Women worldwide continue to live in societies that provide them unequal opportunities to succeed. In many parts of the world women are less valued than men and at times their rights are violated leaving them with little recourse. The situation has changed over the last 25 years, however, we are far from achieving equal access to economic resources, although women today are farmers, factory workers, CEOs of companies, scientists, engineers, doctors, and hold many other jobs that may have been unthinkable in the past. Women have vast and positive impacts on the economy, in business, agriculture, and industry, and as domestic workers, market vendors, migrant workers, and through their unpaid care work. Despite some progress, obstacles to women’s full and equal participation, including the lack of an enabling environment, persist. On the positive side, we see progress in many important dimensions, such as increased participation in the economy and leadership globally. Such progress gives us hope that societies today are less tolerant of inequality and injustice than past generations. Unfortunately, progress across countries and regions is unequal and in some parts of the world women are seeing worsening conditions; especially when it comes to violence against them.
Women are the primary caretakers of children and elders in every country of the world. International studies demonstrate that when the economy and political organization of a society change, women take the lead in helping the family adjustment to new realities and challenges. They are likely to be the prime initiator of outside assistance, and play an important role in facilitating (or hindering) changes in family life. Rural women play a key role in supporting their households and communities in achieving food and nutrition security, generating income, and improving rural livelihoods and overall well- being. It is the mother in the family who most often urges children of both genders to attend – and stay – in school. The role of women is at the front end of the chain of improvements leading to the family, the community’s long-term capacity. Women entrepreneurs have been designated as the new engine of economic growth and rising stars of the economies in developing countries to bring prosperity, welfare and contribute and support the economy extensively in different ways by being employed in several sectors. Women chambers of commerce and industry should also come forward to help fully exploit the potential of women entrepreneurs by ensuring equal opportunities at par with other entrepreneurs besides to do away with gender inequality and discrimination. Many successful businesses are run by women and some of them are highly skilled in entrepreneurial activities. It’s fact that many of the world’s largest enterprises are owned and run by women who are aware of correct application of theory in business.
And rural women also play a catalytic role towards achievement of transformational economy, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development and major chunk of rural women can be self-employed in food, livestock, agriculture health, education sectors and SMEs by offering them interest free loans on easy installments payable after five to ten years and short duration technical courses must also launched across the country to impart basic knowledge to women in various trade to meet the ever increasing demands of skilled workers in industry. Women entrepreneurship has been recognized as providers of social upgrading, presenting economic regeneration, growth and job creation. Women participation in economic expansion has also been documented as very important for a country particularly their participation in the areas of entrepreneurship. This is a concerted strategy by the government to level the playing field for women to have a voice in policy and decision-making in the country.
And even though other parts of government still have minimal representation of women, for example there is increased recognition in government and society that having women in leadership roles is good for development. Unfortunately, patriarchal societal norms such as prioritizing men before women for jobs and leadership are likely to limit real progress.
But despite a great deal of progress, women continue to face discrimination and violence in every part of the world. Moreover, many women face compounded forms of discrimination—due to factors such as their age, race, ethnicity, disability, or socio-economic status—in addition to gender- based discrimination. Effectively ensuring full enjoyment of human rights by women, girls, men, boys and people of diverse gender identities requires, first, a comprehensive understanding of the social structures, social norms and stereotyping, and power relations that frame not only laws and politics but also the economy, social dynamics, family life and community life. So women working within health care and social-services are absolutely indispensable.They should be much more appreciated by being paid a decent salary and equal to men and appreciated for their courage.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
views expressed are writer’s own.
