Gender Inequality - Is it still discussed in 2023 ?

Gender inequality is a persistent and pervasive problem that affects people of all genders, at present, with a primary focus on women and other marginal genders.

On a mainstream view and definition, we can see that these Inequalities are pointed out in the following variations:

• Economic inequality: This includes the gender pay gap, where women are paid less than men for the same work, as well as limited opportunities for women to access education and training, which can restrict their ability to enter well-paying careers.
• Political inequality: This includes limited representation of women in leadership roles and decision-making positions, as well as laws and policies that discriminate against women.
• Social inequality: This includes societal expectations and stereotypes that limit men and women's potential and restrict their choices, as well as discrimination and violence against gender non-conforming individuals.
• Reproductive rights and healthcare inequality: This includes lack of access to affordable and safe reproductive healthcare, such as contraception and abortion, as well as limited support for mothers and caregivers.
• Educational inequality: This includes the underrepresentation of girls in STEM subjects, as well as discrimination and bias that can limit their academic and career opportunities.
• Environmental inequality: This includes the unequal impact of environmental degradation and climate change on women and girls, who are often disproportionately affected by natural disasters and other environmental crises.
• Legal inequality: This includes laws and policies that discriminate against women, such as those that limit their rights to property ownership, inheritance, and marriage.

It's worth noting that these forms of inequality are often interconnected and intersect with other forms of inequality, such as race, class, and ability.

What is Gender Mainstream ?

Gender mainstreaming is the process of incorporating a gender perspective into all aspects of policy developments and implementation. In other words, it's the process of ensuring that women and men have equal rights and opportunities, and that their specific needs and concerns are taken into account in all policies and programs.

In recent years, gender mainstreaming has gained more attention and became a central strategy to achieving gender equality. Many countries and international organizations have adopted gender mainstreaming as a key approach to addressing gender inequality. This has led to the development of gender-responsive policies and programs in areas such as education, health, and employment.

However, gender mainstreaming is still a work in progress and significant challenges remain. Despite progress in some areas, such as increasing the number of women in leadership positions, STEM jobs and various opportunities - they may not address the underlying structural and systemic factors that contribute to gender inequality. Sometimes, equal opportunity policies and affirmative action programs may be used to appoint a small number of women or other marginalized groups to positions of authority or to give the appearance of diversity, without any meaningful change in the culture or power dynamics of the organization. This can be seen as a way to check off the box of equal opportunity, but it does not lead to real change.

In this current scenario, there is a New issue which is left unnoticed by the masses in Gender inequality arguments.

What's New ?: "Male Inequality"

Male inequality refers to the ways in which men may be disadvantaged or marginalized based on their gender. While men have traditionally held more social, political, and economic power than women, this does not mean that they are immune to inequality.

Some examples of male inequality include:

1. Societal expectations of masculinity: Men may be expected to be strong, emotionless, and dominant, which can lead to pressure to conform to these stereotypes and can restrict their ability to express their emotions and vulnerabilities.
2. Limited access to healthcare: Men may have limited access to healthcare services, particularly when it comes to mental health and emotional well-being, which can contribute to higher rates of suicide and depression among men.
3. Lack of parental rights: Men may have limited rights and support when it comes to parenting and child custody, which can make it more difficult for them to be involved in their children's lives.
4. Discrimination in the workplace: Men may face discrimination based on their gender, particularly in fields that are traditionally dominated by women, such as nursing and teaching.
5. Societal expectations of men as providers: Men may be expected to be the primary breadwinners in their families, which can contribute to financial insecurity and stress.
6. Lack of representation: Men may be underrepresented in certain fields, such as education and healthcare, which can limit their career opportunities.
7. Stereotypes of men as perpetrators of violence: Men may be unfairly stereotyped as perpetrators of violence, which can lead to discrimination and bias in the criminal justice system.

Factors that led to "Male Inequality" in the wake of Gender mainstream

• The changing political climate and the erosion of traditional gender roles and expectations have led to a loss of cultural and societal power for men.
• The new generation has a more open and inclusive worldview, where gender roles are not as rigid as before. This has led to a more flexible and less defined role for men in society.
• The rise of technology and automation has led to a decrease in the number of jobs traditionally held by men, such as manual labor and manufacturing.
• The increasing emphasis on emotional intelligence and vulnerability as desirable traits has led to a devaluation of traditional masculine traits such as stoicism and emotional restraint.
• The rise of feminist movements and the fight for gender equality has led to a shift in societal attitudes towards men, with a greater emphasis on dismantling patriarchal systems and empowering women.
• The #MeToo movement and the ongoing conversation about consent and gender-based violence has led to a greater scrutiny of traditional masculine behaviour and attitudes.

CASE STUDY: Do People Judge Discrimination Against Women More Harshly Than Discrimination Against Men ?

Research suggests that people tend to view discrimination against women more harshly than discrimination against men, and that this bias can be partly explained by statistical fairness discrimination.

Statistical fairness discrimination refers to the tendency to perceive discrimination as less fair when it occurs against a group that is already underrepresented or disadvantaged. In other words, people tend to view discrimination as more unfair when it occurs against a group that is already facing other forms of inequality. Since women have historically been underrepresented and disadvantaged in many areas, discrimination against women is often viewed as more unfair than discrimination against men.

Additionally, societal stereotypes and biases also play a role in this phenomenon. Gender stereotypes that portray men as dominant and powerful and women as weak and submissive can influence how people perceive discrimination against men and women. For example, people may view discrimination against men as less severe because they assume that men are better equipped to deal with it.

This can lead to a lack of attention and resources directed towards addressing discrimination against men. It's important to recognize that discrimination can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, and that it is harmful for all the individuals who experience it. It's important to address discrimination against all genders, not just women, in order to create a more equitable and just society for all.

Do we have the adequate Data or Statistics to back this up ?

It's difficult to provide specific statistics on the handling of discrimination against men and women, as data collection and reporting on discrimination can vary widely by country and by specific type of discrimination. However, there are some general trends and observations that can be made:

1. Gender discrimination in the workplace: According to the World Economic Forum, the gender pay gap remains a persistent problem globally, with women earning on average 16% less than men. This gap is even larger for women of color and women with disabilities.
2. Discrimination in education: Research has found that girls tend to have better educational outcomes than boys in many countries. However, boys are more likely to be diagnosed with learning difficulties and are more likely to be excluded from school.
3. Discrimination in healthcare: Men tend to have worse health outcomes than women and have higher rates of death from preventable causes such as heart disease and suicide. Men are also less likely to access healthcare services and are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, such as smoking and excessive drinking.
4. Discrimination in the criminal justice system: Men are more likely to be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to harsher punishments than women who have committed similar crimes. Additionally, men are more likely to be victims of violence, but less likely to report it and receive adequate support.

CONCLUSION

The above information illustrates that discrimination and inequality can affect people of all genders, and that addressing discrimination against men is also important for achieving gender equality. However, it's worth noting that discrimination and inequality can vary significantly by country and culture, and that more research is needed to understand the specific experiences of men and women in different contexts.