Blockchain Promotes Gender Equality

Gender equality is not easy to achieve since men dominate most of the sectors and industries. And there are staunch patriarchal societies which will not budge from their ‘power to men’ standings! Well, blockchain has the potential to tackle gender inequality. And there are various organizations around the world, such as ‘Code to Inspire’ in Afghanistan, taking up blockchain projects to promote gender equality.

An event which gained success was the 2018 BlockShow. According to Crypto Briefing, the BlockShow Europe 2018 voted on leading women in the Blockchain Space. It provided them recognition. But then again, it’s just the start. Will this fizzle out too like the way Social Media did? The social media wave is almost at its end. And it trolled and suppressed women endlessly. According to Ellevate, blockchain gives a sense of ‘security.’ “It enables women across the world to connect securely, for instance through digital identification, property records, contracts, and financial transactions. Women in developed countries can use their opportunities to support their sisters in developing countries.” And the United Nations has followed this up by partnering with Norway. A study will be conducted to see how blockchain can help realize the gender equality which is the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 5.

Meanwhile, researchers have pointed out financial abuse as part and parcel of domestic abuse. A study has highlighted that financial abuse also takes the form of signing documents without consent or understanding, running up credit in the victim’s name or controlling access to cash and credit. Blockchain could prove to be a hurdle for abusers. It would significantly reduce financial abuse and help women break free.

Achieving gender equality is not a piece of cake. Even in this 21^st century, women all over the world are facing discrimination be it at work, job promotion, in their homes or at the supermarket. While blockchain can help attain equality to an extent, it’s the mindset that needs to be changed.