Essay on Gender Equality

Question: Write about the Essay on Gender Equality. Answer: The structure under which females are treated at par with their male counterparts in every aspect is known as gender equality (Correa-Fernandes et al., 2015). The concept of gender equality has been a major concern in the global economy. The acceptance of the third gender into the community and providing them equal opportunity can be termed as gender equality too. Along with modernization and globalization, the participation of women in the economic activity rose sharply. They started becoming more independent and wanted equal treatment in the social, cultural and economic aspects of their life both within their domestic and working domain (Sen Mukherjee, 2014). This essay tries to construct a brief argument on the existence of present day gender equality within the global economy. Gender equality is necessary for the smooth functioning of a nation but statistical data reveals the existence of inequality and biasness among the gender groups in the world and is measured by the tool of Gender Inequality Index(GII) (www.hdr.undp.org, 2015). According to the human development report published by UNDP it can be stated that inequality still persists and the depth of inequality is quite large in some countries. Earlier data from the year 2008 suggests that the country ranking 1st in GII index has 17.4% inequality and the country with the highest degree of biasness has 81.4% inequality. According to the report of 2015, the country named Slovenia ranks first in the GII with an inequality of around 1.6% only. Saudi Arabia ranks 56th in the inequality index with existence of 28.4% inequality. Yemen is the country showing the highest degree of gender inequality. The inequality in Yemen is around 74.4% (www.hdr.undp.org, 2015). The argument that can be put forward with this data is that there is existence of Gender Inequality within the Global economy. People strive towards attaining equality in the society with respect to the gender group but end up creating discrimination between them. The stages where any women and people belonging to the third gender usually face discrimination are in their families, work groups and in between the peer groups. Gender inequality within the family takes in the form of male child receiving the maximum attention, in the work place they are offered better salaries (Sen Mukherjee, 2014). The reason behind the existence of three different gender group is purly biological and depends on the ways in which genes mutation. It is not in any peoples hand to choose their gender but still they discriminate based on this criterion. A recent issue of gender inequality at work place shows that females are paid less and given lower ratings even if they perform better than the male workers. According to the news published on the Fortune in 2015 it has been observed that the top-level company named Microsoft Corpo ration faced legal issues in this regard. Katie Moussouris, a loyal employee of Microsoft filed the case in the Seattle Federal Court against this discrimination of wages based on the gender of employee (www.fortune.com, 2015). Data also suggests that out of every 4 person from LGBT community 3 person are tortured in their workplace. Even the calculation of GII contains two-gender group, male and female, whereas the third group are assumed non-existing. All these fact clearly indicates the presence of inequality. The above scenario can be wrapped up by stating that facts suggest there has been an improvement in terms of reduction in disparity. The minimum level of inequality existing in the world decreased from 17.4% to 1.6%. The global economy is trying to overcome the problem of biasness through different policies and awareness programs. Recently people of LGBT community are getting vocal regarding their acceptance in the society and workplace and establishment of their rights, as their existence is normal like the existence of the other two groups. If each individual person changes their views on gender discrimination and accept humans as equal, then it can be expected that gender equality is going to be established in future. References: Correa-Fernandes, M., Dumas, B. K., Jones, C., Mbarika, V., Ong'oa, I. M. (2015). Gender and Development: A Literature Review. Gender Inequality Index (GII) | Human Development Reports. (2015). Hdr.undp.org. Retrieved 13 January 2017, from https://hdr.undp.org/en/content/gender-inequality-index-gii Rao, L. (2015). Fortune.com. Retrieved 13 January 2017, from https://fortune.com/2015/09/16/microsoft-gender-discrimination-suit/ Sen, G., Mukherjee, A. (2014). No empowerment without rights, No rights without politics: Gender-equality, MDGs and the post-2015 development agenda.Journal of Human Development and Capabilities,15(2-3), 188-202.

Venezuela`s Economy Essays - Northern South America, Venezuela

Venezuela`s Economy Venezuela is rich in oil and other mineral resources. Its per capita income is about average for Latin America. The country's public external debt (excluding the obligations of the central bank and PDVSA, the parastatal oil company) stood at approximately $26.5 billion in 1996. The economy grew by 4.5% in real terms in 1997. Consumer prices rose only 37.6% in 1997 compared to the record 103% of 1996. The government is hoping for inflation of 24% during 1998. The Venezuelan economy is making a comeback under the Agenda Venezuela, propelled primarily by the opening of the petroleum sector to foreign investment (the "apertura"), a far-reaching privatization program, and plans to reform public sector operations. Oil prices have shown a continual decline since 1996, which is serving to erode the budgetary surplus from 4.5% in 1996 to an estimated 1.5% in 1997. In July 1996, the Venezuelan Government and the IMF formally announced a $1.4 billion stand-by loan. The World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank are also contributing to efforts to promote fundamental structural reforms--in the judiciary, electoral system, and social security/severance pay programs. Petroleum and Other Resources Venezuela's economy is dominated by petroleum, and the country is a founding member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). In 1997, this sector accounted for more than one-quarter of GDP, almost three-quarters of export earnings, and almost half of central government's revenues. Most of Venezuela's energy exports consist of crude oil, but the country is also the United States' leading foreign source of refined petroleum products. The Government of Venezuela has opened up much of the hydrocarbon sector to foreign investment, promoting the establishment of massive new petrochemical joint ventures and reactivation of inactive fields. The Venezuelan petroleum corporation and foreign oil companies signed eight contracts for exploration and production joint ventures in July 1996. These contracts are expected to generate over $15 billion in foreign investment. A range of other natural resources, including iron ore, diamonds, coal, bauxite, hydroelectric power, gold, and nickel are in various stages of development. In 1996, CVG, the state-owned mining firm, announced its first joint venture with a foreign company to develop the Las Cristinas gold mine. Congress is also considering legislation which would update Venezuela's 1945 mining law in an effort to encourage greater private sector participation in mineral extraction. Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Trade Manufacturing contributed 15.6% of GDP in 1997. The manufacturing sector grew slightly (2.2%) in direct contrast with the contraction in 1996. Venezuela manufactures and exports steel, aluminum, textiles, apparel, beverages, and foodstuffs. It also produces cement, tires, paper, and fertilizers, and assembles cars for both the domestic and export market. The "Agenda Venezuela" envisions the privatization of a range of state-owned enterprises, including banks. Agriculture accounts for 4% of GDP, 12% of the labor force, and 24% of Venezuela's land area. Venezuela exports beef, rice, coffee, and cocoa. However, the country is not self-sufficient in most areas of agricultural production and imports about 60% of food consumed. In 1996, U.S. firms exported approximately $475 million of agricultural products including wheat, soybeans, corn, soymeal, and cotton to Venezuela, our third-largest agricultural export market in Latin America. The U.S. usually accounts for slightly more than a third of Venezuela's food imports. Thanks to petroleum exports, Venezuela usually posts a trade surplus. In recent years, non-traditional (i.e. non-petroleum) exports have been growing rapidly but still constitute only about one-fourth of total exports. The United States is Venezuela's leading trade partner. During the first 10 months of 1997, the United States registered $3.0 billion in exports (about 38% of Venezuela's total) and purchased $12.9 billion in imports (about 55% of Venezuela's total). Venezuela's trade with other Andean Pact members, particularly Colombia, is growing in importance. Labor and Infrastructure Venezuela's labor force of about 8.8 million is growing faster than total employment. At the end of 1997, official unemployment was 12.8%, but unofficial estimates are higher. The public sector employs 14% of the work force, while less than 1% work in the capital-intensive oil industry. About 25% of the labor force is unionized. Unions are particularly strong in the public sector. Venezuela has an extensive road system. With the exception of air service, transportation and communications have failed to keep pace with the country's needs. Much of the infrastructure suffers from inadequate maintenance. Caracas has a modern subway, but only one functioning rail line serves the rest of the country. Economical indicators GDP (1997 est.): $72.1 billion. Growth rate (1997): 4.5%. GDP per capita: $3,164. Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, gold, other minerals, hydroelectric power, bauxite. Agriculture (4.7%

Deaf in America voices from a culture by Carol A. Padden, Tom L. Humphries

Medieval Gift Ideas

Medieval Gift Ideas Guide note: This feature was originally posted in December of 1997, and was updated in December of 2010. If youre looking for that special gift for a medieval history buff or if you like medieval history and you want to share it with your friends perhaps this page can help. Below are a few gift ideas that can bring a little medieval charm to todays holiday season. Gift projects are reasonable in cost, and if you start soon you can have them finished by December 24th. Or, take a lesson from medieval times and give your gifts on Twelfth Night January 6th. The Artistic Touch Do you enjoy crafts-work? Are you good with a needle? Then perhaps youd like to make a gift for that special someone. Candles Candle-making was an ability that many medieval men and women were likely to know. If you know how to make candles or would like to try your hand at this rewarding craft, you may wish to stick to beeswax (instead of paraffin, which wasnt used until the 19th century, or tallow, which is difficult to work with) and make hand-dipped candles in order to keep the project medieval. Beeswax has a lovely fresh odor and does not require the addition of any scents, but it can be expensive. Whether you are new to candle-making or a practiced hand, please be sure to take all safety precautions. Clothing You may wish to create a medieval costume even if you dont belong to a reenactment group, it will look splendid at a masquerade or Renaissance fair. For a really authentic look, embroider the work using period embroidery techniques and period designs, or enhance it with hand-woven braids. If an entire costume isnt up your alley, you can use these techniques on something as simple as a cape or a scarf. Calligraphy If youre practiced in the art of calligraphy, try inscribing a medieval or Renaissance poem (or a verse from an epic) on parchment-style paper (real parchment can be very expensive). Shakespeare is always a hit, particularly his sonnets. Food, Glorious Food Thinking of a special holiday dinner? Try some medieval recipes. And forget that fruitcake go with a few medieval desserts instead. Gingerbread Cake is a period Christmas food, and Shortbreads are not only period but easy to present in a canister or, for a more authentic package, in a basket. If the recipient of your gift likes to cook as well, include the recipe hand calligraphed on parchment paper, rolled into a scroll and tied with a ribbon.   The Medieval Touch Whatever gift you choose to give, you can add a little medieval charm with a hand-calligraphed gift-tag (try parchment-look paper) or by wrapping the gift in fabric instead of paper (which was not really a disposable product in the middle ages). Decorate with fabric ribbons, dried flowers, berries, or pine cones. A personalized, hand-calligraphed bookmark with a holiday message is a great accompaniment to a book. Many of the customs we observe today began in the middle ages. For more about medieval Christmas, please see Medieval Christmas Traditions.

Derrida Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Derrida - Essay Example Further, Derrida asserts that â€Å"all of these aspects are linked with presence and more valued or treasured aspect than the other, which is connected with absence† (Derrida 33). Deconstruction theory presents the metaphysics of presence by locating its ideal binary oppositions and illustrating the speciousness of their order by refuting the potentiality of understanding the superior or powerful element of the hierarchy or order in the absence of its inferior or less powerful counterpart. Refuting an inner or intrinsic and absolute implication or meaning to one of the aspects of the order or hierarchy ‘diffarence’ is unraveled. In this case, Derrida asserts that difference refers to the perceptual sequence of contacts between existence or presence and absence. In this sense, an idea is constructed, understood, and located in terms of what it is not and self-efficient implication is never attained. It is important to note that Western language and thought have al ways been at the center of in determining absolute truth. This presents hurdles or limits on what humans can think or believe. It offers a platform for existence or being and for knowing (how people think). Deconstruction theory failed to identify if God plays a role in determining the absolute truth, which neglects the concepts of uncertainties. Instead, Derrida states that any concept of a fixed center was a structure or configuration of authority imposed on people by their past or by societal institutions (Silverman 44-45). Derrida’s deconstruction theory aimed to call for re-evaluation and re-assessment of all western ideas and values founded on the Kantian critique of human though or reason. Deconstruction principles were built on elemental oppositions, which all dialogue has to highlight if it aims to make reasonable arguments and sound decisions. This is because identity is perceived as constructs, which are in a position to generate meaning via the interplay of differ ence within a scheme of different signs (Derrida 111). Critique of post structuralism movement Post modernist philosophers such as Nietzsche believed that the earth is full of disorder or confusion and it has no objective or aim. Post structuralism refutes the concept of a literary text containing a solitary purpose or meaning or a single being or existence. Instead, post structuralism advocates that every person or reader establish a new and personal meaning, purpose, and being/existence for any given text. Post structuralism has been criticized for the failure to address questions from a realist perception. Post structuralism does little to explain the self-reflective celebration, which gives an individual the freedom to decide and choose any or all subject positions. Post structuralism dismisses the ability of people to learn and understand the world as an entirety on the basis that it is a contemptible effort to construct or constitute grand narratives (Besley 65-69). Derridian ideas reject these arguments and assert that people should be given opportunity to reason or think for themselves. Foucault and his views as a post structuralist and what he says about language or feminism Foucault based his arguments about post structuralism

Inside the Romney Campaign Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Inside the Romney Campaign - Essay Example (Murray, 2012) It has been suggested that his compaign is based upon interlocking circles and contacts which he managed to win during his business days. It is however, critical to understand that campaign is managed by a manager however, Romney himself is considered as the man calling all the shots. This strategy therefore may fail to achieve excellent results because it is felt that too much involvement by the candidate in the details may distract the overall focus of the campaign. It is also been suggested that the campaign is actually been run as a business rather than for a Presidential election therefore may not serve the overall purpose for winning the elections. This paper will therefore discuss the structure of Romney’s election campaign and analyze from a strategist point of view whether the current structure is effective and efficient and can deliver required results to Romney in winning Presidential elections against Barrack Obama. At the start of the Campaign, Romney announced to form a exploratory committee to kick start his campaign for Presidential elections. This committee was considered as an initial organizational structure of the campaign and how it will be directed in the future. It is critical to note however, that since the start, there were plans to restart once Romney wins the nominations for Presidential elections. (Steinhauser, 2011). The plan therefore was to completely shakeup the existing set up and starts over again with new vigor and energy. Many however, still believe that there is a lack of one common figure at the top who can actually engineer the whole campaign and lack of such personality may not serve the purpose. Separation of candidate from the menial actions taken in day to day operations may allow Romney’s campaign managers to work more innovatively and creatively. It has been suggested that the people involved in the

NEITHER PROFESSIONALS AMATEURS NOR BEGINNERS SHOULD PLAY ANYTHING BUT Essay

NEITHER PROFESSIONALS AMATEURS NOR BEGINNERS SHOULD PLAY ANYTHING BUT THE MUSIC OF THE GREAT MASTERS AND THEN SHOULD NOT ADD THE SLIGHEST OF THEIR OWN TO IT - Essay Example Originality, in this respect, is an important word. Originality may be described as a phenomenon that caters to the personal sense of creation that an artist indulges in. This sense of creation is something that is an outcome of the artist’s sense of aesthetics and what he or she feels will have a wide acceptance and appeal in the long run. In this regard, artists generally regard qualities like timelessness and mass appeal in the creation of work that will be demonstrated before people. Originality is an important concept for this paper due to the nature of the topic. Is it possible to remain original by playing classics – that too without adding a touch of your own to a piece of work? The role of originality here is in the creation. A musician may create a classic on his own and it will be called recreation. Most people might argue that it is important to render your own elements even when playing classics so as to ensure that there is a demonstration of how a person can improvise. In this regard, the counter argument is that the listener is usually not concerned with the technicalities. It very often happens that a recreation of a certain piece of work is not taken to well in its â€Å"improvised† form as there are constant comparisons with the original. This works against the musician in question, therefore making his work ‘a cheap imitation’.