Measurable equal representation of women and men. _______ does not imply that women and men are the same, but that they have equal value and should be accorded equal treatment
GENDER EQUALITY
means respecting all
people without discrimination,
regardless of their gender
Gender equity
refers to
the unfair treatment of individuals based
on their sex or gender identity.
Gender inequity in employment
COMMON FORMS OF
WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION
Unequal Pay
Hiring Bias
Promotion Bias
Workplace
Harassment
Parental and Family Role Assumptions
Workers may be passed
over for _______ based
on gender-related
assumptions, such as
women being viewed as
less committed after
childbirth or men being
seen as too “tough” for
care roles.
Promotion Bias
People of any gender
may face verbal,
physical, or emotional
harassment based on
their sex or gender
identity, leading to an
unsafe or toxic work
environment.
Workplace
Harassment
Both men and women may be judged for
taking time off for parenting. For example,
women may be assumed to prioritize family
over work, while men may be discouraged
from taking paternity leave.
Parental and Family Role Assumptions
refer to the variations in the
way each gender uses language in social
interactions. These differences are not
mainly because of biological sex, but are
influenced by culture, social roles, and
expectations.
Sociolinguistic differences between men
and women
SOCIOLINGUISTIC
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
MAN AND WOMAN
CHOICE OF WORDS
AND EXPRESSIONS
TOPICS OF
CONVERSATION
SPEECH STYLE AND
TONE
NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
Women are often observed to use
more polite, emotional, and detailed
language. They may add softeners like
“maybe,” “kind of,” “I think” to sound
less direct.
Men usually use more assertive,
straightforward, and sometimes less
detailed expressions. They are more
likely to give short or commanding
statements.
CHOICE OF WORDS
AND EXPRESSIONS TOPICS OF
CONVERSATION
Women are more likely to talk
about personal experiences,
emotions, relationships, or daily
life.
Men tend to talk more about
activities, facts, sports, or
current events.
TOPICS OF
CONVERSATION
Women often use rising
intonation (voice goes up at the
end of a sentence), even in
statements, which can make them
sound more friendly or uncertain.
Men often use falling intonation
(voice goes down at the end),
which makes their statements
sound firm or final.
SPEECH STYLE AND
TONE
Women usually maintain eye
contact, nod more often, and
use facial expressions to show
active listening.
Men may show less body
language while listening and
are less likely to nod frequently
NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION
THE RELATIONSHIP OF
GENDER AND LINGUISTIC
BEHAVIOR
Gender Influences Language Use
Socialization and Gender Norms
Language and Power
Noverbal communication
Intersectionality
Performing Gender
Women’s speech is often associated with politeness, careful wording, hedges (“sort of,” “maybe”), and tag questions (“It’s nice, isn’t it?”)
.
Men’s speech is usually described as more direct, assertive, and competitive, with a higher tendency to interrupt.
Gender Influences Language Use
From childhood, boys and girls are taught different communication styles.
Girls → encouraged to be cooperative, expressive, and polite.
Boys → encouraged to be assertive, dominant, and competitive.
These differences carry over into adulthood.
- socialization and Gender Norms
Men’s speech has historically been treated as the “standard” or “default.”
Women’s speech is sometimes judged as less powerful or “emotional.”
The same communication style may be praised in men but criticized in women.
- Language and Power
Gender also affects tone, pitch, and body language.
Women → wider pitch range, more expressive gestures.
Men → lower pitch, associated with authority and power.
Nonverbal communication
Not all men or women speak the same way.
Speech is also shaped by culture, class, education, and sexuality.
Example: In some communities, women use more “prestigious” speech forms than men.
Intersectionality
Gender is not just reflected in language—it is also performed through language.
People shift speech styles depending on context (e.g., leader vs. friend).
Language allows people to reinforce or challenge gender roles.
Performing Gender
What are the causes of gender inequality (10)
Cultural norms and stereotypes
Unequal access to education
Gender pay gap
Lack of economic and financial inclusion
Gender based violence
Underrepresentation in leadership and politics
Restrictive laws and policies
Unequal household responsibilities
Poor healthcare access
Intersecting systems of oppression
Societal beliefs and stereotypes about what men and women are capable of or expected to do can lead to discrimination, limiting opportunities and reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Cultural norms and stereotypes
Unequal Access to Education
Many girls and women lack equal access to quality education, which hinders their ability to gain skills, secure better employment, and participate fully in society.
Women often receive lower pay for the same work or are excluded from higher-paying jobs due to occupational segregation and discriminatory practices.
Gender Pay Gap
