UNITED NATIONS & GENDER EQUALITY

In the aftermath of WWII, states marked a new era in the history of international relations through the founding of the United Nations (UN). Equality emerged as one of the most immediate necessities and became one of the pillars of the new-born intergovernmental organization.

Article 1 of the UN Charter clearly outlined “promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion” as one of the organisation’s main purposes. Shortly after, UN Member States gave life to the Commission on the Status of Women - an intergovernmental body dedicated entirely to the promotion of gender equality – thus reinforcing the international community’s commitment to making equality a reality.

Despite a number of valid efforts made, many principles have never made it off the pages of the treaties sanctioning them.

THE INVISIBLE GLASS CEILING

In 1978, management consultant Marilyn Loden described the so-called “invisible glass ceiling”. Using this expression, Loden argued that the barriers to women’s advancement in society were of a structural nature; they related to the features of societies themselves, rather than to the merits and specifics of the individuals. In other words, such invisible barriers were straining women’s career aspirations and delaying the achievement of equality. A few months later, on 18 December 1979, a step toward equality was made through the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Firms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) - a treaty not only establishing an internationally accepted bill of rights for women but, more importantly, outlining an agenda for all countries to undertake.

Almost half a century after Loden’s speech, the situation for women in the US remains critical in many ways as she herself has admitted. Scientific research is a clear indicator of ongoing inequality between men and women. Whatsmore, studies show that the gender wage gap has only slightly decreased over the decades.

HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?

Looking at the situation in Western democracies, a report issued by the Center for American Progress indicates that in a year a woman who works full-time will, on average, earn over $10,000 less than her male counterpart. Such a gap only widens with ethnic criteria applied.

 In the European Union (EU)– home to half a billion people, and with an annual trade volume of up to €2000 billion - the situation is equally worrying. On average, women in the EU earn 14 percent less per hour than men. While such a gap may be the result of a number of factors - such as the existence or absence of an adequate welfare state, or even cultural differences - the truth remains that equality has far to go. According to information released by the EU Commission, the gender gap has been almost stable for over a decade. According to the World Economic Forum's findings, there is still a 31.4 percent gender gap average remaining to be closed globally and it will take almost a century to close it. Maybe longer, given the impact of the pandemic on women’s working conditions and expectancies which have made them even more vulnerable.

LOOKING AHEAD

Despite the challenges ahead, we would be remiss not to recognize the changes in favour of women’s rights over the last few years. The appointment of women to key roles in international organisations and institutions is, indeed, a tangible sign of how the wind is changing – described as a “pink wave”. This gives hope to millions of girls and women worldwide.  

The “pink wave” first started in the EU with the election of Christine Lagarde as the first woman to lead the European Central Bank – it is even more remarkable considering she was also the first woman to lead the International Monetary Fund. In the same period, Ursula von der Leyen became the first woman to lead the powerful European Union Commission. Not to mention Kamala Harris recently making history as the first woman, and the first woman of colour, to be US Vice President.

It appears more good news is still to come as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, originally from Nigeria, was elected as the next Director-General to the World Trade Organization. Her election is another important sign of how equality, social and ethnic inclusion, and merits are becoming an ever more important concern for the international community. Not a few years ago, musing of so many competent women in such key roles would have been close to utopist.

While major efforts and fights still separate us from full, proper gender equality, the fact remains: not only is the gender gap closing (albeit slowly), but also the ethnic gap. Hopefully one day a woman’s election to an institutional key role will no longer be considered breaking news or make history but will be a daily reality.

Irene Malusà is an Italian lawyer with a Master’s Degree in Italian Law and a Bachelor’s Degree in French Law, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Diplomatic Studies. She is deeply passionate about International Law, Climate Change and Human Rights. She has served as a volunteer for Amnesty International and for independent NGOs providing first legal assistance to migrants and other fragile categories. In her free time, she loves reading, classical and jazz music and photography.

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