UN report says biases against women remain unchanged over past decade
The report, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme, analysed seven biases and found that 90 per cent of individuals hold at least one bias related to gender social norms
There has been no improvement in the data tracking biases against women over the past decade, indicating that societal prejudices remain “deeply imbedded” despite initiatives like MeToo, a UN report said Monday (12).
The report, conducted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), analysed seven biases and found that nearly 90 per cent of individuals worldwide hold at least one bias related to gender social norms.
The study reveals that these prejudices "are widespread among men and women suggesting that these biases are deeply embedded and influences both men and women to similar degrees.”
The United Nations agency has recently revised its Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) by incorporating data from the World Values Survey, an international project that examines global shifts in values and beliefs.
The updated index reveals that biases against women have not improved over the course of a decade, the UNDP said. This lack of progress persists despite the influence of impactful global and local movements advocating for women's rights, including the MeToo movement.
The GSNI takes various factors into consideration, such as political, economic, educational, and physical integrity metrics, in order to assess the extent of biases prevalent in society.
For instance, the report highlights that 69 per cent of the global population still holds the belief that men are more capable political leaders than women, while only 27 per cent consider it crucial for democracy that women possess equal rights as men.
Additionally, nearly half of the population (46 per cent) believes that men have a greater entitlement to job opportunities, and 43 per cent hold the view that men are better suited to be business leaders.
Furthermore, 25 per cent of the population finds it justifiable for a man to resort to violence against his wife, and 28 per cent believe that higher education is more important for men.
These deeply ingrained prejudices not only pose significant barriers for women but also contribute to a rollback of women's rights in many parts of the world, the report said.
"Without tackling biased gender social norms, we will not achieve gender equality or the Sustainable Development Goals," it said.
The lack of progress on gender biases comes as the UN also reports declining human development metrics in general, linked in particular to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Social norms that impair women's rights are also detrimental to society more broadly, dampening the expansion of human development," Pedro Conceicao, director of the UNDP's Human Development Report Office, said in a statement.
"Everyone stands to gain from ensuring freedom and agency for women," he said.
AN ASIAN writer has explained how his new book makes Britain’s imperial past “accessible, engaging and thought-provoking” for a younger audience.
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera’s new book, Journeys of Empire, explores empire through 10 journeys he described as being “extraordinary”. Sanghera said his book, published last month by Puffin UK, is “a way of helping children understand how Britain’s biggest story still shapes the world today.”
“We’re not taught this history very well,” he told Eastern Eye.
“The empire is morally complex – sometimes we were good, sometimes bad – so, how do you even begin talking about it? It’s also contentious. There are millions of us whose families were colonised, and millions whose families were the colonisers.”
Teachers cannot teach what they themselves were never taught, Sanghera pointed out.
“There are multiple layers to why British people are so bad at talking about this history. It touches on race, misogyny and geopolitics. It’s easier just not to talk about it.”
And , the cover of his book
Following the success of his bestselling children’s title Stolen History, Sanghera’s this latest work continues Sanghera’s mission to write for readers aged nine and above. With a focus on human experiences, Sanghera said he wanted show that history is not just a list of dates or conquests – it’s a tapestry of stories that connect people.
Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi immigrant parents, he began school unable to speak English. Later he graduated with first-class honours in English language and literature from Christ’s College, Cambridge.
He has since built a career as a writer and journalist.
His memoir, The Boy with the Topknot, and his novel, Marriage Material, were both shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. Empireland, Sanghera’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy, was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non- Fiction, named a Book of the Year at the 2022 National Book Awards, and inspired the Channel 4 documentary series Empire State of Mind.
His first children’s book, Stolen History, introduced young readers to the complex and often overlooked realities of empire. With Journeys of Empire, Sanghera aims to go further. “When I finally learned about the British empire, it changed how I saw myself, how I saw Britain, and how I saw India,” he said.
“It seemed obvious that you’d want to give this gift to young people – because your 40s is a bit late to be learning all this.”
Sanghera said the 10 journeys in the book take readers across continents and centuries, revealing both the ambition and the brutality of empire.
“The British empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and a large portion of its population. It was seven times the size of the Roman empire,” he said.
Aiming to ensure diversity in both perspective and geography, Sanghera said he chose stories from various countries and different phases of the 400-year history.
Alongside India and Mahatma Gandhi, readers will learn about Guyana’s indentured labour system, Gertrude Bell’s adventures in Iraq, and the British invasion of Tibet led by Francis Younghusband.
“I wanted to highlight areas often left out of mainstream narratives,” the writer said. The stories are written with an accessible and honest tone, and with humour.
“Violence is a tricky area,” Sanghera said. “You can’t go into graphic detail, but you also shouldn’t whitewash it. The violence and racism of colonialism were intrinsic. “I tried to strike a balance - acknowledging the brutality without overwhelming young readers.”
Writing for children isn’t much different from writing for adults, Sanghera said.
“You still need engaging stories and to hold attention. The main thing is to avoid big words that might put them off.”
He pointed out how storytelling can counter the allure of digital screens.
“Kids are addicted to screens, and reading rates are falling globally. That’s disastrous for mental health, intellectual development, and politics,” he said.
“When you get news from screens, you’re in an echo chamber – you’re not being challenged or taught to think in a nuanced way.”
Sanghera’s hope is that stories of Journeys of Empire – from pirates to princes and explorers to rebels – will draw in young readers to a world of curiosity and reflection. He said, “The British empire is a complex story. Even the ‘good guys’ had flaws. That’s what makes it worth understanding.”
At the heart of his book is a message about complexity and contradiction. “The empire involved slavery and the abolition of slavery. It caused environmental destruction and inspired environmentalism. We live in a world that struggles with nuance, but that’s what makes us human,” Sanghera said.
“My hope is that readers – kids and adults – learn that opposite things can be true at the same time.”
After six years of writing about empire, Sanghera said he’s ready for a change. His next book will focus on the late pop star George Michael, due out in June next year.
“I thought George Michael would be a nice break from empire. But then I learned that his father came from Cyprus - which was under British rule. The reason he left Cyprus was because of the British. So, even George Michael’s story connects back to empire. You can’t escape it, wherever you go.”
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