It is never right when an entire group of people is reduced to a single thought or action. The same is true when an entire region or religion is reduced to sexism. There has never been a period of time when men have had to join together and work to usurp their rights. Men have not had to live in fear of being exploited by the women of their culture or the women of other cultures. The very thought of such a thing happening is almost unimaginable, inconceiveable, and unthinkable – not only in modern times – but in any time in history. Men have never had to live in fear of the opposite gender and make a conscious effort to work together to make a progressive movement to move forward to gain equality with women. Men have just always enjoyed their superiority over women.
There is a danger in the use of the term “third world” in any aspect as its reference assumes that the Western view is the “first world” and is therefore a superior position. It is this egocentric position that does exist in much of the Western world today. Even the term “western” is loaded with ethnocentric ideals as it compares itself to the Eastern cultures. There is no barometer to judge that the “first world” or “western world” is more advanced, more developed, or better off than any other culture. In the same manner of speaking, it is also an ill use of terms to refer to a simplier socioeconomic lifestyle as a “third world” society as it implies a lower class stereotype that these people are not as “advanced” as their western counterparts.
As such, it is important not to legitimize that women in the third world are of any less value that women anywhere else in the world. All people are of equal value. It is important to try and keep the ethnocentric attitude that comes too easily to too many people aside and rationalize such thoughts and focus instead on the value that people have in society, no matter where that society may be. In this sense, the “Global Woman” is a positive title, as it brings a sense of equality to women everywhere, focusing on the power that women can have as united by their gender rather than divided by their location.
Women’s rights are an international concern. Equality or women’s rights affects every nation in the world. There is not yet a nation where women are treated equally to men. Women need to be empowered throughout the world. Not only do women need power in the “third world” nations, although the discrepencies are often more diverse in these nations, women need to focus on equality everywhere. Authoritarian states ought to be embarrassed that gender equality has not yet been reached. Women should not continue to be in a minority position, receiving minority status, and too often satisfied with the status quo, especially in positions where they outnumber men and have greater educational achievement than their male counterparts.
In order for the global women to gain power, or the feminist movement to gain momentum, or for equality of the genders to occur, several things must occur. Women must be allowed to be citizens. That needs to be a basic right. They need to have that basic level of identity equal to the men. Women must be allowed to and also chose to be engaged in politics. Without participation in decision making, changes will not occur. Women must also be a part of the business process on all levels. This is a global economy and women must be visible in the marketplace in all areas of the world for true equality to be achieved (Ionescu, 2012). Lastly, the egocentric stereotypes must end and people must be able to view all others as equals. In this end, equality can begin.
Resources
Ionescu, L. (2012). The role of women in bureaucracies: Leadership, democracy, and politics.
Economics, Management and Financial Markets, 7(1), 138-143. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/1014026447?accountid=35812
Madawi Al-Rasheed. (2012). The meaning of rights for women. The World Today, 68, 14-14.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1001183835?accountid=35812
