Good morning, everyone!

Today, I would like to discuss the topic of gender equality, focusing on its historical context and the
progress we have made so far. Gender discrimination has been an issue throughout history, and it has
taken various forms in different societies.

**Part 1:

In ancient times, there were societies that practiced matrilineality, where descent and authority were
traced through the female line. For example, among the Chăm people in Vietnam and the highlanders of
Tây Bắc and Tây Nguyên, women held more prestige and were in command of everything, including
being chosen as leaders and patriarchs. This was due to their roles in giving birth and taking on
responsibilities such as farming and rearing animals in the family.

However, as history progressed into the feudal period, where societies shifted towards gradually and
matriarchal was replaced by patriarchal society. This society had made a severe inequality where men
had unlimited rights, including the right to distribute work, make decisions, and even physically abuse
their spouses and children.

In the that eras, societal expectations placed women in the role of homemakers responsible for
household chores and family care, while men were considered to br the breadwinner. Consequently,
women faced limited job opportunities during those times

In the past, society focused more on male education, because the believed it would lead to future jobs
and financial support for families. Therefore, women had fewer chances to receive an education. While
some wealthy women still had the opportunity to go to school, it wasn't widespread. This lack of
educational opportunities for women had strengthened gender inequality in that time.

During this era, women were heavily dependent on men due to societal expectations that they should
be patient, endure, and serve their husbands. This affecting the awareness of that society making a
more significant gender inequality.

**Part 2:

Fortunately, throughout history, women's equal rights has been fought by women's hard effort, both
individually and collectively, as part of the women's liberation movement. France, for example, played a
significant role in the women's liberation movement. In 1791, Olympe de Gouges, a pioneer of the
feminist movement, produced the Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizens, advocating for the
recognition of women's rights equal to those of men.

The struggle for gender equality continued worldwide. In the United States, female textile workers stood
up against harsh working conditions in 1857, marking the first protests of the female workforce. In 1899,
thousands of textile and garment workers marched in Chicago and New York, demanding higher salaries
and shorter working hours. In 1909, women for the first time across the United States held "Women's
Day" gatherings and protests to advocate for equal rights.
These early struggles of women workers in America influenced the global working women's movement.
In 1910, the Second Congress of World Women, organized by Clara Zetkin, resolved to observe March 8
as International Women's Day, in honor of the women who fought for women's liberation worldwide.

By this large movements, women's rights have experience significant transformations, gradually leading
to greater gender equality. The recognition of women's voting rights marked a crucial milestone, with
Finland being the first nation to acknowledge them in 1906, followed by Australia in 1902 and New
Zealand in 1893. International law now safeguards women's rights.

The next notcable change come from US when it granted men and women equal rights in 1945. This
commitment to equality was further reinforced by the United Nations General Assembly's passing of
two significant agreements on December 16, 1966: the Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. These agreements were designed to promote the
principle of equality between men and women. Another significant contribution to gender equality was
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), published by
the UN Secretary-General in 1979. CEDAW has been accepted by more than 185 nations and has played
a vital role in advancing gender equality by challenging discriminatory practices. Although prejudices
persist, the ongoing struggle for gender equality has gradually transformed societal attitudes and
awareness over the course of many decades, leading to the formation of a more fair and just society we
see today.

**Part 3

Over time, progress has been made in the fight for gender equality. Women's access to education has
significantly improved, with more girls enrolling in schools and completing their education compared to
previous decades. Efforts have also been made to reduce gender disparities in primary, secondary, and
higher education.

+ For example, in 2022, the percentage of women hold a bachelor’s degree a 7% higher than men which
is a dramtical improvement comapring to those in 1982.

Women's participation in the workforce and political representation has increased, with more women
taking on leadership, political, and decision-making roles in various sectors. Additionally, there has been
a gradual reduction in the gender wage gap in some countries.

There is now greater awareness of gender equality issues and increased advocacy for women's rights.
Movements like #MeToo and #HeForShe have brought global attention to gender-based violence and
discrimination, inspiring conversations and actions for change.

Legal reforms have also been implemented to protect women's rights and address gender-based
discrimination. Laws related to domestic violence, sexual harassment, and gender equality have been
strengthened in many countries.

+ in 2023 there are up to 14 countries have a full equality law for women

However, challenges remain.

First of all,The gender pay gap continues to be a significant issue globally, with women earning less than
men on average for the same work or work of equal value.
+ According to a survey in US: In 2022, women earned 17% less than men on average.

Secondly Women are often concentrated in certain industries and occupations that are traditionally
considered "feminine," such as caregiving, education, and healthcare. This occupational segregation
limits their access to higher-paying and leadership positions, making gender inequalities in the income
and career progression.

Moreover, Gender-based violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and assault, remains
pervasive worldwide. These forms of violence disproportionately affect women and girls, limiting their
safety, well-being, and opportunities for economic and social empowerment.

+ In a survey which are taken in Europe: In some European countries there are nearly 40% women who
have experienced physical or sexual violence

Another challenge is the unequal distribution of unpaid care work, such as household chores, childcare,
and eldercare. Women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of these responsibilities, which limits
their participation in the labor market, career advancement, and overall economic empowerment.

**part 4

Thankfully, there are social organizations working towards gender equality. UN Women, dedicated to
gender equality and the empowerment of women, promotes women's rights, economic empowerment,
and equal participation in political, social, and economic spheres. The HeforShe campaign aims to
engage men and boys in addressing social and cultural barriers that hinder women and girls from
reaching their full potential. This campaign have attracted more than 1.2 billion conversations on social
media also the leaders from government, corpertrate and acamedia to make a real changes in their
respective sectors

Also The International Labour Organization (ILO) focuses on labor-related issues and promotes gender
equality in the world of work. They address issues such as equal pay, non-discrimination in employment,
and women's empowerment in the labor market.

In the previous years, they have sucessful helping women in all over the world For example, in
Bangladesh the ILO has taken action to improve women's rights in the ready-made garment sector by
carrying out initiatives that focus on occupational safety, workers' rights, and addressing gender-based
violence and harassment.