SDG Blog 8

Gender Equality in Iceland

Iceland is a significant example for gender equality in the world. Iceland has always acknowledged the
need for equal rights among men and women. Women are treated no different than men and are seen as
essential to their society unlike many other countries. Because of this, Iceland ranks number one for
gender equality in the entire world (Erlingsdóttir & Marinósdóttir, 2017).

Having such a high rank in gender equality does not come easy. According to Erlingsdóttir and Marinósdóttir (2017), "It requires the collective action and solidarity of women human rights defenders, political will, and tools such as legislation, gender budgeting and quotas," (Erlingsdóttir & Marinósdóttir, 2017). This collective action has allowed Iceland to achieve gender equality in many areas. Iceland currently has the most narrow wage gap. In order to accomplish this, Parliament pushed to implement an equal pay law that required companies in Iceland to demonstrate that they were following through with this wage reform act, (Domonoske, 2018). If companies do not exhibit their equal employee pay between men and women, they are subject to fines, (Domonoske, 2018). Iceland is still aiming to completely close their gender wage gap within the next 5 years, (World Economic Forum). Furthermore, in regard to politics, in 2016 48% of Iceland’s members of Parliament were women, (World Economic Forum, n.d.). This is almost half women while some countries do not even allow women to hold political seats! With this being said, there is no doubt that Iceland takes gender equality seriously and will do whatever they can in order to ensure both men and women are treated fairly.

Women in Iceland do not take this gender equality for granted. In fact, "the success can be attributed to women taking power and creating alternatives to the male dominant "truths"," (Erlingsdóttir & Marinósdóttir, 2017). In other words, women do not shy away from making their environment more fair than it already is. They contribute to society through education, the workforce, and political seatings just as men do. Just like almost every other country in the world, Iceland was once a country that had a wide gender gap. However, through acknowledgement of gender equality and their actions to make a just society, they have proven gender equality can be achieved.

References

Erlingsdóttir, R. Marinósdóttir, M. (2017). This is why Iceland ranks first for gender equality. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/11/why-iceland-ranks-first-gender-equality/

Domonoske, C. (2018). Companies In Iceland Now Required To Demonstrate They Pay Men, Women Fairly. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/03/575403863/companies-in-iceland-now-required-to-demonstrate-they-pay-men-women-fairly.

World Economic Forum. (n.d.). Iceland is the best country in the world to be a woman. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/11/why-iceland-ranks-first-gender-equality/

SDG Blog 7

Gender Equality in Finland



Finland has always been an exemplary example for other countries when it comes to gender equality. In 1906, Finland was the first country in the world to extend the right to vote and stand for elections to all women and men. It was also the first country to elect women to Parliament, (Finland - Society Committed to Gender Equality, 2019). From such an early time, women have been granted rights in this country while some countries are still struggling to acknowledge the need for women's rights. Finland continues to provide women with equal rights that allow both women and men to contribute to society fairly. In Finland, women have access to education, healthcare, jobs, and are able to hold political seats. Countries should work towards creating a safe and equal environment for women like Finland has done for decades.

In 2018, Finland's population was 2,794,629 women and 2,723,290 men, (Gender Equality, 2020). In regard to education, 57.5% of women have tertiary level degrees (Gender Equality, 2020). The employment rate of individuals ages 16-24 is 70.6% women and 72.7% men, (Gender Equality, 2020); this is almost equal while other countries do not even allow women to work! There is also a small gap in wage; women earn 84 euro cents for every euro a man makes, (Gender Equality, 2020). According to the Finland Toolbox (2019), "Finland has placed the human rights of women as one of our priorities. As one of the most crucial aspects of violence against women and girls. Finland promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls," (Finland - Society Committed to Gender Equality, 2019). Their emphasis on gender equality has allowed them to become so close to their sustainable development goal. 

The reason why Finland is doing so well in the area of gender equality is because they have mainstreamed gender equality. Finland has always acknowledged the importance of women's contribution in their country. They promote gender equity and continue to allow women to attain equal rights and protections as men. Other countries tend to ignore the need for women or see them as incompetent. By enforcing laws and highlighting the need for women's rights, they are able to provide women with a safe and equal environment.

References 

Finland - Society Committed to Gender Equality. (2019, February 15). Finland Toolbox. Retrieved from https://toolbox.finland.fi/life-society/finland-society-committed-to-gender-equality/

Gender Equality. (2020, April 16). Statistics Finland. Retrieved from http://www.stat.fi/tup/tasaarvo/index_en.html

SDG Blog 6

Gender Equality in Saudi Arabia



Some countries struggle with gender inequality far more than others. One country that has had a constant battle with gender inequality is Saudi Arabia. Out of the 189 countries covered regarding gender equality, Saudi Arabia is placed at #175 on the gender equality list, (Country Rankings, n.d.). Saudi Arabia's rampant discrimination and abuse against women has made it hard for women to attain any type of freedom. This is why it is important for this country to implement laws and practices that will enforce gender-equality policies and eradicate this gender gap.

According to the Human Rights Watch (Saudi Arabia, 2019), there are multiple reasons why women flee Saudi Arabia. Below is a list of reasons why Saudi Arabian women have left this oppressive country.
1. No Freedom to Travel or Get a Passport
2. No Freedom to Choose Marriage Partner and Child Marriages
3. Domestic Violence
4. Employment Discrimination
5. Healthcare Discrimination
6. Inequality in Divorce, Child Custody, Inheritance
7. challenges to Transferring Guardianship
8. Restrictions on Leaving Prisons and Shelters
9. Restrictions on Studying Abroad
10. Political Repression
(Saudi Arabia, 2019).

In Saudi Arabia, there is a male guardianship system. This system states, "a man controls a Saudi woman's life from her birth until death," (Saudi Arabia, 2019). So if a man can have this much control over a woman's life, how will Saudi Arabia work towards achieving gender equality? According to Malek (2020), Saudi Arabia is quickly working towards creating gender equality in their country by acknowledging barriers against women and finding ways to diminish them (Malek, 2020). Women can now gain access to passports, travel abroad, and drive (Malek, 2020). Women are also allowed to choose where they live, when they leave, and are allowed to be head of the household (Malek, 2020). Additionally, there has been an increase in women participation in the workplace and political seats (Malek, 2020). Sexual harassment has also been criminalized (Malek, 2020).

Saudi Arabia has proven to be working towards gender equality quickly. It is important for countries where women face so many hardships to see how well Saudi Arabia is working towards eradicating this gap. It will allow other oppressive countries to follow in their steps and acknowledge the need for change in hopes of creating a safe environment for women.




References

Country Rankings. (n.d.). Women’s Workplace Equality Index. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org/interactive/legal-barriers/country-rankings

Malek, C. (2020). Saudi Arabia on a fast track to gender equality, study suggests. Arab News. Retrieved from https://www.arabnews.com/node/1625046/saudi-arabia

Saudi Arabia: 10 Reasons Why Women Flee. (2019). Human Rights Watch. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/30/saudi-arabia-10-reasons-why-women-flee#

SDG Blog 5

Gender Equality in South Korea



Women in South Korea have suffered from gender inequality for decades. After years of violence and discrimination, there have been several changes made in order to ensure this gender inequality is eradicated. With these changes, women have been able to gain more freedom and empowerment. However, more changes must be made in order to emphasize the need for gender parity.

On June 9th, 2018, 22,000 South Korean women marched through Seoul protesting their need for more privacy (Barr, 2018). These women were specifically protesting the use of small devices called "spy cams" that were being used to violate their privacy in graphic ways (Barr, 2018). Many times these spy cams would take pictures and videos of women and be posted online with no blame being placed on the person responsible (unless a man was the victim), (Barr, 2018). This is only one of the many equality violations women have taken action against. "The World Economic Forum ranked South Korea 116 out of 144 countries in gender equality," (Barr, 2018). Furthermore, a survey involving 2,000 men was conducted and the results stated that 80% of these men psychologically or physically abused their girlfriends (Barr, 2018). In another survey, it was concluded that 78% of women that experienced sexual harassment in the workplace "put up with it," (Barr, 2018). Based on this evidence, it can be said that South Korea must work towards more significant changes in order to decrease violence and discrimination against South Korean women.

Several discriminatory laws have been amended and legislation has changed their unjust ways in hopes of narrowing this gap between men and women. According to Barr (2018), the president of South Korea promised a cabinet of at least 30% women and stayed true to his word (Barr, 2018). Additionally, The Civil Act of 2007 successfully set the minimum marriage age to 18 for men and women (Committee, 2011). Also, the Act on Protection of Children and Youths from Sexual Violence established sexual violence offenses against boys and girls (Committee, 2011). Lastly, The Committee has launched a plan to prevent domestic violence and acknowledged the integration of gender dimensions in programs to promote women's human rights (Committee, 2011).

These changes are slowly working towards creating gender parity in South Korea. More action must be taken in order to reach gender equality faster.

References
Barr, H. (2018). South Korean Women are Fed Up with Inequality. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/14/south-korean-women-are-fed-inequality#
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. (2011). Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Retrieved from https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/-/media/files/un%20women/vaw/country%20report/asia/republic%20of%20korea/republic%20of%20korea%20cedaw%20co.pdf?vs=1750