The world is meant to be a place that offers equal
status to women and men. The Hebrew version
of how the first woman, Eve, was created by God,
by removing a rib from Adam's body says, that
He did it to show that, in creation, women have
equal status to men (1). Women have equal
human rights as men (2). Partnership and
leadership of women and men in the global
economy and in politics, are identified as
fundamental elements of success and prosperity
(3).
However, the afflicted society in which we live,
treats women unequally. Society expects all
women and men to behave in a stereotyped
manner. In general, men are assigned 'power' and
are expected to take control over women. As a
result, women are often denied their rights and
opportunities, the freedom to develop their
personal abilities, and to make choices in life.
This systematic, unfavorable treatment of
individuals on the basis of their gender, is termed
gender inequality (4).
Gender refers to the socially constructed roles
that a given society considers appropriate, for its
men and women. The assigned role on
the norms and values of each culture (4).