What is gender equality? How can you as a Scout #StepItUp4Gender?

Grace Wanja, Rover Scout, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Gender equality, to me, is having an equal "playing ground", where both male and female receive equal treatment in the society, politics, workplace or any other designated sphere. I am currently participating in a campaign called “HeforShe” (www.heforshe.org) being run in my university. The campaign seeks to encourage men to be in the forefront in encouraging and supporting women.
 

Henock Amberbir, Project Coordinator, Ethiopia Scout Association, and Messengers of Peace Ethiopia Representative

Gender equality means that men, women, boys and girls enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and protection in all aspects of life. As a Scout, I think everyone – men, women, boys and girls – should have the same opportunities to experience new things so that they can easily find their interests, which will enable them to be effective and efficient in their current or future career.

Pamela Akplogan, Africa Scout Youth Forum Chairperson, Benin

Gender equality is when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including decision-making; when the different behaviours, cultures, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured without stereotypes. Gender equality is when society recognizes men and women as equal citizens.

Scouting gives opportunities to educate girls and boys without discrimination. As a Scout, I can promote gender equality by being a voice of change through the sharing of my experiences in educational values and women's empowerment within and outside of the Scout Movement. This can be achieved if women stand for their rights. Vision 2023 is the best way to achieve that because it will help to overcome this challenge in various fields. Finally, through daily actions, community services and pleas, I engage myself to be a champion of girl's education.

Pauline Kagiri, Member, Eastern Africa Zonal Youth Committee, Kenya

Gender equality does not imply that women and men are the same, but they have equal rights, values and should be accorded equal treatment. I would make gender equality part of training and education by advocating for issues affecting women and girls, including a stand-alone goal on gender equality.

Yonathan Getaneh, Rover Scout, Ethiopia

Gender equality means giving both sexes all opportunities available equally and helping them to achieve their full potential. We should have an equal number of women and men, boys and girls join the different levels of leadership of the Movement and encourage them to get involved and participate actively in different aspects of their life.

Ahmed Gamal Elhalfawy, Egyptian Scout Federation

Gender equality is not about men and women being the same but about men and women regarded as equal human beings with regards to values and treatment. We create stereotypes and we are those who are responsible for the new generation. So, it is essential to serve good examples of how a Scout should treat his/her mate with great respect in order for the young Scouts to imitate us. Bias should be absent from any sort of Scout activity and gender should only define sex not roles or thought. 

IE May R Abdelhadi, Scout Leader, Sadaqa Palestinian Girl Guides Group, and Messengers of Peace Coordinator

Gender equality means being fair in the allocation of resources and opportunities, considering the differences between men, women, boys and girls in terms of their needs and responsibilities. As Scouts, we create safe and fair spaces for all groups to participate. We teach and educate our members about diversity, rights, respect and influencing others. Our members are also supporting and empowering the marginalised groups through their community service initiatives.

Montaser Hosny Adbelmaged, Youth Advisor to the World Scout Committee, Egypt

Gender equality can be achieved when selection for roles is based on qualification. The Scout Movement is open to all without discrimination and our programmes involve activities that meet the needs of both genders.

Kang Zeze, Scout Leader, Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia

In my opinion, gender equality is only possible when men and women are given equal rights and opportunities to receive education, to work and take part in politics. I believe that every woman can achieve the same position as men in every aspects of life. As Scouts, we have the responsibility of encouraging the younger generation to seek their rights, especially in education. We can promote it by explaining to them that as human beings (men and women), we must work together to create a better life.

Sherman Sheng, Messengers of Peace Coordinator, Republic of China (Taiwan)

Gender equality is the symbol of peace and love. No matter which gender you are, we are all valuable human beings. Women and men deserve the same rights from birth and should be treated equally by society. Scouting promotes gender equality by providing every Scout with equal opportunities to take part in all its activities. 

Daria Chekurova, Messengers of Peace Coordinator, National Organization of Scouts of Ukraine

For me gender equality means being who you want to be and to have a career and hobbies as you want being without stereotyped. As Scouts, we should give young people opportunities to choose and the freedom of choice.

Mykyta Mykhidenko, National Organization of the Scouts of Ukraine

In my point of view, there is no concept of gender inequality because I believe that we are all socially equal. I would like women to organize workshops and trainings that are usually conducted by men and vice versa. By doing that, we could show that both men and women are equal and can do any kind of work.

Yurii Oliinyk, National Organization of the Scouts of Ukraine

Gender equality means that employees can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of their sex. The goal is to achieve equal results for women and men. Equal opportunities, rights and access for men and women in every field. Men and women are equal so we deserve to be brought up, educated and treated equally.

Gender equality should be part of training and education. Young people should be supported in choosing jobs that are future-oriented and promising regardless of their gender. We shouldn’t limit their ambitions and talents. We should aim for a 50-50 gender division in all their teams – up to the executive positions. Offering practical support such as childcare is the right attitude towards gender equality, going on a maternity leave shouldn’t destroy a woman’s career. Networking, mentoring and coaching opportunities can also help women build confidence and develop their career.

Mykola Moroz, National Organization of the Scouts of Ukraine

Personally for me, gender equality means life with no borders, no prejudices, no stereotypes in communication between people of different genders. I think we shouldn't differentiate people as men and women when we talk about employment, receiving treatment or education, because gender doesn't characterise their professional skills and knowledge.

Scouting is free of prejudices like differences in gender, race or age. As a part of this movement, I try to share this idea with others. If I see that someone encroaching on somebody's rights, I always try to take action and solve the issue.

Husein Huseinov, Scout leader, Mubarizlar Scout Group, Association of Scouts of Azerbaijan

In order to achieve gender equality, we need to provide a healthy environment for both genders. As Scouts, we can help to promote gender equality by encouraging equal participation of both genders.

Rauf Abishev, Assistant leader, Boz gurd Scout Patrol, Association of Scouts of Azerbaijan

Gender equality means that men and women have equal authority. To promote gender equality, we can organize events to increase public awareness.

Natascha Skjaldgaard, National Board Member at the YMCA Scouts in Denmark (KFUM-Spejderne)

Not only is gender equality a fundamental human right, it’s a fundamental necessity for a sustainable future. As Scouts, we have a unique platform to encourage, educate and empower youth to develop skills and create social impact in the local communities. It’s essential that we recognise the importance of this issue and pledge our commitment and become active agents of change to groundbreaking campaigns such as HeforShe (www.heforshe.org) in order to create a better world, step by step.

Vicki Sigvert Nielsen, Project coordinator, YMCA Scouts in Denmark (KFUM-Spejderne)

To me, gender equality means to live in a world based on respect for one another. As Scouts, it is our duty to ourself and to others, to cultivate that respect by letting young children and grown-ups play together, across different colours, cultures and continents!

Andrea Palomo, Messengers of Peace Ambassador, Asociación de Scouts de México, A.C.

I'm convinced that gender equality is only possible if we identify women and men as “persons”. As Scouts, we are committed to show the world that every person has the same values.

Estoy convencida de que la igualdad de género solo es posible si reconocemos a la mujer y al hombre como PERSONAS. Como scouts tenemos el compromiso de mostrarle al mundo que todas las personas tenemos el mismo valor.

Dami Bacarini, Rover Scout, Scouts de Argentina

Scouting in Argentina allows people, both male and female, to develop themselves in the activities they like. I worked with great individuals either at a group, district, council, national or international level. A lot of women were involved in my training and I can't be more thankful. In celebrating International Women's Day, I remember how good it is, working together towards creating a better world.

José Ramón Díaz Ordaz, National Messengers of Peace Coordinator México, Asociación de Scouts de México, A.C.

Women play a very important role in our society and Scouting, and have successfully demonstrated their leadership capacity. Equality is in giving respect and valuing them and their work. We are “persons”, we are Scouts.

Las mujeres tienen un papel muy importante tanto en nuestra sociedad como en el movimiento Scout, han demostrado su capacidad de liderazgo en todo lo realizan día a día, la igualdad está en dar respeto y valor a ellas y su trabajo. Somos personas, somos Scouts.

Linda Rainbow, Scouts Canada, National In-person Support Advisor

Gender equality to me means having equal opportunities in all aspects of life, including education, healthcare, work, and political decision-making, no matter if you are male or female. As Scouts and active global citizens, we have the opportunity to help ensure that gender equality is met in our own communities and around the world. 

As a Youth Commissioner for Scouts Canada I helped model gender equality and empower young people to share their voice in the leadership of their organisation. I saw young women around me gain the courage to take on new challenges and engage in their communities. On a global scale, I contributed to gender equality in Madagascar, ensuring girls received education and assisting a group of women with starting up a business. These experiences remind me of the power Scouts have to make a difference in the world. 

Denis Nochez, Chief Scout, Troop 110 Zulus, El Salvador

Gender equality for me is something that we are working hard for because in El Salvador there is a lot of machismo but our Scouts groups are working in patrols and teams, integrated with communities and clans to foster camaraderie. We are all equal no matter if it is a child and we need to break the stereotype of seeing women as a lesser being, to work a lot on building self-esteem and make it a life project through the Scouts Method.

Equidad de género para mí es un algo en lo que estamos trabajando mucho ya que en el salvador hay mucho machismo pero en nuestros grupos scouts estamos trabajando en patrullas y equipos de comunidades y clanes integrados donde fomentamos la camaradería como el que todos somos iguales no importa si es niño o niña y romper el estereotipo de ver a las mujeres de menos, de trabajar mucho con la autoestima y el proyecto de vida mediante el método scouts.

Matthew Bursley, Associate Advisor - International, Area 2 - Central Region Venturing,Boy Scouts of America

Gender equality is treating both men and women with the same manner of respect whether in a professional or non-professional setting. Scouts should promote equality by engaging both genders in all activities, and teaching Scouting methods in a non-discriminatory way to both boys and girls in the programme.