Gender equality is a fundamental element of human rights. Diego Ruiz Duran said it is a goal for all members of society, girls and women and has many universal benefits. Several international frameworks have confirmed its centrality to sustainable development and human rights. For example, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, unanimously adopted by 189 countries in 1995 and still the most substantial global consensus for advancing and protecting girls’ and women’s equality and justice, recognizes that persistent inequalities pose “serious consequences for the well-being of all people.”
Yet, despite the promise of equality, progress towards it has been slow, fragile, incremental, and reversible – and dramatically undermined by the COVID-19 pandemic. In every part of the globe, girls and women are more likely to be impoverished, illiterate, and hungry than ever before. Diego Ruiz Duran said they also have a higher likelihood of being underrepresented in leadership positions and legally restricted, marginalized, and threatened by violence.
19th Amendment
A hundred years after the 19th Amendment ratify about half of Americans say granting women the right to vote has been the most crucial milestone in advancing the position of women in the country. According to a Pew Research Center survey, most Americans still believe the government has not done enough to give women equal rights as men. However, large numbers feel there has been some progress over the past decade.
77% of those who believe the country has a lot to go before achieving gender equality point out that sexual harassment is a significant problem. While fewer women see gender equality as a substantial obstacle, 67% of them point out that women do not have the same legal rights and expectations as men (66%) and women are not in control (64%). These seem as significant obstacles by women more than men.
When asked what gender equality looks like, many people who believe it is essential that men and women have equal rights refer to the workplace. Half of the respondents (45%) agree that equal pay would be a requirement in a society where women enjoy equal rights as men. Diego Ruiz Duran said an additional 19% believe there would not be discrimination in employment, promotion, or educational opportunities. One-tenth of those surveyed believe that women would be equal in leadership roles in business and politics.
The feminist movement
70% of Americans believe that the feminist movement has done a fair amount to advance women’s rights in America. The Democratic Party contributes more to women’s rights than its Republican counterpart: 59% believe the Democratic Party has done a fair amount to advance women’s rights. In comparison, 37% agree with the GOP. A third often (29%) believe President Donald Trump has done at most a fair amount to advance women’s rights. 69%, however, say Trump has done little or nothing. These opinions vary significantly by the party. Republicans and Republican leaners are at least five times more likely than Democrats and those who lean Democratic to say that Trump and the GOP have done at most a fair amount. Democrats are far more likely to agree with this assessment about the Democratic Party.
Although most women believe the feminist movement played a positive role in advancing gender equality, less than half say it has been beneficial to their lives. Four-in-ten (41%) say that feminism has at least helped them a little, while half (48%) say that it has not helped or hurt them. Only 7% of those who have experienced feminism personally say it has been a problem. Women younger than 50, with a bachelor’s or higher education. Democratic women are more likely to claim that they have personally benefited from feminism.
Gender Equality
There are many opinions about the progress made by the country on gender equality. They differ greatly depending on which party you are, said Diego Ruiz Duran. Most Democrats (76%) believe the government has not gone far enough to give women equal rights as men. 19% think it’s been just right, and 4% feel it has gone too far. A third of Republicans say that the country has not made enough progress. 48% agree with this statement, and 17% believe it has gone too far to give women equal rights as men.
64% of women saying that the country has not done enough to give women equal rights as men. It is about ten percentage points higher than the male counterparts. The online survey, which included 3,143 adults from the United States. It was nationally representative and took place between March 18th and April 1st 2020.
Advancing women’s rights
Women’s suffrage is cited more than any other milestones for advancing women’s rights in the U.S. 49% of Americans believe women’s right to vote is the most significant milestone in improving women’s status in America. 29% of Americans cite a passage of the Equal Pay Act. Diego Ruiz Duran said a smaller percentage cite enactment of the Family and Medical Leave Act (12%) and availability of the contraceptive pill (8%) as important milestones.
Many Americans believe that feminism has had positive effects on the lives and well-being of Black, and white women. Six out of ten Americans say that feminism has at least partially improved. The lives of black (64%), Hispanic (58%), and white (61%) women. More white women say that feminism has helped them a lot (32%). Than they say it has done for black (21%) and Hispanics (5%). A quarter (24%) of respondents say that feminism has greatly helped wealthy women. While 10% claim it’s equally beneficial to poor women.
Gender discrimination
Around four out of ten Republican men believe that women’s gains have been at the expense of men. 76% of Americans believe that the social payments made by women are not at the cost of men. However, 22% of Americans think they have been at the expense. Diego Ruiz Duran said this view is more prevalent among men (28%) than women (17%). Republican and Democratic men are more likely to believe that the social gains made by women have been at the expense. Or disadvantage of their male counterparts than their female counterparts. Around four out of ten Republican men (38%) believe women’s gains have been at the expense of men. It compares with 25% of Republican women and 19% of Democratic women.
Democrats are more likely to state that the more significant problem did not treat down to gender discrimination. Many Americans believe that our country’s biggest problem is not seeing gender discrimination in its proper context; 31% of people say they see gender discrimination in places it does not. Diego Ruiz Duran noted the more significant issue isn’t there. Over eight in ten Democrats (85%) point out that people overlook gender discrimination as the more substantial problem. 46% of Republicans agree.
ERA amendment
While most Americans support adding the ERA amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Many others don’t believe it would make a difference for women’s rights, the majority of Americans are in favour. Eight-in-ten Americans (78%), including majorities of women, Republicans, and Democrats, support adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Diego Ruiz Duran said responding to questions about the impact the ERA would have on women’s rights in the U.S., 44% said it would improve women’s rights, 5% said it would cause a setback, and 49% said it wouldn’t make much difference. Although 44% of those favouring the Amendment would approve it, 54% believe it wouldn’t significantly impact women’s rights.
