USFP 2020 English Essay: Gender Equality's Societal Impact

This essay examines the significant strides made in gender equality over the past few decades, focusing on the factors driving these changes and their societal impact. It delves into the role of the fight against toxic masculinity, the rise of humanitarian organizations like the UN, and the enactment of gender-related legislation. The essay highlights the effects of gender equality, including equal opportunities in the workplace, increased female representation in leadership roles, and the closing of the wage gap. It also emphasizes the economic benefits of gender equality, such as increased GDP and productivity, using examples from Australia and global studies. The essay references various sources, including studies from McKinsey & Company, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Guardian, to support its arguments and illustrate the far-reaching effects of gender equality on the workplace and society as a whole.

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English Essay
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Gender Inequality
Gender inequality over the past few decades has been the norm in the society. Today
however, paradigm have changed and the society as a whole is engaged in the fight against
gender biases. This has created a wave of women seeking to challenge and prove that indeed
whatever a man can do, the same as well can be done by a woman. According to studies,
Australia and New Zealand have increased the number of women on top-level management; this
has helped close the gender gap (Chung, 2019). The question that arises from this is what exactly
has led to gender equality in the work place and the society as a whole?
The fight against toxic masculinity is the major propellant of gender equality in the
society. Masculinity from its point of origin, advocated for social respect, physical strength, and
sexual potency of men in the society. However, some men decided to use this as a show of
entitlement an act that led to increase rape cases, murder, gang violence, online trolling and mass
shooting (Salter, 2019). Human right activists had to come in to protect the rights of women.
Much as violence against women is considered a feminine issue, in reality it is a men issue. If
med decide not to fight against women, gender based violence would be outdated (Katz, 2012).
To curb toxic masculinity, some men have stood up to support women in the society, Men have
chosen to support women in taking up leadership roles in the society. Additionally, women have
been given the chance to air out their voice. In line with fighting for equality, women have been
given the opportunity to apply for jobs that were once upon a time declared masculine. Likewise,
in the sports arena, women are being encouraged to take on sporting activities that only men
seemed to thrive in. today women football leagues have attracted mass following globally, an act
that is propelling women to recognize and build their talent in the world of sports.

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Additionally, gender equality as well has been propelled by the rise of humanitarian
organizations in the world. United Nations for instance has and is still in the fight for equal rights
for both genders. It has formulated statutes that promote for equality for both genders.
Traditionally, women were not given equal chances as their men counterparts in most societal
issues. For instance, women did not have chances to get the same quality of education as men.
Those who had the opportunity to study found it hard to be absorbed in the task force in most
industries. This saw the employment gap between the genders widen. The average wage of
women in Australia stands at 15.3 % less than that of men (Face the facts: Gender Equality
2018 | Australian Human Rights Commission, 2018). Come to think of it, what social or
economic effect would the globe have if from the onset both genders were given equal
treatment? In Australia for instance NCWA, Amnesty International, Care Australia and the
Equity Rights Alliance are among the organizations in the fore front fighting women equality,
recognition and diversity in our society. Other governments globally have joined in this race to
support these humanitarian organizations in various ways. For instance, women gender rules
have been enacted to increase women representations in the senates and parliaments. In
gubernatorial levels positions have been put in place for women leaders, all aimed at ensuring
that gender equality is adhered to the maximum.
Gender equality has made enormous effects both in the workplace but mainly in the
society. The society needs to advocate for gender equality, as it is best for all of us (Kimmel,
2015). The fight against toxic masculinity has had immense effect in the fight against gender
inequality. Equal opportunities are being given to both men and women in the society. Today
gender equality has propelled most women to take on leadership roles in the workplace as well as

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the society (Matthew.Bretag, 2014). Women in leadership as well act as sources of motivation to
fellow women. This has led to a wave of women rising to take on leadership roles in the
societies. Gender equality equally has engulfed gender based biases in the society. Women just
like men have equal opportunities to apply for competitive jobs and get the huge salaries that
were deemed to be non-feminine. Women as well have stood up to start and run business
ventures that only men were thought to be able run. Roles in the society have as well changed,
roles that were considered masculine today are perfectly run by women. In the sports world,
women have the chance to be paid lucrative salaries which was not the case in the past. In
Australia for instance the Matilda’s have landed what seems like a landmark deal after they
sealed a pact that will see them receive equal remuneration as male athletes (Lewis, 2019).
Arguably, over a long time, the fight for equal pay for women sportspersons was largely ignored.
Due to the fight for gender equality, a new collective bargaining agreement between FFA, PFA
and the player’s union, has seen women athletes receive equal rewards as the male athletes.
Studies as well show that gender equality propels economic growth. From studies in
Australia, there are prices to be paid for failing to advocate for gender equality. For Instance, the
Gross Domestic Product of Australia is most likely to increase by eleven percent if the gender
employment gap was reduced (Woetzel et al., 2018). Additionally, the economy would get a
boost of eight billion dollars if the rate of absorption of woman from tertiary and vocational
training would tally that of men. Choosing to offer competitive pay for both genders in the
workplace, closes up the wage gap in the economy based on gender. This in effect boosts
productivity of both genders. A boost in productivity has a direct effect in boosting the gross

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national product. An increase in the GDP of a country will see the country develop key sectors of
the economy an activity that will in the end boost economic growth.
References
Chung, L. (2019, October 10). Australia makes big strides in closing gender gap, global survey
finds. The Sydney Morning Herald.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/australia-makes-big-strides-in-closing-
gender-gap-global-survey-finds-20191010-p52zkm.html
Face the facts: Gender Equality 2018 | Australian Human Rights Commission. (2018).
Humanrights.Gov.Au. https://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/education/face-facts-gender-
equality-2018
Katz, J. (2012). Violence against women -- it’s a men’s issue. Ted.Com; TED Talks.
https://www.ted.com/talks/jackson_katz_violence_against_women_it_s_a_men_s_issue?
language=en
Kimmel, M. (2015, March 6). Why gender equality is good for everyone — men included.
Www.Ted.Com.
https://www.ted.com/talks/michael_kimmel_why_gender_equality_is_good_for_everyon
e_men_included#t-6813232
Lewis, S. (2019, November 5). Matildas’ equal pay deal is part of a global shift recognising
value of women in sport | Samantha Lewis. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/nov/06/matildas-equal-pay-deal-is-part-of-a-
global-shift-recognising-value-of-women-in-sport

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Matthew.Bretag. (2014, October 9). Face the Facts | Australian Human Rights Commission.
Humanrights.Gov.Au. https://www.humanrights.gov.au/education/face-facts
Salter, M. (2019, February 27). The Problem With the Term “Toxic Masculinity.” The Atlantic;
The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/02/toxic-masculinity-
history/583411/
Woetzel, J., Madgavkar, A., & Sneader, K. (2018). The power of parity: Advancing women’s
equality in Asia Pacific. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-
insights/gender-equality/the-power-of-parity-advancing-womens-equality-in-asia-pacific