GENDER EQUALITY - A CONDITION FOR ACHIEVING HUMAN SECURITY

Abstract

Humanity, since ancient times, has known rivalries and contradictions are related to the temptation of the power to dominate. Human security is jeopardized by the degrading, inhuman actions made by people around them. The concept of today human security knows a new dimension, gender equal opportunities, without ruling out classical dangers and threats. Equality is based on ensuring full participation of all persons to economic and social life, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation. Inevitably, when people talk about equal opportunities, unfortunately, there emerges the phenomenon of discrimination and social conduct. Discrimination is, in fact, one of the reasons why equality is not respected as a guiding principle. The authors believe that the oldest and most widespread form of discrimination is gender discrimination. In this regard, this paper aims to make an inventory of the main differences in cultural stereotypes that promote gender diversity, discriminating different social roles of women compared to men, which may be generating human insecurity.

Headnote

Humanity, since ancient times, has known rivalries and contradictions related to the temptation of the power to dominate. Human security is jeopardized by the degrading, inhuman actions made by people around us. The concept of today human security knows a new dimension, gender equal opportunities, without ruling out classical dangers and threats. Equality is based on ensuring full participation of all persons to economic and social life, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Inevitably, when we talk about equal opportunities, unfortunately, there emerges the phenomenon of discrimination and social conduct. Discrimination is, in fact, one of the reasons why equality is not respected as a guiding principle. We believe that the oldest and most widespread form of discrimination is gender discrimination. In this regard, this paper aims to make an inventory of the main differences in cultural stereotypes that promote gender diversity, discriminating different social roles of women compared to men, which may be generating human insecurity.

Keywords: prejudices, stereotypes, gender equal opportunities, non-discrimination, change, security and peace.

1. About prejudices, stereotypes and marginalization

Beyond the wealth of the most courageous imaginations of previous generations, the world has entered 21st century, which brought with it poverty and inequality1. When we discuss about men and women, our world is marked by stereotypes and prejudices.

Discrimination occurs as a result of misconceptions. Prejudice triggers unjustified behaviors which may take various common forms in everyday life: avoidance, segregation and even violence. All these actions demonstrate a lack of information and are based on males being labeled as the stronger sex who, because of the physical force (of anatomical and hormonal nature) should and has the right to dominate the weaker sex, namely women.

Human being is born free and the society has an obligation to respect and protect human freedom. Equality is the premise of human unity. This is one of the conditions of immanent justice, freedom and peace. Human security has become a key objective of the international community and people - regardless of gender, religion, political affiliation, ethnicity - need, in order to survive, a living environment that is based on respect for human rights.

During human evolution, women held various roles and statuses in the society and in the family. Even if women in developed societies share common problems with men2, in some regions of the world, they do not enjoy any rights and are considered to be the property of men.

In the name of religion and of a false protection, in certain countries, women are still forbidden to access some social services (education, health). For example, in Afghanistan, girls are not allowed to go to school once they reach puberty, therefore only 18% of young girls know how to read (the government cannot guarantee their physical safety in school), in Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to drive a car or ride a bicycle.

In many countries (such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Egypt), women do not have equal rights with man when it comes to divorce. Women must go through financial and legal obstacles which are insurmountable. Women abused by their husbands in Lebanon, cannot apply for divorce or abuse if there is not an eyewitness to confirm that she was beaten (a medical certificate to support physical abuse is not sufficient). Without a specific cause, in Egypt, the woman who is divorcing her husband must renounce any rights on material goods and also the dowry received marriage.

In Japan, the reproduction pressure is increasing the level of stress on the young women at a fertile age. For those women who cannot or do not want to have children, the government and society pressure is overwhelming. Thus, different organizations of civil society are fighting for women to be educated concerning their rights and options, giving them the possibility to make decision in full awareness.

Unfortunately, not even in the contemporary period, we did not get rid of the prejudices concerning the position of women in society. We can state that discrimination against women occurs even before their birth, because in some regions of the world, appearance in the world of female children is decided in the family or community. According to a research made by the Centre for Women's Development Studies from New Delhi, ten million female fetuses have been aborted in India between 1978-1998, and another five millions from 1994, since this procedure was forbidden, but informally, it seems to still be practiced3. Since intrauterine life, according to the sex of the fetus, there are established rules that the family must comply with at birth. Even in modern societies, there are preconceived ideas about what it fits or not, depending on the sex. For instance, the pink color is determined to be suitable only for baby girls, while blue is for boys. The same rules concerning the colors are applied for the interior design.

In many cases, school doesn't eliminate these prejudices, moreover it emphasizes them. For males, society has reserved certain professions like engineers, mechanics, policemen, while females are considered better suitable for certain profession like teacher, nurse, sociologist and secretary. According to statistics published by Ziarul Financiar (Financial Journal), in 2008, out of women in managing positions, 70% acted in the services sector, while only 30% in technical branches.

Also, statistics show the top of positions occupied by women: advertising (65% women - 35% men) PR (95% women - 5% men), human resources (80% women - 20% men), health ( 55% women - 45% men), marketing (75% women - 25% men), architecture (75% women - 25% men), design (70% women - 30% men), finance (55% women - 45% men), marketing research (60% women - 40% men).

In technical fields, which involve a procedural work environment - men prevail (80% men - 20% women), since it is considered that women are more delicate and less attracted to such an environment. Examples: ICT (90% men - 10% women), industrial (80% men - 20% women), construction (90% men - 10% women), transportation (90% men - 10% women)4. However, throughout the history of human society evolution, despite all the obstacles imposed by religion, politics and habits, women have managed to overcome and excel in areas considered exclusively for male or totally banned them.

Women like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton founded the National American Woman Suffrage Association Census, through which they promoted women rights all over the United States territory.

According to a census made in 2000 in the United States, women are almost equal to men in education and other areas, the percentage of women who obtained bachelor's degree was 23.7 percent, compared with 27.5 percent in men5.

With the adoption of the Amendment of the Constitution 19th 1920, the United States women received the right to vote. Women are respected and are offered "the same opportunities as men; good education and jobs"6.

In contrast, in China, women are treated differently because of Chinese traditions, laws concerning equality in education, marriage and freedoms that women have gained are ignored. Because of Confucian tradition, boys have always been appreciated more than girls. Boys carry on the family name, they are considered superior to girls, receive higher wages, thus providing security for parents in old age. Women and children trafficking as well as domestic violence are still common.

In conclusion, in developed countries, women have been encouraged by civil society to take over activities that only men engaged in previously and enjoyed legislative and moral support, but in certain regions of the globe, they had to find alternative ways to express themselves and to make known the discrimination that they are facing in public space.

2. Women evolution in the society

It is difficult to establish how the relationships and social organization of human society were at the beginnings. There is no evidence at that time, but only assumptions. Early matriarch was characterized by full equality of the sexes. Woman makes her presence felt in organisation forms such as family related by blood and gens, and the developed matriarchy places her in a dominant position to man.

On the other hand, patriarchy is based on the idea that man is the one who must lead by placing the woman in the background. He is considered the head of the family, with authority over women and children. Financial dependence of women to man has increased due to the placement of woman in the household.

The moment that the woman was considered to be "the weaker sex" (imbecilitas sexus), without rights and identity, reduced to the role of "slave", is considered to be the milestone of inequality between the sexes.

Consisting mainly in celibate men, the church, in the Middle Ages, imposed to women an inferior image. The renaissance marks the beginning of women's empowerment through decentralization of authority and recognizing the right of management of personal wealth.

Communism has displayed a formal equality, we can discuss about a state patriarchy7. The woman is no longer dependent on man, becomes dependent, just as man, on the state. The communist period brings the concept of heroine mothers, working, selfless and self-sacrifice mothers . The communist regime promoted the women in politics and production.

The current trend has manifested more clearly the division of roles in the family, the involvement of women in society increased more and more. The woman in modern society is the product of hundreds of years fighting for emancipation. Access to education and increasing education levels of women led to reducing gender discrimination and enabled women to be employed in the labor market in different areas.

Depending on the religion which women belongs, she is perceived differently. In Orthodoxy, the woman bears the burden of original sin and is considered inferior. According to orthodoxy customs, women do not have access to the altar, are not allowed to occupy function in the church. In Catholicism, it is almost the same, with some exceptions woman can enter in the altar and can read the scriptures. In Protestant religion, women are priestesses, which entitle us to say, compared with the above, that in this religion woman occupies a superior status.

Islam considers an axiomatic truth that men are stronger than women, not only physically, but also mentally and morally. Therefore, women need protection and guidance of men.

The above analysis leads us to affirm that, socially, women's rights have evolved more slowly than men. Despite the roles held in the society and the image created in various religions, women have not chosen isolation, but continued to fight for emancipation, equality and freedom.

3. Gender equality and gender discrimination problems

We cannot choose our family, gender nor the place and time that we appear in this world, but we can exercise our rights according to national and international law. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulates that: "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights" and in Article 3: "everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person"8.

Rights, fundamental freedoms and duties of citizens, as part of constitutional law, are contained in the Constitution of each state. There appears the inevitable question: why did this situation occur, if we are born equal?

Article 4. par. (2) of the Constitution stipulates that: "Romania is the common and indivisible homeland of all its citizens, irrespective of race, nationality, ethnic origin, language, religion, sex, opinion, political affiliation, wealth or social constitutional origin"9.

The problem of gender and gender equality was treated both by international regulations, at EU and UN level. All have as central idea the dignity and integrity of women, including end of gender violence linked to traditions and customs. Making a connection between concepts, can say that gender equality is the right for any individual is to develop skills, to express their point of view regardless of sex. Failing to comply with this natural law is a violation of human rights.

The United Nations Charter, in Article 1. (3), points out that one of the goals of this organization is "To achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion"10.

Moreover, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural stipulate on prohibition of discrimination based on sex.

The equality between women and men, recognised by the Treaty of Rome, is an important preoccupation in the EU. Also in 2010, the European Commission released the document, called A Strengthened Commitment to Equality between Women and Men: A Women's Charter. European Commission statement on the occasion of International Women's Day 2010. In view of commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the adoption of a Declaration and Platform for Action at the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing and the 30th he anniversary of the UN Convention on the elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which emphasized that in today's society, "economic and social cohesion, sustainable growth and competitiveness, and tackling the demographic challenge depend on real equality between women and men"11.

In our country, equal opportunities and treatment between women and men was initially entrusted to the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between Women and Men (NAEO), followed by another specialized structure within the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Protection Elderly and Equal Opportunities Directorate for Women and Men.

In support of the struggle for equality and non-discrimination, Romanian legislation based on the following: the Constitution (art. 4 para. 2 and art. 16 para 1), the Labour Code (art. 3-9), GD 137/2000, republished on prevention and sanctioning all forms of discrimination, Law 202/2002 on equal opportunities between women and men, GEO 96/2003 to Law 210/1999 on the protection of maternity and paternity leave. Medium-term concerns on this issue are summarized at the moment and the national strategy on equality between women and men.

Because women are considered by some sexual objects, being sometimes objects of social violence and sexual discrimination, it was imperative that this issue become one of the concerns of the legislator. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in article 1, defines clearly the term of discrimination against women in the following form: "any means any distinction, difference, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of recognizing the invalidity of impartiality, right or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on the basis of gender, human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field"12.

The topic is on the agenda of all States and undergoes permanent improvement, trying to cover a larger application area. It is the duty of states to take measures to eliminate discrimination against women and any person, organization or institution. The State is responsible for achieving women's equality with men before the law.

Regardless of geography, be it from Africa (African Charter on Human Rights), be it about America (American Convention on Human Rights) or Europe (European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter), all proclaim the same rights and freedoms set out in the Treaties will be available without discrimination".

United Nations Resolution 1325 is the reference document that reaffirmed the importance of the role of women in prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building process. The involvement of women and results in solving the problems of the contemporary world have highlighted the need to enhance the role of women in decision-making on conflict prevention and resolution and peace process13.

Fight for rights, equality and non-discrimination is old and is still present in modern societies. Equal opportunities and equal treatment, as a principle of human rights is the attention of both the legislature and the political. At the national level, there was drafted the National Strategy of equality between women and men for the period 2014-201714 and a series of programs and guides15, their results were recorded in reports, studies and analyzes, showing that steps are small, but significant for the recognition of equal opportunities and treatment.

4. Woman in modern society

Despite the existence of inequalities and supportive stereotypes, gender equality16 is essential for the protection of human rights, the functioning of democracy, the rule of law, and economic growth and competitiveness.

Phenomena like modernization, urbanization, commuting, migration, unemployment influenced the evolution of women in society, both nationally and internationally, however discrimination against women is still a reality.

With the science and society evolvement, women rights have evolved too. Women have the right to be whatever they chose: mothers, career women, women in the military, women in politics, cosmonauts, wives, teachers, workers, researchers, presidents17. Access to lifelong education, the opportunity for building a successful career, timing of marriage, delaying the first born child (and most often, the only child), demographic eliberation of women, changing of the fashion style (its masculinization), reduced household activities, all lead to destruction the myth of the superiority of men and create conditions for achieving equal opportunities, independence of women.

In Romania, over the last years, the woman is in the discovering and rediscovering process, accepting the change in personal and professional life. It's very important to highlight that our late modernity does not consist in family dissolution in the name of equality between women and men18. The changes in society have brought changes in terms of family and generations sphere. The family was the space that promoted the dependence and inferiority of women, however the new technologies have reduced the time and effort of women in the household.

If, over centuries, women were assigned the only role of wife and mother, today we can talk about career woman who is leaving family life in second place. Women's intrusion into areas reserved until recently to men produces changes in perceptions and social representation of women.

Human security is constantly threatened in both the public and in private space. Some authors say that the woman is often considered the first and often the only parent responsible for the precarious situation in which the child is, a mother is usually blamed for family dysfunction, including domestic violence and accused of not fulfilling the role of wife and mother good"19. The violence present both in peace time and in a state of war has become a weapon. The feminine presence in solving cases of domestic violence, bullying and sexual harassment, genital mutilation, encourages the disinhibiting of victims. War zones are favorable for the development of prostitution and human trafficking. The presence of women in managing these situations leads to strengthening the confidence of the population. The police and the army, as guarantors of the public interest, are accountable to the community they serve. They should be representative of a nation's social landscape. Their existence guarantees the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Women's participation as a pillar around which builds and develops recover full democratic mechanism becomes essential.

The way the media presents women in politics, mainly analyzed through the prism of sexuality and dependence on masculine individuals only reinforces prejudices about their ability to make decisions and think objectively. However, after a brief analysis of the contribution of female personality who worked in politics: Park Geun-Hye, Indira Gandhi, Isabel Peron, Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and Claude-France Arnould we can say that female sex representatives have managed to produce big changes as to the woman perception in the society.

Conclusion

Everyday reality brings to the fore the issue of gender equality. Gender differences are rooted in our environment, in the social pressures, political, economic and religious and some of them are transformed into inequalities. In this context, the respect for gender equality is a condition for achieving human security, which, by definition, is focused on this aspect neglected by the traditional approach of security. The woman, as a symbol of society should benefit of human security on every aspects: economical security, food security, health security, ecological security, personal security, political security. Furthermore, the woman shouldn't be protected only through human security; she should contribute to achieving this by identifying and implementing solutions.

The affirmation of equality between women and men generated feminist autonomy and led, as was natural, to end of their dependency on men. In today's society, achieving a balance between career and family is a right enjoyed equally by both sexes. Equality, being a comparative concept, envisages both sexes. Equality of women is achieved not only for their own benefit, but also in the interest of men.

Nowadays, women's empowerment is no longer considered a danger for males. The effects of the change are visible at least in four areas.

In the emotional sphere, there is a greater involvement outside of the personal life sphere, moving from a life for others to a life among others. History has shown that from the tensions arising from gender relations, we can move on to partnerships based on economic, social, political and cultural interdependence.

The cognitive education sphere is bringing the females representatives in masculine specific areas, where they are showing real leadership qualities.

In terms of communication, we can affirm that we are in a period of modernization or of release of the woman from some habits and traditions.

Through the involvement in public life, in resolving some aspects of armed conflicts, the active participation in actions of restoring peace, the centuries-long fight for recognition and respect for gender equality has made important progress.

Became a symbol of the modern world, woman turned into an active agent of change, fighting for the recognition of the efforts made to the present, and to continue to build an image of the woman free from stereotypes and misconceptions.

Consequently, achieving human security seeks to empower women through education, participation and access, gender equality being seen as a necessary condition for peace, security and prosperity of human society.

Footnote

1 Alex Callinicos, Equality. Poverty and inequality in developed economies, Antet Publisher, Prahova, 2001, p. 5.

2 Oana Baluta, Alina Dragole, Alice Iancu, Gender and political interests. Theories and Practice, Polirom, Iasi, 2007, pp. 19.

3 Scott Baldauf, India's "girl deficit" deepest among educated, January 16, 2006, URL: http://faculty.polytechnic. org/gfeldmeth/indiagirl.html, accessed on 12.03.2015.

4 Alina Botezatu, "Specialist advice: Men vs. Women", Ziarul Financiar, online edition, April 7, 2008, URL: http://www.zf.ro/profesii/sfatul-specialistului-barbati-versus-femei-3097649 accessed on 05/27/2015.

5 U.a., "Equality of Chances in United States of America", URL: https://discriminareafemeilor.wordpress. com/2011/11/05/usa/, accessed on 27/05/2015.

6 Ibidem.

7 Mihaela Miroiu, Patriarchy faces: The Case of Eastern Europe university education within the Research Seminar of Religions and Ideologies, 2002, URL: http://www. jsri.ro/old/html%20version/index/no_3/mihaela_miroiu-articol.htm, accesed on 26.05.2015.

8 ONU, Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly at 10 September 1948, URL: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/UDHR/Documents/ UDHR_Translations/rum.pdf, accessed on 26.05.2015.

9 The Constitution was amended in 1999 and supplemented by the Law amending the Constitution no. 429/2003 published in the Official Gazette of Romania, Part I, no. 758 of 29 October 2003.

10 ONU, United Nation Charter, 1945, URL: http://www. un.org/en/documents/charter/chapter1.shtml, accessed on 26.05.2015.

11 European Commission, European Commission A Strengthened Commitment to Equality between women and men. A Women's Charter . European Commission statement on the occasion of International Women's Day 2010. In view of commemoration of the 15th anniversary of the adoption of a Declaration and Platform for Action at the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing and the 30th he anniversary of the UN Convention on the elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women , Brussels, 2010 Report on the Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, 2010, URL: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2010:0078:FIN:RO:PDF

12 Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection, http:// www.mmuncii.ro/j33/images/ Documente/ Transparenta/ Dezbateri _publice/2014-01-124_Anexa_1_Strategia.pdf, accessed on 26.05.2015.

13 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the reporting criteria under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women ( CEDAW), URL: http://mpsfc.gov.md/file/ egalitategen/Criterii%20de%20Raportare% 20baza % 20in% 20CEDAW.doc, accessed on 5/27/2015.

14 Implementation Plan of the Ministry of National Defence UN Security Council Resolution 1325 ( UNSCR 1325 ) "Women, Peace and Security" and related resolutions and complementary documents approved by the various international organizations to which Romania is a member, URL: http://dmru.mapn.ro/doc/Plan-final.pdf, accessed on 5/27/2015.

15 ANOFM, Guide to promoting equality between women and men in the labor market https://www.senat. ro/UploadFisiere%5C106d721d-55e0-4283-ad91-45926e1b1b64%5Cghid-egalitate-de-sanse-anofm-ifi.pdf

16 Lazar Vlasceanu, Sociology and modernity, Polirom, Iasi, 2007, apud Valentina Marinescu, Current chores in Romanian village. Case studies, Polirom, Iasi, 2013, p. 200.

17 Diana Neaga, Gender and Citizenship in Romania, Polirom, Iasi, 2013, p. 291.

18 Lazar Vlasceanu, op. cit., 2007, p. 198.

19 Ana Muntean, Marciana Popescu, Smaranda Popa, Victims of domestic violence: children and women, Publisher Eurostampa, Bucharest, 2000, p. 10.

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Acknowledgement:

The work received financial support through the project "Doctoral and Postdoctoral Studies Horizon 2020: promote the national interest by excellence, competitiveness and accountability in basic and applied scientific research Romanian" Contract Identification Number HRD / 159 / 1.5 / S / 140106. The project is co-financed from the European Social Fund Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007-2013. Invest in People!