Introduction
Women have been devalued and viewed as the weaker gender for many generations. Despite their efforts to achieve equality, they have consistently been excluded from equal chances. Together with political and social activists, women's rights movements have attempted to address this societal injustice (Dominelli 112). However, the fight against injustice and gender inequity appears to never end. In the future, it will be crucial to comprehend and address the problems that women face. Some of the most common issues that have been affecting women for a decade now are gender wage inequality, violence against women and controversy about their reproductive health. My essay seeks to explore these three challenges, and how these challenges affect them.
Gender Wage Inequality
Cases of income inequality are unfortunately too common despite the implementation of the Equal Pay Act more than fifty years ago. From a survey conducted by the Office of National Statistics, the wage gap that was thought to be narrowing has a matter of fact increased. The gap as at 2005 stood at 17.1%, for women and men working full time. From the report, it was calculated that in a lifetime, men earn £369,000 more than their female colleagues.
This widening wage gap has tremendous effects on women of all ages, though younger women experience a smaller gap than the older ones (Peterson 345). My aunt who is a single woman depends on one income which is often never enough. She and other single mothers also experience a challenge with employers who perceive women as less competent and thus offer them less pay or even deny them work (Young 4). The high cost of child care and lack of paid leave significantly affects the mothers' wages and makes it hard for them to stay in the workforce.
Controversy Over Reproductive Rights
The issue of reproductive rights has faced many controversies over the years due to the moral, ethical and religious connotations of its concepts (Amnesty 14). Every human being, whether male or female has a right to make decisions concerning their reproductive health. These rights include the right to plan a pregnancy, terminate a pregnancy, and use contraceptive or sex education (Freedman 18). However, women have often been denied these rights or have been condemned when they exercise them. Today, women are more affected by the use due to the technological advancement and new policies. In America, unlike other countries, women experience the challenge of receiving free quality reproductive health care and birth control despite the Affordable Care Act.
Violence Against Women
It is very worrying that about 1 in 3 women has experienced either physical or sexual violence. What is more worrying is that 30% of this violence is by intimate partners (Fried 88). Gender-based violence has serious short term or long term physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health problems for the victim. Many women who have been victims of violence especially sexual abuse fear to report the incidents since today society often blame the victim. There have been many cases "rape-splaining" have been used to excuse sexual misconduct. The increase in violence against women has caused women to leave in constant fear so resulting to carrying guns for security.
Conclusion
It is true that a lot has been done to help minimise the challenges that women face but is this really enough? We all have that woman that we love. Would you love to see her oppressed, overworked and underpaid or sexual harassed? Now that we understand what women face and the effects it has on them and their families, it time we play our part to end the cycle of inequality and social injustice.
Work Cited
Amnesty International USA. "Stop Violence Against Women: Reproductive Rights" 8 December 2007. Print.
Dominelli, Lena. "Women, Development and Gender Inequality." Encyclopedia of Social Work (2016). Web.
Freedman, Lynn P., and Isaac L. Stephen. "Human Rights and Reproductive Choice." Studies in Family Planning. 24.1 (1993):18-30.
Fried, Susana T. "Violence against Women." Health and Human Rights (2003): 88. Web.
Peterson, Trond; Morgan, Laurie (September 1995). "Separate and Unequal: Occupation-Establishment Sex Segregation and the Gender Wage Gap". American Journal of Sociology. 101 (2): 329-365. Print.
Young, Lauren. "The Motherhood Penalty: Working moms Face Pay Gap Vs. Childless Peers." 15 August 2011. Print.
