrollment of girls in India has been increasing and has increased from 10.7 to 28.1 million between 2000 and 2014, girls continue to drop out of school at higher rates than boys and many become victims of child marriage (despite it being illegal). According to data published by UNFPA in 2021, there are 102 million child brides in India. These trends highlight the need for niche organizations and NGOs like SwaTaleem to enter into this space of intersectionality of gender and poverty in India, and address the concerns that largely remain ignored by mainstream initiatives.

SwaTaleem’s Efforts

SwaTaleem is a New Delhi-based nonprofit organization that came into existence in 2015 and uses a participatory system-based approach to address the intersectionality of gender and poverty in India, helping those who live within this intersectionality. The organization aims to break the cycle of oppression by helping girls from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and rural and tribal areas gain access to high-quality education and foundational skills, overcome language barriers and achieve financial freedom.

SwaTaleem majorly works with Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV schools), which are residential girls’ secondary schools run by the Government of India since 2004 to provide for and ensure quality education for girls belonging to the disadvantaged sections in India. Its methodology consists of working with school clusters through collaborative efforts and by using low-tech IVRS (Interactive Voice Response Service) technology to allow for an engaging and participatory approach to education.

Through its consistent efforts, the NGO has multiple ongoing programs, including:

  • Girls Engagement Program which conducts in hybrid mode.
  • Teacher Professional Development Program which includes both a digital component and a field-based component.
  • Parent Engagement Program where parents participate in the education of their daughters through regular contact points.
  • Women Leaders Program which aims at social transformation by recruiting and creating local women as leaders for community work while generating employment opportunities.
  • Government Officials Engagement Program where the organization engages government officials in the process and challenges systemic hierarchies.

SwaTaleem’s Impact

Through its work spanning the past eight years, SwaTaleem has positively influenced the lives of millions of girls and women. The organization has achieved this through its IVRS program, placing close to 100,000 calls annually and delivering more than 10,600 hours of educational content. Additionally, under its parent engagement initiative, it has made nearly 3,700 calls. Although SwaTaleem’s reach extends to practically every girl in India, its broader impact on the community is noteworthy. This success stands as a testament to the adage that “little by little, a little becomes a lot.”

– Manasvi Kadian
Photo: Flickr

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Gender Equality Improves in Sub-Saharan Africa

Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan AfricaGender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa improves as countries take positive strides to increase women’s involvement in their national economies. Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire are making significant strides in achieving scores above 90 on the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law index.

Poverty and Gender Equality in Sub-Saharan Africa 

Promoting global gender equality is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations in 2015. The goal is to achieve gender equality by 2030. UN Women conducted a new data analysis that spotlights gender-based discrimination across all 17 SDGs and then summarized where Sub-Saharan Africa stands in comparison globally. 

The first Sustainable Development Goal is no poverty. The global average is that 122 women in the 24-34 year-old cohort live in extreme poverty for every 100 men of the same cohort. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the average is 127 women living in extreme poverty for every 100 men in the same cohort. The fifth Sustainable Development Goal is about gender equality and reducing the barriers for women and girls. Globally, women do 2.6 times the unpaid domestic work compared to their male counterparts. In the three countries that UN Women looked at — Ethiopia, Mali and Mauritius — women, on average, spend 19% to 22% of their day doing unpaid domestic work. Meanwhile, men spend approximately 2.5% to 8.7% of the day on unpaid domestic labor in the same three countries.

The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) comprehensively measures how poor a population is based on a summary figure of the three dimensions of poverty — health, education and living standards. The most recent survey year for Gabon was 2012, and based on the data collected, 15.6% of the population is multidimensionally poor. The most recent survey year for Côte d’Ivoire was 2016 when 46.1% of the population was multidimensionally poor.

Reforms in Gabon

Gabon adopted new laws in 2021 that revised the country’s 1972 Civil Code. The Civil Code had previously been rooted in French colonial labor laws that imposed constraints on the jobs and sectors women worked in, the hours and the pay for their labor. As part of the 2021 revisions to reduce these constraints, women in Gabon could:

  • Be heads of household.
  • Own and manage property.
  • Choose where they live. 
  • Have independent bank accounts not connected to their husbands.
  • Have access to more jobs that were previously unavailable to women.

Additionally, reforms to the Criminal Code in 2021 protected Gabonese women from gender-based discrimination when accessing credit.

In May 2023, the First Lady of Gabon, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, patronized a three-day event promoting women’s rights and empowering them during the Conference of Ministers in Gender and the Advancement of Women. The event highlighted how vital the inclusion of women is when it comes to political and peace processes. At the end of the event, the eleven countries present adopted the “Declaration on the Common Agenda on priority actions for the promotion of women’s rights and their empowerment.”

Reforms in Côte d’Ivoire 

The results of the Program for the Analysis of Educational Systems were published in 2021. This report revealed that only 41% of children could read above the satisfactory level during their final year, and only 17% showed satisfactory proficiency in math.

Côte d’Ivoire has transformed its education system in response to the report. During the 2023/2024 school year, Côte d’Ivoire began the National Early Learning Program, which uses cognitive science and neuropsychology to understand how children read during their early schooling years. In addition to reforms on how children learn, Côte d’Ivoire is also reducing gender inequality and stereotypes in the educational system through: 

  • Training teachers.
  • Increasing female representation in school leadership.
  • Promoting safety.
  • Preventing violence.
  • A revised curriculum.

Concluding Remarks

The reforms that Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire have taken so far are essential steps in the 2030 Agenda to promote gender equality and reduce the barriers that women face. These steps help women gain greater access to rights at all levels — from education to economic systems and political processes. Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire are leading the charge of increasing gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa.

– Komalpreet Kaur
Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 5 in Namibia: Setting the Standard 

SDG 5 in NamibiaNamibia, a southern African country with a population slightly above 2.5 million, marked a milestone in global development. It is currently the first African country to meet the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

In 2012, the United Nations (UN) created a list of 17 interconnected goals to act as the blueprint for a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous future for people and the planet by 2030. These “global goals” cover many issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water and more.

SDG 5: Empowering Women and Combating Gender Discrimination

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 specifically targets ending discrimination against women and girls through a comprehensive approach that encompasses the following:

  • Including women in the labor market: Globally, only one in two women work for wages as compared to three in four men.  
  • Ending violence against women,  both physical and sexual abuse: One in three women above the age of 15 experience physical/sexual violence in their lifetime. 
  • Stopping harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation: At least 200 million girls are subject to female genital mutilation. In 2021, nearly one in five girls were married before age 15. 
  • Integrating women within leadership and decision-making roles: The UN reports that women’s representation in government across more than 23 countries was under 10% in 2022. 
  • Adopting policies that strengthen and empower women and girls: Remove discriminatory laws and replace them with legislation to reflect society’s equal gender roles. 
  • Strengthening women’s empowerment through technology: Women make up a significant portion of the 3.9 billion people lacking access to technology.
  • Recognizing the value of domestic unpaid work: Women are more than twice as likely to be engaged in domestic work than men. 

Gender Equality and Economic Growth

Gender equality is not only a matter of human rights but also a driver of poverty reduction and good governance. The World Bank’s Gender Employment Gap Index (GEGI) predicts that closing all gender gaps would result in a 20% increase in GDP across all countries.  

Namibia’s Commitment to SDG 5

Working on SDG 5 in Namibia achieved the following: 

  • Achieving gender balance in the labor force: In 1990, women represented 45.6% of the workforce. As of 2022, women represent 49.8%. 
  • Ensuring gender-equitable education for males and females: In 1990, women’s literacy rate was 74%. Currently, the rate for women above 15 is 91.4%, equal to that of men.  
  • Increasing the representation of women in national government positions: In 2013, women held 24.36% of government positions. As of February 2021, women held 44.2% of parliamentary seats.
  • Increasing women’s use of technology: Around 93.6% of female-headed households have mobile telephone access.  

These accomplishments are a testament to the influence SDG 5 has had on local and national legislation, education and public awareness in Namibia. The Namibian government has implemented and enforced legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in the workforce and public campaigns promoting positive gender roles while eradicating harmful practices such as female genital mutilation. These efforts have facilitated women’s transition from the informal to the formal economy, giving autonomy to women and bringing them into the workforce. As of 2023, more than 50% of women are in the workforce, and 80% of Namibian women hold a bank account through an institution or online platform. 

Critical Success Factors: Collaboration

Namibia’s success in meeting SDG 5 goals is due to a cooperative effort between international organizations led by the UN, local Namibian government institutions and citizen-led movements. Namibia achieved a remarkable 91.7% implementation of the SDG 5 programs through this collaborative effort.

Participation of the UN has been vital to meeting SDG 5 in Namibia. Particularly noteworthy was the support from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund and UN Women. Furthermore, local and governmental institutions within Namibia played crucial roles. In fact, the Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Namibia Ministry of Gender Equality played essential roles in following these advancements. 

Another notable role involved Namibian citizens. The “ShutItAllDown” movement in October 2020 propelled the country into action, calling for the protection of women against gender violence. Protests in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, began in response to gender-based violence following the femicide of Shannon Wasserfall as a result of protesters’ demands. Namibia implemented security measures to enhance women’s protection. The government implemented a school curriculum focused on gender-based violence and enhanced training for police officers.

The Way Forward

To address poverty among women in Namibia, a robust political movement has emerged, accompanied by increased budgetary allocations for gender mainstreaming. National initiatives focus on preventing and educating against gender-based violence, and a recent positive step involves the elimination of the “tampon tax.” Legal foundations, such as The Namibian Constitution (1990) and the Combating of Domestic Violence Act (2003), along with affirmative action, contribute significantly to gender equality and poverty reduction.

Despite commendable progress, challenges persist, necessitating continued efforts. Achieving gender equality is an enduring process demanding sustained commitment across various sectors. Notably, Namibia’s significant strides in fulfilling SDG 5 exemplify the attainability of such goals. Also, Namibia’s progress could serve as an inspiration for neighboring countries.

– Isabella Oliver-Steinberg
Photo: Flickr

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Gender Equality in Scandinavia Creates Happy Countries

Gender Equality in ScandinaviaWomen’s rights are at the forefront of human rights, including their financial, emotional, physical and work rights. The practices seen in Norway and Iceland act as a great example of gender equality in Scandinavia.

The Impressionable Statistics in Scandinavia

Gender equality in Scandinavian countries Norway and Iceland are examples of progressive gender equality in action. Both countries have been voted as the happiest places in the world and this is in part due to their attitude to gender equality. The World Happiness Report states that Norway and Iceland have the ‘six key indicators’ to an abundant lifestyle — GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity and corruption.

Norway and Iceland see women as a factor that is beneficial to their society. Although the pay gap has lessened over the past decade, women still earn less than men — even in countries like Iceland & Norway. In 2023, the World Economic Forum stated that Iceland had closed more than 90% of the gender pay gap.

Social Support in Iceland and Norway

Women in Scandinavia are considered not only a part of the makeup of Iceland and Norway but are a fundamental part of the country’s workforce.

Iceland is voted number one for gender equality in the world. 66% of graduates are women and 30 of 62 parliamentary seats are held by women. 80% of women in Iceland are a part of the workforce and 50% of the attendees of the GMAT business school entrance exam are women. 

The World Economic Forum states that Norway’s ”Fostering and developing of female talent has the potential to accelerate the growth, competitiveness and future-readiness of economies and businesses worldwide.”

Healthy Life Expectancy in Norway

Much work goes into researching women’s livelihoods and what can improve them. Norway’s ‘Women’s Public Health Association’ is an example of betterment for women, as they focus on housing women for domestic violence recovery and women’s overall health.

The Women’s Public Health Association states: “We are equally committed to contributing to research on women’s health working on behalf of women who have been exposed to violence and minority women and more generally, to improving women’s rights in society.”

Freedom in Norway & Iceland 

Scandinavian countries like Norway and Iceland say that “their social contracts thrive because their community is strong.’ This community is made up of citizens, residents and visitors. Focus on gender equality in Scandinavia encourages freedom for all, as women’s rights are extended to immigrants.

Anthropologist Thomas Hylland-Eriksen states “What may be peculiar about the Nordic way of dealing with immigrants is the great emphasis placed on equality, including gender equality.” Minorities are considered a part of the fundamental system that makes up Nordic countries.

Furthermore, Iceland holds the Gender Equality Act, last updated in 2021, its main aims are to: prevent discrimination based on gender, as well as maintain gender equality and equal opportunities for the genders in all spheres of society. This means that it is by law unadvised to discriminate in the workplace.

What Is the Takeaway?

Gender equality is at the heart of human rights and United Nations values. Gender-based discrimination is prohibited under almost every human rights treaty. Yet globally, millions of women and girls continue to experience discrimination and violence — being denied their equality, dignity, autonomy and even life.

These influences and examples of equality allow for the gender gap to be discussed in the future. It will take almost 140 years for women to stand equal with men globally. However, gender equality in Scandinavia serves as inspiring progress. The female rights and attitude towards gender is a great example of a nation wanting to move forward on equal footing. 

– Anastasia Brown
Photo: Flickr

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How Women’s Pavilion is Fighting for Gender Equality

Gender EqualityWomen’s Pavilion is a community exhibition in Expo City, Dubai, which aims to showcase women’s contributions to humanity, particularly those who have not received the recognition that they deserve already. This ranges from the work of women who are incredibly well-known to the completely anonymous. The exhibition includes different floors with each one describing the heroic and selfless actions of women with accompanying photos and memorabilia. In this way, Women’s Pavilion is fighting for gender equality.

Visiting Women’s Pavilion

Even if it is not possible for one to physically visit the display, the website offers a virtual 360° tour of the showcase that allows people to witness the amazing displays from their own home. The exhibit includes photos and accompanying explanations ranging from Frida Kahlo to Kathy Matsui, a partner in MPower.

The opening of Women’s Pavilion’s exhibit portrays how women have been underrepresented. With this being the first section of the Pavilion, it highlights the fact that gender inequality does not start at a specific age, and even children will experience prejudice from a school age. 

The Aims of Women’s Pavilion

The main and most evident aim of Women’s Pavilion is to encourage young women to break down the barriers that are pre-existing stereotypes and allow them to live carelessly as their authentic selves. It also aims to deconstruct any misconceptions when it comes to women’s roles; both in a small community or a wider society including household duties and careers. However, Women’s Pavilion also acknowledges the men who have helped to make sure that these women are finally getting the recognition that they deserve as a thank you for using their privilege in order to share the deserved spotlight with the women they worked alongside. 

This is not the first time that Dubai has been vocal in its fight for women’s rights and gender equality. Women’s Pavilion shares stories of many women from Arab countries and Islam who have fought to make the world a cleaner and better place.

Highlighting Gender-Related Poverty

In the display, there is a moving excerpt that consists of a wall filled completely with women’s shoes. At first glance, it may simply look like a wall of shoes, but after looking closer, they will learn that despite the 75% decrease in poverty, more women live in poverty compared to men. This highlights the fact that although conditions are improving immensely, there are still improvements that need to occur to promote gender equality. 

There is also a moving dedication to applaud the women who played important parts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which again showcases the work of women whose selfless acts are going unnoticed. 

Women’s Pavilion is a perfect representation of all of the women throughout history who have gone completely unacknowledged for their skills or contributions to society. From world-famous artists to teachers and behind-the-scenes programmers, Women’s Pavilion appreciates and applauds every woman. 

– Ella Bushell
Photo: Flickr

Committee for Women’s Rights in Monaco Integrates App-Elles

Women’s Rights in MonacoThe Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights in Monaco introduced the ‘App-Elles’ mobile application on September 21. This app aims to enhance personal security and combat domestic violence in the principality.

With one-third of its residents being millionaires and a lack of income tax, the principality does not track poverty rates. Economists state that due to the high wealth of Monaco’s residents, poverty is nonexistent. But that does not mean every citizen of Monaco is ultra-wealthy. Monaco, with a population of approximately 9,000 native Monégasques and limited housing options in its small 1-square-mile area, faces unique circumstances. The nonexistent poverty rates have led the government to prioritize social programs for the benefit of its residents.

The Committee for The Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights

The Sovereign Order of Monaco created the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights on October 25, 2018. The goal of this committee is to promote gender equality and combat all forms of violence against women. The Principality of Monaco and its Prince, Albert II, consider women’s rights an important issue. It is a core priority since Monaco accepted the United Nations and the Council of Europe’s conventions on women’s rights and protection. 

Female Abuse

The Committee for Women’s Rights in Monaco conducts an annual report with Monaco Statistics to track key data on the abuse of women in the principality. In January, the report’s findings showed that there was an increase in abuse against women. The number rose from 23 in 2021 to 33 in 2022 and approximately half were cases of physical abuse. While there hasn’t been a significant increase in the number of cases, this data aims to emphasize the importance of protecting women’s rights in Monaco. It underscores the need to take necessary measures to address and prevent domestic violence.

While the laws are helpful in criminalizing domestic violence within the courts, the Committee wanted a resource for victims and witnesses to use. The Committee partnered with the Resonantes Association to integrate “App-Elles” into Monaco’s emergency response network.

App-Elles

“App-Elles” was originally launched in 2015 to bring all of France’s resources and emergency contacts into one place for easy access. The app is currently available in 15 countries and has multiple languages available. This integration of the app into Monaco’s emergency landmark represents a significant step in Monaco’s commitment to protecting women’s rights and ensuring their safety within the principality. 

This app aims to help victims and witnesses of domestic violence call for assistance when they require it. The app gives users quick access to all of Monaco’s emergency contact numbers and resources. Additionally, the app can quickly alert trusted relatives and geolocate users during a crisis. 

Other services that the app provides include sound recordings starting from the moment the user triggers an SOS alarm. The recordings and geolocation tags are stored on a secure server for 15 days. If users want to keep these recordings, then they must download the files. These recordings are admissible as evidence in Monaco’s courts.

On September 26 and 27, the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights in Monaco and the Resonantes Association conducted workshops to introduce the app to the residents and educate them on how to use the application to its full potential. 

Looking Ahead

“App-Elles” represents one of Monaco’s many initiatives in line with its commitment to advancing women’s rights and addressing violence against women. Monaco’s legal framework has been structured to criminalize acts of violence against women. The incorporation of “App-Elles” into Monaco’s emergency network offers crucial resources and evidence for individuals facing domestic violence during moments of crisis. Should this application prove effective in the coming years, it could serve as a model for other countries seeking to integrate similar tools into their emergency networks across Europe and, potentially, on a global scale.

– Komalpreet Kaur
Photo: Unsplash

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Makeup Brands Helping Women in Poverty

Makeup Brands Helping Women in PovertyOn average, more women across the world live below the poverty line than men, facing the same issues with poverty as men with an added layer of gender-based violence to further it. Recently, different beauty organizations have stepped in to help these women. Makeup brands helping women in poverty across the world are creating and working with organizations like Project Beauty Share and the L’Oréal Fund for Women. 

These brands not only provide women with money and resources but also help to protect women from domestic violence and other issues that women face. Many of these brands do this by setting up good education systems within developing countries which help to provide young women with the education they need to provide for themselves. 

Project Beauty Share 

Project Beauty Share is an organization that was founded in 2010 with the goal of helping women by donating previously owned, but unused, makeup products to women in poverty. It was founded by a makeup artist after discussing with a client how many makeup products she buys and never uses, giving her the idea to create an organization that donates these products to homeless women and women in poverty. 

Makeup empowers women because it is a form of self-expression. It allows women to express all sides of themselves and show their own uniqueness, something that many women who are struggling with poverty do not have the luxury of doing. Makeup can help people to feel prepared, empowering them as a result. 

Project Beauty Share is currently funded by over 100 agencies that are helping to support women across the world. Some of these companies and organizations are SMILE, Ronald McDonald House, The Salvation Army and more. Project Beauty Share is a great example of an organization that is independent of the makeup companies that are helping women in poverty, and helping these women instead of actually providing makeup to them. 

Makeup Brands Helping Women in Poverty

  • L’Oréal has set up the L’Oréal Fund for Women, a charity based on helping women who are in poverty to get back on their feet and preventing violence against women. The fund was started in 2020, hoping to empower women through education. Because of this, similar to what the brand Tatcha has done, L’Oréal has funded many charities and organizations that work to set up schools for women in developing countries. 
  • Tasha has set up schools to fund girls’ education in multiple countries, like Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos and more. The brand has done so continuously over the past six years, funding over five million days of schooling for girls across the world. 
  • Burt’s Bees is another brand that has given back to the women in the countries from which they source their products. The company uses shea butter sourced from West Africa to make its famous lip balms, and, in return, donates both money and resources for the improvement of the lives of women in the country. As of 2021, they have planted billions of wildflower seeds in order to restore the bee population in West Africa and have donated over $1 million, in both grants and products, to better the lives of over 14,000 women there. 

Final Thoughts

Makeup companies like L’Oréal, Tatcha and Burt’s Bees are helping to empower women living in poverty across the globe. These brands are not only offering financial assistance and resources but also tackling the root causes of gender-based violence by promoting education and empowerment. These endeavors highlight the potential for corporate resources to make a profound impact on women’s lives, breaking the cycle of poverty and violence.

– Allison Groves 
Photo: Flickr