Gutierrez 1

Isabelle Gutierrez
Mrs. Smith
English 10 Honors
15 November 2016
Gender Inequality
A young girl quickly rushes to her bedroom as the steps of her father follow her. She
hides in her bedroom and stays in a fetal position as the paper in her journal starts to slowly be
drenched in tears and the writing is smeared. Young women in Africa are doing all that they can
to achieve the lifestyle they want but too many have to sacrifice their needs to benefit those of
men and their family. Gender inequality is not helping the burdens that have already overriden
much of Africa such as poverty, sickness, malnourishment, lack of healthcare, and a set
education system. For far too long, women in Africa are receiving inequality which is not only
hurting the individual but the continent they inhabit, and without the aid of anyone, change is not
going to occur.
Each gender has experienced oppression in various intensities. A lot of nations
throughout the entire world have had gender inequality make a significant impact on their history
and it has made the way many countries stand today. In a general sense, women and young girls
are constantly going through the struggle to make their mark on the mans world. All too
often, women and girls are discriminated against in health, education, political representation,
labour market, etc with negative repercussions for development of their capabilities and their
freedom of choice (Gender). Its not fair that females have to fight throughout most of their
lives for things that are basic necessities. Equality needs time. It took 703 years for the UK to

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progress from the Magna Carta (1215) to the first votes for women (1918) (Women). Time
takes its toll and it takes a lot of it to achieve even the tiniest things. Schools take the time to
teach history and it is taught so students can learn from the past, and fix the mistakes that were
made to ensure nothing similar to it happens again. In this situation, it is just being wasted.
Countries like the United States have made huge strides since the 1800s when women
were trying to get out of the typical housewife and stay-at-home role. However, continents like
Africa havent made much progress. Women have fought to achieve equal rights in many parts
of Africa (Women). In this day and age where women are receiving the change they want, one
single continent is struggling to achieve quality for females, and the effort seems to be
nonexistent. These people are experiencing inequality in places in education, jobs, politics, and
even in their own households.
Today women have a different outlook on life and are sacrificing certain things for
themselves to individually achieve the things they want in life. Of the sacrifices they are making
in Africa, education is one of them. Education is instrumental in the development of a young
girl's values and virtues. It cultivates children into mature individuals, individuals capable of
planning for their futures and making the right decisions (Bellamy). By taking away education,
the chance for a young girl to have a future is unlikely. The tendency of poor families to spend
available more (needed for school fees or the costs of books and uniforms) on the education of
boys, because males are viewed as the future breadwinners (Bellamy). Careers and
opportunities are to be experienced by males rather than females because theyre seen as the ones
to prosper for their family. With this being said, just having the male be the one to bring the
money in, doesnt always prove that theyre a reliable source and are trusted to fulfill the

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familys needs. Many governments are committed to providing equal education for girls, but
they are still more likely to drop out of school than boy (Women). It is sad females have to
mature at a much younger age than men do and take on responsibilities that are far too out of
their reach.
The few that can seek somewhat of a career and obtain a job arent receiving any more
luck. Unequal pay, unfair treatment, and discrimination happens within the workplace. The
report further indicates that African women hold 66 per cent of jobs in the non-agricultural
informal sector and only make 70 cents for each dollar made by men (Africa Losing). Its
almost becoming pointless for women to work since their effort seems to become unnoticed and
unappreciated, even when theyre the majority. As a result, the increase of female participation
in the labor force hasnt led to increased opportunities in high paying jobs or enterprises
(Shaikh). Promises arent guaranteed and even by landing and securing the job, its possible that
they wont strive economically. Why is it that women cant receive some sort of slack or at least
get what they want for once?
There seems to be a sort of ignorance that comes when looking at the big picture of
things. A domino effect will occur if help is not given to the individual because later on it will
affect the area that they inhabit. Sub-Saharan Africa loses around 9.5 trillion dollars every year
due to gender inequality, a new report by a UN agency has warned (Africa Losing). As
morally deceiving that gender inequality is, its hurting the economy just as worst. As a result,
the UNDP has warned that African countries will fail to meet their poverty reduction target
unless they tackle gender inequality (Africa Losing). Poverty has burdened the continent over
its entire existence and there will be no chance to reduce it. Women are often the first and

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major victims of conflicts and wars, but also the ones who often lead the way in repairing the
broken fabric. That is why they need to be at the negotiating table (Johnson). It is vital to have
women in politics because men are not the only ones who are subject to know the best for its
people. A womens presence in office will limit and could totally reduce the amount of gender
inequality that occurs.
Violence is instrumental in making sure that women subordinate to men, because it
allows them to remain morally and physically discouraged. Africa is no stranger to this. In this
article, there is a report that About 45.6% of women in Africa have experienced physical and
sexual violence, compared to 35% globally(Africa Leads). From history, its known that
violence is not key to solving problems. Actions speak louder than words, but in this case, its
not in a positive way.
These super women also have the job to tend to the family. On top of things such as
cooking and cleaning, they have to tackle the handiwork that men would typically do if they
were home. Women frequently have a high amount of work, such as gathering firewood or
tending family fields. Household chores can be a huge burden, limiting a womans ability to take
on paid employment (Women). There isnt a balance to the work and family life and too much
is concentrated on just one compared to the other.
As children of God and as inhabitants of Mother Earth, there seems to be a duty that
comes with living here. A call to action has yet to strike in each person. There are so many
problems going on that everything just seems to be brushed off and the cheek is turned the other
way. The job of bystander should not be occupied. In different places around the globe we see
that females have made momentous strides in accomplishing gender inequality. Thinking outside

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the box such as the town, state, or country someone lives in is just one step. The term woman
is applied not just for one person or just the area someone lives in, but globally, and to apply an
individual to that title, the people who want to belong to that must come as women and fix it.

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Works Cited
"Africa leads in gender-based violence." eNCA,
www.enca.com/africa/africa-leads-gender-based-violence. Accessed 9 Nov. 2016.
"Africa losing billions due to gender inequality, UN agency says." Daily Nation , 7 Sept. 2016,
www.nation.co.ke/news/Gender-inequality-costing-Africa-billions/1056-3373084-m4deba/.
Bellamy, Carol. Statement on the Launch of the Girls Education Movement, Uganda, August 15,
2001.http://www.unicef.org/media/media_speeches2003.html
"Gender Inequality Index (GII)." UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME,
hdr.undp.org/en/content/gender-inequality-index-gii. Accessed 7 Nov. 2016.
Johnson, Adela. "Look to women for progress--Binet Diop." African Business, May 2014, p. 58.
Student Edition, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=moor14691&v=2.1&i
t=r&id=GALE%7CA371000517&asid=7d8d3b42852f27a2070da0a49a004233. Accessed 9 Nov.
2016.
Shaikh , Alanna. "Report: Women in Africa face profound gender inequalities and those inequalities
do great economic harm to individuals and nations." UN Dispatch , 2 Sept. 2016,
www.undispatch.com/report-women-africa-face-profound-gender-inequalities-inequalities-greateconomic-harm-individuals-nations/.
Women. Our Africa , www.our-africa.org/women. Accessed 7 Nov. 2016.