What is Gender Equality?
Gender equality ensures that men and women, as well as boys and girls, have equal rights, opportunities and treatment in all aspects of life. It recognises both their similarities and differences while valuing their roles in society equally. Gender equality allows individuals to develop their abilities and make choices without restrictions based on stereotypes or biases. It requires addressing systematic barriers and ensuring fair access to opportunities and resources. Achieving gender equality is essential for human rights, social justice and sustainable development, fostering a world where all people can contribute to and benefit from economic, cultural and political progress.
Source: UNICEF
What is the Gender Equality Index?
The Gender Equality Index is a tool developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality to measure gender equality progress across EU Member States. It assigns a score from 1 to 100, where 100 represents full gender equality. The index assesses six key domains - work, money, knowledge, time, power and health - along with two additional areas - violence and intersecting inequalities. This index aims to provide a comprehensive view of gender disparities.
Why Does Gender Equality Remain an Issue?
Gender equality remains a pressing issue worldwide, with disparities in education, leadership, economic opportunities and personal safety. Women and girls make up 60% of the chronically hungry, demonstrating how gender inequality fuels poverty and hunger. Despite global progress in education, women account for more than two-thirds of the world’s 796 million illiterate people, limiting their access to better jobs and economic independence. In leadership, representation remains low - only 10% of the world’s Heads of State are women, illustrating ongoing systemic barriers that prevent women from reaching top positions in politics and decision-making. Meanwhile, gender-based violence remains a significant issue, with a woman or girl killed by a family member every 11 minutes, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections and legal reforms.
Reproductive rights also face challenges, with 270 million women worldwide lacking access to modern contraception, restricting their ability to plan their futures and escape cycles of poverty. Economically, the gender pay gap has been narrowing slowly, falling by about a quarter in the past decade. However, in April 2024, it still stood at 7.0%, down from 7.5% in 2023, showing that while progress is being made, full wage equality is still far from reality.
Source: UN Women, Focus 2030 & Office for National Statistics
How Can I Be an Advocate for Gender Equality?
Advocating for gender equality starts with education - understanding systemic biases and recognising inequality in daily life. Speak up against discrimination, whether in the workplace, social settings or policies. Support and amplify marginalised voices, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard. Challenge stereotypes and encourage equal opportunities in leadership, pay and career growth. Promote inclusive policies in organisations and advocate for fair parental leave, flexible work and mentorship programs. Use your platform, whether online or offline, to spread awareness and inspire action. Finally, lead by example - demonstrate respect, fairness and allyship in all interactions to create a more equitable society.
Gender equality is a crucial topic in today’s workplace, driving diversity, inclusion and innovation. Gender Equality was made part of international human rights law by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Since then, gender equality has been a pivotal topic of conversation throughout the workplace and society as a whole, and you too can lead this conversation by hiring a leading gender equality speaker!
Companies that promote gender equality benefit from improved collaboration, increased employee satisfaction and stronger financial performance. Gender equality speakers are hired for corporate events to inspire leadership teams, educate employees and provide actionable strategies for fostering inclusive workplaces. By addressing unconscious bias and diverse leadership benefits, these speakers help organisations attract top talent and drive long-term success. For expert guidance on who the top gender equality speakers are to hire, discover Senior Keynote Speaker & Entertainment Manager Chris Tompkins' exclusive selection of the Top Trending Gender Equality Keynote Speakers Inspiring Change!
To hire a gender equality speaker, contact Champions Speakers today! Call one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 1010 553 or complete our online contact form to begin the booking process.