In the Western world, female empowerment represents that awareness, both individually and collectively, that women have the capacity to be the owners of their own actions and to lead their lives.
They are women who develop their own style of leadership, know how to communicate, are influential, are committed to innovation and promote female empowerment... but
What is female empowerment really?
Although it may seem like something new, female empowerment has been going on for years. In 1995, at the celebration of the World Conference on Women in Beijing , he was already being talked about.
F emenine empowerment is the process that allows the increase of women's participation in all aspects of their personal and social life. Thanks to him, they can be the owners of their lives and participate fully and equally in all areas of their society , including decision-making and access to power.
Equality between women and men is a fundamental value of the European Union that dates back to the 1957 Treaty of Rome, which established the principle of equal pay for equal work. Since then, the EU has continued to challenge gender discrimination and today Europe is one of the safest and most equal places in the world for women.
But in Europe , statistics show that women are underrepresented in decision-making positions in politics and business and that they still earn an average income 16% lower than that of men and unfortunately, the gender violence and harassment are still widespread.
Does female empowerment benefit only women?
The goal of the European Union is to improve the lives of girls and women around the world through its policies, especially the framework for gender equality and women's empowerment . Through this framework, the EU aims to help partner countries, especially developing, candidate and neighboring countries, to achieve tangible results in the field of gender equality, as set out in its action plan.
According to data from UNESCO , female empowerment would favorably influence the reduction of early marriages for girls under 15 years of age, as well as early motherhood for girls under 17 in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and West Asia:
- If girls access primary education, early marriages would be reduced by 14% and by 64% if they access secondary education.
- Regarding early pregnancies, they would be reduced by 10% if girls access primary education and by 59% if they access secondary education.
But female empowerment is not just for women. It enriches the whole society.
- It is essential to achieve equality, development and peace.
- It is key to eradicating poverty .
- Promotes social justice.
Three keys to female empowerment
Other international organizations also point out the importance of their role in...
- Promote inclusive economic growth. The UN Global Compact indicates that gender diversity contributes to improving company results . More than $12 trillion dollars could be added to global GDP if the full capacities of girls and women were developed.
- To end hunger. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) explains that it helps ensure food security. When rural women can access appropriate resources, tools and knowledge, families and communities gain and become stronger: children go to school, families are healthier, agricultural productivity and incomes increase… All of this is achieved by women. women through their work as producers and providers of food.
- Take care of the environment. UNESCO observes a relationship between the educational empowerment of girls and women and the protection of the planet. In this way, there would be a greater possibility of approving environmental treaties in those countries where there are more women in parliament.
Likewise, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) indicates that the majority of the illiterate and poor population in the world are women, and that, in addition, they suffer systematic violence both in the privacy of their homes and in armed conflicts.
DATA
- Around the world, 750 million women and girls were married before the age of 18, and at least 200 million women and girls in 30 countries underwent female genital mutilation.
- In 18 countries, husbands can legally prevent their wives from working; in 39 countries, daughters and sons do not have equal inheritance rights; and in 49 countries there are no laws protecting women from domestic violence.
- One in five women and girls have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner or family member in the last 12 months, yet in 49 countries there are no laws protecting women against such violence.
- Women have made significant strides in holding political office around the world but their representation in national parliaments is only 23.7%.
- Only 52% of women who are married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraception or medical care.
- In the world, only 13% of agricultural land is owned by women.
- Women in North Africa hold less than one in five paid jobs in the non-agricultural sector.
How can you contribute to making female empowerment possible?
Women have talent, competence, intelligence... It is the attitudes, comments or behavior of other people that are restricting our fundamental rights. The HeForShe and Spotlight initiatives have united the world for equality and against gender-based violence .
- A fair distribution of domestic and family responsibilities has not usually been equitable and there are more and more men who assume responsibility for domestic tasks and the care and upbringing of their sons and daughters. Instilling gender equality from childhood is possible by distributing, for example, labor among boys and girls.
- End gender stereotypes . Likewise, there has been the belief that men and women should develop certain roles in society according to their gender, but it is necessary to recognize the capacities of women, because they are no less suitable due to a gender issue.
- Ensure the fundamental rights of women. We must continue working to prevent and suppress any form of violence against girls and women, promoting their access to education and training, as well as quality health.
- Guarantee equal treatment at work. Men and women doing the same job should receive the same pay and benefits .
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