
Gender Equality
Recent research suggests that most of us — including Generation Z — won’t live to see gender equality achieved worldwide, a milestone that is almost 100 years away. Awareness of this fact has fueled conversations around how to address this, and in this debate, our experts discuss one possible solution: quotas.
Unit 1: Doha Debates Asks
Doha Debates Asks: Are There Gender Differences?
Essential questions
- What is the first word that comes to mind when you hear “gender equality”?
- Have you been discriminated against because of your gender?
- What are the consequences of gender inequality?
- What are some obstacles to gender equality?
- How can governments address gender inequality?
- Are there fundamental differences among genders?
- Is the world making progress toward gender equality?
Lesson 2: The Gender Pay Gap
Is The Gender Pay Gap Getting Worse?
Essential questions
- What places in the world is the gender pay gap is getting worse?
- Which countries have the largest pay gap?
- How far away are we from gender equality in pay?
- What are benefits of gender equality?
- Why are we so far away from gender equality?
- What role do political systems play in gender equality?
- How do biases limit a person over a lifetime?
- What are stereotypes about “strong women”?
Unit 3a: Randa Abdel-Fattah
Randa Abdel-Fattah: Gender Quotas Disrupt Gender & Racial Hierarchies
Essential questions
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What are ways to disrupt gender and racial hierarchies?
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What are benefits and drawbacks to affirmative action?
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Why are positions of power primarily held by men?
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How might quotas take into account both sexism and racism?
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In what ways do white women enjoy racial privilege?
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How will quotas redistribute the power dynamic?
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What ways will women be able to transform and revitalize knowledge production?
Unit 3b: Ayishat Akanbi
Ayishat Akanbi: Gender Equality Must Go In Both Directions
Essential questions
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What contributes to gender inequality?
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How might quotas create strife in the workplace where they are used?
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Why is it important that equality go in both directions?
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What jobs are traditionally considered “women’s jobs”?
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How do people feel tokenized through the use of quotas?
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What are examples of preloaded ideas that people are thought to have?
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How might people be seen for who they are, not what they are?
Unit 3c: Christina Hoff Sommers
Christina Hoff Sommers: Quotas Are Not The Answer to Gender Equality
Essential questions
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How might quotas send the wrong message?
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What is the evidence that quotas do or do not work?
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In what ways are quotas harmful in different parts of the world?
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What are possible solutions to gender inequality?
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How would gender equality benefit from free expression?
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Which barriers need to be removed to create greater gender equality?
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Why is it important to have gender equality?
Unit 4: Connector
How to get along with other people
Essential questions
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What is a Majlis?
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Why are some women more marginalized than others?
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What is feminism?
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What is identity politics?
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Which is a larger issue, race or class?
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What role might quotas play in gender equality?
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What role must men play in creating greater gender equality?
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In what ways does diversity play in gender equality?
About Deep Dive
Doha Debates hosts discussions on the world’s most pressing challenges to bridge differences, build consensus and identify solutions. In each moderated live debate, experts share their experiences and propose concrete plans. Doha Debates also offers digital resources such as videos and articles to help students build a deep understanding of the issues and to foster ongoing conversations.