I chose to write on gender inequality in workplaces since it was a pressing issue in my previous working place. It was superficial that women were discriminated in workplaces which makes them feel sort of lesser human beings. Despite the constitution’s laws instituted for protection against gender inequality, there has been several cases where women are discriminated in various sectors of our country. My choice to research more on workplace was influenced by the apparent discrimination against women at my former workplace. I also had female friends and family members who told me they were discriminated or looked down upon just because they were female gender. Women have proved capable of doing as much as a male can do, so discrimination is really unjust.
During my research I realized that fairly treating women is crucial for their economic progress and psychosomatic well-being. The study aimed at scrutinizing the gender discrimination in different workplaces and establishing the connection between gender discrimination and psychological concern in women. Women with the highest torment worked in a high gender inequality workplace. Research through questionnaires and register data was used to collect data in different workplaces. The data showed various factors on gender equality like; ratio of men to women, salary differences and education achievements among workers. Data was also collected on patterns in psychological well-being patterns in female workers in different workplaces. It was clear that gender equality cases affected mostly women and not men. Workplaces that was gender balanced had least cases of distressed women. (Elwer, Sofia 2013) This goes on to show the essential relevance of balance between men and women in workplaces. It also helps in improving workflow, respect and confidence among workers. Organizations should check on this essential part and take a point of ensuring a balance in gender mix.
Another issue regarding gender inequality concerns top positions in workplaces. According to the author, Leslie, women form only 12 percent of top positions in large companies. This displays a big gender gap. The author commends the media in United States of America for its contribution to gender equality, specifically empowering women by airing segments on women’s abilities and importance in any organization. As a result, there has been an increased number of media coverage on women in top position and heads in other sectors of the economy. (Gaines-Ross Leslie, 2015). The media thus could be used as tool to show that women could be as great C.E.Os and leaders as men. Directors in organizations should also give women chances in the top positions too on their own initiative.
Women are prone to taking part-time jobs so that they can look into other duties like domestic chores, bringing up children and other errands. These cases are rare in men. This shows there is a discrimination on women in-terms of the kind of jobs they can get. While women are entangled in all these activities, there’s less likelihood for career advancement. This locks them in a situation where the pay is the same year in, year out; leading to discouragement and emotional distress. There’s also less or no balance between work and life. Lower pay leads to poverty in women or even discrimination in the society. In cases of single parenthood, where the only parent is a woman, it could lead to suicidal thoughts or even send them to being street beggars. Various policies have been put forward to protect women against hardships that women face from part-time employment. The European Union has ratified laws on this segment, its main aim is to end discrimination. The laws have enabled availability of jobs majorly for women and also made it easier for those working part time to get better jobs than in the past. Now even positions that require high skills have been made available as part time (Lyonette Clare, 2015). These policies will greatly help in improving living standards of the nation at large. Women in the society will be able to work part-time for a better pay, and still go home to their domestic chores as well as attend to their children. This will mark a great improvement in reducing the gender gap.
Another area of interest is on discrimination against women based on academic qualifications. There’s a high likelihood that a woman with high academic qualifications won’t be discriminated against as compared to their colleagues with less academic qualifications. A study by Nina Poloski proved that women with less academic qualifications are looked down upon in their workplaces as compared to men with the same or lower qualifications. She went ahead to conduct primary and secondary studies in her research. Both which proved that there’s less discrimination against highly qualified women. The secondary data was collected from education records, ranking position, the partaking of women in areas that needed highly qualified skills and the salary gap of women with high academic qualifications as likened to men in some European countries. The primary data was collected from highly qualified women in several workplaces, where the response proved that the highly educated women did not see the background issues as adversely influencing their careers. (Vokic Nina Poloski, 2017).
My recommendation in such scenario would be remuneration of workers according to their hard work and input in the organization. As much as academic qualifications are a major factor to getting employment, it shouldn’t be a tool for discrimination. Organizations should have forums for educating employees on their area of expertise, this way, one could excel in their line of work and get a good pay for it. Work ethics should also be upheld in order to uphold respect among different hierarchical positions.
Another pressing issue I feel compelled to talk about is gender discrimination in job admissions. Men are more likely to qualify for job applications as compared to women. If for example the human resource manager is male, they tend to take advantage of desperate female looking for jobs. Some ask for sex in return for job admissions. This has been an issue in a lot of countries. The women are thus forced to put their dignity and character at jeopardy just to get a job, owing to poor living standards in their background. It’s saddening that male and female don’t get same treatment in this situation. The best solution would be reporting such cases immediately to the authorities. Workplaces should also ensure they have a panel of both genders in the recruitment sector. Organizations should also practice and adhere to corporate governance rules.
In conclusion, women should be revered. This is because they have proven that they can handle as much as a man can. This is seen through women who have started up and ran their businesses effectively. Take for example Oprah Winfrey, Clinton. They are a proof that women can bring a change to the nation and be among the richest in the world amidst men. Women should be given equal chances of advancement in hierarchical positions in workplaces since its evidence that they are well equipped for it. I therefore urge for gender equity in all workplaces.
