Reflection of Gender Inequality in Different Spheres

The state of global gender inequality is a pending predicament, with consequential differences unresolved. Research has been implemented to further outline and reflect on gender disparities globally and in comparison to Australian society regarding gender imbalance. Studies acknowledge global progressive action society is taking to diminish the gender gap worldwide. The Global Gender Gap Report identify the differentiation of opportunities and justice between males and females related to categories including; educational attainment, health and survival, political empowerment and economic participation on a global scale.

Gender inequality is reflected throughout global community development and growth. The Global Gender Gap Report 2017 analyses this claim through research, stating that “weighted by population the average progress on closing the global gap stands at 68.0%- meaning an average gap of 32.0% remains to be closed worldwide”. Investigations identify that females are segregated in comparison to males in regard to opportunities and development of political empowerment and employment. The global gender gap creates a variance between employment opportunities due to ongoing female versus male entitlements and privileges, therefore leading to a dilatory pace in worldwide growth. The Global Gender Gap Report 2017 evaluates Australian gender differences on a scale from 0-1, ranked between 144 countries worldwide and the percentage of the gap remained to be closed. It is analysed that “economic participation and opportunity ranked 42 and scored 0.724, educational attainment ranked 1.000 and scored 1, health and survival ranked 104 scored 0.97 and Political empowerment ranked 48 and scored 0.232. With political empowerment having the most variance, these findings assess and identify the lack of female political representation in society. Women may believe they do not have potential or opportunity to become an authoritive figure or political representative due to a deficiency of female perspectives, views and ideas. Lukin (2016) commented on political injustice through the article “’He” vs “She” in Australia media coverage: What the language of news tells us about gender imbalance”. Julia Gillard stated “If Tony Abbott was elected, she argued, women would be “once again banished from the centre of Australia’s political life”. This explores and assesses that gender inequality is a continuing problem and questions the growth of Australian women and their ability to advocate political power in society, and the impact this has on community development and worldwide growth for the future.

Gender inequality is reflected throughout the media. Research shows that women do not have the same opportunities of employment and position of power to voice opinions, perspectives, ideas and views in society. Progressed technology and media has become a strong platform for authoritative figures and society to express their voice and positions of power. Lukin (2016 pp.2) highlights on Australian ratios identifying; “Of nearly 100,000 distinct words used in the collected news articles, “he” was the 16th most frequently used. By comparison, the equivalent female pronoun - “she” - was the 66th most frequently used. “She” turned up 11,765 times, while “he” appeared more than 40,000 times. That makes the ratio of “he” to “she” in Australian news reporting 3.4 to 1”. These results reflect and raise awareness on women’s voice in media and society, highlighting the positions of power and opportunities men receive versus women. The Global Gender Gap Report identifies that out of 144 countries economic participation empowerment and opportunities have a 58% score, leaving a 42% gap worldwide. Lukin (2016 pp.6) emphasizes that the “Usage of 'he' and 'she' in online news and magazine articles, 2010 to 24 October .2016 across 20 countries. Australia, SHE 384,854 HE 1,201,899”. These findings call into question how the lack of woman’s voice in the media may become detrimental to the future Australian society and how Australia is continually contributing to gender imbalance.

Given the research, it is clear that the global gender gap is decreasing but immense variances remain. These investigations call into questions regarding when Gender inequality will be reformed for females and males. Research highlights a potential discussion for future measures society must take to close the global gender gap and conclude Australian gender imbalance. This allows society to question and conspire how to maintain and build equivalent balanced gender equality regarding media, educational attainment, health and survival, political empowerment and economic participation on a global scale, so females and males receive the same rights, opportunities, power and justice.

References

1. Lukin, A. (2016) ‘He’ vs ‘She’ in Australian media coverage: what the language of news tells us about gender imbalance. The Conversation. Retrieved from: https://theconversation.com/he-vs-she-in-australian-media-coverage-what-the-language-of-news-tells-us-about-gender-imbalance-67139
2. Leopold,T., Ratcheva, V., Schwab,K., Zahidi, S. (2017) The Global Gender Gap Report 2017 PP. 3-36
3. World Economic Forum Insight Report. Retrieved from: http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GGGR_2017.pdf