Gender Equality, Should I Care?

Gender Equality, Should I Care?

Written by: Fidelis Elleny Averina

Speaking of gender equality, we probably think that this kind of topic is way too “heavy” or dull to be discussed in the daily talks – Well, at least that’s what people say whenever this topic is raised during the small talk. It seems like the idea of gender equality is still not appealing especially to the youngsters nowadays. We might instantly think that gender equality has nothing to do with us and it’s definitely not our business. Some of us might say that it’s too theoretical, some others probably just too ignorant with this issue. If you still think that way, here are some insights that might change your perspective about gender equality.

To begin with, let’s start by defining what is meant by gender equality. Gender equality itself is the view that women and men should share the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, and therefore should not be discriminated. The attempt to bring this concept into our life has been started since the early of 20^th century. Of course, it is not something that can be achieved instantly, as in everyday life males and females still fail to see and treat each other equally. From there, the effort to reach equal rights and justice for both men and women has become everyone’s concern.

          Why is gender equality important for us? 

          What are the impacts of gender equality to our society?

To answer those questions you need to first take a look at your surrounding. In this modern era we can easily find female police officer, pilot, mechanic, politician, even soldier. At the same time, it is also common for men nowadays to work as make-up artist, fashion designer, or model. In short, women and men have equal opportunity to pursue successful life and career. Gender equality simply liberates men and women to choose their role in life and eradicate the term “man’s job or women’s job” in the society.

Without gender equality, woman and men will not have the same rights in politic, education, economic, and community. Women should stay at home and do the chores, while men have to work hard and earn the money. Furthermore, women will not be able to vote or join any political event, get higher education, lead a community, or have the same occupation with men. The idea of gender equality simply alters the old-fashioned belief that men are superior than women. This then enables men and women to have equal role to stand together and built the society.

Then...What can we, the Millennials, do to take part and promote gender equality?

Gender equality is a human right and therefore it becomes everyone’s issue including us, the millenials. As future generation, we have the responsibility to keep spreading and promoting the message in a larger scope of society.  We can start by doing simple things as follow: 

• ·         Use social media to bring greater attention and increase the awareness

Utilize your social networking profiles to promote, share, post and acknowledge people especially the young generation about gender equality. Spread the message through writing a poetry, song, or article about gender equality that later on can be posted on Facebook, Blog, or Twitter.

•                     Avoid gender stereotype!

‘She is a mere girl, how can she lead our team?’‘A boy like him is supposed to take higher responsibility and risk!’I assume that all of us have heard quite similar comments like above at least once. Whether we realize it or not, we sometimes still unconsciously judge people based on their gender. If you still do this, you need to avoid it. Start to see people from their ability not their gender!

•        Speak up!

Whenever you witness gender discrimination happened around you– whether in the online space, home, school, or other places, Speak up! Raise your voice against it!

We, the milIenials, are the next generation which plays important role to make sure that our future sons and daughters will also have the same rights and opportunities in every aspect of their life. Therefore, here, I am inviting you to step forward and ask yourself

 ‘If not me, who? If not now, when?’

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