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Gender Bender
Why is promoting Gender Equality important for young children?
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Promoting Gender Equality will empower all children to realise that they should have equal opportunities, and will also encourage our younger generations to be more tolerant of differences reducing the occurrence of violence, abuse and harassment.
Domestic violence occurs where one (or more) members of a family unit believe that they are superior, stronger, more powerful than the others, and this is encouraged via gender stereotyping. As a society, we have become so used to gender stereotyping (eg. men are leaders, women are supporters), that often we don't realise we are doing it, or the effect that it has — gender stereotyping hinders gender equality.
Children are not born knowing what it means to be a ‘boy’ or a ‘girl’. Gender stereotyping is placed upon them by the adults and older children around them and societal expectations. When we realise this, we also realise that we can actively encourage gender equality, and the earlier we start, the more effect we have.
On this page we have collated all of our resources specifically for promoting Gender Equality in children.
Gender equality is crucial to a fair and just world. Through the use of our children’s books and resources, kids will soon learn that in all the big ways we are more the same than we are different. As children grow into adults it is important they follow their passions and never let gender stereotyping restrict their choices.
We can empower young girls to be strong, assertive, self-confident and self-reliant, and teach boys to respect that empowerment, and to embrace and value it. Boys can learn that their lives can be so much richer if they partner with girls on an even footing with each sex contributing their talents unreservedly. Girls can have technical and physical strengths, and boys can have nurturing attitudes and artistic talents. No one should have to hide who they are. Promoting Gender Equality will have a direct influence on improving Mental Health, Social and Emotional Intelligence and aid in the prevention of the many different forms of abuse.
Gender Equity Vs Gender Equality
What's the distinction?
At Gender Bender™, the word ‘equity’ is dual-purpose. Related to gender and the workplace, equity sets the stage for equality, as it refers to the “fairness of treatment for both women and men, according to the their respective needs.” If equality is the end goal, equity is the means to get there.
“Gender equality, equality between men and women…does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they were born male or female. Gender equity means fairness of treatment for men and women according to their respective needs. This may include equal treatment or treatment that is different but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations, and opportunities.”
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESDOC)
The dual meaning of the word equity presents both a challenge and an opportunity for business. A challenge because the distinction between gender equity and gender equality is unclear to most people, and bringing clarity and purpose to this conversation is an important step along the path to eliminating the gender equity gap. An opportunity because we now have the insights to open the eyes of individuals and business leaders as to this distinction, thereby making it possible to move forward along the journey to gender equality in the workplace.
What is Gender Inequality?
Gender inequality is discrimination on the basis of sex or gender causing one sex or gender to be routinely privileged or prioritized over another. Gender equality is a fundamental human right and that right is violated by gender-based discrimination. Furthermore, gender stereotypes are also a form of gender discrimination and inequality. Gender stereotyping refers to the practice of ascribing to an individual woman or man specific attributes, characteristics, or roles by reason only of her or his membership in the social group of women or men.