Gender inequality has plagued society for centuries, and though many have fought for equal rights and laws and mandates have been enacted, it remains a pervasive issue both indoors and outdoors. There is still much work to be done in educating and enlightening people about the importance of achieving gender equality.

The United Nations has taken steps through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to empower women and remove obstacles to gender equality. However, according to a 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center, gender inequality persists globally, with women usually valuing gender equality more than men. Despite that, four in ten people still believe that men have more opportunities for high-paying jobs and community leadership roles. Furthermore, the OECD notes that women are often relegated to low-paying jobs and work less than men.

Although Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004, was enacted in the Philippines, thousands of women still experience physical, emotional, mental, and sexual violence each year. This violence is both a glaring obstacle to gender equality and a violation of human rights.

Gender inequality is not limited to women; men also face gender inequalities. However, the exploitation of women and inequality at workplaces exacerbate this problem. Despite the many laws and mandates, gender inequality continues to persist because many believe that their gender is superior to the other. This belief prevents us from achieving gender equality.

Sources:

- EPP Group. (2020, December 17). EPP Group Position Paper on Gender Equality. EPP Group in the European Parliament. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/publications/epp-group-position-paper-on-gender-equality

- Horowitz, J. M., & Fetterolf, J. (2020, April 30). Worldwide Optimism About Future of Gender Equality, Even as Many See Advantages for Men. Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2020/04/30/worldwide-optimism-about-future-of-gender-equality-even-as-many-see-advantages-for-men/

- OECD (2012), "Gender equality in employment", in Closing the Gender Gap: Act Now, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264179370-5-en.

- Philippine Commission on Women. (n.d.). Violence Against Women. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://pcw.gov.ph/violence-against-women/

- Stamarski, C. S. (2015, September 16). Gender inequalities in the workplace: the effects of organizational structures, processes, practices, and decision makers’ sexism. Frontiers. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01400/full

- UN Women: United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. (n.d.). The Beijing Platform for Action: inspiration then and now. UN Women | The Beijing Platform for Action Turns 20. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://beijing20.unwomen.org/en/about