Journalism and gender equality
06. Gender relations /
Male-female relations in the world reveal glaring inequalities. The three billion six hundred thousand million (3.6 billion) women in the world work 2 1/2 times more than men doing domestic chores, occupy 75% of precarious jobs, and have 24% wage inequality with men. The figures show a sociological disparity between the sexes. The distribution of wealth and resources between men and women is based on a power relationship.
Women are disadvantaged
Gender is a relational term. It not only refers to women and men, but also to their relationships.
Gender relations are closely linked to the various kinds of rights defined by a society, to responsibilities, and to the identities of women and men in their relationships.
Women and men interact in all spheres of life; in both the private (family, marriage, etc.) and public (politics, labour market, etc.) domains.
Gender relations, then, are inevitable. So, all social relationships can be said to have a gender dimension because they are defined by the gender identity of the women and men concerned.
While social relations can also be influenced by several other factors, such as age, social class, or religion, it is the gender component that emphasises the power structure in each relationship.
The power element in all social practices is often to the disadvantage of women.
Gender relations are therefore power relations.
They can be seen, for example, in the way that natural, economic, and political resources are distributed between women and men. Women’s access to these resources is more limited, which decreases their bargaining power, their position within their own household, their community, the labour market, and political life.
For example, at first glance, we may be inclined to think that within the private sphere, the parent/child relationship is gender neutral. But clearly a girl’s obligations to her parents may differ greatly from those of her brother.
Likewise, in the public sphere, employers’ attitudes towards employees varies greatly depending on whether they are men or women.
Gender relations, then, refer to the condition and position of women. The condition relates to the material state in which women live, while their position relates to their social situation and recognition of their status.
So, gender relations are marked by inequalities.
Being socially constructed, social roles and stereotypes about women and men are often institutionalised, integrated into mentalities and cultures, and propagated by families, education, and institutions.
All over the world, they are characterised by inequalities that are predominantly to the detriment of women. In particular, men hold a dominant position in political and economic power and decision-making.
While considerable progress has been made over recent decades, women’s ability to enjoy political, economic, social, and cultural rights as well as their independence is still limited in many countries.
Concerns about gender equality are recent; women’s access to the public sphere, decent employment, equal pay, responsibilities, and elected office is more difficult. They carry out domestic and informal tasks and maintain social ties: work that is not included in assessments of national wealth.
The Gender Related Development Index (GDI) established by the United Nations reflects gender disparities in basic human capabilities—and ranks 130 countries on a global scale.
The figures show a sociological disparity between genders.
Women are responsible for half of the world’s production food, yet they earn only 10% of the total income generated.
They own less than 2% of land, and receive less than 5% of bank loans.
In the formal sector, on average 1 in 8 men occupies a senior management position, compared to 1 in 40 women.
In order to improve gender relations they must first of all be recognised and identified if we are to take action. Firstly there are:
- Practical needs: these are related to women’s issues and come from material deficiencies and the failure to meet basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, employment, and a water supply. These are the root causes of women’s problems.
- Strategic interests of gender relations.
These are the specific needs of women to achieve equality. They are barely visible, and are connected to the power relations between men and women. If they are to be met it is vital to raise awareness about inequality, as well as a change in identity models and in society’s attitudes.
These transformations are accessible through changes in their roles, responsibilities and decision-making possibilities within a community.
A CFI project in partnership with France Médias Monde