Gender inequality in Asia

Gender inequality persist in Asian countries due to patriarchal ideals and societal practices. Patriarchal values and societal norms promote men’s access to opportunities and control over resources.Discriminatory behaviors begin even before a child is born and affect every element of his or her future. Numerous factors influence women’s rights, including caste, class, religion, ethnicity, and region.It gets worse further by serious gender inequality, which restricts progress and development for both girls and boys.

There are the reason that cause gender inequality.

Culture

Many Asian societies have deeply ingrained cultural norms and traditional gender roles that assign different responsibilities, expectations, and opportunities to men and women. In China, the government’s longstanding One Child Policy, though no longer in effect today, created an extreme gender imbalance with 120 males for every 100 females in the Chinese population. Additionally, polygamous practices across Asian nations further devalued women’s status in households.

Job segregation

Certain industries and job roles are dominated by either men or women. Women are often concentrated in education, healthcare, and low-paying service jobs, while men dominate fields like engineering, technology, and management. Women often face a gender pay gap, meaning they are paid less than their male counterparts for similar work. Many Indian women even face obstacles while attempting to leave the house, let alone pursue paid jobs.

Education

Families prefer sending their boys to school rather than the girls of the family. Literacy rates tend to be higher among women and girls, which can further marginalize them and limit their opportunities for personal development.

These gaps hinder economic performance and are unfair. Health, education, and employment are just a few areas where gender inequality can have an impact on a country’s GDP. The economy as a whole and the advancement of women are both hampered by gender inequality. Women are paid less than men in the workforce market, while working just as hard and with the same potential. Therefore, it is crucial to close the gender gap. By doing so, it will inevitably advance economic development.

References:

https://www.unicef.org/rosa/what-we-do/gender-equality

https://www.opengrowth.com/resources/what-are-the-effects-of-gender-inequality-on-an-economy