For decades, in Europe, in the West, and a little later in several other countries, women have entered professional life to play an essential role in the progress of societies. These new achievements are the result of real battles that women have been waging for centuries. However, there are still many obstacles and problems to be solved in terms of gender equality, according to Mayssa Ben Mrad, 15 years old and winner of the Lycée Pilote in Tunis.
Although we are witnessing a significant improvement in the status of women in contrast to previous centuries, problems of inequality remain in modern and conservative societies. Several questions seem to arise during these numerous debates on this issue. Has gender inequality been completely eradicated? What are the difficulties women face in enjoying the same rights as men? What are the improvements that women enjoy today in modern societies?
Nostalgic people
Nobody can deny that the patriarchal model still dominates the organization of our societies. The problems of discrimination associated with this model are global. In different parts of the world, men still feel superior to women and have difficulty tolerating women becoming their equals or even taking their place in decision making.
Men believe that women’s place is in the home and more precisely in the kitchen where they prepare good food or mop the floor while they are relaxing in front of the television watching their favorite shows. They also believe that the role of women is to produce the citizens of tomorrow, to prepare the future of the country while men are in charge of the destiny of the world.
Violence at work
Women have to endure many hardships when they enter the professional life. We can notice that one of the main problems is violence in the workplace. Since we live in a society dominated by a patriarchal model, men still cannot accept the fact that women participate in the same professional activities as they do, that they obtain the same rights and gain their independence, after centuries of active discrimination and submission.
Improvements in the status of women become unbearable for men. Because, deep down, they know that women can lead, that they can be better than them in almost every field if they give them the chance. Since they cannot eliminate their natural abilities, they try by all means to discourage them and make them give up. This is why they resort to violence.
A political party leader beaten in full view of the public
Recently, Abir Moussi, president of the Free Destourian Party was brutally attacked during a plenary session of parliament. Such horrible and unacceptable behavior! We cannot tolerate these disgusting acts of misogyny! We cannot tolerate such regressive mentalities in our modern world. Even the UN intervened and declared: « This incident is not an isolated case, but follows other recent cases of violence and misogyny against women parliamentarians and more generally women working in the political arena in Tunisia.
Let’s take the case of Japanese women who live in a sexist society although it is developed. They have to take care of the daily life of the family, as if it was only their responsibility and not that of the couple. They would risk sullying the honor of the family if they do not fulfill their role perfectly. Moreover, in some cultures, women’s behavior is a determining factor in the family’s reputation. Women who rebel against the role they are assigned are subjected to violence and life-threatening threats for bringing shame and dishonor to their families.
These acts of violence and « honor killings » are often justified by customs and traditions. But it is mostly for personal interests and because the husband cannot stand to feel his wife superior to him. The case of an Afghan woman savagely murdered by her husband illustrates this idea well. He could not stop himself from committing such a horrible crime because of his jealousy related to the fact that his wife was working in a private company in Herat and that she was better than him. In addition, women have to overcome active discrimination and a culture that glorifies masculinity and implicitly condones harassment.
Ons Jabeur meets all the challenges
However, there have been remarkable improvements in gender equality. First of all, mentalities are changing. Today, there is a growing recognition that women play a very important role in building a sustainable life and that their voices must be heard. It is also believed that women’s participation in all constitutional parts of society is a fundamental right that they should enjoy. Principle 20 of the Rio Declaration demonstrates that women are important in guiding our societies towards a sustainable future. The work of the United Nations has also had an impact on the status of women. Indeed, the convention on political rights in addition to other conventions that ensure equal pay and promotion. All this strengthens the role of women in economic life and encourages them to continue the struggle.
In addition, many women have served as role models in changing stereotypical notions and advancing the path to equality. They have led countries and nations like Benazir Bhutto, Indira Ghandi, Angela Merkel and, in our own history, Al Kahina. They have been scientists like the excellent Marie Curie, the only woman in the world to have received two Nobel Prizes.
Women who have pushed their bodies to the limit through sport, one of the best ways to prove that they are strong and resistant and that nobody should underestimate them. Let’s take the example of Ons Jabeur, the amazing Tunisian tennis player who has achieved incredible performances and accomplished huge feats! She has made everyone proud. She is the highest ranked Arab player in the history of the WTA and the current African number 1. These women have inspired others and today women are present in all fields.
There is still a long way to go before we see a change in attitudes. Women have succeeded in acquiring the majority of their rights thanks to their patience and their achievements. How many more generations will it take before gender equality is fully realized? Will women end up dominating the world?
Mayssa Ben Mrad, 3rd year student at Lycée Pilote Hammam Lif
The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of Sahel Tribune. Vous pouvez lire la traduction française de cet article ici.
