Her Story: A Continuing Struggle to Reach Gender Equity

“Gender inequality holds back the growth of individuals, the development of countries and the evolution of societies, to the disadvantage of both men and women,” noted the State of World Population Report 2000. The report makes an excellent case for placing gender inequality under the spotlight so that it can be seen as one of the most urgent matters that severely affects issues of both human rights and national development. The report makes a clear distinction between “gender issues” and “women’s issues.” It states that “...gender refers to the economic, social and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female.” In other words, it means understanding opportunities and barriers, as well as the impact of change, as they affect both women and men. Universally, women have much less access to society’s resources and opportunities. They seldom have the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes affecting their lives and environment. By limiting the participation and opportunities of half the population, a society severely retards its own progress and development. Mary Robinson, the former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, wisely noted, “In a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no one can be truly free.”