Gender equality around the world

Dear TIG members,

My name is Isabelle Préfontaine. I’m 19 years old and I’m currently studying in social science in CEGEP. During my studies, especially in my history and sociology classes, I found out that through history, women have not enjoyed the same access to basic human rights than men did. The women situation varies by region, country, culture, society and community. The origin of the discrimination can be religion, beliefs, cultural traditions or political interests. These excuses encourage the unequal treatment of women and their discrimination. This issue matters to me, so I decided to create a petition.


What is the goal of this petition?

The petition’s goal is to sensitize the biggest amount of people possible. I want to die down gender inequality. I chose this medium because all the people who signed and I would be able to see the results daily by looking at the number of signatures the petition got. When more people are aware of a problem, the chances of a change can increase. Everyone is likely to be affected by this issue, because everyone has a mother, a sister, an aunt, etc. Gender equality concerns everybody.


What is gender inequality?

When we talk about gender inequality, we usually talk about two aspects: sexism and patriarchy. Sexism is a form of discrimination that stereotypes and oppresses women. For example, someone who only considers the gender to determine whether or not a person can accomplish a task or a job is sexist. Patriarchy is the word that defines a society where men are dominant. In developed countries, we have improved this aspect a lot. In general, women can work in the field they want, they have access to education, they can vote and they can use their money whenever they want. If you think that this issue is totally solved, you may be surprised! The situation is different in undeveloped countries. Gender inequality is still present over there. In the East and the Middle East, women are still considered inferior to men. Moreover, in some regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, only to name a few, women must obey and wait on men. These rules have to be respected at all times. For instance, they have to prepare all the meals, do all the housework and they are submissive sexually. Indeed, women are still not allowed to refuse a sexual relation with their husband. We shouldn’t put up with gender inequality. Things have to change and you can make a difference!


If you sign, what are your implications?

Women:
By signing this petition, you state that you will respect yourself, both your body and your intellectual capacities. You also engage yourself to react when you feel your rights are not respected. Finally, you promise to never forget the path that has been traveled by our ancestors and to support the women who are passing through this path currently around the world.

Men:
By signing this petition, you promise to respect women, both their body and their intellectual capacities. You accept to judge them by their achievements and not by their gender. You engage yourself to defend women when you are aware that an unequal situation is happening.

Need more information before signing?

1- You can visit the official web site of the International Women’s Day
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/iwd-jif/index-eng.html

2- You can visit the web site of Common Dream to have an overview of the women’s condition around the world
http://www.commondreams.org/views/031200-102.htm

Talk about this petition to your family and friends, because you never know how big it can become! Every step is important. Maybe this petition will travel the world because of TIG…