Reflective Writing 4: The Women and The Importance of Gender Equality

Source: (Pinterest)

            Women and girls are a gender that is often considered weak by most people. They often assume that women can not do many things, including what men do. But now, many people speak out about gender equality, and often we see social activists or even women who speak out about this. Gender equality is a human right—the right to live with dignity, be free from fear, and make choices. We can conclude that women have essentially the same privileges from this understanding. However, because of the mindset that the role of women is only limited to the kitchen, taking care of the family and children makes things outside of that unimportant. After all, a woman can do whatever she wants. Women can go to school up to a doctoral degree, women can work according to their wishes, or women can take up hobbies that most other women do not usually do. There are many things women can do.

            Discrimination based on gender still occurs in all aspects of life. Many rights violations and opportunity gaps are experienced by women and harm many women, namely domestic violence, sexual violence, lower wages, to inadequate access to education and health. One in three women in the world are victims of violence. Every day, about 137 women worldwide are killed. In addition, according to National Commission on Violence against Women 2021 annual records, the number of child marriages has increased by three times from the previous two years. Cases of violence against women also increased by 63% during the Covid-19 pandemic, and cyber gender-based violence (KBGO) issues risen from 241 cases in 2019 to 940 cases in 2020. This is nothing new why women are considered unequal to men. Because this idea had existed since the 4th century BC when Ancient Greek society placed women as a lower figure than men. In Indonesia, several women fight for women's rights, such as Dewi Sartika, who opened access to education for women, Maria Walanda Maramis, the first founded Indonesian household school, and there are many other Indonesian women's struggles in voicing women's rights.

            In an article, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that gender equality is not only crucial in morality and justice. Mrs. Sri Mulyani emphasized gender equality in financial matters equal access to education, health, and political empowerment. In terms of education, we often see and hear that women are not allowed to go to school where most men are or go to primary vocational schools that are always related to men so that women do not continue their education. Even though the government has provided the Family Hope program, especially for underprivileged families, there is no reason for their daughters not to be able to go to school for economic reasons. It is one of the ways that the government does in supporting gender equality for women. And there are many other ways to increase gender equality in Indonesia or even in the world.

During the 19 years I lived, I did not feel that my rights as a woman were limited in education, particularly in English Teaching Learning. During my time at school, I have been taught by male and female teachers in English subjects. I did not feel any extraordinary gender differences while my teacher was teaching. I am still given the freedom to express my opinion and do not feel afraid when learning English takes place. I am grateful for that because my environment is quite open-minded about gender equality in this aspect. Maybe some female students do not feel the way I feel when learning English takes place. Probably their feel scared and reluctant to talk about this to anyone. Because they are afraid of people's stigma if they tell it or even confused about whom to say it to. And it ends with harboring what they feel. As a student or a future English language teacher, I feel this is unfair because women as victims will feel excessive fear or even traumatize the victim. However, everyone has the right to have the same rights, including education. Everyone has the right to have the right to express opinions, be free from fear, or even go to high school. It's not about gender anymore, but it's about human rights. From the lessons my teachers have taught me, I have learned many things, one of which is the importance of respecting the rights of all human beings regardless of gender. My teacher has set an example of the importance of gender equality, especially in English education, while I was in school. Therefore, as a future English language teacher, I think this is a good example and should be followed by all future teacher particulary English language teacher regarding gender equality because gender equality is essential and must always be fought for.

            From this explanation, we can conclude that fighting for women's rights in gender equality is very important. When a country can overcome limited access to education and jobs, welfare will automatically increase. Fighting for gender equality will also strengthen the country's ability to develop, reduce poverty and govern effectively. We can even eliminate gender-based violence, eradicate sexual violence and stop human trafficking because everyone is considered an equal human being. Thus promoting gender equality is a significant part of the development strategy to empower communities, both women and men, to lift people out of poverty and improve their standard of living.

Thank you for reading my reflective! Have a nice day⛅

Name    : Rifa Reviana A

Class     : 4A

NIM      : 2223200080