What is Gender Equality?

UNICEF says gender equality "means that women and men, and girls and boys,
enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and protections. “

Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and
opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and
decision-making, and when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of
women and men are equally valued and favoured.

On a global scale, achieving gender equality also requires eliminating harmful

practices against women and girls. Women need to have more access to
property ownership, credit, training and employment.

We need to provide women and girls to have equal access to education, health
care, decent work.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation
for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

What are gender roles?

Gender roles in society means how we’re expected to act, speak, dress,
groom, and conduct ourselves based upon our assigned sex.

How do gender stereotypes affect people?

Stereotypes about gender can cause unequal and unfair treatment because of a
person’s gender. This is called sexism.

There are four basic kinds of gender stereotypes:

Personality traits — For example, women are often expected to be accommodating

and emotional, while men are usually expected to be self-confident and aggressive.
Domestic behaviors — For example, some people expect that women will take care
of the children, cook, and clean the home, while men take care of finances, work on
the car, and do the home repairs.

Occupations — Some people are quick to assume that teachers and nurses are
women, and that pilots, doctors, and engineers are men.

Physical appearance — For example, women are expected to be thin and

graceful, while men are expected to be tall and muscular.

Extreme gender stereotypes are harmful because they don’t allow people to fully
express themselves and their emotions. Breaking down gender stereotypes allows
everyone to be their best selves.

In Venezuela

It’s undeniable that Venezuelan society is sexist.

From the silly fact men are supposedly better than women at changing tires – to the
very real but horrible fact that a more than capable woman might not get hired when
the potential boss finds out that she might want to have kids in the near future.

Compared to other countries in the region, Venezuela has one of the most advanced
legislations.

Still, human rights campaigners say Venezuela has not managed the creation of a
justice's climate.

“There is not a culture of justice for women”

“De seguro es mujer”

If you come across someone driving terribly, they'll throw this derogatory phrase. It's
such a deep-rooted stereotype that even women don't notice the serious insult to
gender and the lack of logic in the phrase.

“Jeva” / “Si es jevita”

People should stop thinking that delicacy or weakness are characteristics of a
gender, and that the way to kick a ball, to run, or to express emotions have to do
with the genitals with we were born. Science and the thousands of women who are
excellent in sports prove every day that this is a sexist expression not based on
reality.