International Women’s Day: Women In The Energy Sector Address Workplace Challenges

Gender equality simply translate to equal opportunities for the female folks as the male. Over the years the fight for gender equality has been strongly advocated for across the world especially powered by the United Nations who presents it as one of its sustainable development goals.

International Women’s Day – celebrated annually on March 8 – is a day that commemorates the social, political and economic achievements of women.

Women in different parts of the world use this day to come together to celebrate one another and rally for equal treatment and representation.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

This year’s campaign is represented by the #BreakTheBias hashtag and calls on people to work towards a world that is equitable, inclusive, and free from bias and discrimination so the playing field is levelled for women moving forward.

It is important to note that gender equality issues does not only apply to women in the real sense, it cuts across gender neutrality advocacy.

It is also crucial to understand that bias and discrimination is not only directed to gender but to Race, tribe or sect as well as religious affiliation.

Oxford definition of discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, sex, or disability.Discrimination is the act of making unjustified distinctions between people based on the groups, classes and that simply has its root from hate.

In addressing the real challenges faced by women in Africa, Experts who are women in the Energy sector during a recent gathering in Lagos, speak about the divers issues confronting the female folks in the workplace.

Patricia Simon-Hart Managing Director AFRAC Ltd and Women in Energy Network who is also a member of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria PETAN, says women should came across as professionals to avoid harassment.

While another speaker admonished women to be diligent with work , and pay attention to appearance.

Maintaining work-life balance and understanding that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, women are encouraged to be flexible with their work environment and organisation; knowing that Asking for work balance is a give and take.

Representative from Kenya national oil company says, skill set is very important and women need to prove themselves to be positioned in a leadership position.

Looking back at the history of the international women’s day, the most consequential International Women’s Day protest took place in Russia on March 8, 1917 where Thousands of Russian women took to the streets of the capital, Petrograd, now known as St Petersburg, to demand the end of food shortages and World War I.

The United Nations celebrated International Women’s Day for the first time in 1975. Ever since the global community has ascribed different themes to the event each year; and there has been different interpretation to the celebration of the day.

Gender Ideology Theory vs Non-discrimination Policy Law

Gender Ideology Theory is another issue that is making waves across the globe especially prevalent in the United States of America.

In the United States, students have been introduced to gender ideology through social media “influencers,” helping fuel a rise in gender dysphoria among children. As a result, schools have begun enabling gender-confused students to “socially transition”—without their parents’ knowledge or consent Through the Non-discrimination Policy Law. Heritage foundation plays host to a few brave parents who have started to speak out, to defend their rights and the rights of their children.

Non-discrimination Policy Law, seeks “to guarantee that human rights are exercised without discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status

Equality and freedom from discrimination are outlines as basic human rights by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). While the UDHR is not binding, nations make a commitment to uphold those rights through the ratification of international human rights treaties. Specific treaties relevant to anti-discrimination law include

* The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

* The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

* The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and

* The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

* In addition, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 and Goal 16 also advocates for international efforts towards eliminating discriminatory laws

It is therefore expedient to say gender equality refers or applies to women when it comes to asking for equal rights for women and advocacy for opportunities in social, political and economic achievements for women. But the overall concept of ‘’Gender Equality’’ goes deeper than issues regarding or concerning women’s right.