The Sunday Mail
Thelma Chigango
GENDER equality is generally understood to be the state in which males and females have access to the same resources, opportunities and legal protection.
But society seems to treat women differently.
Yes, there has been improvement in terms of improving gender parity in our country but more still needs to be done.
There are a number of females that are still vulnerable and victims of gender inequality.
However, authorities continue to address the situations. Various laws and policies have been put in place to empower women so that they meaningfully participate in various activities with equal rights and opportunities with their male counterparts.
Gradually, the world has come to acknowledge and appreciate the importance of promoting gender equality.
Women empowerment is crucial in transforming the economy as they make up the majority of the population and equally play crucial roles in family building.
Women’s success in building solid and respectable family units is the first and major step in nation building. One cannot talk of a healthy nation when there are several broken families. Let me also be quick to highlight that gender equality is not only about promoting women’s rights but men also.
With regards to education, progress has been made in making sure that girls attend school up to the highest level possible.
But there is need for more girls living with disabilities to have access to education. Government is playing a crucial role in addressing the situation.
Organisations like the United Nations have also largely contributed to promoting gender equality and women empowerment. This dates back to the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, where major steps in women’s rights and empowerment were taken.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that achieving gender equality and women empowerment is essential. Societies that prioritise such routes prove to be socially and economically stable.
Although there is still more to be achieved with regards to promoting gender parity, what has been achieved thus far is encouraging.
