Discrimination against women

Discrimination against women is a pervasive global issue that affects nearly every aspect of life, from education and employment to political participation and personal freedom. Deeply rooted in historical and cultural biases, this inequality manifests in systemic barriers that prevent women from accessing the same opportunities and rights as men. Women are often relegated to subordinate roles, expected to conform to traditional gender norms that limit their independence and decision-making power. In many societies, they face workplace discrimination, lower wages, and restricted access to leadership positions, making financial security more difficult to attain. Education remains an area of inequality, as girls in some regions are denied the right to learn or are forced into early marriages, cutting short their potential. Legal systems in certain countries reinforce gender disparities by restricting women’s rights to own property, divorce, or make choices regarding their own bodies. Furthermore, gender-based violence, harassment, and exploitation continue to be widespread, threatening women’s safety and autonomy. Even in progressive societies, deeply ingrained stereotypes hinder women’s progress and reinforce a culture that undervalues their contributions.

The causes of the inequality between women and men are directly linked with a complex historical process. The inequality also derives from political, economic, social and cultural factors. The form in which this inequality manifests itself is a varied as the economic, social and cultural conditions of the world community. Throughout history and in many societies women have been sharing similar experiences. One of the basic factors causing the unequal share of women in development relates to the division of labour between the sexes. This division of labour has been justified on the basis of the childbearing function of women, which is inherent in womanhood. Consequently, the distribution of tasks and responsibilities of women and men in society has mainly restricted women to the domestic sphere and has unduly burdened them. As a result, women have often been regarded and treated as men's inferior, and unequal in their activities outside the domestic sphere and have suffered violations of their human rights. They have been given only limited access to resources and to participation in every sphere of life, notably in decision-making; and in many instances institutionalized inequality in the status of women and men has also resulted.

Women and girls comprise approximately half of the global population. Despite significant contributions across various sectors, they continue to face substantial disparities in income and property ownership. For instance, in 2019, women's share of labor income ranged from below 10% to 45% across different countries. This means that in some countries, women earned less than 10% of the total labor income, while in others, they earned up to 45%. According to the World Inequality Report 2022 (Half the Sky? The Female Labor Income Share in a Global Perspective), countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region exhibiting some of the lowest female labor income shares, averaging around 15%, while former Eastern Bloc countries showing higher shares, averaging about 40%.

In developing countries, women encounter compounded challenges. Beyond the universal issues of undernourishment, illness, and resource scarcity, they face gender-specific obstacles. Cultural norms and systemic biases often relegate women to subordinate roles, limiting their access to education and economic opportunities. Consequently, women account for a significant portion of the illiterate population; globally, 477 million women remain illiterate, with half residing in South and West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, women are heavily involved in agriculture, comprising 66% and 71% of the agrifood system workforce, respectively. Despite this substantial involvement, they often lack access to resources, land ownership, and fair wages, exacerbating their economic vulnerability.

Patriarchal structures prevalent in many developing societies manifest in various forms of discrimination against females. These include higher mortality rates for female infants, lower literacy levels among girls and women, reduced life expectancy, poorer health and nutritional statuses, and elevated maternal mortality rates. Such disparities are often perpetuated by limited access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for women.

In certain regions, restrictive cultural practices severely limit women's rights. For example, under the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, women have faced prohibitions against working or attending school, leading to a significant decline in female healthcare professionals and educators. This has resulted in inadequate medical care for women, contributing to preventable illnesses and deaths. Similarly, in Iran, women are mandated to adhere to strict dress codes, including wearing loose-fitting clothing and headscarves in public. Non-compliance can result in severe penalties, such as lashes or imprisonment. In Saudi Arabia, despite recent reforms, women continue to face limitations on their freedom of movement. For instance, until 2018, women were prohibited from driving. Although this ban has been lifted, other restrictions persist, such as the requirement for male guardian permission to travel or engage in certain activities. Additionally, practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) are prevalent in some cultures, posing severe health risks and violating women's rights. FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of human rights and an extreme form of discrimination against women.