Attaining gender parity or equality is often seen as an impossible dream when viewed from the female perspective. Not so, however, when the sexes join forces to make it a reality.

True meaning of gender parity and disparity

When there is parity between two things, they are equal. Disparity, therefore, points to a state of inequality in which one gender (male or female) is favoured above the other and to the detriment of the other. Women are, unfortunately, often denied opportunities or traditionally discriminated against solely because of their gender, colour, race or age.

Gender disparity or inequality is especially noticeable in the workplace where there’s still a pay gap between the genders in nearly every country in the world and where men occupy most of the top positions, too.

It is also apparent in societies where young boys are brought up to believe they are superior to females and that it is acceptable for a man to abuse a woman. In South Africa, Javu Baloyi, The Commission for Gender Equality’s spokesperson, admitted that “South Africa cannot achieve complete gender equality because many women – particularly those in the rural areas – do not have access to reproductive health services and the government is slow in dealing with gender-based violence”.

There are, however, many voices both male and female, going up and proclaiming that now is the time to join forces and turn gender equality rhetoric into reality.

Turning gender equality rhetoric into reality

Common things men and women can do.

Men

    • Face the facts and change your attitude. Study after study confirms that empowering women in the workplace is the smart thing to do. Many renowned global organisations have issued studies showing increased profitability and innovation when women are counted among senior leadership. Help reassure male sceptics, who view gender parity as a threat, of this truth.
    • Support, advance and promote women in the workplace. Join the UN Women’s HeForShe movement or the Father of a Daughter Initiative and help level the playing field. “Men owe it to themselves, their companies, employees, shareholders and their daughters to do a better job in advocating for women”, adds Jeffery Tobias Halter, founder of the initiative.
    • Encourage qualified women to interview for senior leadership positions when they become available. Sally Hasler, at the 2013 One Young World Summit in Johannesburg, aptly remarked that “if every powerful man in this world pulled one woman up with him, the number of female leaders would rise rapidly”.
    • Support workplace flexibility for all but especially for women in the areas of maternity and sick leave, child support and flexible working hours.
    • Teach young boys and men to respect women. Remind them of the words of actress Angelina Jolie-Pitt who, when addressing the 2015 African Union Summit in Johannesburg, said the following: “There is no more inspiring role model than a man who respects and cherishes women and champions their leadership.”

Women

    • Where you have the opportunity to forge ahead, do so with gusto. Work hard and don’t expect special treatment.
    • Do, however, negotiate for fair maternity and child care support benefits and flexible working hours – do so calmly and with confidence.
    • Dress appropriately if you want to be taken seriously. Neat and sophisticated is in, sexy is out!
    • Take up the fight against gender-based violence in South Africa. Speak up about sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace.
    • Invite a male colleague to your next women’s forum and ask him to join the discussion on young women’s career interests and choices and the gender-based inequalities that may prevent them from becoming top earners and achievers in a company.

 

Sources

Halter, J.T. Women in the workplace: how fathers can remedy gender inequalities. Retrieved from: http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/womens-conference/news/news_articles/women_in_the_workplace_how_fathers_can_remedy_gender_inequalities
Hasler, S. 2013. Gender equality: we need new solutions. Retrieved from: https://www.oneyoungworld.com/blog/gender-equality-we-need-new-solutions
Inequality. Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reverso.net/english-cobuild/%20inequality
Oliphant, P. 2015. South Africa falling short in gender equality standards. Retrieved from: http://mg.co.za/article/2015-05-04-south-africa-falling-short-in-gender-equality-standards
Trachsel, H. 2014. Six ways to fix gender inequality at work. Retrieved from: http://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/10/six-ways-fix-gender-inequality-workplace/