Throughout history, women have faced a lot of discrimination and restrictions in many countries around the world. Absurd bans have limited their possibilities and potential for many years. Fortunately, the evolution of mentalities and legislation has allowed women to achieve great things in all areas of life.
Remembering women’s past struggles is crucial to understanding how far we have come and to continuing to fight for equality for all.
1. Access to education
For a long time, girls were discouraged, or even forbidden, from going to school. Education was considered necessary only for boys. This meant that women were growing up without the knowledge and skills they needed to succeed in life. Fortunately, these days, girls are encouraged to go to school just like boys. In many African countries, girls even surpass boys in terms of school enrollment rates! This is huge progress and opens up a world of possibilities for young women.
2. Ownership and entrepreneurship
Imagine not being able to own your own house or store. In the past, women in many cultures were not allowed to own property or businesses. This meant they were financially dependent on men, even their husbands or fathers. Today, women can buy and sell land, homes and businesses just like men can. This financial independence gives women much more control over their lives and allows them to contribute more to their families and communities.
3. Participation in sport
For many years, sport was considered the preserve of men. Women were discouraged, or even banned, from participating in athletic competitions. Women were allowed to compete in the Olympics for the first time in 1900, but they were limited to just five sports. It took many years for women to be accepted in a wider variety of Olympic events. Today, women compete in almost every sport, with the International Olympic Committee actively promoting gender equality in the Games.
In revisiting the past and seeing the progress that has been made, it is essential to recognize that the road to gender equality is not yet complete. Challenges persist, particularly around child marriage and limited educational opportunities for girls in parts of Africa. As a society, we must continue to work together to ensure that all girls and women have the same opportunities to succeed in life.