Moving towards gender equality, Dr Hala Abou Arraj
Dr Hala Abou Arraj
Idaho State University
USA
ORCID: 0009-0005-7503-0583
Paper Type: Viewpoint
Received: 1 April 2024 / Revised: 18 June 2024 / Accepted: 20 June 2024 / Published: 8 March 2025
DOI: 10.47556/J.WJWSD.1.1.2025.2
Purpose: This paper discusses the historical trajectory of gender equality, and elucidates key impediments related to culture, society, politics and the economy.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research looks at gender equality as a fundamental human right that all societies should seek. It examines the feminist movement’s history in both developed and under-developed countries.
Findings: The paper finds that gender equality has come a long way since the first women’s movement. However, there are some impediments (cultural, functional, political) that are getting in the way of gender
equality: there is still a long way to go to achieve true equality. This is not to say that nothing can be done. Each and every woman and girl can start this process individually and challenge traditional patriarchy in her own capacity and in her own way.
Originality/Value of the Paper: This paper is the first to discuss that advancing women’s empowerment is fundamental for advancing education, protecting the well-being of girls and boys, promoting healthcare and advancing social values that are the backbone for decreasing violence and promoting peace and communication.
Research Limitations: In research on gender equality, several research and practical limitations can affect the output. Methodologically, the hypothesis and the output are based on historical and prospective observational studies. Therefore, they are subject to biases that may have influenced the output. Furthermore, restricted demographic diversity might limit the generalisation of the results.
Practical Implications: Practically, the implementation of gender equality can face cultural and social constraints that differ from one social setting to another. Additionally, research is still needed on the topic of the evolution of gender equality in the long term.
Keywords: Women’s Rights; Feminism; Equal Opportunity; Empowerment.
CITATION: Arraj, H.A. (2025): Moving Towards Gender Equality. World Journal of Women and Sustainable Development (WJWSD), Vol. 1, No. 1, pp.7-13.
