Gender inequality is a global issue that draws my interest and attention. In the US and other countries, huge inequality gaps exist between males and females. Such inequalities are evident at work, at home, and in public. Statistics indicate that despite the transformations intended to challenge women’s subordination, there still exists inequality. Inequality is higher in industrialized nations and is propelled by how people relate gender issues. Gender stereotypes influence interpersonal relations, thus defining how men and women relate. In the US, women are more disadvantaged than men. Statistics indicate that women earn 80% less than men, are less considered in top managerial positions, and do twice as much housework as men. Social inequalities between men and women cause persistent inequality. Stereotypes have formed a cultural frame people follow when forming relationships and interacting with others. Gender inequality greatly affects women and subjects them to life-threatening consequences which affect them negatively. Most women are exposed to violence, discrimination, and inequality, which subjects them to post-traumatic stress disorders. In developing countries, inequality has led to increased rape, prostitution, maternal mortality, and lack of education among girls. Men have greatly contributed to widening the inequality gap since they are the greatest promoters of inequality. This paper discusses gender inequality among women based on the “Half the Sky” movie.
In “Half the Sky” movie, Kristof and WuDunn (2010) narrate the deeply rooted oppression and inequality among women to the level that global leaders need to intervene on the issue. The narrators explore the continents of Asia and Africa, where inequality is deeply rooted and most women and oppressed. However, there are encouraging stories of some women who emerge triumphant. Women encounter numerous challenges in receiving assistance, including foreign aid since the majority are neglected even by the authorities (Kristof & WuDunn, 2010). However, the movie condemns the deeply rooted gender inequality and proposes solutions to the global challenge that is highly prevalent globally. The movie first introduces Srey Rath, a teenage Cambodian girl who was sold to slavery in Thailand. The girl was forced into slavery after being raped and later forced to engage in prostitution before she was finally rescued. Despite the lady experiencing tragic occurrences, the story is common among several other women who have experienced the same encounter. The movie portrays over three million women who are forced into sexual slavery after being held captive, where they are subjected to drug addiction and cultural condemnation.
Efforts to assist such women have all failed until the authors are left wondering, “how can we help?” However, the authors argue that a solution to sexual slavery triggered by gender inequality exists. Despite most aid efforts failing to bear fruit, Kristof & WuDunn (2010) argue that educating the girl child is the way to rescue them. They provide detailed insights into how a private institution within Seattle empowered girls by sponsoring them for education. Some of the major challenges experienced included extremely poor girls being forced to work to get some finances to support their families. Despite experiencing numerous challenges, the project succeeded and rescued the women from inequality since they could live independently. The stories presented in the movie generally describe the major challenges that women encounter globally and the shortcomings of the mitigation measures put in place. Afterer discussing several instances of slavery among women the narrators, present other forms of oppression that women encounter. Men use rape as a weapon of controlling women. This has subjected women to brutal killings and poor health issues. The graphics presented in the movie are devastating as they expose the brutal occurrences that women go through globally. Such problems are not only common to third-world countries but also developed countries. The narrators emphasise the counties of Afghanistan, Thailand, Congo, and Senegal.
The entire movie revolves around the challenges that gender inequality poses to women. Prostitution is one of these challenges and is highly prevalent in developing countries. The authors visit brothels to understand the challenges girls whom their families have sold to prostitution experience. Most girls are sold into the sex business simply because most families cannot afford to raise them, while others are sold to pay family debts (Kristif & WuDunn, 2010). While at the brothel, most are drugged to work for long hours, thus exposing them to sexually transmitted infections. The girls are not even allowed to use condoms since the customers are the ones to decide. The financial emancipation of such women makes them have nowhere to go other than staying in the brothels for their entire life. Most other ladies are raped, but their efforts to raise the issues are dismissed and not believed by society. Whenever women expose their experiences, the majority are killed to preserve family honour and save it from shame.
Maternal mortality is also high since most hospitals cannot take good care of women and their children. Most women give birth while at home, thus exposing them to more risks. Girls are not allowed to access education, unlike their male counterparts. Most people believe that girls have no potential to be successful and live independent life. Most families selectively offer education opportunities to kids, with boys being the beneficiaries and most ladies being locked out. Poverty further complicates the issue since most families struggle to afford the basics such as uniforms and school fees, thus opting for ladies to remain uneducated (Kristof & Wu Dunn, 2010). Other communities believe that educated ladies do terrible things which are against the community. Men even fear educating women due to the fear of being deemed inferior.
Kristof and WuDunn also explore the issues that complicate the problem-solving process. They identify the western misunderstanding of the Islamic culture as the major barrier that hinders women from achieving equality even when there are deliberate efforts to rescue them from inequality. However, the authors present solutions to all challenges that they discuss, thus underpinning their argument that inequality is not a permanent issue since it has tangible and effective solutions. Volunteer work and financial support are the most viable solutions that can rescue women from the inequality challenges they encounter. The government and all other stakeholders need to invest heavily in offering financial support or volunteer work to ladies. These include investing in other education and pursuing other empirically based solutions. The movie is split into two parts. The first part explains the key factors that contribute to oppression, whereas the other part discusses the possible mitigation measures. The movie ends up with an encouraging promise that political advocacy and financial support for women is the key o ending global inequalities.
Ethical values provide a moral direction on how individuals live and make critical decisions as it encourages people to do the right thing at the right time. Gender inequality is an unethical act that subjects women to long-lasting effects such as exposure to gender, discrimination, and objectification (Cerrato & Citre, 2018). For years, women have been viewed as sexual objects whose bodies can only be looked at, admired, coveted, and touched. Objectification arises due to the negative attitudes that men hold against women and promiscuity. Once women are discovered to be open toward sex, they are subjected to sexual aggression. However, we should all advocate for gender equality among all. Equal societies are safer and healthier since they experience less anti-social behaviour and violence. An equal society is less cohesive and disconnected. Gender equality is a human right and should therefore be upheld and respected by all citizens. Regardless of the poverty status or social background, gender equality is necessary as it ensures that both men and women make decisions that impact their lives positively.
The major causes of gender inequality include uneven access to education, job segregation, lack of legal protection, and lack of body autonomy (Zhu, 2021). Forced sex is against the major principles of ethics, which are used to justify ethical prescriptions and human actions. Ethics dictate that all people should be respected by being treated as autonomous agents and being protected. Individual opinions, beliefs, and moral convictions need to be respected not unless they are detrimental to others. The incapacitated young girls need to be protected until they mature and have the right to decide on their own. Extensive protection needs to be provided to all people depending on the risk they are exposed to. The principle of beneficence requires that all individuals be treated ethically and have their safety assured. All their choices should be of no harm and maximal benefits. The principle of justice requires that there be fairness in distribution, and every individual ought to receive what they deserve (Guyer, 2018). Injustice occurs whenever particular actions deny individuals the advantage that they deserve. This principle argues that all people need to be treated equally regardless of their gender, race, ethnic background, or religion. The principle of autonomy requires that individuals should be duly respected, and their choices should be upheld, provided they do not infringe on the interests of others. The principle of non-maleficence argues that individuals have the moral responsibility to protect others from harm and maintain professional competence. They should not force others into unnecessary suffering or destroy their hope.
In conclusion, sexual harassment is one of the major issues that women undergo in an unequal society. More women are subjected to sexual abuse than men, thus experiencing more health issues than men. Women’s oppression is a moral and economic issue that needs to be countered. “The book is a bold attempt by the author where he speaks out the hands-on experiences of women facing problems across the world” (Amrittha, 2020). Oppression is highly prevalent in developing countries across Asia and Africa. However, the issue is of global concern due to the detrimental effects it poses to the oppressed. Based on the movie, my perception that gender inequality cannot be solved has completely changed. Initially, my belief was that gender inequality is deeply rooted in society to the level that an amicable solution cannot be attained. However, the movie enlightened me and changed my view. Empowering women through education and financial support is the most effective way of handling the issue. Poverty greatly contributes to gender violence and exploitation since most families are forced to sell girls to clear family debts and select the kids who should be allowed to attend school. To end gender inequality, all people should unite to fight poverty and empower women to survive independently. The movie content addresses real-life issues which should not be looked down upon due to their high prevalence rates.
References
Amrittha, A. (2020). Book Review of” Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunities for Women Worldwide”.
Cerrato, J., & Cifre, E. (2018). Gender inequality in household chores and work-family conflict. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1330.
Guyer, P. (2018). Principles of Justice, Primary Goods and Categories of Right: Rawls and Kant. Kantian Review, 23(4), 581-613.
Kristof, N. D., & WuDunn, S. (2010). Half the sky: Turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. Vintage.
Zhu, Z. (2021, December). The Causes and Solutions of Gender Inequality in the Workplace. In 2021 4th International Conference on Humanities Education and Social Sciences (ICHESS 2021) (pp. 693-697). Atlantis Press.
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