Paper Example on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment

Introduction

In both developed and developing nations, there is a more significant limitation of female potential because the society has not fully recognized the efforts made by females in creating a community where collective responsibility is a priority. This is further compounded in developing countries where women are forced to play minor roles. For a very long time, the focus of the civil society has been to promote human rights, respect, and social justice. The civil society relies on its diversity meaning that it addresses different issues and accepts members from various quotas. To promote gender equality, the civil society has to be representative in its approach to issues. Allowing people to form associations, movements, and networks is the best way to build a democratic society which to a greater extent is based on common ideals and values.

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Democratic nations have achieved a high level of legal equality through the mechanisms of citizenship. However, the mechanisms do not empower women because of the cultural, social, and economic constraints. Initially, people thought that civil society was the ultimate solution to underrepresentation and inequality. However, currently, the focus is on a collective approach that brings every aspect of nation-building on board. To a larger extent, the society has made progress on matters equality. The disparities in the level of men's and women's participation in social, political, and economic life are accounted for by patriarchal attitudes and the beliefs regarding the roles and responsibilities of women in most cultures. The UN convention bases its review mechanisms on the principles of equality, state obligation, and non-discrimination. There is the need to help vulnerable women to exercise their economic rights better and at the same time strengthen their capacity to better use their right to social participation.

Research Question

What is the responsibility of the civil society entities as far as gender equality and women empowerment are concerned?

Theory of Change

It is critical to review the theory of change in an effort to ensure that the civil society remains relevant and practical to the needs of the community at all time. Change is the ability to develop one's body and mind. The education process is the first step towards empowering women because it prepares them with a wide set of skills that can be used for economic gains. Women should be empowered to decide for themselves in the sense that they should be encouraged to take charge of their future. When women are in a position to project their demands, they will step out and use their skills to create economic opportunities.

The civil society entities have been critical in effecting the change in policies. Currently, various entities are active in formulating and implementation of different programs. The theory of change takes multiple forms such as network diagrams, logic models, various forms of narratives, and archetypical models. The principles of empowerment include the empowerment of children and women in the community, supporting democracy and good governance, and poverty reduction.

In any community, civil society ensures proper governance and transparency. The strength of the public organization goes along determining citizenry and the activities of the state. It is the same civil society that will allow women to understand the market and cave out niches within the market with the help of sales agents. It is the role of the civil society to engage in advocacy and analysis, monitoring of government performance, and constructing social capital that enables people to air their beliefs, values, and civic norms. This requires them to be consistent and principled in standing with the human costs and the interest of the people.

In most democracies, civil societies play a role in ensuring that citizens know their rights and what they are expected to do at any given time. In this regard, they introduce the importance of public information and act as a link between citizens and elected officials. Without the right to scrutinize the work of elected officials, to publicize acts, and to participate in any activity, democracy becomes an illusion. In some developing nations, there are specific gaps left by the government in the development process. Civil groups try to fill these gaps.

Normally, democracy is meant to change the life of the vulnerable, and this to some extent is consistent with the mandate of the civil society. To achieve its goals and objectives, civil society should organize itself into various networks that cover every level of governance. In developing countries, the development of a diversified civil society is always supported by a diversity of partnership entities from developed nations. The right to freedom of expression, assembly and the association is critical because it is the best way to create relationships between governments and citizens. In the case of women and other vulnerable members of the society, engagement is very critical. Women should be informed that they are part of the community. They should be encouraged to take part in decision-making and other activities that directly affect them. To help women achieve their goals, civil society organizations (CSOs) should introduce public debate on issues surrounding the formulation and implementation of fiscal policy laws. CSOs should promote more constructive and transparent dialogue on fiscal management issues.

Conclusion

Developing nations are embracing the role of the civil society in empowering women and the less privileged in the community. For instance, Kenya has gone further to create the position of women representative in every county. This was to ensure that women have a representation in the national assembly. The space of the civil society is limited by political pressures and the desire of the community to maintain the status quo. One of the sustainable development goals is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. There is the need for the government and the society as a whole to ensure women's full participation in leadership and that they are at all levels of decision-making in economic, political, and social life. Moreover, they should be given access to ownership and control over other forms of property.