Phyzna Lamartine Final: Women and Work.

Gloria Estefan declares, The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn. The role of women in society has always been an issue throughout the ages and more or less all over the world. When it comes to gender roles, society has come up with different ways women should or not behave, what they can or cannot do and even who they ought to be. Therefore, women grow into believing those ideas about themselves until a few brave women through the womens right movement started to question societys rules. Women start to unlearn the unhealthy beliefs about themselves and start seeing them as beautiful human beings, equal to men and free to aim to a higher version of themselves. The significant question is have women become really strong, and have their long-term struggles ended? After all, equality is a given because women are human. A long time ago, women were not allowed to vote, own properties, had to stay home and do housework. Now that women have come out of those dark days of oppression, there is still a need for women to fight against the different issues they face in todays society. But womens emancipation is not without challenges. Breaking the age-old barriers, and storming into a predominantly male bastion are something women have to fight for. Even as they are becoming aware about their rights and demands, the violence against them is on the increase. For example, in the workplace women get paid less than men for the same work performance. Without

gender equality in the workplace: women are treated less than according to our

human nature and are unable to take care of their families. In addition, they are
faced with sexual harassment and get question everyday about their ability to success or even the intelligence to do so. According to a statistic by CARE, out of 1.3 billion people who live in absolute poverty around the globe, 70% are women. Though women have progressed in a number of spheres, yet looking from a wider perspective, the situation remains grim. Women can take a few steps toward the achievement of fully embrace their womanhood and end discrimination and prejudice toward them. The first step is education. Education is powerful weapon of social transformation. Through education, women will be able to gain knowledge that will serve them in fighting against the suppression they have been faced to. With education and the

information/skills that women learn, they can take actions toward their financial health, lives, family etc., which will help them improve their present situation for better future. We must start by educating our young girls from an early age in how to use their voices. So many women do not know they even have a voice, better yet use it. However, we must provide them with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to fully conquer stigmas and negative label that put them in a box or prison. They must learn freedom resides within. The second step is teaching all young girls to love themselves, by emphasizing about their important role in the society. They need to know that they matter. If one does not love oneself, hence whatever the treatment will be appropriate and fair. If women are not for themselves, then who is? Love opens door for anything.

It is time for us as a society to change the belief that women have to accept their status as unequal member of the family.

References Pear, Robert. "Justices Ruling in Discrimination Case May Draw Quick Action by Obama." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 4 Jan. 2009. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. .