Inequality

Last October, a 14-year-old girl named Malala Yousafzai was brutally shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in her country of Pakistan. She was shot because of her avid beliefs and outspokenness that women should have the same educational rights worldwide. After an edict that banned girls from attending school, she gained the media’s attention via blogging and was featured in a New York Times documentary. Behaviors of this proportion are worthy of reprimand via harsh punishment (sometimes fatal) in many places around the world. Fortunately, Yousafzai survived the attack to be the youngest person nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and still advocate for women and girls’ education around the world. After the shooting, a $10 million fund was created in Yousafzai’s name by Pakistan’s president as well as other funds granted by other prestigious individuals. The article included startling facts about females and education globally.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, about 63 percent of the 163 million illiterate youth in the world are female. UNICEF reports there are 115 million 6- to 12-year-olds not in school, about 60 percent of who are female. Gender equality is a universal human right and needs be protected across the globe.

The story of Yousafzai is a classic example of an extreme patriarchal society with a strict, militant regime whose sole purpose is to enforce traditional laws at all cost. Likewise, the text talks about this in The Continued Perils of Being Female which states, “Throughout the world, women continue to be victims of violence, sexual exploitation and discrimination. (Sernau, 89)” I found it every interesting also in the text, “Japan, which has less class inequality than much of the industrialized world, has greater gender inequality. (Sernau, 90)” Although it’s politically correct to state “there is no hierarchy of oppression” this notion is contextually subjective.

Numerous studies have demonstrated how valuable of an asset women are to society when they are granted equal rights. Empowering women increases development and reduces poverty. When women have more autonomy concerning the family income, they are more likely to spend it on their children’s education, health care, food and other expenses that can benefit the entire family. 

The above exert from the article would dispel the sociological term “feminization of poverty” because women would become valuable assets to society as educated, autonomous, productive members. Lastly, the article mentioned, “Everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue an education, no matter the gender, background or economic class,” which ties into a basic principle of sociology—education should be stratified throughout society.

Nasa: Yousafzai demonstrates crucial stand against gender inequality; female education must be implemented globally | The Daily Orange

Rayna Tyson. February 19, 2013. 10:43PM