Why women’s issues should concern us all

Reproductive health and genderbased violence are a few topics that often come up under the subject of ‘women’s issues.’ Although a buzzword, the term ‘women’s issues’ is regularly used without precise definition, and often has slighting, divisive undertones. When referring to women’s equal rights and participation, gender-based violence, or reproductive health, the use of ‘women’s issues’ is wellintentioned. At the same time, it presents a paradox as it can create barriers to men’s involvement, when each of these issues require men’s full participation to resolve.

The lack of clarity around ‘women’s issues’ is prevalent in political discussions on human rights, peace, and security, including at the United Nations. When the term was used at a side event to the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace, and Security last year, the resounding response was bewilderment. “It’s not clear to me what that refers to,” said one senior UN gender expert.

What, then, are we talking about when we say ‘women’s issues?’ When is this language helpful, and when is it not? Women face unique barriers in pursuit of social and political equality. Employing the term ‘women’s issues’ to address these obstacles or the uneven playing field can give visibility to the particular difficulties that women face, as opposed to other groups. So while women’s rights are human rights, using specificity to define them brings visibility to a population whose voice has been silenced.

The descriptor, ‘women,’ can note with specificity that gender-sensitive solutions and expertise are required to address matters that relate to women’s lived experience, an expertise that men may not always have, as they experience, consciously or not, the benefits of a patriarchal society.

Using the word ‘women’s’ can sometimes act as a qualifier, labeling a topic as lesser, softer, unnecessary, or to indicate that something is not applicable — nor of concern — to men. In these contexts, referring to sexual abuse or maternal health as ‘women’s issues’ undermines the necessity that men be accountable in preventing violence or engaging in solutions. It also detracts from the reality that women represent half of the world’s population and, moreover, that if an issue affects a woman, it also affects her children, her parents, and all those around.

Another word of caution is that women are not one homogenous group. Not every woman, or person, experiences the world in the same way. According to Sarah Taylor at the International Peace Institute (IPI), terminology to address gender inequality is a complex problem. There can be significant value in using ‘gender’ as a lens rather than ‘women,’ as it mitigates the broader issues outlined above, but there is also a strong basis for wanting to draw attention to a particular issue that affects women to address and counter genderbased discrimination.

Women cannot fix gender inequality alone, and neither are women submissive victims in need of saving or empowerment. One popular solution to women’s inequality has been educational training, which operates on the assumption that providing women with knowledge and expertise will give them value in society, will combat gender inequality, or give women financial autonomy. It falls short, however, since it does not take into account the fact that most women are already active contributors to society.

The work of policymakers, academics, and activists will benefit from using a critical eye in evaluating where gender inequality and women’s rights can be addressed effectively by being called out in specificity, and where separating these issues from men is counterproductive. Identity is not one-dimensional, and change-makers must also consult with a diverse range of groups to fully understand the symptoms of conflict or prejudice and their solutions.

We need a better understanding of the root causes of issues labeled as ‘women’s,’ and perhaps a new word that hasn’t yet tired from overuse and become jargon. Men: label it gender inequality, label it a challenge for society, but don’t ignore an issue labeled as ‘women’s.’

One solution to women’s inequality has been educational training, which assumes that providing knowledge will give them value in society