What is gender discrimination?

Gender discrimination means any exclusion or restriction made on the basis of

gender that creates barriers for girls, boys, women and/or men in recognizing,
enjoying or exercising their full and equal human rights.

What is gender inequality?

Gender inequality is discrimination on the basis of sex or gender causing one
sex or gender to be routinely privileged or prioritized over another.

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and that right is violated by

gender-based discrimination. Gender disparity starts in childhood and is right
now limiting the lifelong potential of children around the world –
disproportionately affecting girls.

Around the world, while contexts and gender roles vary from place to place,
we can see that gender inequalities occur everywhere; and at every stage of
life, beginning with childhood or even before birth. 

At Save the Children, we put gender equality at the heart of everything we do.
Our vision is a world in which all people – girls, boys, women and men – have
equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities, regardless of gender norms,
identities or expressions. A world where everyone is equally recognized,
respected and valued.

Is gender discrimination against the law?

Gender discrimination is prohibited under almost every human rights treaty.
This includes international laws providing for equal gender rights between men
and women, as well as those specifically dedicated to the realization of
women’s rights, such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women[2] – considered the international bill of rights for women.

Federal, state and local laws protect individuals from gender discrimination and
gender inequality in the United States. Additionally, it is recognized in both law
and policy that promoting gender equality is critical to achieving foreign policy
objectives for a more prosperous and peaceful world.
What are the causes of gender inequality?
Gender prejudice and resulting gender discrimination begin in childhood. From
the moment they’re born, girls and boys face unequal gender norms as well as
social norms regarding expectations and access to resources and opportunities,
with lifelong consequences – in their homes, schools and communities.

For example, the world’s boys are often encouraged to go to school and get an
education to prepare for work, while girls carry heavy household
responsibilities that keep them from school, increasing the odds of child
marriage and pregnancy.

What are the effects of gender inequality?

Despite worldwide progress, gender inequality persists. The COVID-19
pandemic has threatened to put years of hard-won progress at risk. Far too
many girls, especially those from the poorest families, still face gender
discrimination in education, child marriage and pregnancy, sexual violence and
unrecognized domestic work. These are some types of gender inequality. 

Gender Inequality Examples:

 Gender inequality in girls education. Even before the pandemic, girls

were more likely than boys to never set foot in a classroom and be
denied equal opportunities. Conflict, poverty and other forms of social
disadvantage also magnify gender inequality in education. Girls living in
countries affected by conflict, for example, are 2.5 times more likely to
be out of school than boys. Some 9.7 million children were at risk of
being forced out of school by the end of 2020, with girls facing an
increased risk.
 Child marriage. Child marriage is a form of gender-based violence and a
result and driver of gender inequality and gender discrimination. Experts
predict that the COVID-19 pandemic is set to reverse 25 years of
progress, which saw child marriage rates decline. In fact, Save the
Children analysis revealed a further 2.5 million girls at risk of marriage by
2025 because of the pandemic—the greatest surge in child marriage
rates in nearly three decades.
 Gender-based violence. Gender-based violence occurs everywhere
around the world across all economic and social groups. While both boys
and girls are negatively impacted, girls are particularly at risk. An
estimated 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual
violence in their lifetime, mostly at the hands of their partners. Types of
violence may include: prenatal sex selection, female infanticide, neglect,
female genital mutilation, rape, child marriage, forced prostitution, honor
killing and dowry killing. Many of these gross violations of human rights
have been used as weapons of war around the world. Refugee children
are particularly vulnerable.
 Child labor. There are currently 152 million children engaged in child
labor around the world. [3] Child labor makes it difficult for children to
attend school or limits their attendance, putting them at risk of falling
behind their peers. Boys and girls are affected differently by child labor
and parents’ decisions are often influenced by wider social norms about
the different roles that they should play in the home and in society. Girls
are much more likely to shoulder the responsibility for household chores
while boys are more likely to engage in harmful work such as
construction. Girls are usually pulled out of school earlier than boys and
are more likely to face sexual exploitation and slavery.
 What is the importance of gender equality?
 Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary
foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future. Eradicating
gender issues means a world where women and men, girls and boys all
enjoy equal rights, resources, opportunities and protections.
 Empowering girls from the start is proven to have lasting and
compounding benefits over the course of their lives. When girls are
supported to be active in civic and political spaces, in particular, they are
empowered with the tools and skills they need to be drivers of positive
change in their families and communities. Girls are the experts of their
own experiences, priorities and needs, and are powerful catalysts for a
world where gender equality flourishes.
 Promoting gender equality is also central to ensuring child protection
and the fulfillment of child rights, as abuse, neglect, violence against
women and exploitation both reflect and reinforce gender inequalities
 What are the effects of gender equality on society?
When girls are empowered to lead their lives, speak their minds and determine
their futures, everyone benefits. History suggests that when we fight gender
oppression, societies are more stable, safe and prosperous, with happier, better
educated citizens. 

Investing in gender equality can have large-scale benefits:

 Every $1 invested in women’s and children’s health can generate a $20

return – according to the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child
Health
 A girl’s eventual income will increase by up to 20% for every year she
stays in school – according to UN Women. It also encourages girls to
marry later and have fewer children, and leaves them less vulnerable to
violence.
 Advancing women’s equality could add up to $28 trillion to global
annual growth by 2025 – according to the McKinsey Global Institute.
 How does Save the Children challenge gender
discrimination and promote gender equality?
 Gender equality is a basic right for all people, including both girls and
boys. Based on this understanding, Save the Children believes that it is
critical to directly address gender discrimination and gender inequality in
order to ensure that no harm comes to children, and to advance our
vision for a world where every child attains their equal right to grow up
healthy, educated and safe.
 A focus on gender equality is essential to close inequality gaps and
ensure that we reach every last child, including those who are most
vulnerable. Gender inequalities intersect with and exacerbate other
factors contributing to vulnerability, including age, race, socio-economic
class, gender identity, geography, health status and ability.
 To build a more equal, inclusive future, free from gender discrimination,
we need to start in childhood. Thanks to supporters like you, Save the
Children reaches hundreds of millions of children every year, promoting
gender equality and empowering girls, right from the start.
 Promoting gender equality works! Since 2000, Save the Children helped
achieve a 25% decline in child marriage worldwide, empowering 11
 million girls to stay in school or transition to work, deciding for
themselves when they’re ready for marriage and motherhood.
 In addition, Save the Children is proud to be the first nonprofit to
be Gender Fair-certified for our commitment to advancing gender
equality and empowering the world’s girls.