2.”Despite some progress, inequality still exists between men and women. What has led or influenced this inequality in the present day and how do we work to overcome it?” Focus on a key inequality...

Running Head: Gender Inequality         1
Gender Inequality         
GENDER INEQUALITY: PAST TO PRESENT
Table of contents
Introduction    3
Elements influencing gender inequality and measures to overcome the issues    3
Supporting arguments    6
The concept of empowerment and its impact on the society    7
Conclusion    8
References    10
Introduction
    Gender inequality and discrimination based on gender are ongoing issues; the society is constantly facing from a long time. Gender biasness can be seen prevailing almost everywhere from workplaces to government posts. The stereotypes defining what men and women should do and should not do have added to widening the inequality among men and women in the society. It has been observed that mostly females have been deprived of making choices within the society and making their choices being recognised and respected in the society. Despite of the fact that gender inequality or gender discrimination in any form is unlawful and is against the federal laws this evil of the society still exists even after several measures taken to get rid of it. This essay shall help to gain an insight into the past and current events which have led to gender inequality in the society and shall also highlight the measures being taken to overcome the issue of gender inequality of gender biases prevailing in the society.
Elements influencing gender inequality and measures to overcome the issues
    Gender inequality can be seen prevailing in working environments, pay scales, sexual harassment, physical violence and domestic violence. Gender inequality in the society is influenced mostly by access to resources, power, education and socio-cultural policies. Morality patterns, which are different towards different sex, can be seen prevailing in the society leading to differences in men and women in workplaces and pay scales (Heilman & Caleo, 2018). Although gender inequality has an adverse effect on the lifestyle of both men and women in the long-term but the most disadvantaged members of the society, where gender inequality prevails are the females. Gender norms describe power an opportunities differently for men and women. The so called culturally appropriate versions of masculinity and feminist have created several gender stereotypes leading to gender inequalities in every possible way.
    These stereotypical gender norms are greatly influenced by the historical events occurred in the past. The women in the historical times nearly 150 years ago had no political voice. They were never given the power to make their voices heard whether it be in the political environment or in the society or their domestic environment. Moreover, there was no protection given to these underprivileged people of the society against physical abuse or violence. Men were considered more powerful than women in the historical times and were given the opportunity to undertake all the works and activities, which shall prove their masculinity and give them the power to earn livelihood for their family while females were deprived of undertaking certain job roles. The impact of such historical events can be seen even in the current scenario, where men are given higher salaries and more preference and opportunities in organisations as compared to their female peers (Tolbert & Castilla, 2017).
    In order to overcome these gender inequalities particularly in employment and pay scales several trade unions were formed and reforms were made. As opined by Ali (2016) it became extremely important for the growth of the national economy to ensure that men and women are treated equally when it comes to imparting education or to providing employment. The government made several laws and formulated several acts to ensure that equal employment opportunity, education opportunity and pay scale can be defined for both the parts of the society equally. The Sex Discrimination Act of 1984 launched by the Australian Government covers several issues of discrimination in partnership, education, sexual harassment, marital status etc. The Australian government has also formed an agency The Workplace Gender Equality Agency, which is responsible for promoting and improving gender equality in the...