Women and Girls Continue To Face Obstacles in Achieving Equality

From violence and sexual abuse to gender pay gaps and restrictive reproductive rights, women and girls continue to face obstacles in achieving equality. Although much progress has been made in the last few years with women’s rights, there are still huge disparities between men and women both in the workplace and at home.
 
The world over women faces very similar challenges. There is the issue of patriarchy, pay gaps, balancing work and children, access to education, employment opportunities, reproductive health, gender-based violence, genital mutilation and basic gender equality.
 
Women business owners and working women face certain unique challenges and obstacles that men do not. Working women who have children experience even more demands on time, energy and resources, and women face gender discrimination in business and on the job. But women are not less successful than men, in fact, statistics show that women are starting businesses at more than twice the rate of all other businesses. Women are resourceful, and able to succeed, despite many challenges.
 
When more women work, economies grow. Women’s economic empowerment boosts productivity increases economic diversification and income equality in addition to other positive development outcomes.
 
Increasing women’s and girls’ educational attainment contributes to women’s economic empowerment and more inclusive economic growth. Education, upskilling and re-skilling over the life course are critical for women’s and girl’s health and wellbeing, as well as their income-generation opportunities and participation in the formal labour market. But, for most women, significant gains in education have not translated into better labour market outcomes.
 
Here is some of the challenges women face on a daily basis:

• Having to be “nice” and “kind” always
• Been told that they are too “blunt” or “aggressive.”
• Been called “hostile” for standing up for themselves
• Been told they can’t do things because they are women
• Been told they are bossy
• People surprised at ambition/drive for success
• High rates of sexual assault
• Sexual abuse/degradation
• Rape culture
• Human trafficking
• Unequal pay for the same job
• People discounting their opinions
• Lack of respect
• Criticism for working outside the home and being “career-minded”
• Criticism on the right way to be a mother
• The Glass ceiling effect
• Been faced with a lack of respect as business professionals
• Too much emphasis on looks
• Lack of role models (especially minorities)

 
If you experience any of these challenges, let me assist you in building up confidence within yourself and how to address these issues. Contact me on [email protected] or on 084 779 4889. Visit my website on www.nadinetherapy.co.za.
 
Credit: www.globalcitizen.org; soldaderacoffee.com; www.iol.co.za