Many of us talk about gender equality and we support it, raise our kids accordingly and how everyone should amplify this thought. But have you heard about gender blindness and how unknowingly even you can be one of those people with no knowledge about it?
“Gender blindness” is the lack of awareness about how men and women are affected by a situation in a different manner due to the difference in their roles, needs, status and priorities and biologies in their societies. Gender blindness can be very harmful and work as a fuel to further increase the issue of gender inequality by ignoring the differences between different genders. It is also an ideology for some who choose not to see the differences.
Gender blindness has become one of the biggest challenges for women in the modern world. When talking about men against women, the word “equality” is used alot to show support towards women but is that actually helpful?
Consider this, two people are asked to oversee something over a wall. One of them is tall while the other one is shorter than average. Since it is impossible to look over the wall, both of them are provided a small stool to stand upon. The taller person with the help of the stool is easily able to see over the wall but a similar stool provided to the shorter person is still of no use. This is what equality does to the shorter person. Do you think he or she will be happy? This where equality fails and there is a need for equity. Equality gives a group of people the same resources while equity recognizes each person’s circumstances and provides proper resources to achieve the desired goal. The need for equity must be emphasized.
In this modern world, gender blindness is becoming more of a problem than gender equality. It’s become the best way to sweep all issues related to women right under the rug. Women and men have different needs and they need to be met in different ways. This is where equity goes a step beyond to make everyone get an equal level playing field. Giving women the same resources as men will not be helpful in every situation and so it needs to be considered that women need extra support than men.
When it comes to the workplace, it is the responsibility of organizations to make changes in their policies and make sure that they empower women through equity for their success. The HR department of an organization plays a vital role in bringing changes in the policies but such changes might take decades to be considered and then accomplished. Employers should consider hiring anti-racist, pro-women and trans-friendly people for their HR team. At workplaces, awareness and practicing equity within every department by each team member might result in small changes needed to create a bigger wave. Studies show that this will address the gap which is related to salary, self-confidence, and overall performance. This will ensure not just fairness but fairness with success.
We as a society need to work and uproot these prejudices to have a better future. Working towards gender equity will bring a positive change and benefit every gender.
This post is part of Blogchatter‘s campaign CauseAChatter.
My World with Eira 
oh god.. this is much much needed. i so so agree with each and every line shared by you .It is high time we need equality
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we never curve our mind towards gender blindness… Your blog post makes me think that ya this is also an important point to highlight.
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The concepts of Gender Equity and Gender Blindness are indeed very pertinent in practical life. You have explained the concept very nicely through your analogy.
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A wonderful subject you have touched upon. Many mention about equality but like you share we need to weigh the situations. We need to focus on equity, thanks for sharing.
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Gender equity is indeed important in our society. We are everyday moving towards growth across genders but still, somewhere equality is not accepted completely. Hope this can happen and I agree HR departments can play a pivotal role in this.
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This piece is so inspiring. It’s a lot of food for thought. Thank you for opening our eyes.
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Agree sometimes we need to see the gender equity for all and cannot make one gender in need of all the plus. HR plays a huge role in bridging the gap and many corporations are working well with this notion.
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You raise some good points through your post. Equity and equality are topics close to my heart as well. There shouldn’t be any biases when it comes to these two!
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Wonderful point raised by you. Agree with each and every line about gender equity
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I totally agree with your post being a millenial and a feminist myself. However, the actual misogynistic people should be brain washed to understand all this. Sadly, my family doesn’t get it.
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An interesting point of view, and definitely worth deep consideration. You are right, equity isnt something we talk about or even consider, while everyone understands, atleast in concept, equality. We need to move to a fairer world with a more flat structure!
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Such an interesting topic to talk about. We often talk and discuss about gender equality and how every one should be treated in a similar fashion, but not all know about gender blindness and how each gender behave in a certain manner. I learned a lot from this post and thanks for writing this.
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I am sure a very few will talk about this topic. We always talk about gender equality, without even considering the challenges. Gender blindness is something we should be aware of. I am glad I came across this post.
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I wish this gender inequality blindness issues end . I wish my daughter and son has better world where no work is characterized as girls or boys
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This is a wonderful topic that you have touched upon dear. The real issue is the gender blindness and needs everyone’s utmost attention. Very well penned dear.
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I agree people should know the difference between gender equality and gender equity. As A trainer in behavioural training in corporates we do focus on this difference and make them sensitive and emphatic about the same.
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When we provide resources, then it should be for the betterment. Otherwise they are of not help. HR department has to take into consideration the needs of men and women and then provide the resources.
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This was such an unique take from your side on gender equity. I agree women need extra support in many situations and it include work place too. hope our society understand that needs and behave accordingly.
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I wasn’t aware of the term “Gender Blindness” however, now I understand its meaning in depth after reading this post. I agree, gender equality is much needed but along with it we have to notice the need and requirement of that gender to reach such at a certain point first.
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The thoughts about gender blindness has rarely occured to people. As you said gender equity is needed not gender equality.
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This is such a powerful message, i am going to use this analogy to explain this concept to my neice and nephew! sharing this article with them.
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Bang on Post on Gender Equity. How beautifully you have cleared the blurred differences between equality and equity through the example of stool to stand. I, with companies and peers, could become more sincere towards the concept of equity about genders.
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Such an interesting topic to talk about. This is a much need topic to discuss. How beautiful you have articulate the difference. Very nice.
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