Speech: “The world has to fight gender inequality together”—Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Date: Tuesday, 18 April 2017

Thank you very much for this opportunity and for your kind words and introduction to this meeting. Excellencies, thank you so much for inviting us, and for the opportunity to engage in this manner.

We appreciate the recognition by the G7 and W7 that, notwithstanding the progress made by women in the world, we do not have a single country that has achieved gender equality. So we have a lot of work, and the work is universal: whether we are East, West, North, South, rich or poor, these issues bind all of us as humanity.

If we think, for instance, of the move from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals, one recognition in the Sustainable Development Goals is the universality of the agenda of issues that impact humanity.

In the Sustainable Development Goals, we emphasize the importance of climate change. If you mess up your forest in one part of the world, it will mess up people in another part of the world.

The issue of peace is also universal. If we do not have peace in one part of the world, no one has peace anywhere in the world.

The issue of inequality is universal, between and within countries. The current extent of inequality means that people move around the world looking for means of survival and all of us will have to deal with the issue of inequality.

Gender inequality is a universal issue. Women everywhere in the world want equal pay. Women everywhere in the world want to control and decide what to do with their own bodies. And without women in the workplace, everywhere in the world, all of our economies do not grow to the extent that they need to grow.

Economic justice facilitates economic growth, and inclusive growth requires more women to be in the workplace. So, there are many common issues that women need to discuss, and that makes the issue of gender equality one of the most globalized issues of our time.

Once, the world together fought to end slavery. It was a universal issue. It did not have to be a slave’s fight to end slavery. The world, and the people of good will in the world, united to end it. The world fought racism, colonialism and apartheid together and brought them to an end. It was not just the affected people who fought. The world has to fight gender inequality together. It is not just women who must fight; men and women must fight together for us to achieve the kind of change that we desire. The nice thing is that victory is for all.

McKinsey’s research tells us that if women’s economic participation were to be at the same level as men, by 2025 there is a cool $28 trillion that could be added to the world’s economic growth. It requires all of us to want to do something about that to achieve the change for all of us.

We have just come out of two very meaningful engagements as UN Women. The first is the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment, which looked at barriers to women’s economic empowerment and participation, starting from the barriers that are experienced by girls, such as in education, child marriage, and the different violations that girls experience that stop them from realizing their potential.

We have also just finished the 61 st session of the Commission on the Status of Women, where we looked at women in the changing world of work. These two dialogues reached the same conclusions: the importance of macroeconomic policies that recognize the role and the participation of women, starting with issues like gender-responsive budgeting. Those macroeconomic policies recognize that all countries have babies, babies need childcare, and childcare needs to be accessible and affordable, otherwise millions and millions of women cannot participate effectively politically and economically. The fact that in most countries looking after children is a private matter for women is a barrier to their full economic participation.

Men have to work so hard to become corporate animals and do not have time to be fathers. That stops them from being able to contribute to the care services of the family and in the process, stops women from being able to participate in the labour market. So, this is change that must happen: more men in the care economy, and more women in the labour market.

We also found, in the work that we did both in the High-Level Panel and in the Commission on the Status of Women, the importance of women controlling their own bodies; of having autonomy without discrimination; having access and respect for their rights, both sexual and reproductive rights, and having access to services. The unmet needs of women, in the area for instance of family planning, are such that many women are having children that they do not want, that they cannot afford, only because we are unable to give them the much-needed lifesaving services that organizations such as UNFPA provide.

We also uncovered in the discussion and the work something that we all know; the importance of equal pay and of the fact that men and women alike want to be paid wages that are equal to the contribution that we make. That is not too much to ask for any worker. Up to now, that right does not exist for women in most parts of the world; this is a great robbery. We are therefore calling for governments, private sector, and ourselves to mobilize appropriately to change this.

According to the World Bank, in G7 countries, the range of the wage gap is between 11 and 20.4 per cent. Closing that gap has to be in reach for the G7 countries. I encourage and challenge you to lead us in this area. If you get it right, I promise you it will have an impact all over the world. Can you imagine that money in women’s pockets all over the world?

Of course, most women are at the base of the income pyramid, which means that they are underpaid and they are also in work for which there is no minimum wage. Those women, caught on what we call the “sticky floors”, cannot rise up, and will always live closer to poverty than prosperity. So, laws and facilitation of minimum wages are critical to move women past the sticky floors, just as women on boards and women executives play a critical role in making sure that the glass ceiling—and the steel ceiling, for that matter—are removed.

These are some of the examples that are universal, that we can all work on in every part of the world.

Lastly, I want to express appreciation for some of the decisions that were made by the G7 in past meetings. For instance, the call for technical and vocational education to be increased in developing countries, and for STEM subjects and STEM careers to be increased; these are game-changing moves for woman and girls.

The call for the Women’s Empowerment Principles to be signed by companies around the world, was important, so that companies can ensure that the workplace works for women. If G7 countries were able to assist us to promote women’s economic empowerment around the world, we would see many companies facilitating the active participation of women in the world of work, and that would also again bring prosperity to a number of women.

The third area where we appreciated the G7’s decision-making is the participation of women in the labour market. For all of the G7 countries, we see that as stimulating participation from women elsewhere in the world.

I want to salute all the men who are in the room. The role of men and boys is critical. To the extent that there is historic affirmative action everywhere in the world—which is why they are where they are—we need men to turn the terms around and make sure that there is affirmative action for women and we can have equality for all. Thank you.

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Gender Equality Speech - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

  • Speech on Gender Equality -

Every individual human in this world is equal no matter what color they are, where they come from, or what gender they are. In almost every nation around the world, people suffer because of gender inequality. All sorts of people irrespective of age, background, and financial status, suffer from gender inequality. For a long period selected gender is considered superior and others inferior. Gender equality is a basic human right and helps for a peaceful and sustainable world.

10 Lines On Gender Equality

Short speech on gender equality, long speech on gender equality, my experience.

Gender Equality Speech - 10 Lines, Short and Long Speech

Gender equality starts from home. In many households, boy children and girl children are treated differently. This practice makes people think that treating people differently is normal.

A boy child is given greater care than a girl child. Education is denied for girls in many houses just because they are girls.

Many girl children are married at a younger age, as they are considered a burden to the family. This practice still exists in many parts of India.

Crimes towards girl children are high in rate when compared to boy children.

When such insecurities start in childhood, people believe these things are normal.

Not only girls, but even transgender people also go through a lot of injustice because of their gender.

These inequalities affect the social health and development of any nation.

It is high time to move towards an equal society. Every individual irrespective of their gender is equal.

There are many steps taken by the government and society to rectify this blunder of inequality.

Gender equality can be easily attained by giving equal rights to every individual to decide, participate, develop, and aspire.

Gender equality (or) equality of sexes is nothing but the access to opportunities and resources equally to every individual irrespective of their gender. To achieve a bigger goal of gender equality it is important to practice gender neutrality. For a very long period masculinity is considered superior and powerful. Meanwhile, the feminine is considered inferior and weak. Society is very much comfortable with such patriarchal practices. But, it is not the right thing for a specific gender to enjoy all the freedom and accessibility while the other gender suffers the pain of suppression.

These days the concept of gender equality is very much popular. People, especially women, are ready to fight for their position. For a prolonged period, countless women suffered societal injustice in a patriarchal society. In some cases, these inequalities became life-threatening. In many violence, girls are affected by victim blaming. Women are the primary victim of domestic violence. Yet, they are expected to endure and accept because that is what society taught them.

We, as a member of society, have the responsibility to take simple steps to improve equality among genders. Changes are a must for development. It is time to change the mindset of giving superiority to one particular gender and suppressing others. It doesn’t mean reversing the superiority cycle by giving power to women and transgender and suppressing males. It simply means giving equal rights to everyone no matter what gender they are. Give equal education, equal opportunities, equal career, equal financial stability, equal choices, equal rights, and most importantly equal respect. That is how the future society of a powerful country works.

Gender inequality begins at home. Even in these modern days, in many households, girl children are treated as unwanted guests. Education is not given equally to both of them. A boy gets better education, education of his interest and a girl gets an education only if the family is interested or in marriage.

Girl children are considered a burden to their families and are married off early to avoid responsibilities. Education for a man is focused on his future and education for a woman is focused on her marriage. This is an extremely wrong practice that should come to a complete end. Girl children undergo a lot of violence just because of their gender. This violence is of various kinds. Some of them are intolerable. In some parts of society, a woman still has to go through brutal torture, both physically and mentally. Domestic violence is still an issue for most women in various parts of society. Due to the lack of awareness of rights among women, they don’t even consider it wrong.

Another major problem is faced by every working woman. The payout for workers differs majorly depending upon their gender. In many fields of work, this culture is still being followed, especially in labour work. Women labourers are getting way less pay than male labourers. All these are injustices towards a particular gender. There are even poor medical care and legal protections due to this inequality. It is high time to take a step forward and stop these meaningless practices.

Even worse, some people undergo sufferings that cannot be described in words. There is another gender that is still fighting for social recognition. Trans-genders are people who are fighting to have at least a place in society. Violence and injustice against this gender remain unnoticed by many. There are ways through which gender equality can be achieved for the brighter future generation.

Gender equality should begin in our homes. When both male and female children are treated equally, no one thinks he/she is inferior/superior. Giving open opportunities, recognizing talent, encouraging women's education, and giving them financial independence are major key points to be achieved. As a society, we must keep our minds open to welcome a major change for the future generation. As a very great step, the New Zealand cricket board decided to ratify an equal pay agreement in July 2022. Many such initiatives must be encouraged. The power and privilege enjoyed by a particular gender because they belong to ‘that’ gender should never be given to them anymore. All of us, as a society, shall now walk towards gender equal society.

When I was in school, I knew a girl who sold vegetables every morning in our area. My mother used to buy from her. She was always pleasant and happy. One day, I saw her talking to a boy in a school uniform. When I asked her who he was she said it was her brother. I asked immediately "don't you go to school" . Her answer shocked me. “What am I going to do by attending school? I am just a girl. My brother is a boy who will support our family in the future”. What shocked me more was not that she is deprived of education but, she is not at all aware of the injustice imposed upon her. Many such kids have no idea they are a victim of social injustice. It is important to create awareness and spread gender equality across the world.

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If you are intrigued by the programming world and are interested in developing communications networks then a career as database architect may be a good option for you. Data architect roles and responsibilities include building design models for data communication networks. Wide Area Networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), and intranets are included in the database networks. It is expected that database architects will have in-depth knowledge of a company's business to develop a network to fulfil the requirements of the organisation. Stay tuned as we look at the larger picture and give you more information on what is db architecture, why you should pursue database architecture, what to expect from such a degree and what your job opportunities will be after graduation. Here, we will be discussing how to become a data architect. Students can visit NIT Trichy , IIT Kharagpur , JMI New Delhi . 

Remote Sensing Technician

Individuals who opt for a career as a remote sensing technician possess unique personalities. Remote sensing analysts seem to be rational human beings, they are strong, independent, persistent, sincere, realistic and resourceful. Some of them are analytical as well, which means they are intelligent, introspective and inquisitive. 

Remote sensing scientists use remote sensing technology to support scientists in fields such as community planning, flight planning or the management of natural resources. Analysing data collected from aircraft, satellites or ground-based platforms using statistical analysis software, image analysis software or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a significant part of their work. Do you want to learn how to become remote sensing technician? There's no need to be concerned; we've devised a simple remote sensing technician career path for you. Scroll through the pages and read.

Budget Analyst

Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.

Underwriter

An underwriter is a person who assesses and evaluates the risk of insurance in his or her field like mortgage, loan, health policy, investment, and so on and so forth. The underwriter career path does involve risks as analysing the risks means finding out if there is a way for the insurance underwriter jobs to recover the money from its clients. If the risk turns out to be too much for the company then in the future it is an underwriter who will be held accountable for it. Therefore, one must carry out his or her job with a lot of attention and diligence.

Finance Executive

Product manager.

A Product Manager is a professional responsible for product planning and marketing. He or she manages the product throughout the Product Life Cycle, gathering and prioritising the product. A product manager job description includes defining the product vision and working closely with team members of other departments to deliver winning products.  

Operations Manager

Individuals in the operations manager jobs are responsible for ensuring the efficiency of each department to acquire its optimal goal. They plan the use of resources and distribution of materials. The operations manager's job description includes managing budgets, negotiating contracts, and performing administrative tasks.

Stock Analyst

Individuals who opt for a career as a stock analyst examine the company's investments makes decisions and keep track of financial securities. The nature of such investments will differ from one business to the next. Individuals in the stock analyst career use data mining to forecast a company's profits and revenues, advise clients on whether to buy or sell, participate in seminars, and discussing financial matters with executives and evaluate annual reports.

A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.

Welding Engineer

Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues. 

Transportation Planner

A career as Transportation Planner requires technical application of science and technology in engineering, particularly the concepts, equipment and technologies involved in the production of products and services. In fields like land use, infrastructure review, ecological standards and street design, he or she considers issues of health, environment and performance. A Transportation Planner assigns resources for implementing and designing programmes. He or she is responsible for assessing needs, preparing plans and forecasts and compliance with regulations.

Environmental Engineer

Individuals who opt for a career as an environmental engineer are construction professionals who utilise the skills and knowledge of biology, soil science, chemistry and the concept of engineering to design and develop projects that serve as solutions to various environmental problems. 

Safety Manager

A Safety Manager is a professional responsible for employee’s safety at work. He or she plans, implements and oversees the company’s employee safety. A Safety Manager ensures compliance and adherence to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Conservation Architect

A Conservation Architect is a professional responsible for conserving and restoring buildings or monuments having a historic value. He or she applies techniques to document and stabilise the object’s state without any further damage. A Conservation Architect restores the monuments and heritage buildings to bring them back to their original state.

Structural Engineer

A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software. 

Highway Engineer

Highway Engineer Job Description:  A Highway Engineer is a civil engineer who specialises in planning and building thousands of miles of roads that support connectivity and allow transportation across the country. He or she ensures that traffic management schemes are effectively planned concerning economic sustainability and successful implementation.

Field Surveyor

Are you searching for a Field Surveyor Job Description? A Field Surveyor is a professional responsible for conducting field surveys for various places or geographical conditions. He or she collects the required data and information as per the instructions given by senior officials. 

Orthotist and Prosthetist

Orthotists and Prosthetists are professionals who provide aid to patients with disabilities. They fix them to artificial limbs (prosthetics) and help them to regain stability. There are times when people lose their limbs in an accident. In some other occasions, they are born without a limb or orthopaedic impairment. Orthotists and prosthetists play a crucial role in their lives with fixing them to assistive devices and provide mobility.

Pathologist

A career in pathology in India is filled with several responsibilities as it is a medical branch and affects human lives. The demand for pathologists has been increasing over the past few years as people are getting more aware of different diseases. Not only that, but an increase in population and lifestyle changes have also contributed to the increase in a pathologist’s demand. The pathology careers provide an extremely huge number of opportunities and if you want to be a part of the medical field you can consider being a pathologist. If you want to know more about a career in pathology in India then continue reading this article.

Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

Gynaecology can be defined as the study of the female body. The job outlook for gynaecology is excellent since there is evergreen demand for one because of their responsibility of dealing with not only women’s health but also fertility and pregnancy issues. Although most women prefer to have a women obstetrician gynaecologist as their doctor, men also explore a career as a gynaecologist and there are ample amounts of male doctors in the field who are gynaecologists and aid women during delivery and childbirth. 

Audiologist

The audiologist career involves audiology professionals who are responsible to treat hearing loss and proactively preventing the relevant damage. Individuals who opt for a career as an audiologist use various testing strategies with the aim to determine if someone has a normal sensitivity to sounds or not. After the identification of hearing loss, a hearing doctor is required to determine which sections of the hearing are affected, to what extent they are affected, and where the wound causing the hearing loss is found. As soon as the hearing loss is identified, the patients are provided with recommendations for interventions and rehabilitation such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and appropriate medical referrals. While audiology is a branch of science that studies and researches hearing, balance, and related disorders.

An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs. 

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

Career as a video game designer is filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. A video game designer is someone who is involved in the process of creating a game from day one. He or she is responsible for fulfilling duties like designing the character of the game, the several levels involved, plot, art and similar other elements. Individuals who opt for a career as a video game designer may also write the codes for the game using different programming languages.

Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey is an exciting, promising career and a great challenge for music lovers. If you are really interested in a career as radio jockey, then it is very important for an RJ to have an automatic, fun, and friendly personality. If you want to get a job done in this field, a strong command of the language and a good voice are always good things. Apart from this, in order to be a good radio jockey, you will also listen to good radio jockeys so that you can understand their style and later make your own by practicing.

A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story. 

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook. 

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion. 

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article. 

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.  

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications. 

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product. 

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans. 

Process Development Engineer

The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.

AWS Solution Architect

An AWS Solution Architect is someone who specializes in developing and implementing cloud computing systems. He or she has a good understanding of the various aspects of cloud computing and can confidently deploy and manage their systems. He or she troubleshoots the issues and evaluates the risk from the third party. 

Azure Administrator

An Azure Administrator is a professional responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure Solutions. He or she manages cloud infrastructure service instances and various cloud servers as well as sets up public and private cloud systems. 

Computer Programmer

Careers in computer programming primarily refer to the systematic act of writing code and moreover include wider computer science areas. The word 'programmer' or 'coder' has entered into practice with the growing number of newly self-taught tech enthusiasts. Computer programming careers involve the use of designs created by software developers and engineers and transforming them into commands that can be implemented by computers. These commands result in regular usage of social media sites, word-processing applications and browsers.

Information Security Manager

Individuals in the information security manager career path involves in overseeing and controlling all aspects of computer security. The IT security manager job description includes planning and carrying out security measures to protect the business data and information from corruption, theft, unauthorised access, and deliberate attack 

ITSM Manager

Automation test engineer.

An Automation Test Engineer job involves executing automated test scripts. He or she identifies the project’s problems and troubleshoots them. The role involves documenting the defect using management tools. He or she works with the application team in order to resolve any issues arising during the testing process. 

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  • Feminist persuasive speech topics

108 feminist persuasive speech topics

- the top current women's rights & feminist issues.

By:  Susan Dugdale   | Last modified: 07-20-2022

There are 108 persuasive speech topics here covering many current feminist issues. For example:

  • that copy-cat fast fashion reinforces the relentless consumer cycle and the poverty trap,
  • that the advertising industry deliberately manufactures and supports body image insecurities to serve its own ends,
  • that gendered language reinforces the patriarchal structure of society...

They're provocative and challenging topics raising issues that I like to think should be of concern to us all! 

Use the quick links to find a topic you want to explore

  • 25 feminist persuasive speech topics about beauty and fashion
  • 16 the media and feminism topics
  • 8 the role of language and feminism speech ideas

8 feminist speech ideas about culture and arts

9 topics on education and gendered expectations, 27 feminist topics about society & social inequality, 8 business & work related feminist speech topics.

  • Resources for preparing persuasive speeches
  • References for feminism

persuasive speech about gender inequality

What is 'feminism'?

Feminism is defined as belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes, expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.

(See: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminism )

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25 feminist speech topics about beauty & fashion

  • that from puberty onward a woman is targeted by cosmetic companies
  • that the shape of woman’s body is valued over its health
  • that physical beauty in a woman is conferred by popular beliefs
  • that striving for what is regarded as the epitome of female physical perfection destroys women
  • that physical perfection is a myth
  • that compassion and collaboration is needed between women (and men) rather than competition and comparison
  • that beauty, fashion and feminism can co-exist
  • that clothing reflects social position or class
  • that the fashionable clothing of any era reflects its dominate cultural beliefs
  • that a modern feminist does not need to ban either the bra or the razor
  •  that prescriptive beauty norms (PBNs) reinforce sexism, racism, colorism, classism, ableism, ageism, and gender norms
  • that western feminine beauty standards dominate globally
  • that there is no legitimate historical or biological justification for the ‘white’ beauty myth
  • that modern beauty standards were used as “political weapons" against women’s advancement (see Naomi Wolfe - The Beauty Myth )
  • that the beauty industry cynically and callously exploits women through “self-empowerment” campaigns – eg L'Oreal's  “Because you're worth it”
  • that beauty shaming of any sort is shameful
  • that health and beauty need to work together for the empowerment of women
  • that beauty and fashion role models need to be independent of major brands
  • that fashion and cosmetic industries have a moral responsibility to use the immense power they have in shaping people’s lives for their betterment
  • that the unfair balance of power between the consumers of fashionable clothing and those who make it is a feminist issue
  • that copy-cat fast fashion reinforces the relentless consumer cycle and the poverty trap
  • that genuinely sustainable fashion is only responsible way forward
  • that clothing/fashion can make a feminist statement. For example: the 1850s “freedom” or “bloomer” dress named after women’s rights and temperance advocate Amelia Bloomer , the wearing of trousers, shorts, or mini skirts by women, or skirts and dresses by men
  • that boss dressing for women is unnecessary and toxic
  • that establishing superiority through wearing elitist fashion is an age old ploy

16 the media and feminism speech topics

  • that feminism in mainstream media is often misrepresented through lack of understanding
  • that some media deliberately encourages a narrow polarizing definition of feminism to whip up interest and drama for its own sake
  • that mainstream media plays a significant role in keeping women marginalized
  • that social media has created an independent level playing field for feminists globally
  • that the #metoo movement reaffirmed the need for community and solidarity amongst feminists
  • that the advertising industry deliberately manufactures and supports ongoing body image insecurities to serve its own ends
  • that the advertising industry decides and deifies what physical perfection looks like
  • that the ideal cover girl body/face is a myth
  • that eating disorders and negative body image problems are increased by the unrealistic beauty standards set by mainstream media
  • that women get media coverage for doing newsworthy things and being beautiful. Men get media coverage for doing newsworthy things.
  • that social media gives traditionally private issues a platform for discussion and change: abortion, domestic abuse, pay equity
  • that print media (broadsheets, magazines, newspapers...) have played and continue to play a vital role in feminist education
  • that ‘the women’s hour’ and similar radio programs or podcasts have been and are an important part in highlighting feminist issues
  • that ‘feminist wokeness’ has been hijacked by popular media
  • that social media reinforces prejudices rather than challenges them because the smart use of analytics means we mainly see posts aligned with our viewpoints
  • that social media has enabled and ‘normalized’ the spread of pornography: the use of bodies as a commodity to be traded

8 the role language and feminism speech ideas

  • that frequently repeated platitudes (eg. girls will be girls and boys will be boys) are stereotypical straitjackets stifling change
  • that the derogatory words for females and female genitalia frequently used to vent anger or frustration demonstrate the worth and value placed on women
  • that feminism is neither male nor female
  • that gendered language reinforces the patriarchal structure of society
  • that sexist language needs to be called out and changed
  • that gendered language limits women’s opportunities
  • that gendered languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi...) need to become more inclusive
  • that the real enemy of feminism is language
  • that limitations in any arena (work, sports, arts) placed on woman because they are women need challenging
  • that male bias in the organizations awarding major awards and grants needs to change
  • that the ideal woman in art is a figment of a male imagination
  • that historically art has objectified women
  • that heroic figures should be celebrated and honored for their deeds – not for what they look like or their gender
  • that strong feisty female characters in literature can inspire change eg. Elizabeth Bennet from Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre from Charlotte Bronte’s novel of the same name, and Offred from Margaret Atwood’s The Hand Maiden’s Tale.
  • that the role of feminist art in any field: literature, film, theatre, dance, sculpture..., is to transform and challenge stereotypes. Examples of feminist artists: Judy Chicago, Miriam Shapiro, Barbara Kruger (More: feminist art ) 
  • that feminist musicians have used their influence as agents of change, and to inspire: Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Pussy Riot, Lorde, Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Nina Simone
  • that there no subjects more suitable for boys than girls, or subjects more suitable for girls than boys
  • that toys, clothing, and colors should be gender neutral
  • that student achievement and behavioral expectations should be gender free
  • that feminism should be actively modelled in the classroom
  • that eligibility for educational institutions should be merit based  
  • that boys should not ‘punished’ or blamed for our patriarchal history
  • that gendered performance is actively supported and encouraged by some educational philosophies and schools in order to maintain the status quo
  • that the belief that ‘male’ and ‘female’ intelligence are different and that male intelligence is superior is false
  • that education is vital for the advancement of black feminism
  • that rigidly adhered to gendered workplace and domestic roles sustain and support inequalities
  • that domestic violence is typically a male gendered crime
  • that patriarchal attitudes toward women make sexual harassment and rape inevitable
  • that a safe legal abortion is a fundamental right for every person who wants one
  • that humiliation and control either by fear and threat of rape, or rape itself, is an act toxic entitlement
  • that a person is never ever ‘asking for it’: to be sexually harassed, or to be raped
  • that safe methods of birth control should be freely available to whomever wants them
  • that full sexual and reproductive health and rights for all people is an essential precondition to achieving gender equality
  • that men should not have control over woman's sexual and reproductive decision-making
  • that the increase in sperm donation is a feminist victory
  • that a person can be a domestic goddess and a feminist
  • that there is a positive difference between assertive and aggressive feminism
  • that the shock tactics of feminist anarchists is justified
  • that powerful feminist role models open the way for others to follow
  • that intersectional feminism is essential to fully understand the deep ingrained inequalities of those experiencing overlapping forms of oppression
  • that a feminist’s belief and practices are shaped by the country they live in, its dominant religious and cultural practices
  • that female circumcision is an example of women’s oppression disguised as a cultural tradition
  • that honor crimes are never justifiable
  • that period poverty and stigma is a global feminist issue
  • that we need to accept that some women want to remain protected by patriarchal practices and beliefs
  • that environmental issues are feminist issues
  • that everybody benefits from feminism
  • that feminism works towards equality, not female superiority
  • that anti-feminist myths (that feminists are angry women who blame men for their problems, that feminists are anti marriage, that feminists have no sense of humor, that feminists are not ‘natural’ mothers, that feminists are anti religion, that feminists are actually all lesbians ...) are desperate attempts to maintain the patriarchal status quo
  • that toxic femininity is a by-product of fear and insecurity eg. The need to ridicule another woman in order to impress a man, shaming a man for not being ‘manly’, raging against a women for being seen to be powerful, competent and successful in a leadership position ...
  • that blaming the patriarchy is far too simple
  • that one can hold religious beliefs and be feminist
  • that gendered jobs and job titles belong in the past
  • that pay scales should be based on merit, not gender
  • that adequate maternity and child care plus parental leave provisions should be mandatory
  • that flexible working hours benefits both the business and its employees
  • that token feminism is not enough
  • that corporate feminism is for wealthy white women
  • that feminism and capitalism are in conflict
  • that women in power owe it to other women to work for their empowerment

Useful resources

The first three resources below provide an excellent starting point to get a broad overview of feminism: its history, development and current issues.

I've included the fourth link because I'm a New Zealander, and proud of what its women's suffrage movement achieved: the vote for women in 1893.  

  • What’s the definition of feminism? 12 TED talks that explain it to you
  • An overview of feminist philosophy – Stanford University, USA
  • Britannica: an excellent over of the history and development of feminism
  • The symbolism of a white camellia and the Suffrage Movement in New Zealand

How to choose a good persuasive speech topic and preparing a great speech

For a more in-depth discussion about choosing a good persuasive topic, and crafting a persuasive speech please see:

  • persuasive speech ideas and read all the notes under the heading “What make a speech topic good?"
  • writing a persuasive speech . You’ll find notes covering:
  • setting a speech goal,
  • audience analysis,
  • evidence and empathy (the need for proof or evidence to back what you’re saying as well as showing you understand, or empathize with, the positions of those for and against your proposal),
  • balance and obstacles (to address points against your proposal, the obstacles, in a fair and balanced way),
  • varying structural patterns (ways to organize you material) and more. And click this link for hundreds more persuasive speech topic suggestions . ☺

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persuasive speech about gender inequality

11 superb speeches to inspire us to keep fighting for gender equality, even when we're exhausted

Nicole Gallucci

It's been a particularly distressing year full of chaos, heartbreak, and loss. And though circumstances are tough and constantly striving for a better world can be exhausting, it's crucial that women (and men, too) continue in the fight for gender equality.

Gender discrimination and the gender pay gap are still realities that women face on a daily basis. And in 2020, women's rights to abortion and more may be at risk if a conservative winds up filling Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court seat.

Thankfully, a whole lot of strong women role models are out there to help lift us up and lead the way. Here are 11 speeches to inspire you to keep fighting for equality, no matter how challenging or hopeless things may feel.

1. Hillary Clinton's "Women's Rights are Human Rights" speech

You may recall Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential concession speech as one of her most memorable, but another truly remarkable address took place in September 1995.

During an impassioned speech at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, Clinton memorably declared, "Human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights."

The then first lady of the United States went on to passionately argue for the rights and freedom of women around the world. She highlighted the need for women to be protected and respected. She called for an end to violence against women and demanded that women be treated equally. She asked that women be given the same access to education, the same freedom of speech, and the same societal and political rights as men. And she lifted women up, as she's done so many times during her career.

2. Leymah Gbowee's 2012 Ted Talk

Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist, was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for the role she played in ending the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Gbowee's nonviolent organizing efforts were historic, and the social worker and women's rights advocate went on to deliver a powerful TED Talk in March 2012 called, "Unlock the intelligence, passion, greatness of girls."

Gbowee shared several formative personal experiences she's had while traveling around the world to speak. She talked about girls she's met and shared bits of their stories. She spoke about her work and the issues she fights for. And she spoke about hope.

"I don't have much to ask of you. I've also been to places in this U.S. and I know that girls in this country also have wishes — wishes for a better life," Gbowee said. "Somewhere in the Bronx... wish for a better life. Somewhere in downtown LA... wish for a better life. Somewhere in Texas... wish for a better life... Somewhere in New Jersey... wish for a better life. Will you journey with me to help that girl?… All they are asking us to do is create that space to unlock the intelligence, unlock the passion, unlock all of the great things that they hold within themselves. Let's journey together."

3. Julia Gillard's famous misogyny speech

In October 2012, Julia Gillard, a former Australian politician who served as Australia's 27th prime minister from 2010 to 2013, delivered a powerful parliamentary speech on misogyny.

In response to opposition leader Tony Abbott's request to have Peter Slipper removed as Speaker over texts sent to an aide, Gillard took the mic and called Abbott out for his own sexist, misogynistic behavior.

"The Leader of the Opposition says that people who hold sexist views and who are misogynists are not appropriate for high office. Well, I hope the Leader of the Opposition has got a piece of paper and he is writing out his resignation. Because if he wants to know what misogyny looks like in modern Australia, he doesn't need a motion in the House of Representatives, he needs a mirror. That's what he needs," Gillard began.

Over the course of the nearly 15-minute address, she proceeded to call out Abbott's "repulsive double standards" on misogyny and sexism.

In a September 2013 appearance on Australian's Kitchen Cabinet interview show, Abbott spoke about Gillard's speech. "Look, politics is about theater and at the time I didn't think it was very effective theater at all," he said. "But plainly it did strike a chord in a lot of people who had not followed the immediate problem that had brought on that particular parliamentary debate."

Strike a chord it did. Though Gillard's speech was seen as controversial by some, it resonated with so many women who had experienced similar behavior, and her words remain unforgettable.

4. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We should all be feminists" TEDx talk

Some of you may be familiar with We Should All Be Feminists , the personal essay by Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that was published as a book in 2014. But did you know the New York Times bestseller is an adapted version of a TEDx talk that the writer delivered in December 2012?

"We teach girls that they can have ambition, but not too much... to be successful, but not too successful, or they'll threaten men," the writer says to the audience. You may recognize bits of audio from the song "Flawless" off of Beyoncé's 2016 album, Lemonade , but Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's full 30-minute discussion of feminism, the role gender plays in today's society, the double standards among men and women, and her own personal experiences is required listening of its own.

5. Malala Yousafzai's 16th birthday address to the United Nations

When Nobel Prize-winning activist Malala Yousafzai turned 16 years old in July 2013, she delivered a profoundly inspiring address at the United Nations. Yousafzai spoke about how she had been shot by the Taliban in 2012, talked of her recovery and how grateful she was to be alive, and laid out an impassioned plea for equality.

"We call upon all communities to be tolerant — to reject prejudice based on cast, creed, sect, religion, or gender. To ensure freedom and equality for women so that they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back," Yousafzai said.

"Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child's bright future. We will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education for everyone," she continued. "No one can stop us. We will speak for our rights and we will bring change through our voice. We must believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the world."

6. Emma Watson's gender equality speech at the United Nations

In September 2014, Emma Watson — British actor, activist, and United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador — delivered a powerful address on gender equality at a UN Women's HeForShe campaign event.

"Why has the word [feminism] become such an uncomfortable one? I am from Britain, and I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men," Watson said. "But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to see these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they achieved gender equality."

Watson went on to explain how she came to understand the word "feminism." She shared personal experiences, discussed how harmful gender stereotypes are, and directly addressed men to remind them, "Gender equality is your issue, too."

7. Lupita Nyong'o speaking at a Black Women in Hollywood event

At Essence 's 2014 Black Women in Hollywood event, actor Lupita Nyong'o was honored for her role in 12 Years a Slave. Nyong'o received the award for "Best Breakthrough Performance" and proceeded to give a truly moving speech about what it means to be a Black woman in Hollywood.

Nyong'o began by sharing a passage from a fan letter she received. A young girl wrote to the actor to say, "I think you're really lucky to be this Black but yet this successful in Hollywood overnight. I was just about to buy Dencia's Whitenicious cream to lighten my skin when you appeared on the world map and saved me."

"My heart bled a little when I read those words," Nyong'o said. "I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter-skinned."

Nyong'o shared her own struggles with self-image and self-acceptance growing up, expressing why diversity and on-screen representations are so important in the world.

8. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's comments about women on the Supreme Court

The world continues to mourn the loss of the great Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died on Sept. 18, 2020. But her legacy as a Supreme Court justice and fierce advocate for women's rights and equality will never be forgotten.

Justice Ginsburg gave her fair share of powerful speeches on gender equality over the course of her remarkable career, but several beloved RBG quotes were made when she visited Georgetown University in February 2015 and spoke about the many challenges women in her profession face.

"People ask me sometimes when do you think it will be enough? When will there be enough women on the court? And my answer is, 'When there are nine,'" Justice Ginsburg said. You can watch the full conversation here .

9. Michelle Obama's International Women's Day remarks

Like Justice Ginsburg, Michelle Obama has given a number of touching speeches over the course of her career. But on International Women's Day in 2016, the first lady gave an especially moving one at a Washington, D.C., event for Let Girls Learn , the White House initiative she launched to help fight for girls' education around the world.

"The more I traveled and met with girls and learned from experts about this issue, the more I realized that the barriers to girls' education isn't just resources. It's not just about access to scholarships or transportation or school bathrooms. It's also about attitudes and beliefs — the belief that girls simply aren't worthy of an education; that women should have no role outside the home; that their bodies aren't their own, their minds don't really matter, and their voices simply shouldn't be heard," she said.

After touching on additional issues of inequality, such as discrimination and violence against women, Obama went on to remind people there are still so many rights and freedoms to fight for.

"These issues aren't settled. These freedoms that we take for granted aren't guaranteed in stone. And they certainly didn't just come down to us as a gift from the heavens. No, these rights were secured through long, hard battles waged by women and men who marched, and protested, and made their voices heard in courtrooms and boardrooms and voting booths and the halls of Congress."

10. Raquel Willis calling to protect Black trans lives

Raquel Willis , writer and Black transgender activist, gave an extremely empowering speech to a crowd of 15,000 people at a Brooklyn rally for Black trans lives in June 2020.

"I am gonna talk to my Black trans folks first and model what it looks like to put us first," Willis said into the mic. "We have been told to be silent for too long. We have been told that we are not enough to parents, to family, to lovers, to Johns, to organizations, to schools, to our government, to the world. And the truth is that we're more than enough."

Willis went on to remind Black trans folk to never doubt their power, to never fall silent, and to keep fighting for equality in workplaces, organizations, and every aspect of life. And she called on others to be active allies to the Black trans community.

"Don't ever doubt the faith that you should have for yourself and your people, cause we are the ones changing shit, and we are the lifeblood of everything they've built and tried to lock us out of," Willis said.

"I want you to all also remember, whether you are Black or trans or not, you have a duty and responsibility to elevate Black trans power," she added.

11. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's response to Congressman Ted Yoho

In the two years since Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the Democratic primary election for New York's 14th congressional district, she's made her fair share of striking, inspirational speeches. After Justice Ginsburg died, the Congresswoman delivered raw, deeply emotional comments on Instagram Live that inspired many continue to fight for issues, like gender equality, that were so close to Ginsburg's heart.

One of AOC's most memorable speeches of 2020 took place in July when she spoke on the House floor to address the hateful comments that Republican Rep. Ted Yoho made toward her. After Yoho reportedly confronted AOC on the steps of Capitol Hill and called her "disgusting" and a "fucking bitch," the Congresswoman spoke out on behalf of herself and all women.

"When you do that to any woman, what Mr. Yoho did was give permission to other men to do that to his daughters," she said. "In using that language in front of the press he gave permission to use that language against his wife, his daughters, women in his community. And I am here to stand up to say that is not acceptable."

"I do not care what your views are. It does not matter how much I disagree, or how much it incenses me, or how much I feel that people are dehumanizing others. I will not do that myself," Ocasio-Cortez continued, noting that she would never use such disrespectful language toward Yoho or anyone else. "I will not allow people to change and create hatred in our hearts."

"Treating someone with dignity and respect makes a decent man, and when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologize," the Congresswoman said. "Not to save face. Not to win a vote. He apologizes genuinely to repair and acknowledge the harm he has done so that we can all move on."

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Emma Watson's 2014 Speech on Gender Equality

Celebrity Feminism, Privilege, and the United Nations' HeForShe Movement

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On Sep. 20, 2014, British actor and Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. Women Emma Watson gave a smart, important, and moving speech about gender inequality and how to fight it. In doing so, she launched the HeForShe initiative, which aims to get men and boys to join the feminist fight for gender equality . In the speech, Watson made the important point that in order for gender equality to be achieved, harmful and destructive stereotypes of masculinity and behavioral expectations for boys and men have got to change .

Emma Watson is a British actress and model born in 1990, who is best known for her 10-year stint as Hermione Granger in the eight Harry Potter movies. Born in Paris, France to a pair of now-divorced British lawyers, she made a reported $60 million for playing Granger in the eight Harry Potter films.  

Watson began taking acting classes at six years of age and was selected for the Harry Potter cast in 2001 at age nine. She attended the Dragon School at Oxford, and then the Headington private girl's school. Eventually, she received a bachelor's degree in English literature at Brown University in the United States.

Watson has been actively involved in humanitarian causes for several years, working to promote fair trade and organic clothing, and as an ambassador for Camfed International, a movement to educate girls in rural Africa.

Celebrity Feminism

Watson is one of several women in the arts who have leveraged their high profile status to bring women's rights issues to the public eye. The list includes Jennifer Lawrence, Patricia Arquette, Rose McGowan, Annie Lennox, Beyonce, Carmen Maura, Taylor Swift, Lena Dunham, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Gaga, and Shailene Woodley, although some have refused to self-identify as "feminists."

These women have been both celebrated and criticized for the positions they have taken; the term "celebrity feminist" is sometimes used to denigrate their credentials or question their authenticity, but there is no doubt that their championships of different causes have shed public light into myriad issues.

The U.N. and HeForShe

In 2014, Watson was named a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations, a program that actively involves prominent personalities in the fields of arts and sports to promote U.N. programs. Her role is to serve as an advocate for U.N. Women's gender equality campaign known as HeForShe.

HeForShe , led by the U.N.'s Elizabeth Nyamayaro and under the direction of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, is a program dedicated to improving the status of women and inviting men and boys around the world to stand in solidarity with women and girls as they make that make gender equality a reality.

The speech at the United Nations was part of her official role as U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador. Below is the full transcript of her 13-minute speech; after that is a discussion of the speech's reception.

Emma Watson's Speech at the U.N.

Today we are launching a campaign called HeForShe. I am reaching out to you because we need your help. We want to end gender inequality, and to do this, we need everyone involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN. We want to try to mobilize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change. And, we don’t just want to talk about it. We want to try and make sure that it’s tangible.
I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women six months ago. And, the more I spoke about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop.
For the record, feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of political, economic and social equality of the sexes.
I started questioning gender-based assumptions a long time ago. When I was 8, I was confused for being called bossy because I wanted to direct the plays that we would put on for our parents, but the boys were not. When at 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media. When at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of sports teams because they didn’t want to appear muscly. When at 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings.
I decided that I was a feminist, and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently, I’m among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men. Unattractive, even.
Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one? I am from Britain, and I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men.
But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to see these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they achieved gender equality. These rights, I consider to be human rights but I am one of the lucky ones. My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn’t assume I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influencers were the gender equality ambassadors that made me who I am today. They may not know it, but they are the inadvertent feminists who are changing the world today. And we need more of those.
And if you still hate the word, it is not the word that is important. It’s the idea and the ambition behind it, because not all women have received the same rights I have. In fact, statistically, very few have.
In 1995, Hillary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly, many of the things that she wanted to change are still true today. But what stood out for me the most was that less than thirty percent of the audience were male. How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?
Men, I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue, too. Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society, despite my need of his presence as a child, as much as my mother’s. I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a man. In fact, in the UK, suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20 to 49, eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I’ve seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality, either.
We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are, and that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, instead of two sets of opposing ideals. If we stop defining each other by what we are not, and start defining ourselves by who we are, we can all be freer, and this is what HeForShe is about. It’s about freedom.
I want men to take up this mantle so that their daughters, sisters, and mothers can be free from prejudice, but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too, reclaim those parts of themselves they abandoned, and in doing so, be a more true and complete version of themselves.
You might be thinking, “Who is this Harry Potter girl, and what is she doing speaking at the UN?” And, it’s a really good question. I’ve been asking myself the same thing.
All I know is that I care about this problem, and I want to make it better. And, having seen what I’ve seen, and given the chance, I feel it is my responsibility to say something.
Statesman Edmund Burke said, “All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing.”
In my nervousness for this speech and in my moments of doubt, I told myself firmly, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” If you have similar doubts when opportunities are presented to you, I hope those words will be helpful. Because the reality is that if we do nothing, it will take seventy-five years, or for me to be nearly 100 before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work. 15.5 million girls will be married in the next 16 years as children. And at current rates it won’t be until 2086 before all rural African girls will be able to receive a secondary education.
If you believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists that I spoke of earlier, and for this, I applaud you. We are struggling for a uniting word, but the good news is, we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I invite you to step forward, to be seen and to ask yourself, “If not me, who? If not now, when?”
Thank you very, very much.

Most of the public reception for Watson's speech has been positive: The speech got a thunderous standing ovation at U.N. headquarters; Joanna Robinson writing in Vanity Fair called the speech " impassioned ;" and Phil Plait writing in Slate called it " stunning ." Some positively compared Watson's speech with Hilary Clinton's speech to the U.N. 20 years earlier.

Other press reports have been less positive. Roxane Gay writing in The Guardian , expressed her frustration that the idea of women asking for the rights that men already have only sells when delivered " in the right package : a particular kind of beauty, fame, and/or self-deprecating brand of humor." Feminism should not be something that needs a seductive marketing campaign, she said.

Julia Zulwer writing in Al Jazeera wondered why the United Nations picked a " foreign, distant figure " to be the representative for the women of the world.

Maria Jose Gámez Fuentes and colleagues argue that the HeForShe movement as expressed in Watson's speech is an innovative attempt to connect with the experiences of many women, without focusing on the trauma. However, the HeForShe movement asks for the activation of action by the people who hold power. That, say the scholars, denies the agency of women as the subjects of violence, inequality, and oppression, instead giving men the ability to restore this lack of agency, to empower the women and offer them freedom. The will to eradicate gender inequality depends on the will of the males, which is not a traditional feminist principle.

The MeToo Movement

However, all of this negative reaction predates the #MeToo movement, and the election of Donald Trump, as of course did Watson's speech. There are some signs that feminists of all stripes and across the world are feeling rejuvenated by the open criticism and in many cases the fall of very powerful men because they abused that power. In March of 2017, Watson met and discussed gender equality issues with bell hooks , a powerful icon of the feminist movement since the 1960s.

As Alice Cornwall puts it, "shared outrage can offer a powerful basis for connection and solidarity that can reach across the differences that might otherwise divide us." And as Emma Watson says, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"

Additional References

  • Brady, Anita. " Taking Time between G-String Changes to Educate Ourselves: Sinéad O’Connor, Miley Cyrus, and Celebrity Feminism ." Feminist Media Studies 16.3 (2016): 429-44. Print.
  • Cornwall, Andrea. "Taking Off International Development's Straightjacket of Gender." Brown Journal of World Affairs 21.1 (2014-2015): 127-39. Print.
  • Gámez Fuentes, María José, Emma Gómez Nicolau, and Rebeca Maseda García. " Celebrities, Gender-Based Violence and Women's Rights: Towards the Transformation of the Framework of Recognition ." Revista Latina de Comunicación Social , 71 (2016): 833-52. Print.
  • Gay, Roxane. " Emma Watson? Jennifer Lawrence? These Aren't the Feminists You're Looking For ." The Guardian October 14, 2014. Web, accessed February 16, 2018.
  • Hamad, Hannah, and Anthea Taylor. " Introduction: Feminism and Contemporary Celebrity Culture ." Celebrity Studies 6.1 (2015): 124-27. Print.
  • Kennelly, Alexah. " #Activism: Identity, Affiliation, and Political Discourse-Making on Twitter ." The Arbutus Review 6.1 (2015). Print.
  • MacDonald, Fiona. " Knocking Down Walls in Political Science: In Defense of an Expansionist Feminist Agenda ." Canadian Journal of Political Science 50.2 (2017): 411-26. Print.
  • Matos, Julie. "Women's Rights in Public Address: A Feminist Rhetorical Critique." Colloquy 11 (2015): 1-22. Print.
  • Plait, Phil. " I Stand with Emma Watson ." Slate September 23, 2014. Web, accessed February 16, 2018.
  • Rottenberg, Catherine. " Neoliberal Feminism and the Future of Human Capital ." Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society 42.2 (2017): 329-48. Print.
  • Zulver, Julia. " Is Emma Watson the Right Woman For the Job? " Al Jazeera September 24, 2014. Web, accessed February 16, 2018.

Siegel, Tatiana. “ Emma Watson and What Disney Pays Its Modern Princesses .”  The Hollywood Reporter , 20 Dec. 2019.

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Speech: This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality

Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the Generation Equality Midpoint Moment, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 17 September 2023.

Date: Monday, 18 September 2023

[As delivered.]

Welcome on behalf of UN Women, the global convenor of  Generation Equality . Welcome to our  Generation Equality Midpoint Moment .

We meet on the eve of the  SDG Summit , seized by the challenges and the urgent imperatives to accelerate progress.  Our latest research  tells us that at the current rate of progress, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030, and close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

We need renewed energy, we need renewed commitment, and we need our will to change this trajectory. Generation Equality provides us with this opportunity.

UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous delivers opening remarks at the Generation Equality Midpoint Moment, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 17 September 2023. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown.

All of us here today are Generation Equality.

We are Generation Equality because we are all feminists.

We are Generation Equality because we know that gender equality and SDG 5 are the greatest of enablers and that the dividends of equality are limitless.

We are Generation Equality because we believe in and model the power of multistakeholder partnerships.

We are Generation Equality because we know that our coalition must stretch from the global to the local and we aspire to connect the energy here in this room with the energy at grass roots level around the world.

We are Generation Equality, and we are at the heart of change.

Fellow feminists,

At this Midpoint Moment we take stock, hold ourselves accountable, grow our movement, and energize ourselves and others, building on the achievements in Mexico City and Paris two years ago. We do so with pride. And our pride is based on evidence.

In just two years, youth, civil society, governments, private sector, and philanthropists have delivered unprecedented action. Collectively, Commitment Makers have already spent almost USD 10 billion on gender equality. Across the world they have already initiated or are implementing 849 policies, 2,306 programmes and 3,649 advocacy initiatives.

This is quite impressive.

In 2022, Compact signatories spent almost USD 1 billion on women, peace and security and humanitarian action, reaching 22.1 million women and girls. We should congratulate ourselves as we challenge ourselves to do more. Commitment Makers have reported a new total of USD 47 billion in financial commitments, with USD 20 billion already secured. And there is much more to come. And we thank you all for that.

Excellencies, partners, colleagues, friends, and fellow feminists,

This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality. This is when we say enough to pushback, enough to regression, enough to ongoing failures to invest and act.

We are disruptors. Our commitment is unwavering, the cause we work for, collectively, is undeniable.

I look forward to our time together here today.

And I thank you.

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10 Famous Speeches To Ignite The Feminist Fire Within You

Be inspired by the words of these powerful women

preview for Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Received A Handwritten letter From Dior's Maria Grazia Chiuri

Throughout history, so many of the people to make us stop and take note with their famous speeches have been women. From the women's suffrage movement in the 1800s and feminism's second wave in the 1970s to the global Women's March in 2017, the words and actions of famous figures such as Emmeline Pankhurst, Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou and Gloria Steinhem (to name just a few) have transformed society.

It might explain then why the theme of International Women's Day 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge. We can learn so much from the powerful actions and inspiring words of the women who came before us – but, also, there's still so much work we have to do. It's our duty to carry on their work, challenging and changing and speaking up for equality .

And so here, we've rounded up the most famous speeches from a new era of women, who are continuing the task of transforming opinions, breaking boundaries and inspiring us all to keep choosing to challenge. Listen, learn and take note.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Will Not Accept Your Apology

After Florida Representative Ted Yoho reportedly called Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 'a f*cking b*tch' on the steps of the Capitol in July 2020, he tried to excuse his behaviour by saying he has a wife and daughters. In response, AOC (as she's commonly referred to) took to the House floor with what has since been hailed 'the most important feminist speech of a generation' – fluently and passionately detailing why his 'apology' was, simply, not good enough.

Quotes of note:

'I am someone's daughter too. My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr Yoho treated his daughter. My mother got to see Mr. Yoho's disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television, and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.

'What I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man, and when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologise.'

Natalie Portman On Dismantling The Patriarchy

From her smart quip of 'here are all the male nominees' at the 2018 Golden Globes , calling out the women directors snubbed for the category, to her rousing 'f*ck up and thrive, sisters' speech at the ELLE Women In Hollywood event in 2019, Portman consistently calls out inequality in the film industry. And the actor's address at Variety's Women of Power event in 2019 was no different. In what is now referred to as 'Natalie Portman's Step-by-Step Guide to Toppling the Patriarchy', she made a strong case for all the ways in which we, as individuals, can make a difference.

'Be embarrassed if everyone in your workplace looks like you. Pay attention to physical ability, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and make sure you've got all kinds of experiences represented.

'Stop the rhetoric that a woman is crazy or difficult. If a man says a woman is crazy or difficult, ask him: What bad thing did you do to her? It's code that he is trying to discredit her reputation. Make efforts to hire people who've had their reputations smeared in retaliation.'

Michelle Obama On The Inequality Of Failure

Let's be honest: there are so many Michelle Obama speeches to choose from – the former FLOTUS is renowned for her passion for equality and her ability to uplift others with her words. But in a poignant keynote conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross at the United State of Women Summit in 2018, Obama spoke openly about the often-overlooked inequality of failure, and the disparities in repercussions for men and women.

Quote of note:

'I wish that girls could fail as bad as men do and be OK. Because let me tell you, watching men fail up, it is frustrating. It's frustrating to see a lot of men blow it and win. And we hold ourselves to these crazy, crazy standards.

'Start with what you can control. You start there. Because thinking about changing your workplace and changing the way the world thinks – that's big; that's daunting. And then you shrink from that. So start with what you can control. And that's you, first. And those questions start within. First, we must ask ourselves, "Are we using our voices? And when are we not? When are we playing it safe?" And at least be cognisant of that and understand, "These are the times that I shrunk away from doing more than I could, and let me think about why that was."'

Gina Martin On Misogyny, The Power Of Anger And How She Changed The Law

As she tells us in this refreshing TEDx talk from 2020, Gina Martin is not the kind of woman you'd expect to change the law. And yet, she did. The activist discusses the moment in 2017 when a stranger took a picture of her crotch at a festival without her consent – and how, after years of relentless campaigning, she succeeded in making upskirting a criminal offence. Martin makes it clear that anyone can make a change, no matter who they are or where they're from. And that's a lesson we all need to hear.

'Anger is a very normal response to having your human rights compromised. That's important to say. We have to stop using it to delegitimise people, with "angry feminist" or "angry Black woman" – all of these stereotypes. People are allowed to be angry about this stuff. And we have to hold space for them there. We have to realise it's not about us.

'Think about where you hold privilege – it might be in your job, as a parent, as a teacher, or just in the colour of your skin – and start this work now. Stop laughing at the jokes, buy the book, go to the event, diversify your social feeds, ask the questions. Sympathy is soothing, but it doesn't go far enough. Action does. And listen, you'll get things wrong. We all do, I've had some clangers. But it's not about perfection, it's about progress, it's about doing it because it's the right thing to do. We are so done with waiting for society to "change things" for us. We literally are society.'

Lady Gaga On Reclaiming Your Power

When Lady Gaga accepted her ELLE Women In Hollywood award in 2018, her career appeared to be at an all-time high, with Oscar buzz for her role in A Star Is Born , and her song 'Shallow' at number one in the US. But, as she explained, what people perceive a woman, especially in Hollywood, isn't always the reality.

Gaga may have made this moving speech several years ago, but it feels particularly poignant to revisit it during a period in which violence towards women is a more devastating and pressing topic than ever. In it, Gaga recounts how being sexually assaulted caused her to 'shut down' and 'hide'. She explores the debilitating effect of shame on her mental health and also the power of kindness and support in overcoming it.

Importantly, Gaga explains that she eventually found her power within herself – and how, once she took it back, she was able to use it to move beyond the prescribed expectations society puts upon women.

'What does it really mean to be a woman in Hollywood? We are not just objects to entertain the world. We are not simply images to bring smiles or grimaces to people's faces. We are not members of a giant beauty pageant meant to be pit against one another for the pleasure of the public. We women in Hollywood, we are voices. We have deep thoughts and ideas and beliefs and values about the world and we have the power to speak and be heard and fight back when we are silenced.'

'I decided today I wanted to take the power back. Today I wear the pants... I had a revelation that I had to be empowered to be myself today more than ever. To resist the standards of Hollywood, whatever that means. To resist the standards of dressing to impress. To use what really matters: my voice.'

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie On Redefining Feminism

You may not have knowingly heard to author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech before, but there's a good chance you will have listened to her words without realising – Beyoncé actually weaved a key part of Adichie's feminist manifesto into her track '***Flawless'. In her speech, Adichie reflects on the gender disparities still evident our society, with a focus on those in her native Africa, and dissects the meaning of 'feminist' – both the connotations and myths it carries – and how she came to define the term for herself.

'We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller, we say to girls, "You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful, otherwise you would threaten the man." ...But what if we question the premise itself? Why should a woman's success be a threat to a man?

'I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be. Gender is not an easy conversation to have. For both men and women, to bring up gender is sometimes to encounter almost immediate resistance... Some of the men here might be thinking, "OK, all of this is interesting, but I don't think like that." And that is part of the problem – that many men do not actively think about gender or notice gender is part of the problem.'

Kamala Harris On Setting A New Standard For The Next Generation

On November 7 2020, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered her first national address after Joe Biden 's position as President was secured. As the first woman to hold the position and the first person of colour to do so, Harris' presence alone was enough to break boundaries. But then came her words. In the speech, she reflected on triumph of democracy and credited the work of the women who came before us, plus that of 'a new generation of women in... who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard'.

'While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they've never seen it before, but know that we will applaud you every step of the way.'

Amanda Gorman On Finding Your Voice

If you didn't know Amanda Gorman before this year, you'll definitely know her now, thanks to her reading at US President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony. The United States' first-ever youth poet laureate's powerful, rhythmic poem 'The Hill We Climb' made the world stop and listen, highlighting the many inequalities in our society and reminding us that we need to work together to overcome them.

While 2021 was the year that catapulted Gorman into the spotlight, it wasn't the first time she'd spoken out about the world around her. In her 2018 TED Talk, she discusses the power of speech, learning to find her voice and how 'poetry is actually at the centre of our most political questions about what it means to be a democracy'.

'I had a moment of realisation, where I thought, "If I choose not to speak out of fear, then there's no one that my silence is standing for."'

'When someone asks me to write a poem that's not political, what they're really asking me is to not ask charged and challenging questions in my poetic work. And that does not work, because poetry is always at the pulse of the most dangerous and most daring questions that a nation or a world might face.'

'If I choose, not out of fear, but out of courage, to speak, then there's something unique that my words can become... It might feel like every story has been told before, but the truth is, no one's ever told my story in the way I would tell it.'

Frances McDormand Demands Inclusion In Hollywood

It's one thing to make a great acceptance speech at the Oscars. But to share that honour with your fellow nominees and use it as a platform to highlight where your industry needs to do better? That's a whole other story, and one told by McDormand in a speech that got everybody on their feet as she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress at the 2018 Academy Awards.

'I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honoured to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight, the actors... the filmmakers, the producers, the directors, the writers, the cinematographers, the composers, the songwriters, the designers... We all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don't talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we'll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: "inclusion rider".'

Meghan Markle On Realising The Magnitude Of Individual Action

Long before she made headlines as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle had already made the world take notice. At the UN Women Conference back in 2015, she spoke about 'accidentally' becoming a female advocate when at just 11 years old, when she convinced a dish soap company to change their sexist tagline from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America…' instead. Here, she discusses the power of individual action, and why we need to remind women that 'their involvement matters'.

'It is just imperative: women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, well then, you know what, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women's political participation.

'It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision. May we empower each other to carry out such vision – because it isn't enough to simply talk about equality. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to simply believe in it. One must work at it. Let us work at it. Together. Starting now.

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  • UN Women HQ

Speech: This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality

Date: Sunday, 17 September 2023

[As delivered.]

Welcome on behalf of UN Women, the global convenor of  Generation Equality . Welcome to our  Generation Equality Midpoint Moment .

We meet on the eve of the  SDG Summit , seized by the challenges and the urgent imperatives to accelerate progress.  Our latest research  tells us that at the current rate of progress, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030, and close to one in four will experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

We need renewed energy, we need renewed commitment, and we need our will to change this trajectory. Generation Equality provides us with this opportunity.

All of us here today are Generation Equality.

We are Generation Equality because we are all feminists.

We are Generation Equality because we know that gender equality and SDG 5 are the greatest of enablers and that the dividends of equality are limitless.

We are Generation Equality because we believe in and model the power of multistakeholder partnerships.

We are Generation Equality because we know that our coalition must stretch from the global to the local and we aspire to connect the energy here in this room with the energy at grass roots level around the world.

We are Generation Equality, and we are at the heart of change.

Fellow feminists,

At this Midpoint Moment we take stock, hold ourselves accountable, grow our movement, and energize ourselves and others, building on the achievements in Mexico City and Paris two years ago. We do so with pride. And our pride is based on evidence.

In just two years, youth, civil society, governments, private sector, and philanthropists have delivered unprecedented action. Collectively, Commitment Makers have already spent almost USD 10 billion on gender equality. Across the world they have already initiated or are implementing 849 policies, 2,306 programmes and 3,649 advocacy initiatives.

This is quite impressive.

In 2022, Compact signatories spent almost USD 1 billion on women, peace and security and humanitarian action, reaching 22.1 million women and girls. We should congratulate ourselves as we challenge ourselves to do more. Commitment Makers have reported a new total of USD 47 billion in financial commitments, with USD 20 billion already secured. And there is much more to come. And we thank you all for that.

Excellencies, partners, colleagues, friends, and fellow feminists,

This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality. This is when we say enough to pushback, enough to regression, enough to ongoing failures to invest and act.

We are disruptors. Our commitment is unwavering, the cause we work for, collectively, is undeniable.

I look forward to our time together here today.

And I thank you.

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Gender Inequality Essay

500+ words essay on gender inequality.

For many years, the dominant gender has been men while women were the minority. It was mostly because men earned the money and women looked after the house and children. Similarly, they didn’t have any rights as well. However, as time passed by, things started changing slowly. Nonetheless, they are far from perfect. Gender inequality remains a serious issue in today’s time. Thus, this gender inequality essay will highlight its impact and how we can fight against it.

gender inequality essay

  About Gender Inequality Essay

Gender inequality refers to the unequal and biased treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender. This inequality happens because of socially constructed gender roles. It happens when an individual of a specific gender is given different or disadvantageous treatment in comparison to a person of the other gender in the same circumstance.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Impact of Gender Inequality

The biggest problem we’re facing is that a lot of people still see gender inequality as a women’s issue. However, by gender, we refer to all genders including male, female, transgender and others.

When we empower all genders especially the marginalized ones, they can lead their lives freely. Moreover, gender inequality results in not letting people speak their minds. Ultimately, it hampers their future and compromises it.

History is proof that fighting gender inequality has resulted in stable and safe societies. Due to gender inequality, we have a gender pay gap. Similarly, it also exposes certain genders to violence and discrimination.

In addition, they also get objectified and receive socioeconomic inequality. All of this ultimately results in severe anxiety, depression and even low self-esteem. Therefore, we must all recognize that gender inequality harms genders of all kinds. We must work collectively to stop these long-lasting consequences and this gender inequality essay will tell you how.

How to Fight Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is an old-age issue that won’t resolve within a few days. Similarly, achieving the goal of equality is also not going to be an easy one. We must start by breaking it down and allow it time to go away.

Firstly, we must focus on eradicating this problem through education. In other words, we must teach our young ones to counter gender stereotypes from their childhood.

Similarly, it is essential to ensure that they hold on to the very same beliefs till they turn old. We must show them how sports are not gender-biased.

Further, we must promote equality in the fields of labour. For instance, some people believe that women cannot do certain jobs like men. However, that is not the case. We can also get celebrities on board to promote and implant the idea of equality in people’s brains.

All in all, humanity needs men and women to continue. Thus, inequality will get us nowhere. To conclude the gender inequality essay, we need to get rid of the old-age traditions and mentality. We must teach everyone, especially the boys all about equality and respect. It requires quite a lot of work but it is possible. We can work together and achieve equal respect and opportunities for all genders alike.

FAQ of Gender Inequality Essay

Question 1: What is gender inequality?

Answer 1: Gender inequality refers to the unequal and biased treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender. This inequality happens because of socially constructed gender roles. It happens when an individual of a specific gender is given different or disadvantageous treatment in comparison to a person of the other gender in the same circumstance.

Question 2: How does gender inequality impact us?

Answer 2:  The gender inequality essay tells us that gender inequality impacts us badly. It takes away opportunities from deserving people. Moreover, it results in discriminatory behaviour towards people of a certain gender. Finally, it also puts people of a certain gender in dangerous situations.

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English Summary

2 Minute Speech On Gender Inequality In English

Good morning everyone present here, today I am going to give a speech on gender inequality. The notion that women and men are not equal is known as gender inequality. It constitutes discrimination. It may also be viewed as sexism in some circumstances. Regardless of gender, we must all work together to build a society where everyone is treated with respect and decency.

The phrase “gender equality” has been in use since the 1800s. It is the concept of existing in a society where men and women are afforded the same opportunities, duties, and power. Gender equality has still not been realized in the modern world. Still today, discrimination against women is based on their gender. Discrimination can take many different forms, including unequal pay, violence or sexual harassment against women, a lack of representation in business and politics, etc.

The first and most blatant reason for gender disparity is the fact that women do not have the same opportunities as men in terms of jobs and education. This is partly due to the fact that women are less likely than males to pursue higher education, and that when they do, they frequently struggle harder to obtain jobs after graduation.

The way that women are depicted in the media significantly contributes to gender inequity. As a result of being portrayed as being less clever than males, women may feel less secure in their talents and may decide against pursuing further education or a professional path that would allow them to earn more money. Thank you. 

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IMAGES

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VIDEO

  1. My persuasive speech about Gender Inequality

  2. PERSUASIVE SPEECH

  3. Advocacy speech: gender inequality and family COM203

  4. Emma Watson on gender inequality motivationspeech

  5. GENDER EQUALITY

  6. Persuasive Speech: gender equality

COMMENTS

  1. Speech: "The world has to fight gender inequality together"—Executive

    The issue of inequality is universal, between and within countries. The current extent of inequality means that people move around the world looking for means of survival and all of us will have to deal with the issue of inequality. Gender inequality is a universal issue. Women everywhere in the world want equal pay.

  2. Gender Equality Speech

    Speech on Gender Equality - Every individual human in this world is equal no matter what color they are, where they come from, or what gender they are. In almost every nation around the world, people suffer because of gender inequality. All sorts of people irrespective of age, background, and financial status, suffer from gender inequality.

  3. 108 feminist persuasive speech topics for college students

    25 feminist speech topics about beauty & fashion. that from puberty onward a woman is targeted by cosmetic companies. that the shape of woman's body is valued over its health. that physical beauty in a woman is conferred by popular beliefs. that striving for what is regarded as the epitome of female physical perfection destroys women.

  4. 11 superb speeches to inspire us to keep fighting for gender equality

    Here are 11 powerful speeches from strong women leaders like Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, and more to inspire you to keep fighting for gender equality.

  5. PDF Full Transcript of Emma Watson's Speech on Gender Equality at the UN

    of her thirteen-minute speech. Today we are launching a campaign called for HeForShe. I am reaching out to you because we need your help. We want to end gender inequality, and to do this, we need everyone involved. This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN. We want to try to mobilize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for ...

  6. 11 superb speeches to inspire us to keep fighting for gender equality

    Emma Watson's gender equality speech at the United Nations. In September 2014, Emma Watson — British actor, ... After touching on additional issues of inequality, such as discrimination and violence against women, Obama went on to remind people there are still so many rights and freedoms to fight for.

  7. Emma Watson's UN Speech on Gender Equality

    Updated on February 10, 2020. On Sep. 20, 2014, British actor and Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. Women Emma Watson gave a smart, important, and moving speech about gender inequality and how to fight it. In doing so, she launched the HeForShe initiative, which aims to get men and boys to join the feminist fight for gender equality.

  8. These are the best speeches on gender inequality

    Ahead of International Women's Day, here's a look at some of the most inspirational and iconic speeches on women's rights from the Reuters archive. Subscribe...

  9. Gender Equality Persuasive Essay

    Gender Equality Persuasive Essay. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Gender inequality has been a major canker that the world is dealing with. It has especially been a major subject for most women all over the world fighting for balance ...

  10. Speech: This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on

    Speech: This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality. Opening remarks by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the Generation Equality Midpoint Moment, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 17 September 2023. Date: Monday, 18 September 2023

  11. 10 Famous Speeches You Need To Hear From Women On Feminism

    Quotes of note: 'Be embarrassed if everyone in your workplace looks like you. Pay attention to physical ability, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and make sure you've got all kinds ...

  12. Speech: This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on

    This is the moment, the opportunity, to finally call time on gender inequality. This is when we say enough to pushback, enough to regression, enough to ongoing failures to invest and act. We are disruptors. Our commitment is unwavering, the cause we work for, collectively, is undeniable. I look forward to our time together here today. And I ...

  13. Gender Inequality Essay for Students

    Answer 2: The gender inequality essay tells us that gender inequality impacts us badly. It takes away opportunities from deserving people. Moreover, it results in discriminatory behaviour towards people of a certain gender. Finally, it also puts people of a certain gender in dangerous situations. Share with friends.

  14. Emma Watson Gender Equality Speech: Rhetorical Analysis

    Emma Watson's speech was overall very moving and powerful, she went into the UN with dedication to find advocates or people to support her in her mission against gender inequality. In her speech she was very strong about her topic and used a lot of persuasive techniques which made her speech very touching. Her speech effected millions with ...

  15. Persuasive Speech

    Persuasive Speech - Gender Equality. Transcript of A+ speech given on gender equality and human rights. Subject. English- Unit 3. 276 Documents. Students shared 276 documents in this course. ... (CEDAW) in 1979 This was obviously going to work in abolishing gender inequality, right? Maybe it would have, if it didn't mirror what was stated in ...

  16. 2 Minute Speech On Gender Inequality In English

    The notion that women and men are not equal is known as gender inequality. It constitutes discrimination. It may also be viewed as sexism in some circumstances. Regardless of gender, we must all work together to build a society where everyone is treated with respect and decency. The phrase "gender equality" has been in use since the 1800s ...

  17. Emma Watson's speech on gender equality

    U.N. Women's Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson discusses gender inequality. Hear the full speech: http://cnn.it/1ponPe7

  18. Persuasive Speech- Gender Inequality .docx

    KHAIRIAH ALISHA BT. KHAIRUL AZMAN (2015425142) - LWP02H ELC092 PERSUASIVE SPEECH : GENDER INEQUALITY Arab Emirates by 12 percent, and Egypt by 34 percent. Statistic of disease transmission or existence of new disease will decrease due to the reduction of poverty globally. As a conclusion for today, I really hope that with the points given, all of us understand the reasons behind we should ...