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Globalization and its impact on gender equality

The significant gender differences and disparities with respect to decision-making


powers, participation, and returns for effort that prevail in different societies need to
be taken into account when responding to the forces of globalization. Because of
gender inequalities and discrimination in all parts of the world, women can be affected
negatively by globalization processes to a greater extent than men. On the other hand,
there can be significant gains for women with globalization. It is necessary to
systematically monitor the gender impact of change so that the goals of gender
equality and the expansion of human capabilities are not sacrificed.
The relationship between globalization and gender equality, and the relevance of
globalization for transforming gender relations has been increasingly well
documented. The Survey is a major contribution towards applying a gender
perspective to the analysis of the globalization. While the survey focuses on the labour
market participation within the changing world of work, further research is needed to
assess the impact of globalization on other aspects of life.
At the policy level, the impact of globalization on women and gender relations
continues to be neglected nationally and internationally. Entities of the United Nations
system are taking steps to integrate the goals of macro-economics with those of social
development. Yet more remains to be done to integrate gender equality dimensions in
their normative, policy and operational work so as to ensure the continuing leadership
of the system in promoting gender equality, development and peace within the context
of globalization. The Beijing + 5 process provides an opportunity to reflect on the
impact of globalization in determining further actions and initiatives for the full
implementation of the Beijing commitments
Towards this end, the remainder of the paper attempts to raise awareness with regard
to gender impact of globalization in select areas.
Gender equality is important both for individual people and economic development
(Klasen and Lamanna, 2009). Looking at data on gender equality in welfare and work life
it is visible that there still are gaps between women and men. At the same time the world
we live in is becoming more globalized. Moreover, globalization is often viewed as

having both positive and negative impacts, making some people winners while others
become losers (Bussmann, 2009).
In this thesis I have looked at the relationship between globalization and gender
equality in welfare and work life. Studies examining the effect of globalization typically
take an economic perspective, using measures like trade openness. However, increased
globalization, meaning that civilizations become more integrated, might also affect the
way people live and behave in a society. Globalization is complex, affecting information
flow, spread of technology, social and political norms as well as economic interactions.
Globalization makes it possible for countries to specialize their production (Feenstra,
2003) and it allows ideas and norms to spread. (Arribas, Perez, Tortosa-Ausina, 2008).
Considering the different aspects of globalization it is reasonable that it might affect the
way we look at gender equality. This thesis has therefore analyzed the effect of
globalization trying to answer whether globalization increases or decreases gender
equality
::Inequality:
Talking about inequality it is important to remember that comparing women to men
is not just about justice and equality, it is also a question regarding development. Gender
inequality in health, education and employment has been shown to affect the daily life of
women and men as well as productivity and economic growth of a country negatively

Globalization is more then just the creation of a world market, it is also the enculturation of the world,
which essentially means you can transfer culture more openly....morals and values are open for critique
and change. If anything I would say globalization has had a positive effect on gender inequality because
in western society women have a very important role in our economy and our households. we are not

exactly matriarchial but we certainly value our women and those values and beliefs are being transfered
to the globe. Women who have suffered in third world countries are being empowered by what they see
and here about our women and they say the effect has become a 'westernization' of the world of
assimilating the values of other countries to be more like ours. Not only has westernization widely
increased consumerism but it has also broadened global views on women and girls all over the world are
starting to fight for their own causes.

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