النهار

Inequality is as a scorching plague, visible before our eyes, burning away childhood dreams, and implanting corrupted mentalities into the minds of men. This perpetuated vice has woven its way across the globe. What is inequality? It ranges from lower wages for women, to the discrimination of people because of their race. However, the most pressing issue in Lebanon is gender inequality. Why should someone be treated differently solely because of his/her sex? The people of Lebanon have the erroneous impression that men are more capable than women. Though this may be the case in terms of physical attributes, because of a man’s stronger build, it does not take into consideration a woman’s endurance and patience. The truth is that nowadays humankind’s strongest weapon is our minds, and though men and women are different, they should be equal.

Civilization can no longer ignore the inequality between the sexes. We have reached a point where people ought not to turn their faces away from the stolen childhoods of young girls forced into marriage, the higher educated women who earn less than their male counterparts, and the fact that women in political systems across the world are grossly under represented. This discrepancy is a glowering virus eating away at our societies’ principals of honor and respect for all members. To accept such a condescending attitude towards females would be a disgrace to ourselves. What people need to understand is that, given the same opportunity or education, women and girls are as intelligent and skilled as men and boys.

The marriage of under aged girls in Lebanon is alarming. According to a UN study, 6% of women in Lebanon are married before the age of eighteen, and 24% of Syrian refugee girls in Lebanon (ages 15 to 17) are already married (hrw.org). This paints a picture of how women are treated worthlessly as objects to bear children and take care of the household. Many are robbed of their precious childhood, the gift of an education, and the opportunity to develop their independent self and to discover their talents.

Unfortunately, in some communities, inequality has reached a point where both men and women do not realize the toll it has taken on their lives, or if they realize, feel un-empowered to change the situation. An average woman’s salary is 80% of a man’s salary (aauw.org). So if a male doctor’s salary is $200,000, his female counterpart would earn $160,000; forty thousand dollars less only because of her gender. Here is yet another example of sexism; there have been seventeen presidents in Lebanon, yet not a single one of them has been a woman, and the same applies for prime ministers. This case is also true for almost all the countries of the world. We have reached an age of progress, and mutual respect is within reach. It is time that people embrace that women and men are different but equal. These rights and respects are worth the fight.

A woman’s presence at home makes a huge difference in the successful upbringing of children. Children need a loving, committed parent to support their growth and education. This role is usually performed by a mother, whose natural instincts for children are strong. All this illustrates the crucial role that women play in the upbringing of this generation and others to come. But, their roles need not be relegated in homes. Also, an educated woman is of greater value as a mother who is the primary shaper of the minds of her children, boys and girls, but in the end it should be the woman’s choice, and it should not be forced upon her.

Great progress on earth, in the domain of inequality, has happened in our lifetime. These changes have brought the world more equality, success and greater productivity. Though we have a long way to go, with a tough and bumpy road ahead of us, together we can eradicate inequality. It is imperative that we work on our own country Lebanon, to legislate and enforce laws against child marriage, child labor and the education of girls. Change is like a train, it’s taking off with or without you. If you get on, you can discover new opportunities and horizons. Wanna hop on?