Rosas Salgado1

How Gender Equality has evolved in America, Sweden, and Africa

Gender Equality

How Gender Equality has evolved in America, Sweden, and Africa

Laura Rosas Salgado

Portland State University

FRINQ: Life Unlimited

Professor: Michael Flower

02 December 2014

Abstract

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Gender Equality is defined as equality for both races. Neither race is worth less or more
then one another, everyone is treated equally and not looked at differently. Gender equality is
important not only because every human being deserves to be treated equally but equality has
helped business grow, improved poverty, and made a better change around the world. Without
equality there would be chaos and not as much communication beyond humans. Gender equality
began since the beginning of time (not counting religious views). It all started when society was
first born. Women where seen as housewifes, expected to know how to cook, clean, have babies,
take care of babys, and do what there husband says. Yet as time went on, gender equality has
evolved in many different ways around the world. For my paper I have decided to focus on
Africa, America, and Sweden. Sweden being the one of many states that have mastered gender
equality, America being the state that has a good stand in gender equality but still has much to
learn. Finally, Africa being the state that is really low when it comes to gender equality.

How Gender Equality has evolved in America, Sweden, and Africa.

All over the world many countries and states have evolved when it comes to gender
equality. Some have made a difference others have not changed at all. For my paper I have

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decided to focus on Africa, America, and Sweden. Sweden being the one of many country that
have mastered gender equality, America being the country that has a good stand in gender
equality but still has much to learn. Finally, Africa being the country that is really low when it
comes to gender equality.
Sweden, being the fourth country that has mastered gender equality believes that women
and men should have the same opportunities, rights, and obligations. It is also said that In the
Global Gender Gap Report 2013, Sweden is named as a world leader in equality. When it comes
to education they usually teach children at a young age starting in preschool. They teach them
about equality no matter the gender. They teach them key principals about equality, and ever
since this trend started more women have been able to pursue degrees that usually would have
only be expected by men, and visa versa. Women comprise roughly 60 per cent of all students
in undergraduate university studies and almost two-thirds of all degrees are awarded to women.
Equal numbers of women and men now take part in postgraduate and doctoral studies. Another
great thing Sweden provides is parental leave. Usually, it is only the mother who has this
privilege but in Sweden both parents have right to, even parents who have adopted a kid, As well
as single parents. When it comes to being at work they tend to specify over the Discrimination
Act. All workers must pursue or make goals that help make equality between man and women.
They do not tolerate discrimination, and harassment; if they do catch anyone disobeying the rules
the person will have to take parental leave. When it comes to wages it is based on the position,
age, job experience, and profession. Other jobs you cant do that and they need to pay men and
women the equal salary. On average, womens monthly salaries are 94 percent of mens when

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differences in choice of profession and sectors are taken account. On the other hand there
politics, violence, and gender are really good compared to other countries.
The other country I would like to talk about is America. America ranks high when it
comes to economic opportunities, even so they are not doing so good when it comes to political
leadership. They are the 20th out of 140 countries in this year ranking when it comes to gender
equality. The reason for this is because they have improved their economic participation,
opportunities, education, health and survival, and political empowerment. Because of the
shortage of women of political power they where docked a few points since there has never been
a female president. America is making the most progress closing the gender gap in terms of
economic participation and opportunity. On the other hand when it comes to jobs, women are
still not being paid equally, but men are beginning to have jobs like women without being
discriminated. Making America the 20th out of 140 countries.
Finally, the last country I will talk about is Africa. Africa has the lowest percentage when
it comes to gender equality. The Masai tribe in Tanzania which is located around Africa is a tribe
that has no gender equality. They live in a polygamist, patriarchal world, where men rule over
women. Women are something men can tame and men really dont do anything the women those
all the work. She builds, collects water, she herds cattle. Women are seen as a gift of God for the
Masai tribe, but the Masai prove otherwise since women hold no rights, are completely
dependent on their husbands, get abused, and are forced to reproduce (have babies). The Masai
tribe life is very sad in my opinion, husband and wife barely speak to each other, they only spend
time together in the hut during the night, marriage is more of a status then love, men beat women

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and women cannot speak to their husband unless the man talks to her first. Another thing that
stands out as no equality is that women cannot see what the men eat therefore they all eat
separately. To the Masai the mouth is only for eating and talking not for kissing or other sexual
things, besides sex which is the only things acceptable.
In conclusion Sweden is the country with the most equality since they focus in gender
equality on a young age, everyone has parent leave, everyone is paid equally and everything is
pretty much equal. While America is in the middle since they have good economic opportunities
but are low when it comes to politics. Finally, Africa is on the bottom because there is no
equality whatsoever, women get beat, women have no rights, and pretty much women to all the
work and are more slaves then wifes. All over the world there is different types of inequality and
equality it is up to you make to make a change.

Citation
"From the Front Lines: Gender Inequality in Africa." Do Something. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.
"Gender Equality in Sweden." Swedish Institute, 25 Mar. 2014. Web. 2 Dec. 2014.
https://sweden.se/society/gender-equality-in-sweden/.
"Why the U.S. Is Losing the Global Fight for Gender Equality." Fourtune, 1 Dec. 2014. Web. 2
Dec. 2014. <http://fortune.com/2014/10/27/global-gender-gap-america/>.

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