5 GENDER EQUALITY
What does gender mean in human society? How will our lives be affected by trying to achieve gender equality? What kind of problems are occurring in a society with a lot of gender discrimination? Is gender discrimination always bad and gender equality always right? Or maybe gender discrimination isn't so bad? First of all, what is gender?
Gender refers to sex, and mainly refers to distinguishing humans by the fact that they are male or female. Also, depending on the language system, the name of an object may be given a gender, such as the sun being masculine and the earth being feminine.
Men and women have different biological functions. Whether a person is born male or female is said to be determined by whether the sex chromosome of the fertilized egg is XY or XX. When secondary sex characteristics occur, men produce sperm and females produce eggs and menstruation begins in preparation for creating a new life. And the feeling of seeking each other is born in men and women. It is a delicate story how the feeling that men and women seek each other is born. According to one theory, males instinctively want to mate with more females in order to have more offspring, while females choose strong and reliable males in order to give birth to strong offspring. However, looking at men and women in the world, there are many movements that do not necessarily say so, so this theory cannot be said to be unconditionally correct. A man and a woman have intercourse and fertilization (the egg receives the sperm) results in pregnancy. It is the woman who gets pregnant. Men don't get pregnant. After conception, a woman usually nurtures a growing baby in her womb for about 10 months or so. And when the time comes, she will give birth. Only women experience the pain of childbirth. It is said that the mother's love for her child is many times greater than the father's, because she gave birth to a child after going through such a difficult time. Mothers breastfeed after giving birth. It seems that some mothers may not be able to produce breast milk easily while other mothers can produce milk immediately after giving birth. It seems that even men can produce milk if their female hormones are high, but usually mothers are the ones who can breastfeed their babies. There are many differences between men and women due to their biological functions.
In the case of humans, in addition to biological functions, it is sometimes thought that there are acquired differences between men and women due to factors such as family environment, education, religion, social conventions, and personal beliefs. The family environment, especially the relationship between the father and mother, has a tremendous impact on how children think about men and women. The way we think about gender in education, religion, and social norms has a profound effect on many people. Also, humans tend to judge men and women as such based on various assumptions.
It is this kind of acquired judgment and assumption that becomes a problem in gender discrimination.
For example, let's say someone said something like this:
"Women are talkative and noisy and don't give constructive opinions."
People who say such things can usually be considered misogynistic and discriminatory. When someone makes a statement like this, some people attack him by saying, "You say something terrible."
But the question is, why did he come to have such thoughts? It may be influenced by the person's home environment. Based on that person's experience, it may be that many of the women around them are talkative and don't give constructive opinions. In the society in which the person was born and raised, there may be gender discrimination in education, and women may be thoroughly taught not to be intrusive and not to express their own opinions. Or perhaps the idea that women are inferior for religious reasons is ingrained in the person's environment.
If you want gender equality, don't just attack people who don't agree with gender equality. It only deepens social divisions and conflicts. What is important is to find the cause of people's discriminatory thoughts, and to eliminate unfair and unfounded things in it.
So, is it possible to fully achieve gender equality? Do we really need gender equality?
The status of women changes with the times. Also, times change when the status of women changes. In times of war, men must go out to fight at any time to protect their country or region. Men who fight for their lives are respected. In addition, women prepare to run away with their children or hide in the basement before the enemy attacks. In an unsafe society, it is dangerous for women to go out alone. Women should never go out alone, even if they feel uncomfortable. Women are expected to stay home and stay with their children. In a society with many wars and poor security, the opinion that "women should stay at home in case something happens" sounds like accurate advice for women to stay safe.
When there is no war and there is peace and security improves, the atmosphere of society will change. A man who has no reason to fight becomes less respectable. It will also make it easier for women to stop confining themselves at home and actively go out. In a peaceful and safe society, the opinion that "women should stay at home in case something happens" sounds discriminatory.
The opinion that "women should stay at home in case something happens" may be discrimination, or it may be accurate advice that considers women's safety. It depends on the social situation at that time.
There is sometimes sex discrimination in human rights. It would be a big problem if property rights, voting rights, labor rights, freedom of thought and freedom of expression were unfairly restricted by gender. In society, gender discrimination is sometimes practiced unconsciously through verbal pressure or silent pressure to conform.
In ancient Japan, women's property rights were recognized, and women's rights were relatively recognized, and their status seems to have been high. However, it is said that women's status was low and their rights were severely restricted during the period of war, the samurai era, and the era of militarism. Currently, there is no gender discrimination in terms of human rights and basic rights in the constitution, but the status of women is still low, and Japan seems to be regarded as a country with large gender discrimination.
The status of women and world peace are closely related. Men's status is elevated during war. Also, even in a society with poor public order, the position of men is high and it is difficult for women to advance into society. Raising the status of women is related to the world becoming more peaceful and safer. Empowering women does not mean that women are above men. Being equal means getting rid of hierarchy and becoming a loving relationship. We should aim to improve the status of women so that the world becomes peaceful and people have relationships of love rather than hierarchies.
Achieving gender equality is also an important issue for companies. Once a company is labeled with a disdain for women, it can be fatal for the company. It is not simply a matter of making directors women or raising the ratio of women in management positions. Achieving gender equality requires a review of the root causes of misogyny and prejudice and efforts to eliminate them.
The United Nations has set nine specific targets for "Let's achieve gender equality." In order to actually achieve the goal of "Let's achieve gender equality", let's take a look at these targets and think about them.
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
This target aims to advance the rights of women and girls. Discrimination against women and girls must be eliminated everywhere and in all its forms. However, even if there is discrimination against men and boys, this target does not say to eliminate it. This target was basically set to try to ensure that women have the same rights as men, are aware of their rights, and are in a position to enforce those rights.
A high percentage of female members of parliament and local councils is important in order for women's opinions to be reflected and their rights to be adequately protected. A high percentage of women members in the legislative branch makes it easier for women to pass laws and lessens the risk that women's rights will be unfairly violated.
A country with a low percentage of female members of parliament and local councils is considered a country where women's rights are difficult to protect, that is, a country where discrimination against women and girls is high. I'm not sure how many women should be in parliament. It might be worth looking more closely at the relationship between the proportion of women in parliament and the reality of discrimination against women and girls in society.
Companies must eliminate discrimination against women and girls, and discriminatory corporate cultures. Once society labels your company as a company that discriminates against women, your brand image may suffer irreparable damage. If there are no women on the board of directors, or if there are very few women in managerial positions, a corporate culture that discriminates against women may develop without realizing it. There may also be a gap in perceptions of gender discrimination between young people and older people. Invite a specialist external lecturer to hold a study session and codify the company's rules and manners. Also, contracting with a female consultant and receiving consulting from a female perspective may be effective in improving the corporate culture.
5.1 Draft Course of Action
・"In order not to discriminate against women and girls, or in order not to create a discriminatory corporate culture, we will periodically hold study meetings and review company rules and manners. We will create a system that makes it easy for women's perspectives to be reflected in management and business."
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
Trafficking, sexual and other exploitation, and all forms of violence against women and girls are unacceptable. In recent years, the term “harassment” includes not only physical violence, but also mental attacks, harassment, excessive or insufficient demands, and invasion of privacy. In particular, harassment by those in power is called "power harassment" and is regarded as a despicable act that should not be done.
As a company, we must not only strictly comply with laws and regulations, but also strive to eliminate power harassment and improve morals so that we never engage in human trafficking, sexual exploitation, or violent behavior. Before the corporate culture deteriorates, it is important to invite a specialist external lecturer to hold a study session, codify the rules and manners within the company, and ensure that they are thoroughly known.
In addition, it is important that employees of companies do not get involved in places where human trafficking and sexual exploitation are taking place. Rumors that Japanese people frequent a brothel suspected of trafficking abroad can tarnish the reputation of not only the company, but the Japanese population as a whole. Conversely, it would be desirable to contribute to the realization of gender equality in the country by supporting activities to eliminate violence against women and girls locally.
5.2 Draft Course of Action
・We will strictly comply with laws and regulations to never engage in human trafficking, sexual exploitation, or acts of violence.We will also strive to eliminate power harassment and improve morals. We will contribute to the realization of gender equality.”
5.3 Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
Currently in Japan, the number of young people who do not get married is increasing, and the tendency to marry later is becoming a social problem. Under such circumstances, when people talk about "marriage underage, early marriage, forced marriage and female genital mutilation", they think that it is a problem in some distant country that they do not know. However, this is not necessarily a story that has nothing to do with Japan.
The Constitution of Japan stipulates that "marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes." In other words, the marriage is not unilaterally forced by someone, but is established only by the agreement that comes from the will of the two people who want to get married.
However, when you actually try to get married, people around the two will start to interfere in various ways. And the meddle often has a lot of negative things about marriage.
For example, family members and other people make various complaints about the income, occupation, educational background, language, family environment, and pedigree of the person to be married. In this way, the person who is about to marry is bullied and tries to make them not marry.
Why are people around me interfering in a marriage that should be established only by the agreement of only two people? This is because the marriage of two people affects the feelings of those around them.
If possible, parents would like their daughter to marry a rich, well-educated, high-income, high-status son of a respectable family who will raise their status through connections. That's what they thought, and they've invested in their daughter's training as a bride, but if that daughter says she's going to marry a man who seems to be a low income and low social status, parents will be disappointed.
Interference from the surroundings is harassment for two people who are going to get married. Due to rampant harassment of couples who are about to get married, the number of young people who do not get married is increasing in Japan, and the tendency to marry later is progressing.
This target was created to protect the free will and rights of women to prevent them from being forced into marriage without knowing it. Harmful practices must be eliminated. However, for the sound development of society, it is necessary not only to protect the right not to be forced to marry, but also to protect the right not to be interfered with by those around them or by others when they agree to marry.
It goes without saying that companies should not create rules or secret rules such as ``prohibition of in-house marriage'' or ``if you get married in the office, you will be demoted.'' You must refrain from any act of forcing marriage. It is important to continue to maintain the attitude of protecting free will and rights regarding marriage, including the corporate culture. Even if you don't do anything like that, rumors will circulate within the company that "that person was demoted because of an office romance" or "that person can't be promoted because she refused her boss's matchmaking." Rumors spread unnoticed, and the atmosphere in the company deteriorates. Such rumors circulate because employees are frustrated that personnel changes are unfair and that they are not being treated fairly. When employees are dissatisfied, it's easier for rumors to circulate within the company. If strange rumors are easily circulated in the company, the atmosphere in the company will deteriorate, and the employees will further amplify their dissatisfaction. Even if you search for the culprit, saying, "Who is spreading such rumors?", rumors will flow one after another. It's better to investigate employees' grievances than to hunt down the culprit when a strange rumor circulates within the company. Resolving employee dissatisfaction and doubts about personnel affairs is important in order to stop the spread of strange rumors.
5.3 Draft Course of Action
・As a company, we respect the individual's will and the agreement of two people who are planning to get married. We will eliminate acts of coercion and thoroughly implement fair personnel affairs.”
5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
It has long been pointed out that much of "unpaid childcare, nursing care, and housework" is forced on women as what they should do, and that it is not valued as "work." Because women are biologically capable of pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, they often stay at home more than men and bear a greater share of the burden of childcare, nursing care, and housework. Even today, there are more than a few households where the husband works outside the house, while the wife works exclusively at home. But women shouldn't be treated like "domestic slaves" locked in their homes. If gender inequality prevails in the home, it will also have a negative impact on society.
In order to achieve gender equality, it is necessary to change the social situation that "only women must always do housework". It is necessary to reduce the excessive burden on women by providing public services, infrastructure and social security policies, or to review the division of roles with the aim of achieving gender equality within the household.
As a company, it's not appropriate from a privacy standpoint to meddle in the home environment of your employees. However, trying to achieve gender equality only within companies will not work when significant inequalities are prevalent in the homes of employees. In the past, male employees were made to work overtime, saying, "If you go home early, you'll just lie down and watch TV anyway." Most of the companies told their female employees that they would be busy when they got home and left them early instead of working overtime. On the other hand, when I let the men go home early or the women worked overtime, I was criticized as a manager or business owner for not giving consideration to the family.
What should we do in modern times? Is it enough to simply equalize overtime rates for men and women for gender equality? By doing so, some people may be happy, saying, "I'm happy to be able to work" or "Women are now recognized." However, on the contrary, there may be some female employees who lament that "the overtime work was so hard that my family was in shambles."
In aiming for gender equality within a company, it is necessary to consider the home environment of employees to some extent. Women bear a heavy burden of childcare, nursing care, and housework, and if we try to achieve gender equality within companies alone, we end up making women suffer.
As a company, we will conduct a questionnaire survey on the home environment of employees and allocate human resources in consideration of individual circumstances. It is better to aim for gender equality while taking care not to place an excessive burden on employees by introducing it, or holding study sessions on gender equality at home by having all employees' families gather.
5.4 Draft Course of Action
・Introduced a system that conducts questionnaires about the home environment of employees, assigns personnel according to individual circumstances, and makes it easier for women who are capable and willing to work to receive services that reduce the burden of housework so that they can devote themselves to work with peace of mind. In addition, by holding study sessions on gender equality at home with all employees' families together, we aim to achieve gender equality while taking care not to place an excessive burden on employees."
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life
Whether or not women participate in decision-making and whether or not women are given the same opportunities to exercise leadership as men have a major impact on whether gender equality can truly be achieved.
For companies, the extent to which women participate in decision-making positions, such as directors, is considered to be one of the indicators for achieving this target. This is because the presence of female directors is expected to bring women's opinions into corporate decision-making.
Even if there are female directors, there are also companies where the president is the wife of the president and does not interfere in management even if he or she receives executive compensation. Even if a woman is on the board of directors, if it does not affect decision-making, it is only a surficical form of women's participation, and it cannot be said to be gender equality in substance.
In order to achieve gender equality, it is necessary to enable women to actually participate in decision-making, rather than just having their names on the board of directors. It may be important to make use of consultants to make it easier for women to express their opinions at board meetings.
5.5 Draft Course of Action
・"We will review the state of meetings and approval systems so that women can participate in every decision-making process within the company and secure opportunities to exercise leadership."
5.6 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences
It is about sexual and reproductive health and rights as a human right for women. It's a bit confusing, but it's a goal for things like: information to ensure that family planning, contraception, and abortion are determined by the agreement of the couple or the free will of the woman, that female genital mutilation is not compulsory, and to get information and means so that children can be born in a planned manner without damaging their health.
Some people believe that abortion should be banned for religious reasons. Some people seem to think that contraception such as condoms is bad. Some people seem to think that it is the man who decides whether or not to use contraception, and that the woman has no right to demand it. Religion and belief are free, but if it seriously harms women's rights, it would be a problem. In Japan, abortion is not often the subject of elections, but in other countries, it is pro-life (valuing life = against abortion) or pro-choice (valuing free choice = abortion) can be an important theme in elections. Certainly, induced abortion, which takes away a new life before it is born, is in a sense "murder before birth" and should be strictly restricted. However, it might be necessary to approve an abortion in specific cases, such as cases of clearly unwanted pregnancies due to rape, etc., or cases in which there is a great risk that giving birth to a minor will adversely affect the health and life of the mother.
Without proper education and knowledge about family planning and contraception, it can be difficult to request contraception when needed. In order for women to exercise their rights appropriately, it is necessary to receive proper education on women's rights at the right time.
It goes without saying that companies will not tolerate sexual violence or malicious harassment of women, and it is desirable that women should have appropriate knowledge about sexuality, ensure their health, and carry out support activities so that they can exercise their rights. It is also important to carry out support activities to improve the situation if it can be said that the overseas expansion destination is a problem.
5.6 Draft Course of Action
・"Understand employees' understanding of sexuality and reproductive issues, and provide training if necessary to employees with insufficient understanding. We will continue to support activities to secure and exercise their rights.”
5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
To achieve gender equality, the law must give men and women equal rights in terms of economic resources. However, even if the law is equal, men and women are not necessarily treated equally in society. If the social structure makes it significantly easier for men to exercise their rights and harder for women to do so, then in practice gender equality has not been achieved.
From the perspective of gender equality, it will be important for companies to review internal rules and organizational structures regarding access rights to economic resources, and support reforms in the regions where they operate and overseas expansion.
5.a Draft Course of Action
・"From the perspective of gender equality, we will review our internal rules and organizational structure regarding the right to access economic resources, and support reforms in the regions where we operate and overseas expansion destinations."
5.b Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women
ICT is an abbreviation for Information and Communications Technology, and is translated as information communication technology. Empowerment in the original text refers to "giving control authority" to make things move as desired, and in Japanese it is translated as ability enhancement or authorization. In contexts where neither capacity building nor empowerment fit well, translators may give up and write “empowerment” in katakana. “Empower Woman” means giving women the power to make decisions about themselves, the power to express their intentions, the rights and wisdom to do so, and encourage women to improve their status and become more independent.
Even if women are legally or socially structured to have rights and access to management resources, if women are unable to make their own decisions, express their intentions, or obtain knowledge and wisdom, and if they believe that they have no choice but to depend on others, it will not be easy for women to improve their status. In order to achieve gender equality, it is important to provide women with rights, wisdom, decision-making power, and the ability to express their intentions, and to support activities to promote independence.
As a company, it would be desirable to promote communication as well as to provide education and information using information communication systems in order to strengthen the abilities of women and empower them. Also, it would be a good idea to plan support activities for women's empowerment in the main areas of operation of the company and overseas expansion.
5.b Draft Course of Action
・In order to strengthen the abilities of women and give them authority, we will provide education and information using information and communication systems, and promote communication. Plan advocacy for empowerment.”
5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels
Here you will find policies and regulations for women's empowerment. Empowering women is for gender equality.
Companies should take actions such as establishing internal rules, conducting study sessions, and conducting awareness-raising activities for the empowerment of women. It can be considered as a policy proposal.
5.c Draft Course of Action
・"In order to empower women, we will develop internal rules, conduct study sessions, and conduct awareness-raising activities. We will also support the development of laws and the implementation of policies in major areas where companies are active and overseas expansion destinations."
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