Why Issues Concerning Women Are Not "Women’s Issues" Alone

During a recent conversation between Shaili Chopra, founder of SheThePeople, and Susan Jane Ferguson, Country Representative at UN Women India, the spotlight was firmly placed on women of the global south. The dialogue, part of the G20 Empower series, delved into a crucial question: Why are women's issues not just women's issues? As we delve into the discussion, it becomes evident that women's issues are not confined to the realms of gender; they are universal issues that demand attention and action from everyone. Let's explore the insights shared by Susan Ferguson, weaving in key global statistics and the broader context of gender equality.

From the shadows of violence against women to the hopeful glow of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this conversation seeks to inspire change, acknowledging both triumphs and tribulations.

The Global Gender Gap: A Long Road Ahead

Ferguson, in response to Chopra's question about why women's issues are not just women's issues, passionately expressed, "Because we share a world, men and women share the same globe," resonating deeply, highlighting the interconnectedness that binds us all.

Ferguson's words echo against the backdrop of the Global Gender Gap Index for 2023, where no country has achieved full gender parity. The global gender gap score for 2023 reveals a modest improvement from the previous year—a mere 0.3 percentage points. Despite progress, the pace remains sluggish, with a projected 131 years needed to attain full parity. The top-ranking nations, including Iceland, Norway, and Finland, have closed at least 80% of their gender gap, signalling the need for global collaboration.

The global gender gap score, as Ferguson points out, is not just a number; it signifies the shared responsibility we bear for each other's well-being. "Women are 50% of the population of the world,"  Ferguson emphasizes, reinforcing the idea that inhibiting the potential of half the population hinders collective progress.

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The incremental improvements in gender gap scores highlight progress, but the path to full parity is still winding.  However, the majority of nations face persistent challenges, with some regressing in specific dimensions. The report indicates a mixed bag, showcasing both successes and ongoing struggles. The health, survival, and educational attainment dimensions exhibit commendable strides, but economic participation, political empowerment, and the looming time to parity call for concerted efforts.

The pursuit of gender equality is not merely a women's issue but a universal imperative for progress. "If we cannot reach our full potential, it holds everyone back,"  Ferguson profoundly states, urging society to recognize the interconnectedness that defines our shared journey.

The Shadow of Violence

The staggering statistics—736 million women subjected to intimate partner violence and familial homicides—cast a chilling shadow, with over 45,000 women and girls killed by intimate partners or family members in 2021. While the majority of female homicides result from intimate partner violence, a mere 11% of male homicides occur within the private sphere.

 Ferguson's words echo poignantly when examining the pervasive issue of violence against women globally. "The issue of safety, for example, you know, in the past, it was mainly women advocating for change and, you know, let's stop domestic violence, but actually it's often men who are the perpetrators," she articulates. 

Despite the global effort to address these issues, a gap persists in seeking help. Laws, albeit present, often fail to align with international standards, leaving women vulnerable. Less than 40% of women experiencing violence seek any form of assistance. Even when seeking help, women predominantly turn to family and friends, with formal institutions such as the police and health services being sought by very few. Disturbingly, fewer than 10% of those seeking help reported incidents to the police, revealing a systemic failure in providing a secure environment for victims.

Ferguson's voice reverberates as a call to action as we confront the harsh reality that intimate partner violence affects almost one in three women: "Men need to change in order for women to be safe. So, we're intimately connected in every aspect of our lives. These are shared issues that can only be solved through women and men making these changes in our own lives and in our own areas of influence."

Beyond Women's Issues: Understanding Gender for Collective Progress

The State of World Population Report 2000 underscores the disparity, emphasizing that "gender issues" go beyond the realm of mere "women's issues." However, in 2023, the ominous truth lingers: at the current pace, full parity remains a distant dream, requiring a staggering 131 years to realize.

UN Women, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, asserts that gender discrimination impedes not just women but the entire world. The 2030 Agenda, adopted by world leaders in 2015, envisions a sustainable future leaving no one behind, with each of the 17 goals intrinsically linked to achieving gender equality and women's empowerment.

The journey to gender equality is intertwined with our collective commitment to dismantling barriers, challenging norms, and fostering an inclusive world where women's issues become everyone's concern. In the words of Susan Jane Ferguson, "We share a world," and in this shared world, the pursuit of gender equality is a shared responsibility.

When Women Lead

If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that women leaders have the power to systematically change the world, one perspective at a time. This Women’s Day, Ferguson talks about furthering this narrative with real-life stories of women leaders who have made exceptional changes across the nation. “In celebration of India's G20 Presidency for 2023 and its focus on women-led development (WLD), UN Women India has now announced the launch of a groundbreaking project, ‘हम | When Women Lead.’ This initiative aims to highlight the extraordinary stories of 75 women leaders from diverse backgrounds and fields who have driven sustainable and transformative change across India.”

This UN Women’s project is supported by the Ford Foundation and showcases women from various geographies and socio-economic groups, representing a wide range of thematic areas - from agriculture to technology, arts to environmental stewardship.  An all-women documentation and design team, including nine photographers and four writers, has meticulously crafted these stories into a compelling Coffee Table Book, which is a testament to the phenomenal transformation these leaders have brought to effect.