Women’s empowerment is not a stand-alone goal.
It is the driver of efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, reduce child and maternal mortality, and fight against major diseases like HIV and malaria. Women’s empowerment is also a driver of sound environmental management and is finally, essential for ensuring that development aid reaches the poorest through making women a part of national poverty reduction in planning and resource allocation. (UNIFEM 2008)
This International Women’s Day, IEU members highlight the vital role women play in the economic prosperity of their families, communities and countries. In recognising their crucial role in ending poverty, it is imperative to remove the significant barriers women still face in achieving their economic security.
Research
A growing body of research shows that enhancing women’s economic options boosts national economies. Despite this, women have far less access to land, credit and secure jobs; they are often paid less for their work, are at a higher risk of unemployment and more likely to be occupied in the casual and unpaid work.
Consider the Facts
70% of the world’s poor are women;
Two-thirds of the 800 million people in the world who lack basic literacy skills are female;
Women hold an average of three per cent of seats in national parliaments in Pacific island countries, and an average of 19 per cent of seats in East Asia;
Half a million women die each year from complications during pregnancy—99 per cent of them in developing countries;
Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic, with up to 70 per cent of women experiencing violence in their lifetime;
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that the average woman working full time earns 83 cents for every dollar earned by a man over last year. This represents a 17.2% average gender pay gap; and
Women have significantly less money saved for their retirement. In Australia currently, the average superannuation payout for women is a third of the payout for men – $37,000 compared with $110,000.
Why do so many challenges remain?
Several factors have been found that limit progress on all key areas:
· The prevalence of negative gender stereotypes based on societal beliefs and attitudes affects women and men and constrains their opportunities and choices. Stereotypical assumptions about women in the labour market lead to occupational segregation and a gender wage gap;
· Limited involvement on the part of men and boys restrains advances towards gender equality in all areas. Focusing attention on gender issues and building support for social change can only be achieved when men and boys are engaged, for instance, in measures to eliminate violence against women and overcome stereotypes;
· Women’s under-representation in decision-making positions in all sectors limits the incorporation of gender perspectives in policies and programmes;
· Violence against women represents an obstacle to progress in many sectors, including health, education and employment. Sexual violence at and on the way to school, for instance, is a major impediment to girls’ participation in education; and
· Women continue to be responsible for most domestic and care giving work. This unequal sharing of responsibilities negatively impacts their educational and employment opportunities, and limits their involvement in public life.
(United Nations Department of Public Information, DPI/2553E, February 2010)
What is needed to progress change?
While comprehensive legal and industrial frameworks are needed to protect and enhance the positions of women, the simple development of laws and policies are not enough. They must be effectively implemented, monitored and resourced.
This includes the effective education of both men and women which raises awareness of the rights and issues affecting women.
Education International Gender Equality Action Plan
Education unions across the world are the key for transition and change for women empowerment.
Last year, Education International convened its first Women’s conference to set the direction of work for a Gender Equality Action Plan which was later endorsed at the EI World Congress. IEU delegates were active participants in this conference and in the development of the action plan.
The plan will shape the gender equality work of education unions for the coming four years and beyond and focuses on three priorities
Gender equality in unions
Girls access to and participation in quality education
The economic empowerment of women.
International Women’s Day is more than a day of celebration. It must be considered as an ongoing campaign for awareness and equity.
In the week of 8 March, IEU members across the country will celebrate their current achievements. They will also continue the campaign for equity. (Specifics of IEU branch activities are located on the relevant branch websites)
It is only through the activism of our members that sustained progress for gender equality and empowerment of women and girls is achieved.