KARACHI:
Gender equality means the provision of equal rights, resources, opportunities, and protection for both males and females regardless of their age. Investment in gender equality and equity produces positive outcomes throughout the world. It is important for productivity and economic growth but has remained a distant dream in today’s world. Gender inequality has affected both men and women.
Regretfully, human beings are paying the cost of gender discrimination through unending gender-based violations, favouritism, nepotism, denial of rights, poor healthcare and education, prejudice at workplaces, and rampant menace of rapes and sexism. Apart from, extreme poverty and illiteracy, an agricultural-based economy, regressive cultural norms, and values, as well as a dearth of women-centric laws have added fuel to fire. In such circumstances, a further delay in the decision will jeopardise the future of upcoming generations.
Therefore, addressing gender inequalities is the need of the hour. Promoting women’s and girls’ empowerment will build the future of entire humanity. Authorities must take ad hoc measures including formulation of a comprehensive action plan and policy. In addition, enrolment of out-of-school children, ensuring financial and property inheritance along with the inauguration of the international commission for gender equity will make it be possible to change the challenge into an opportunity. It is high time to stop the talk and start the walk.
Tahseen Ali
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2021.
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