Name: Lilia Tennant
Community/State: Shepparton, Victoria
School: Goulburn Valley Grammar School
Age/Grade: 15 Years, Year 10
Overcoming the odds – how can we push through barriers to achieve gender equality?
Gender inequality has been an issue present throughout human history. Recently, females have begun to be granted the same rights as their male counterparts. These developments in equality have not occurred in all corners of the globe and even in developed countries, elements of gender inequality continue to exist. There are two ways in which these barriers can be abolished: through educating females around the globe and promoting positive media portrayal of female roles in society.
The influence of education in improving life chances has long been recognised. In particular, females who receive education are given the opportunity to live healthier, happier lives. Education provides women with the tools to break the cycle of being forced to rely on childbearing for survival, and UNESCO data shows that 60% less girls in Sub-Saharan Africa and South and West Asia would become pregnant under 17 years of age if they were educated. Through providing access to education, women are given freedom within their own lives, can rise out of poverty and be empowered to reach their full potential in life. UNICEF states that “education is one of the most critical areas of empowerment for women”, a statement of which highlights the fact that education is the most effective way to combat barriers in gender equality.
Unethical gender stereotypes persist even in developed countries. The idea of being a single mother, or even a stay at home mother, has received unwavering negative media depiction and harmful stereotyping. Single mothers have been portrayed by many, including the government and taxpayers, as “lazy” and “self-entitled” (Australia’s Welfare Discourse and News). Being a mother is as important as any paid job in today’s society yet is constantly dismissed or portrayed with negative connotations. To achieve gender equality there must be an increase in positive media portrayal of all female positions in society. The media holds great power in influencing public opinion. Utilising the power of the media to positively represent all of the roles women play in society would result in widespread acceptance of women in those roles and assist in pushing through barriers towards the goal of gender equality.
Despite the gender inequalities present in today’s world, there are various ideas that provide hope that these barriers can one day be eradicated permanently.