What is sexism?

Sexism is when people treat others unfairly because of their gender. It includes things like paying women
less than men for the same work or believing that certain jobs are only for men or women. It can happen
because of personal beliefs or because of rules and traditions in society.

Where does it occur?

 Employment: When someone is not hired, promoted, or paid fairly based on their gender.
 Education: When students or teachers are treated differently or have different expectations based on
gender.
 Media: When movies, TV shows, or advertisements reinforce stereotypes or portray one gender in a
negative or limited way.
 Social interactions: When individuals face discrimination or harassment because of their gender in
everyday life.
 Politics and law: When laws or policies unfairly target or disadvantage one gender.
 Family and relationships: When expectations or roles are based on gender rather than individual
abilities or desires.
Sexism in politics:
 In many places, there aren't as many women in top political jobs as there are men. For instance, in
many countries, women hold fewer seats in parliaments or congresses compared to men.
 Some people think women in politics aren't as good as men or that they're too emotional.
 Female politicians often get harassed or treated unfairly because they're women. This can happen
online or in person.
 Women face extra challenges like not having as much money for campaigns or not getting as much
support from political parties. This makes it tougher for them to get ahead in politics.
 For example, Hillary Clinton was criticized for being "explosive," and Cristina Kishner was
portrayed as aggressive. These descriptions mirror the negative stereotypes often used against
women in politics.
Dilma Rousseff, Brazil's first female president, experienced a particularly intense level of
harassment during her time in office. She faced a barrage of memes, jokes, and comments that
amounted to harassment. Despite winning a second term in 2015, she was impeached by the Senate
in 2016 on charges related to the country's budget. This underscores the challenges women in
leadership face, including heightened scrutiny and unfair treatment compared to their male
counterparts.
Sexism in journalism:
 Female journalists may face stereotypes about their abilities or interests, such as being assigned
"soft" topics like lifestyle or entertainment rather than hard news.
 Women journalists may not receive the same level of recognition or awards as their male
colleagues, even when their work is equally or more deserving.
 Women journalists may be paid less than men for the same work or may have fewer opportunities
for career advancement. /ədˈvɑːnsmənt/
 This tragic example highlights how female journalists are often targeted or face risks for their work,
particularly when reporting on sensitive or challenging topics like women's issues, organized crime,
or corruption. Miroslava Breach, a 54-year-old reporter for newspapers in Mexico, was killed in
2017 while covering organized crime and corruption, including the high number of murders of
women in the Ciudad Juarez area. Her murder underscores the dangers faced by journalists,
especially women, who work in environments where reporting on such issues can put their lives at
risk. He will be convicted
Sexism in medicine
 Women's symptoms may be dismissed or not taken as seriously as men's, leading to delayed or
incorrect diagnoses. For example, women experiencing heart attack symptoms might not receive
timely treatment because they're not typically seen as "typical" heart attack patients.
 In the medical profession, women may be paid less than men for the same work, despite having
similar qualifications and experience.
  Women may be underrepresented in leadership positions within the medical field, such as
department chairs or hospital administrators.
Sexism in army
 Women may face barriers to entry or advancement within the military due to gender biases. For
example, they may be steered away from combat roles or overlooked for promotions compared
to their male counterparts.
 Women in the military may face different standards or expectations compared to men. For
instance, they may be subjected to stricter physical fitness requirements or treated differently in
training exercises.
 At the end of 2015, with the support of the Ukrainian Women's Fund and with the assistance of UN
Women, the "Invisible Battalion" study was conducted and it was decided to remove restrictions
on combat positions for women
Sexism in families
 Jobs at Home: Boys might not be asked to help with cooking or cleaning as much as girls are. Girls
might be expected to take care of younger siblings more often.
 Parenting Ideas: Moms might be judged for working outside the home instead of staying with their
kids, while dads might get praised for helping with chores or taking care of their children.
 What's Expected: Boys might be told to be tough and not show their feelings, while girls might be
encouraged to be nurturing and quiet.
 Sometimes, parents might treat their sons better than their daughters or have different
expectations for them.
 In some families, one person might hurt or control another because of their gender, which is a
really serious problem.
Sexism in jobs
 Women often get paid less than men for doing the same job, even if they have the same
qualifications and experience.
 Fewer Opportunities: Men may be more likely to get promoted or hired for high-level positions
compared to women, even if they have similar skills and qualifications.
 Stereotyping: Some jobs are seen as "for men" or "for women," which can limit opportunities. For
example, men might be discouraged from becoming nurses, while women might face barriers to
becoming engineers.
 Harassment: Women may experience sexual harassment or discrimination at work, such as
unwanted advances or being treated differently because of their gender.
 Unequal Treatment: Men and women may be treated differently in the workplace, such as being
given different tasks or having different expectations for behavior.
Emma Stone, an actress who has won an Oscar, faced wage inequality in Hollywood despite her
high profile. Even though she's one of the most in-demand stars, she wasn't paid fairly for her work.
Fortunately, her male co-stars have spoken out in support of her, showing solidarity in the fight for
equal pay. This highlights how even famous and successful women like Stone can face
discrimination in the entertainment industry, and the importance of allies in advocating for fair
treatment.
Sexism in Art
 Not Enough Women Artists: Women artists haven't always been given the same attention or
respect as men in art history. Their work might not be shown as much in museums or talked about
as often.
 Stereotypes in Art: Art sometimes shows men and women in traditional roles, like women being
passive or just pretty objects. This limits how people see gender.
 Less Opportunities: Women artists might have a harder time getting into art schools, finding
galleries to show their work, or getting recognized for their talent compared to men. Kiki Smith
 Art made by women might get judged differently or not taken as seriously as art made by men.
This can make it harder for women artists to succeed.
Sexism in films
  Stereotypes: Movies often show men and women in very traditional ways, like men being tough
and women needing to be rescued. This can make characters seem less interesting and limit what
they can do in the story.
 Not Enough Women: Women don't always get the same chances as men to be in important roles
in movies, both in front of and behind the camera. This means there are fewer stories about women
and their experiences.
 Seeing People as Objects: Sometimes, women in movies are only there to look pretty or to be
someone's girlfriend, not to have their own stories or personalities.
 Pay Gap: Female actors may not get paid as much as male actors, even if they do the same
amount of work. This isn't fair and shows how women are valued less in the film industry.
Sexism in Barbie movies means that the movies often show girls in traditional roles, like being
princesses who need saving. This can make girls think they should only care about looks or romance.
Also, Barbie movies don't always show different kinds of people or body types, which can make
some kids feel left out. To fix this, Barbie movies should show more diverse characters and focus on
empowering messages for all kids.
The Flintstones family entertainment from a bygone era. /ˈbaɪɡɒn/ Wilma and Betty are often
depicted in stereotypical roles as homemakers, while Fred and Barney are shown as decision-
makers. Additionally, male characters are given more agency and control, while women are
portrayed as needing assistance. The movie may also lack diverse representations of women.
Sexism in ads
 Sometimes, women in ads are shown in a way that focuses more on their looks than the product
being sold. This can make women feel like their only value is in their appearance
 Advertisements often reinforce traditional gender roles, such as showing women doing household
chores or men in positions of authority. This can limit how people see themselves and what they
think they can do.
 The slogan "Drummond Sweaters –- men are better than women!" is a clear example of sexism
in advertising. This statement promotes gender discrimination by suggesting that one gender is
superior to the other. It reinforces harmful stereotypes and undermines efforts towards gender
equality. Such messaging is not only offensive but also perpetuates inequality and discrimination. It's
important to challenge and reject such sexist attitudes in advertising and promote messages that
respect and value all genders equally.