Badge: Women’s Equality Day

While the claim is that women are treated equally, worldwide we are still treated as second class citizens. Let’s explore how equal women truly are.

 

Steps

Rights in the United States

1. Women’s Equality Day.

This holiday commemorates the heroes of the longest civil rights fight in United States history, a woman’s right to vote. It is celebrated on August 26 and was first celebrated in 1971. This is the day in 1920 when this right was put into the United States Constitution. Learn more about this struggle.

2. Nineteenth Amendment.

This amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote based on sex. Explore the how the fight was on both state and national levels to achieve this right.

3. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

They drafted the Nineteenth Amendment. Learn about the women of the suffrage movement, including these two ladies.

4. Equal Rights Amendment.

This amendment demands equal pay and rights for women. It was launched in 1923 by Alice Paul. She knew that the right to vote would not give women equal rights. Learn more about this and why it has still not passed the House and Senate.

 

Still not equal

5. The glass ceiling.

In many professions, women now have opportunities they didn’t have before. However, there is often a “glass ceiling” where women are stopped from achieving all they can. For example, look at the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Fortune 500 companies. Only 4.8% (24) are women. What other instances can you find of inequality within the business world?

6.  Equal pay.

Today, women make about 80 cents per each dollar a man makes. This is better than the 59 cents per dollar when President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963. However, this again shows that women are not treated equally as men. Explore your local community and find out about the jobs offered to men and woman and the pay as well.

My true story

I worked at a local commercial printer when I got out of college. At one review, I was told I “didn’t need as big a raise as the men” because I had “a husband at home” to take care of me. At the time I was making a little over $7 / hour as a full-time employee while the high school intern (male) was working part-time for over $9 / hour. I was written up for bringing this up at my review.

 

7. Sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment and discrimination happen to more women than men. Often, a woman is completely ignored or told she “asked for it.” Find out about sexual harassment and discrimination in work and school. Discuss with others how not to be a victim and what you can do to protect yourself.

 

Gender inequality worldwide

8. Beyond the United States.

Of course, inequality extends beyond the United States. Check out one or more of these countries to see how women are treated worldwide. You may also choose other countries to explore.

• Afghanistan
• Chile
• Congo
• India
• Korea
• Niger
• Saudi Arabia

9. Does inequality equal violence?

Compare female inequality and the incidence of violence against women. This may include physical violence such as infanticide, femicide, rape, domestic violence and other forms of abuse. Of course, this inequality also comes across as mental / emotional abuse. Don’t stop at reports and articles, but see if you can find videos showing inequality violence.

10. Other results.

Other issues that come about due to gender inequality include economic, health, life expectancy, human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Learn about the issues that occur due to gender inequality.

 

Be Heard

11. Participate with others.

Explore organizations that bring awareness of gender inequality and support women both in the US and worldwide. Find one or more groups that you might want to join.

12. Take up the cause.

How can you help promote gender equality? Try one of the following or create your own service based on this issue.

• Educate students
• Educate adults
• Contact congressmen
• Share information
• Create a club / group to support these ideals

 

Sites to Explore

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women’s_Equality_Day
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_inequality
• americanhumanist.org/news/details/2013-08-on-womens-equality-day-support-the-equal-rights-amen
• americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2011-08-celebrate-womens-equality-day-on-august-26
• www.united4equality.com
• www.nwhp.org/resourcecenter/equalityday.php
• www.daysoftheyear.com/days/womens-equality-day
• womenshistory.about.com/od/equalrightsamendment/a/equal_rights_amendment_overview.htm
• www.thenation.com/article/154420/shall-women-be-equal-law
• eraeducationproject.com/dont-men-and-women-already-have-equal-rights-in-america
• www.diversityinc.com/diversity-facts/wheres-the-diversity-in-fortune-500-ceos
• www.catalyst.org/knowledge/womens-earnings-and-income
• www.catalyst.org/knowledge/sex-discrimination-and-sexual-harassment-0
• www.dol.gov/equalpay
• www.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/examples-gender-inequality-around-world.htm
• www.womankind.org.uk/about/why-women/statistics
• io9.com/a-map-showing-gender-inequality-around-the-world-1511580131
• www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/1556-the-facts-gender-inequality-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-around-the-world
• listverse.com/2008/11/20/10-extreme-examples-of-gender-inequality
• www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/gender-equality
• www.unwomen.org
• www.ilo.org/gender/lang–en/index.htm
• www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment
• www.huffingtonpost.com/nake-m-kamrany/gender-inequality_b_1417535.html
• teachunicef.org/explore/topic/gender-equality
• safeatschool.ca/resources/resources-on-equity-and-inclusion/sexism/tool-kits-and-activities