Short answer essay
Hillary Clinton would have fought for gender equality better if she was the president of the United States in the year 2008. With the position she has served, she has done a lot in ensuring that gender equality is fought for both in the united states and in other countries and specifically, in the developing countries. As a president, she would have powers to ensure that resources are allocated to people equally. In developing countries where we have had women presidents and prime ministers, little has been done to fight for gender equality. This is because these women fight for their own rights and forget the rights others women. These women also fear losing support from the citizens if the fight so much for gender equality (Reilly, 2008).
Democracy promotes gender equality to some extent. It allows the women have a chance to vote and be voted in governmental positions. Democracy has led to elimination of laws that promote inequality between women and men. Gender democracy can however lead to gender inequality. In developing countries, people believe that women cannot lead them. If democracy is maintained, women will not be voted in these countries and this will increase gender inequality. This can be avoided by providing guidance on how women are to be placed in leadership positions even without democratic procedures.
The women in developing countries face a lot of challenges. Some communities do not allow women to own resources that are important for their economic development. Women also face sexual harassment in these countries. Women find it difficult to be voted to leadership positions. The government can solve some of the problems (Reilly, 2008). First, they can create women leadership positions that should be vied exclusively by women. The donor’s countries can help the women by providing them with resources to help them carry out economic activities. They can also educate them of their rights and encourage them to fight for these rights.
The fight for women rights began when the marginalized groups in the society such as the slaves and landless people in the society were also demanding their rights. Movements were formed to fight for these rights. Achievements have made since 1970s. Women have now equal rights to employment and salaries. They can also vote in national election. The women also have the right to access education and own property.
Education opportunities can be expanded by availing scholarships to people who have no abilities to afford education. Making education free can also expand opportunities for both women and other marginalized groups of people. There are promising trends in educating the women in that basic education has been made free for all people in many countries. Laws have been put in place to ensure that parents educate their children equally. Scholarships meant for women only are also availed in developing countries (Reilly, 2008). Educating women is important in that women have been proved good leaders who can lead to economic growth of countries if given a chance. Educating women is also important in reducing dependence in the society, which can hinder economic growth.
References.
Reilly, N. (2008). Women's human rights: Seeking gender justice in a globalizing age. Cambridge: Polity.
