Changing ways or repeating history?

Which problem caused by gender inequality is the most difficult to fix?

There's no easy way to respond to this question. First, we need to ask ourselves what actually caused gender inequality and how it became a problem. On that note imagine if we lived in a world, where centuries ago, when humankind began, women would have been perceived as the strongest figures which protect their families. And all the things that would have came after like the power possessed now economically and in some ways physically belonged to women. With this said, stereotypes may be the most difficult problem to fix.

The traditions in my country show how gender inequality has existed for many years. For example, 'Mărțisor' is a tradition which celebrates the beginning of Spring. During this time, men or boys gift flowers, broaches or a bracelet (intertwined with red and white strings) to women and girls. I feel this connects to the arts and poetry where women are always compared to being something beautiful, delicate and fragile like a flower. Women are not perceived as strong and men would never be bought flowers.

I believe that stereotypes even affect the gender pay gap. When you think about nurses and teachers what gender comes to mind? What about plumbers and pilots? There are clearly some invisible lines that divide these professions based on capabilities. But all these jobs are important on some level so why pay less? More importantly, why think that a women is less capable of working if she has children? Are their careers less important than mens? “Women are less likely to wake up and think they would be good in senior leadership," professor of politics Rosie Campbell told an audience at King's College, London. "They often need to be nudged: 'Have you thought about being an MP?'" It certainly seems so and this affects the confidence and self worth of women as the article states.

How will this affect me as a future architect? On a more personal level we all have to consider the changes coming our way. Last year, Lokko became the first woman of African descent to curate the Venice Biennale's architecture event, "When I started architecture, which is probably about 30 years ago now, there were only two people of colour in my class of almost 100. I think we were six women," Lokko recalled.” This is a BBC news article from 18 January 2024, so it is no doubt that things have evolved over the years, women overcoming stereotypes in every domain in pursuit of their dreams!

In conclusion, I don't think it's enough to just fix stereotypes but is it a start so we need to remind ourselves that all the hardship that women had struggled centuries now needs to lead to bravery therefore stand up to anything irrational or disrespectful.