IndexWhat can be done to build gender equality?But what defines a woman?What is hegemonic masculinity?References“Gender equality is a right human, 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 the fundamental human rights that have existed for over 70 years. All women are entitled to these rights, yet they are stripped 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 different world and dreaming that all races and people are equal. However, this is not the reality. Dating back long before the idea of ​​feminism and gender equality, cultural practices formed these boundaries, the whole idea of ​​gender inequality had been institutionalized. There has always been segregation between males and females, the way they are educated, raised, even the type of occupation they choose. Ultimately, over time these norms established gender boundaries. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay What can be done to build gender equality? Michael Kimmel speaks in a video "why gender equality is good for everyone", he states that when a woman looks in the mirror she sees a woman, but when a man looks in the mirror he sees a generic human being. It also goes to say that privilege is invisible to those who have it. Without the involvement of men, this issue showing that men are privileged (hegemonic masculinity), having dominance over women, objectifying and classifying women as the other, will continue with gender inequality. But what defines a woman? In a newspaper article "Woman as Other" ' Simone de Beauvoir asks what a woman's place is and what her place should be. To be a woman is to have a womb. This means that a woman's place is to stay at home and take care of children since the woman has those body parts. Since they (women) are looked down upon as mere maids and mothers of children, this denies them their achievements. Beauvoir also spoke 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 made use of her husband's influence!”. This is a clear portrayal that shows the belittling of women as this writer wanted to be counted among men as they show more authority and are not subject to doubt (a woman's work is always questionable). But not only did she not have the power to be numbered among men, she did so only through her husband's influence. This shows the power of men and how women are subjected to male domination. A man's word is more powerful than a woman's, for example if a man says “you think so and so because you are a woman; but I know that my only defense is to answer: I think so and so because it's true." When a woman speaks she doesn't have as much credibility as a man. When the man replies: “you think so and so because you are a woman” this is belittling the woman's speech, but when a man speaks he has the authority and power and should not be questioned. Beauvoir also referred to St. Thomas for saying that woman is an “imperfect man, an incidental being.” This is a religious view of matter symbolizing Genesis, from which Eve was created, called "bonesupernumerary" of Adam. St. Thomas defined woman as an incidental being, synonymous with the word incidental is 'secondary, subordinate', this makes man primary. This is still practiced today in most religions where the woman is expected to submit to her husband, the man of the house. This is also practiced in traditional cultures while when the man wants to be engaged he or his parents choose a woman for him, during this process the woman of interest is not consulted but the father (man), who then he will decide the fate of his daughter. He must present the decision made. This shows that it is not only practiced in traditional cultures but is institutionalized (in culture, religions, institutions of learning, etc.). throughout history they have always been subordinate to men, and therefore their dependence is not the result of a historical event or social change – it was not something that happened.” Since it has been institutionalized in society, it has become very difficult to ensure gender equality. This clearly shows that history has been like this, women were not stripped and enslaved of their autonomous freedom. Men have power over women and for them to achieve equality men must ensure they take actions that help women become equal. What is hegemonic masculinity? In the glossary of the European Institute for Gender Equality it is defined as "Cultural norm that continuously links men to power and economic conquests". Men had always been in power. They had dominion over women. This made the man masculine, masculinity is often associated with being arrogant, big, self-centered, unemotional. Being a man is not about showing emotion, being a man it is important to maintain those standards so that those who are subordinate can have respect and maintain 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 states that “masculine means not being feminine”. A male child when playing does not want a doll and if another child had a doll he would be called 'wuss' or girly. So from childhood it is already in the minds of young males that being a man means being non-female. Competing with another man is also considered manly, whenever in a sport being a man means competing to win. This is the same meaning as "alpha male", where if your team wins they are considered more masculine (alpha). Men often sexually objectify woman as Sharon Bird said men often have 'competitive sex talk' in an example she gave "I can go out, shoot her and go back to the bar 5 or 10 minutes." This type of 'shop talk' from men belittles and objectifies women by making them objects that can be used for sexual pleasures. The practice that men have towards women as objects of sexual pleasure still occurs today. So, if men show emotions, stop being competitive and stop considering women as sexual objects, and stop doing it, only then such habits will achieve gender equality. A lot of research has been conducted in recent years, for example: “The initial United Nations work in this area was labeled “women's progress”. Efforts focused on collecting data and statistics and analyzing the situation of women in the world. Work on women's empowerment and guaranteeing women's human rights, such as political rights, was given importance from an early stage.” Despite numerous research conducted, this is only one factor (2015).