The status of women in society is still a significant concern. Women have fought for decades to be treated equally to males in society. Women have historically faced discrimination from society, which views them as being less capable than men. In spite of this, women have worked tirelessly to achieve parity with males in order to access opportunities that are equally available to men. The fight for women's equality has elicited a range of responses from society. As the idea of women's equality has been pushed for in society, ethical problems have persisted. Women equality in the society is ethically significant because of the impact it has on their motivation to execute their mandate in the right manner. Ethically, it is mandatory to have individuals conduct their duties in a professional way and as expected by their responsibilities. The decision to endow women equal status in the society is critical in upholding a virtuous society that is guided by right ethical guidelines (Facts, 2015). Further, provision of equal opportunities for women is further enhanced by the understanding that they will be less dependent on the men and they can take part in efforts aimed at improving the state of the community. It is critical to ensure that the society adopts measures that will be instrumental in upholding women’s equality. The creation of an environment leading to adherence to the concept of women’s equality is critical and ethically right. Women should be accorded equal status as the men because of the fact that they are no lesser beings. Consequently, it is vital to make sure that the idea of women’s equality is treated with the seriousness that it deserves.
Ethical Contribution 2
The justification for women’s equality emanates from the fact that it is ethically right since it positively influences interpersonal relations among individuals in the society. The failure to treat women in an equal manner is likely to elicit strained relations between them and the men. The issue can specifically be manifested in situations such as the workplace. Women need to be treated as equals since it is ethically right and has the possibility of avoiding the possibility of development of a bad relationship between them and others (Nielsen & Huse, 2010). The realization that women are of a lesser status compared to the men will lead to the possible development of hatred. Ethically, it is wrong to act in ways that are likely to cause hatred.
Virtue Ethics
The proponents of virtue ethics suggest that individuals need to act in the right way and shun from conducting negative activities. In adhering to such an ethical stance, it is right to ensure that women are accorded the same status by respecting and considering them as equals. The decision to do so emanates from the fact that is right to treat every human being in an equal manner according to virtue ethics (Nielsen & Huse, 2010). The failure to do so has the chance of causing hatred and lack of cohesion between women and the men. A society that identifies the need to treat women in an equal manner adheres to virtue ethics, and this is a reflection of proper ways of conducting activities. Consequently, it has become critical to ensure that one adheres to the virtue ethics that acknowledges the need to act in a right manner.
Ethical Contribution 3
The concept of women equality is ethically viable since it is essential in enabling socioeconomic development. A society that denies women equally opportunities have a higher chance of facing backwardness in terms of economic development. For example, a higher percentage of women who depend on the men is a reflection of the fact that development is one-sided. Despite the fact that the men have what it takes to provide support, their input alone may not be helpful in ensuring that the society attains the highest standards in economic development. However, through the provision of equal opportunities to women by making sure that there is equality, the chances are that the society will be able to achieve its maximum potential (Eastin & Prakash, 2013). Further, studies have demonstrated that the discrimination of women is likely to demoralize them and make it impossible for them in engaging in activities that would result in attainment of the best socioeconomic status. Therefore, it is considerate to ensure that the concept of women equality is one that is adopted in the society because of the positive impact that it has.
Utilitarianism
The theory suggests the need to ensure that the maximum good is achieved for a greater population. In holding to the same thoughts, it could be argued that the attainment of women equality is critical in making sure that a greater percentage of people benefit. For example, the population of men and women across the globe is almost the same. Therefore, if they are provided with an equal opportunity, then it would mean that a significant percentage of people get to benefit from such an act. Consequently, the utilitarian ethics will have come into play since a significant percentage of women would have benefitted from the decision made to create equal opportunities for all genders (West, 2008).
Ethical Contribution 4
The achievement of women equality is ethically significant because it is in line with the current requirement on the issue of equal treatment of all genders. The society today expects different organizations to ensure that they apply the gender rule in all activities or opportunities that arise. For example, appointment to public office requires that the gender rule is upheld. Because of the same, it has become mandatory that each organization conducts its activities in ways that depict adherence to the established guidelines. The failure to carry out activities in such ways would result in impediment of a given organization’s activities. Of critical significance is the need to ensure that individuals within the society employ intelligence in handling the entire issue of women equality (Facts, 2015). Indeed, a society that is built on virtues that identify the need to treat all genders in an equal manner is likely to benefit from the advantages that arise from the same.
Ethical Contribution 5
Women equality is an ethical issue of significance since it promotes fairness and kindness in the society. The discrimination addressed toward the women has a high possibility of eliciting negativity because the female gender is likely to reach a conclusion that they are not being treated in a kind way (Kabeer, 2005). It is ethically right to ensure that one treats the others in an equal manner for purposes of depicting humanity. Therefore, it is critical to ensure that women are treated as equals because of the need to avoid the development of animosity especially if they feel they are not being treated in an equal manner.
Kantian Ethics
Kantian’s theory can be applied in illustrating the idea of women equality in the society. Specifically, the theory identifies the need to ensure that the understanding of what is right or wrong should be based on the eventual achievement of the intended duty (Kain, 2010). For example, employing the idea of Kantian in women equality, measures that are adopted in attaining the concept need to focus on the ultimate consequence of the particular action. Specifically, it is critical to ensure that in the event that women equality is achieved, the effects would be positive. This highlights the need to have women empowerment measures being taken because of the consequences that such an action would have on the society in the long run. For example, it is critical to understand that women equality should not be done just for the sake of doing so but because of the final outcome. A society that is empowered through women equality is better off because of the positive effects that arise with the same. Therefore, in applying Kantian ethics, it would be critical to promoting the concept of women equality since it would guarantee success in the society. Indeed, a society that is characterized by equal treatment of all genders has depicted growth compared to a situation where only men have access to opportunities. It is critical for the entire society to embrace efforts that are directed toward the achievement of women equality. It is crucial for the society to enact methods that are useful in promoting the equality of all genders.
Ethical Contribution 7
Women equality is a critical aspect because it will ensure that the women claim their duties and responsibilities while at the same time recognizing their capabilities. The primary impediment to the achievement of women equality in the society can be attributed to the perception that women have lesser capabilities compared to the men. It is worth acknowledging that women should not be judged based on stereotype. History has shown that a significant percentage of women have made it in different disciplines. Therefore, it would be unfair to categorize women as failures or assume that they are not capable of meeting the obligations that have been assigned to them. Those who have been given an opportunity have succeeded hence the need to ensure that they are accorded the same opportunity as the male since it is ethically right to do so.
Conclusion
Overall, the problem of gender inequality continues to be an issue in the society. A significant percentage of women continue to be discriminated because of the stereotype that exists in the society. It is critical to acknowledge that the ability to address the concerns raised because of the aspect of women equality is essential since it would be instrumental in attaining a balance between the male and female gender. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that women also have a role to ensure that they take an active role in agitating for their right to be treated as equals. The increase in civil rights awareness campaigns will be instrumental in transforming the status quo. Overall, it is essential to adhere to the concept of ethics to ensure that the problem of gender inequality is addressed in the society.
References
Eastin, J., & Prakash, A. (2013). Economic Development and Gender Equality: Is There a Gender Kuznets Curve? World Politics, 65(1), 156–186. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0043887112000275
Facts, Q. (2015). Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women. New York, (September), 2009–2010. http://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004
Kabeer, N. (2005). Gender equality and women’s empowerment: A critical analysis of the third millennium development goal 1. Gender & Development, 13(1), 13–24. http://doi.org/10.1080/13552070512331332273
Kain, P. (2010). Kantian Ethics. Philosophical Review, 119, 104–108. http://doi.org/10.1215/00318108-2009-029
Nielsen, S., & Huse, M. (2010). Women directors’ contribution to board decision-making and strategic involvement: the role of equality perception. European Management Review, 7(1), 16–29. http://doi.org/10.1057/emr.2009.27
West, H. R. (2008). The Blackwell Guide to Mill’s Utilitarianism. The Blackwell Guide to Mill’s Utilitarianism. http://doi.org/10.1002/9780470776483
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