Gender Equality and Human Rights

Abstract

Gender equality between women and men refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for women and men and girls and boys. Equality does not mean that women and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration recognizing the diversity of different groups of women and men. Gender equity that provides a level playing field for men & women so that they have a fair chance to realize equal outcomes are a precondition for ensuring gender equality and human rights. The ultimate goal in gender equality is to ensure that women and men have equitable access to, and benefit from society’s resources, opportunities and rewards. And, as part of this, women need to have equal participation in defining what is valued and how this can be achieved. Equity is a means. Equality is the result. Gender equity denotes an element of interpretation of social justice, usually based on tradition, custom, religion or culture, which is most often to the detriment to women. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, also known as the Women’s Bill of Rights, declares that countries should: • Act to eliminate violations of women’s rights, whether by private persons, groups or organizations, • Endeavour to modify social and cultural patterns of conduct that stereotype either gender or put women in an inferior position, • Ensure that women have equal rights in education and equal access to information, • Eliminate discrimination against women in their access to health care, • End discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations.