Reducing Inequalities Through Targeted Policies
- Imagine a world where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background.
- This vision is at the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reducing Inequality Within and Among Countries.
- Except for SDGs Framework, inequalities are reduced by emancipation (cultural change) and empowerment which are policies based on providing individuals or groups with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to gain control over their lives and live up to their potential.
Empowering Women: Opportunities for the Half of the Humankind
Education: Creating Basis for Equality
- Globally there has been significant progress towards achieving gender equality in education, especially in the context of primary and secondary schools.
- However, the current state of gender equality in education varies significantly between high-income and low-income countries.
In High-Income Countries:
- Access and Enrollment: Girls and boys have equal access to education at all levels. In many HICs, female enrollment in higher education often exceeds that of males.
- Field of Study: While women are well-represented in fields like health and education, they are still underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields.
- In countries like Sweden and Norway, girls generally outperform boys in academic performance, and women constitute a significant percentage of university graduates.
In Low-Income Countries:
- Access and Enrollment: Many girls face barriers to basic education, such as poverty, cultural norms, early marriage, and lack of sanitation facilities in schools. In some regions, girls are at a disadvantage compared to boys and the female drop-out rate is higher among teenage girls.
- Field of Study: Girls may pursue traditional fields, with less representation in higher-paying, traditionally male-dominated sectors.
- In countries like Afghanistan and Niger, significant gaps in girls' education persist. For instance, in Afghanistan, the Taliban's restrictions have severely limited girls' access to education.
Healthcare: Decreasing Vulnerability and Increasing Safety
- Access to reproductive health services is essential for women's empowerment.
- This includes:
- Reducing Maternal Mortality: Ensuring safe childbirth and prenatal care.
- Family Planning: Empowering women to make choices about their reproductive health.
- Addressing Gender-Based Violence: Providing support and healthcare for survivors.
- Rwanda has implemented community health programs that focus on maternal and child health, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates.
Economic Activity: Using the Full Potential of Societies for Growth
- Women's economic participation is a key driver of development.
- Policies that support women in the workforce include:
- Activity on Labor Market: Providing women with opportunities to participate in formal economic activities.
- Equal Pay: Ensuring women receive fair wages for their work.
- Access to Credit: Providing financial resources for women entrepreneurs.
- Supportive Work Environments: Implementing maternity leave and childcare services.
- In Rwanda, the government has prioritized girls' education, achieving near gender parity in primary and secondary schools.
Political Participation: Making Decisions and Shaping Communities
- While women's political participation is on the rise, continuous efforts are necessary to address barriers and promote equal representation and influence in political decision-making.
- Becoming political representatives and leaders remains a challenge for women also in HICs.
- In Rwanda, women hold over 60% of parliamentary seats, thanks to a quota system that ensures their representation.
- This has led to policies that support women entrepreneurs and promote gender equality.
Rwanda's Gender Equality Policies
- Rwanda became a global leader in gender equality after 1994 when significant number of traditionally men-dominated positions within a society were taken by women as a result of increased mortality among men caused by the genocide.
- Currently gender equality is driven by targeted policies such as:
- Parliamentary Quotas: Ensuring women's representation in decision-making.
- Support for Women Entrepreneurs: Providing training and financial resources to women-led businesses.
- Education Initiatives: Promoting gender parity in schools and higher education.
- When studying women's empowerment, focus on the interconnectedness of education, healthcare, economic activity, and - finally - political participation.
- These elements work together to create lasting change.
Empowering Indigenous and Minority Groups
Indigenous and minority groups often face systemic inequalities, including:
- Loss of Land Rights: Displacement and exploitation of ancestral lands.
- Cultural Marginalization: Suppression of languages and traditions.
- Discrimination in Education and on the Labor Market: Limited opportunities to participate in a mainstream society.
- Limited Political Representation: Exclusion from decision-making processes.
Legal Reforms to Protect Land Rights and Cultural Practices
- Land Rights: Legal recognition of indigenous territories is critical for preserving livelihoods and cultural heritage.
- Cultural Preservation: Policies that protect languages, traditions, and spiritual practices foster a sense of identity and belonging.
- Educational and Economic Opportunities: Encouraging indigenous people to participate in education and be active on the labor market without giving up their identities.
- Political Inclusion: Ensuring representation in government and decision-making empowers indigenous communities to advocate for their rights.
- In Panama, the Ngobe–Bugle Territory was restored to indigenous communities through legal reforms and sustainable development projects.
Bolivia's Recognition of Indigenous Rights
Bolivia is a leading example of indigenous empowerment, with policies that include:
- Constitutional Reforms: Recognizing indigenous autonomy, land rights, and languages.
- Political Inclusion: Indigenous leaders hold key positions in government.
- Economic Changes: Restricting private land ownership and empowering communal autonomies.
- Symbolic Empowerment: Recognizing the second flag of the country - the Wiphala.
- Cultural Revitalization: Support for indigenous languages and traditions in education and media.
- A common mistake is assuming that all policies are equally effective across different contexts.
- Always consider cultural, economic, and political factors when evaluating policy success.
Reflection and Broader Implications
While progress has been made, significant challenges for women, indigenous and marginalised groups remain:
- Cultural Barriers: Deep-rooted stereotypes and discrimination persist.
- Resource Constraints: Limited funding for education, healthcare, and legal reforms.
- Political Resistance: Opposition to policies that challenge traditional power structures.
- How can we balance economic development with the protection of indigenous rights and cultural practices?
- What role does ethical decision-making play in this process?
