The global vs. local space for gender inequality

The case study deals with the gender (in)equality in the global arena and its effects on the local space. This raises many questions like, if women in the 21st century have the same possibilities as men have? Is there a difference in the labour market? How involved is the historical background in the current situation?

First of all, we should define the term gender mainstreaming. “The concept of bringing gender issues into the mainstream of society was clearly established as a global strategy for promoting gender equality in the Platform for Action adopted at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing (China) in 1995. It highlighted the necessity to ensure that gender equality is a primary goal in all area(s) of social and economic development.” (International Labour Organization)

Gender mainstreaming is a very important task of globalisation. It may require changes in goals, strategies, and actions so that both women and men can influence, participate in and benefit from development processes. One goal out of eight from the Millennium Summit in 2000 has the target to eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015. This case study should clarify the current position and figure out the relations between globalization and gender inequality. In the later paragraphs I discuss the differences in gender pay gaps in depth and focus on the role of women in business life.