#3StepsForward campaign<\/a>\u00a0at a time when gender equality most needs our support and action.<\/p>\n\u201cThis is a powerful campaign to put gender equality on the agenda of governments,\u201d says Antonia Morillas, Director of the Instituto de las Mujeres.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt sends a clear message, not only to society but particularly to those in power, that we will not take a single step backwards on feminist rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Institute, attached to Spain\u2019s Ministry of Equality, is tasked with promoting equality between women and men.<\/p>\n
Its goal is to end all kinds of sex discrimination by promoting equal participation in political, work, and social life.<\/p>\n
The combined crises of Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and the rising cost of living threaten progress towards gender equality.<\/p>\n
EIGE\u2019s #3StepsForward campaign aims to reverse that worrying trend. It\u2019s inspired by the fact that we can all make a positive difference.<\/p>\n
The combined effect of each of us \u2014 from presidents to people who see value in gender equality \u2014 pledging to take three steps forward will have a real, transformative impact in our societies.<\/p>\n
Antonia explains: \u201cThroughout history, every time there\u2019s a crisis, women are threatened. The astonishing overload of care work and destruction of employment has particularly affected the most vulnerable sectors. This is most relevant for women.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year, we did a study on the effects of the pandemic on gender inequalities. It showed that the pandemic increased the gulf between women and men in shouldering domestic work and care responsibilities and led to an increased risk of gender-based violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
But, while we are all feeling the negative impact of these shocks on society, there\u2019s much we can do. And Antonia is clear that now is the time for action on gender equality.<\/p>\n
She asserts: \u201cWe should avoid widening the existing gender gaps. The crisis should facilitate a turning point.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe pandemic proved that what protects us is the public sector. When the going gets tough, public services are our cushion of protection,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo guarantee everyone\u2019s rights, we have to guarantee that there are public services for equality that guarantee that these rights are effective. Public authorities should promote transformations to eradicate the inequalities we experience including those of gender, class, and ethnicity. The main thing we have to learn is to strengthen the public sector so that it allows us to face any crisis that may come our way. In Spain, we\u2019ve already taken measures…but work in this area needs to move forward at a much faster pace. There\u2019s plenty of room for improvement,\u201d she concludes.<\/p>\n
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