Do we have something to celebrate? This year marked a milestone in the movement for gender equality and the advancement of women. The world has recognized that gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation. Women are not only more aware of their rights; they are more able to exercise them.
This includes being empowered to make strong decisions about financial issues. Unfortunately, there is not one country where women are truly equal with men. Where are the best – and worst – places for women to live? The answer is not as obvious as it may seem. The worst countries for women to live in – by our standards at least – are likely to be poor and war-torn, or unsympathetic to women’s rights. However, it is surprising to find that the gap between the haves and have-nots makes the US “shocking” for many women, says a University of Adelaide academic, Barbara Pocock. Many women are being left behind because of the low minimum wages, a welfare system aimed at pushing people back into work, and expensive health care.
As women, there is a natural fear of money. We learn so much about healing and restoring other aspects of our lives – such as relationships, body image, parenting – and yet we are sometimes afraid to tackle anything to do with the business of financial reality. We are afraid of not having enough, of losing what we have, and of having more than enough.
So how can we find serenity in all that financial angst? We can start by being honest with ourselves. Compare notes with your friends; untangle some of your economic package; figure out the specific symbolic nature of your relationship to money versus the reality of what you need for you and your family to get by; and isolate the lies you’ve bought into about money.
It’ll be scary and painful at first, but it’ll get easier as you continue to learn and embrace the topic of money. If we are to change the past that put women at a disadvantage in most societies, we must implement what we have learned on a larger scale. It is fundamental to create more economic opportunities for women. Promoting gender equality and facing financial reality, is not only women’s responsibility — it is the responsibility of all of us. Let us rededicate ourselves to making that a reality.
