Gender discrimination is the unfavorable treated of employees in the work place in regard to their gender. It also refers in the unequal treatment of job applicants for vacancies during employment. Sexual harassment is also a form of gender discrimination, where employees are limited to perform their jobs due to demands such as romantic favors. Gender discrimination can be from anyone ranging from fellow employee of the same gender, male or female, supervisor and manager or even people contracting from your company. For example, it is illegal for an employee to make negative comments continually concerning a certain gender, either male or female. When it becomes severe, it can lead to hostile conditions in the workplace which may result to the victim being demoted or fire. Employer should act responsibly to ensure that both genders are treated equally in the place of work.” Equal pay act of 1963, prohibits sex-based discrimination in wages between men and women who work within the same industry and have same skills and responsibilities” (Heilman, Madeline and Alice Eagly, 2008). Gender discrimination still exist in the work place.
Reasons of gender discrimination
Tradition and culture of some communities discourages women from leadership. Men are believed to have the ability to make authority and create order in the society. Women also tend to believe the same, thus giving space to gender discrimination. “Women are seem to be best suited in jobs such as housekeeping and nurturing, while men take up most top positions” (Bradley, Harriet, 1999). This bad mentality is even taken up by women themselves to an extent that they cannot make high level of decision making without involving men. Some religion acts as a cage against women where some teachings weakens them. Other communities do not value girl child education, which makes women to rag behind with no empowerment compared to men.
Evidence of gender discrimination
It is evidence that gender discrimination still exist to date. In the world, statistics shows that 62 million girls are denied education. Women in leadership creates awareness for the right of girl child education. Over 35% of women in relationship are reported to have experience physical and sexual violent by their partners worldwide. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is also affecting millions of girls and women worldwide.” In the United States, the number of women graduating with technology related causes in the universities is largely outnumbered by the number of men” (Manaham John et al). The number of women in parliament is also outnumbered by the number of men. Research shows that a large number of human trafficking involves women where the practice is carried out by men. Also it is reported that one out of five women in colleges experience sexually assault. Millions of girls under the age of 18 years are married off without them having a say against it. Different organizations such as running start which help bring women in politics, mentorship program such as step up which help girls in school, end rape on campus which help in bringing cases to court and supporting the survivors have all been formed in the fight against gender discrimination.
Examples of gender discrimination
There are cases where women are denied senior position in organization with no apparent reason. The position may end up being given to a male who has less experience with the company. Pregnant employees may tend to be a source of attraction by fellow coworker with irritating comments that may make her fell unwanted in the workplace. Male and females for example, those working as secretaries in a company may tend to be assigned roles in accordance to their gender; a female secretary always being asked to usher in male executives while his male counterpart is equally capable of doing the same. Gender-based pay discrimination is also common in the world today.” Men employees tend to receive high payment compared to female employees despite of the equal responsibilities assigned to them” (Jacobsen, Joyce, 1999). Sexually harassment is also common in the workplace, where sexual requests are made in exchange of for example, pay raise or promotion. The employee may feel threatened and this may result to a hostile work environment. An employee may be terminated unlawfully on making a complaint regarding the harassment.
Opposing viewpoint
It is necessary to stand up firm against gender discrimination. Both genders should be treated equally in the workplace. If you believe that you are being paid less compared to you coworker, there is need to negotiate for a pay raise though it may not be easier as it is said (Jacobsen, Joyce, 1999). Rules and policies should be applied during termination of an employee without discriminating of any gender. During hiring of employee the best experienced person should be given the job without considering the gender. There is need to carry out an interview with an open mind in regard to roles traditionally carried out by men or women. Companies had to make changes on policies regarding to sexual harassment. Organizations and mentorship programs have to be formed to fight against gender discrimination. EEOC also provides counseling to victims of any form of gender discrimination.
Conclusion
Gender discrimination is not affecting women only, both genders are involved as the name implies. Both genders should be advocates for change against discrimination. Everyone need to feel free in the workplace without discrimination. Social media can play an important role in appealing the public to fight against gender discrimination as many peoples are usually active. “Studies shows that 80 to 90 percent of women have been harassed public” (Manaham John et al). Activists have come up with a movement to end street harassment. They have also given information on how to respond if you experience it yourself and if it happens to fellow passerby on the street. There is need to support females in top positions in different organization and fields. This acts as a motivation to them to keep their performance high and to other aiming to get similar positions. Supporting media and films lead by women helps in the fight against gender discrimination.
Work cited
Monahan, John, et al. “Contextual Evidence of Gender Discrimination: The Ascendance of ‘Social Frameworks.’” Virginia Law Review, vol. 94, no. 7, 2008, pp. 1715–1749. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/25470599.
Heilman, Madeline E., and Alice H. Eagly. “Gender Stereotypes Are Alive, Well, and Busy Producing Workplace Discrimination.” Industrial and Organizational Psychology, vol. 1, no. 4, 2008, pp. 393–398., doi:10.1111/j.1754-9434.2008.00072.x.
Bradley, Harriet. “The Context of Change: Employment, Class and Gender.” (1999). Print.
Jacobsen, Joyce P. The Economics of Gender. Malden, Mass: Blackwell, 1999. Print.