A scattering of women in important positions of power and the substantial improvement of women’s access to education and health care around the globe must not obscure the fact that women everywhere, and increasingly, are treated worse by society—that is to say, by men. At the expense of all.
The gender pay gap is not closing, there has been no increase in employment opportunities for women. On the contrary, in fact, the report by the Davos World Economic Forum—data across 114 countries—has calculated that at the current rate the gender pay gap would take 170 years to close. Last year, the World Economic Forum predicted it would take 118 years. On average women’s wages around the world are only 59% of what men are paid, ranging from 87% in Iceland to 54% in the United Kingdom, 65% in the United States, 67% in Germany, and 72% in France. Cause and consequence of this economic marginalization, in terms of political involvement the participation of women is still very low. As of today, the ratio which measures women’s leadership and political participation (this ratio is the average number of women in parliaments, the number of women ministers and the number of years during which a country has been governed by a woman) is only 23% worldwide. in France, things do not look any better: the country ranks highest for education and overall health system performance, 19th on political participation, 22nd in terms of wages, 64th in terms of job opportunities.
What is more serious is the fact that in France and elsewhere, cultural discrimination, physical assault, and moral intolerance are becoming more violent. People are raped, killed, stoned, and insulted. Increasingly, all women throughout the world. Some religious cultures, and that doesn’t just go for Islam, continue to subject women to the unlimited desires of men, in all dimensions of their lives. Because men are afraid of women, they crush them with their tiny physical advantages.
Yet, it would be in the best interest of men to treat women with the same dignity they themselves think they are entitled to: factual equality would obviously imply a greater production of wealth, more creative relationships, a more serene humanity, better-mannered children, greater opportunities to love and be loved.
Incidentally, this would speed up technical progress in strenuous or boring occupations, more often done by women.
Alter laws and mores to move more quickly. Organize a truly exemplary administration (50/50 in positions of power). Eliminate the tax deductibility of contributions to political parties that have not complied with the legal requirement of their elected representatives parity terms, not just that of their candidates. Split maternity leave between the two parents, knowing that a good part of it will be lost if it is not used by one of them (except for singles of course). Create childcare places that are affordable and compatible with full-time working hours. Finally, pay careful attention to women’s image and position in media, series, and TV game shows.
There are unexpected and untapped resources of wealth, happiness, and creativity for all. Let us not deprive ourselves any longer.