Gender Inequality in the Global Sphere: A Battle That Begins in the Womb

Shama Khanam

Gender inequality isn’t just a problem, it’s a story etched into the very soul of societies. For centuries, it has shaped lives before they even begin, woven into traditions, laws, and whispered expectations. Why are sons celebrated as “breadwinners” while daughters are seen as burdens? Why does a family’s legacy rest on a man’s name? These aren’t relics of the past they’re alive, silently deciding who gets to dream and who gets left behind. It’s time to rewrite this story.

Take India, for example. Dig into history, and you’ll find women held respect in the early Vedic period. But over time, texts like the Manusmriti began etching women’s “inferiority” into culture. Islam, too, started with women like Khadijah, a powerhouse entrepreneur and Aisha, a scholar who shaped early Islamic thought. Yet rigid interpretations later shrank women’s roles to domesticity and childbearing. History shows us this isn’t fixed; it’s a script we’ve rewritten again and again.

These examples highlight that gender inequality is not a static condition but one shaped by historical, religious, and cultural factors.

The First Battlefield: A Heartbeat Silenced

Imagine a heartbeat fading before it ever breathes. That’s the reality for millions of girls lost to sex-selective abortions in places like India and China, rob girls of their right to life simply because of their gender. Cultural traditions and societal norms place a higher value on sons, leading to devastating consequences like entire generations of missing daughters, skewed sex ratios, and shattered dreams that never had a chance to bloom.

MY DREAM OF THIS WORLD IN THE WOMB

I saw a place in my dream,

Where I was free, even in the womb.

My existence was not judged by being XX,

I was welcomed with love and dignity.

I was not neglected in my childhood,

Given the same preference as my brother.

I had the freedom to go to school,

To attend the same college.

I was given the right to choose my own partner,

To live on my terms, to follow my heart.

But suddenly, the noise of my marriage woke me up

People crying, mourning my death.

Yet I am alive,

Just three months old in the womb.

--SHAMA--

A study by Leah Lakdawalla and Prashant Bharadwaj reveals sex discrimination starts in the womb. Analyzing data from over 30,000 Indian women, they found mothers carrying boys were more likely to receive prenatal care, take iron supplements, deliver in healthcare facilities, and get tetanus shots. Sons are prioritised, even before birth.

Birth: A Girl’s First Injustice

A girl’s birth is often met with silence. No fireworks, no feasts just a quiet hope for a “better luck next time.” From day one, she’s told her dreams are secondary. A silent discrimination lingers in the air as parents, bound by societal pressures, prioritize their sons’ futures. In many impoverished regions, a girl’s education is considered a luxury, while a boy’s is seen as an investment. How do we expect women to rise when the foundation itself is built on inequality?

Growing Up in a World That Undermines Her

Girls grow up hearing, “Why study? You’ll just marry anyway.” In the workforce, the pay gap screams inequality: women earn 82 cents to a man’s dollar less if they’re Black or Latina. Women fight for equal pay, struggle to climb the corporate ladder, and face systemic barriers like the glass ceiling, an invisible limit that restricts their advancement. Despite this, women remain resilient, pushing forward against a world that was never built for them. They continue to rise, defying expectations, and demanding equal rights and opportunities

Her Body, A Battleground

A woman’s body is a battleground. Where abortion is taboo or illegal, girls become mothers too soon, and unsafe procedures claim lives. When a daughter is born, mothers face scorn, while men walk free, often remarrying for a son. Unsafe abortions make up 45% of global cases, yet women rise, fists raised, demanding, “My body, my choice.” Their fight for autonomy is relentless, but the cost is too high. No woman should have to risk her life for the right to choose.

Living in Fear: The Shadow of Violence

Violence shadows women everywhere. One in three will face physical or sexual abuse. Streets, homes, workplaces and nowhere feels safe. And when assault happens, society asks, “What was she wearing?” instead of “Where’s the justice?” The trauma isn’t just physical; it’s a theft of dignity.

Women live in constant fear of walking alone, speaking out, or simply existing. Gender-based violence, from domestic abuse to sexual assault, reminds them they’re seen as possessions, not people. When rape occurs, society blames her not the perpetrator. One in three women globally will face such violence, yet victim-blaming persists. The scars are more than physical; they’re a theft of dignity, a crushing of humanity. Women deserve safety, not silence. It’s time to stop blaming them and start protecting them.

A Call to Action: It’s Time for Change

Change isn’t a fairy tale, it’s a choice. Governments must punish gender violence, fund maternal care, and protect reproductive rights. Parents must teach sons empathy, not entitlement. Schools must nurture equality, not stereotypes. And all of us? We need to listen. To unlearn bias. To see daughters not as liabilities, but as leaders.

This isn’t just a “women’s issue.” It’s about rebuilding a world where everyone can breathe free. The battle begins in the womb, but it ends with us