Table of contentsWhat can be done to build gender equality?But what defines a woman?What is hegemonic masculinity ?References “Gender equality is a human right, but our world faces a persistent gap in access to opportunities and decision-making power for women and men.” In the article “Women's Human Rights”, it is stated that women's rights are fundamental human rights that have existed for over 70 years. All women are entitled to these rights, but they are deprived and denied them simply because of their gender. In this generation, there are many different types of people, races, backgrounds, cultures and histories. Living in such a diverse world and dreaming of all races and people being equal. However, this is not reality. Long before the idea of ​​feminism and gender equality, cultural practices shaped these boundaries, the very idea of ​​gender inequality was institutionalized. There has always been a segregation between men and women, in the way they are educated, raised, and even in the type of profession they choose. Eventually, over time, these norms established boundaries between the sexes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get an Original EssayWhat Can Be Done to Build Gender Equality?Michael Kimmel Speaks Out in Video “Why Gender Equality is good for everyone,” he says that when a woman looks in a mirror she sees a woman, but when a man looks in a mirror he sees a generic human being. He adds that privilege is invisible to those who possess it. Without the involvement of men, this affair which shows that men are privileged (hegemonic masculinity), that they dominate women, that they objectify and classify women like others, will continue with inequality between the sexes. But what defines a woman? In a newspaper article “Woman as other” Simone de Beauvoir questions what is the place of a woman and what should be her place. To be a woman is to have a belly. This is like saying that a woman's place is to be at home and take care of the children since women have these body parts. Since they (women) are seen as mere housekeepers and mothers if they have children, this deprives them of their success. Beauvoir also speaks of “a well-known writer who refused to allow her portrait to appear in a series of photographs dedicated to women writers. She had wanted to be counted among men but, to obtain this privilege, she used her husband's influence! This is a clear representation that shows the devaluation of women, as this writer wanted to be counted among men as this shows more authority and is not questioned (a woman's work is always questionable ). But not only did she not have the power to be numbered among men, but it was only through the influence of her husband. This shows the power of men and how women are subject to male domination. A man's words are more powerful than those of a woman, for example if a man says “you think this and that because you are a woman; but I know that my only defense is to answer: I think this and that because it is true.” When a woman speaks, she doesn't have as much credibility as a man. When the man responded, "You think this and that because you are a woman," this belittles a woman's speech, but when a man speaks he has authority and power and should not be questioned. Beauvoir also madereference to Saint Thomas for his assertion that woman is an “imperfect man, a fortuitous being”. This is a religious view of the matter that symbolizes Genesis, where Eve was created from what is called Adam's "supernumerary bone." Saint Thomas described the woman as an accessory being, synonymous with the word accessory which means “secondary, subordinate”, which makes the man the principal. This is still practiced today in most religions where the woman must submit to her husband, the man of the house. This is also practiced in traditional cultures whereas when the man wants to commit, he or his parents choose a woman for him, during this process the woman of interest is not consulted but the father (man), he then decides the fate of his daughter. She must submit the decision taken. This shows that not only is it practiced in traditional cultures, but it is institutionalized (in culture, religions, educational institutions, etc.). Beauvoir also stated that "throughout history they have always been subordinate to men and their dependence is therefore not the result of a historical event or social change – it is not something thing that happened.” Since this has been institutionalized in society, it has become very difficult for gender equality. This clearly shows that history has been like this, women have not been deprived and enslaved of their autonomous freedom. Men have power over women and for them to achieve equality, they must grant them actions that help women become equal. What is hegemonic masculinity? In the glossary of the European Institute for Gender Equality, it is defined as “A cultural norm that continually connects men to power and economic achievement. Men have always been in power. They dominated women. This made the man masculine, masculinity is often associated with being arrogant, big, self-centered and unemotional. Being a man is not about showing emotions, being a man it is important to maintain such standards so that those who are subordinate can have respect and retain that power. Being a man who expresses feelings is a sign of weakness. In the journal article “Homosociality and the Maintenance of Hegemonic Masculinity” by Sharon Bird, she stated that “masculine is being non-feminine.” A male child, when playing, does not want a doll and if another child has a doll, he will be called “evil” or woman. So, as a child, young men have already understood that being a man is not the same as being a woman. Competing with another man is also considered manly, whenever in a sport, to be a man is to compete to win. This is the same meaning as “alpha male”: if your team wins, it is considered more masculine (alpha). Men often object to women sexually, as Sharon Bird said men frequently have "competitive sexual discussions" in one example she gave: "I can go out, shoot him and go back to the bar for 5 or 10 minutes" . This kind of “shop talk” that men demean and objectify women by making them objects that can be used for sexual pleasures. The practice that men have of women as objects of sexual pleasure is still relevant today. So if men show emotion, stop being competitive, stop making women a sexual object and stop doing it, only then will women achieve gender equality. Much research has been carried out in recent years, for example: “The first The work of the United Nations in this area (2015).