Women at work around the world

Women at work around the world

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March 8 marks International Women's Day, with festivals, concerts and exhibitions among the numerous events planned around the world to celebrate the achievements of women in society.

The annual event has been held since the early 1900s and traditionally promotes a different theme each year, with this year's edition calling on people to #BeBoldForChange and push for a more gender-inclusive working world.

Reuters photographers have been speaking with women in a range of professions around the world about their experiences of gender inequality.

"In general, people think being a Shinto priest is men's profession. If you're a woman, they think you're a shrine maiden, or a supplementary priestess. People don't know women Shinto priests exist, so they think we can't perform rituals. Once, after I finished performing jiichinsai (ground-breaking ceremony), I was asked, 'So, when is the priest coming?'," Tomoe Ichino, 40, said. "When I first began working as a Shinto priest, because I was young and female, some people felt the blessing was different. They thought: 'I would have preferred your grandfather.' At first, I wore my grandfather's light green garment because I thought it's better to look like a man. But after a while I decided to be proud of the fact that I am a female priest and I began wearing a pink robe, like today. I thought I can be more confident if I stop thinking too much (about my gender)."

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Elizabeth Mamani, 36, reporter at Radio Union, poses inside Bolivia's national congress building. "When I started in this job, I did feel discrimination (from officials who controlled the access of members of the press to events). To counter discrimination in this profession, we as women, must excel, we must prepare ourselves in every field," she said.
. La Paz, BOLIVIA. Reuters/David Mercado

Elizabeth Mamani, 36, reporter at Radio Union, poses inside Bolivia's national congress building. "When I started in this job, I did feel discrimination (from officials who controlled the access of members of the press to events). To counter discrimination in this profession, we as women, must excel, we must prepare ourselves in every field," she said.

Claudia Concha Parraguez, 45, a pole dance instructor from Chile, said: "Some students with low self-esteem  smile more and feel beautiful after training. But because of the poor mentality of their husbands, who do not see this activity as a sport and associate it with something sexual, they stop attending classes."
. Santiago, CHILE. Reuters/Ivan Alvarado

Claudia Concha Parraguez, 45, a pole dance instructor from Chile, said: "Some students with low self-esteem smile more and feel beautiful after training. But because of the poor mentality of their husbands, who do not see this activity as a sport and associate it with something sexual, they stop attending classes."

Yolaina Chavez Talavera, 31, a firefighter from Nicaragua, said: "In my early days as a female firefighter men, my team mates, thought that I would not last long in the organisation due to hard training. However, in practice I showed them that I am able to take on tasks at the same level as men. I think women must fight to break through in all areas, in the midst of the machismo that still persists in Nicaragua and in Hispanic countries."
. Managua, NICARAGUA. Reuters/Oswaldo Rivas

Yolaina Chavez Talavera, 31, a firefighter from Nicaragua, said: "In my early days as a female firefighter men, my team mates, thought that I would not last long in the organisation due to hard training. However, in practice I showed them that I am able to take on tasks at the same level as men. I think women must fight to break through in all areas, in the midst of the machismo that still persists in Nicaragua and in Hispanic countries."

Rosa Amelia Mejia Reyes, 35, a newspaper seller from El Salvador, said: "As a woman I have suffered many things, physical abuse of many people, I have suffered discrimination for selling on the street, even from my family. But in spite of everything, as a woman and as a single mother I have raised my children, I have been father and mother at the same time."
. San Salvador, EL SALVADOR. Reuters/Jose Cabezas

Rosa Amelia Mejia Reyes, 35, a newspaper seller from El Salvador, said: "As a woman I have suffered many things, physical abuse of many people, I have suffered discrimination for selling on the street, even from my family. But in spite of everything, as a woman and as a single mother I have raised my children, I have been father and mother at the same time."

Aimee Pompa Bolivar, 43, a librarian from Cuba, said: "I don't see gender gaps at work. Here all librarians are women."
. Havana, CUBA. Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini

Aimee Pompa Bolivar, 43, a librarian from Cuba, said: "I don't see gender gaps at work. Here all librarians are women."

Yanis Reina, 30, gas station attendant from Venezuela: "No doubt this is a job initially intended for men, because you have to be standing on the street all your shift, it is dirty, greasy and there is always a strong gasoline smell. I have to adapt the pants of my uniform because they are men's and make me look weird but I adore my work. My clients are like my relatives, they come here everyday and we chat a couple of minutes while the tank is being filled. They come every day because they feel safer to be served by a woman," Reina said. "With the difficult situation that we have in Venezuela, having a job that covers your expenses is almost a luxury, but beyond that, I'm very proud of my job. I believe that now we, the women, have to be the warriors."
. Caracas, VENEZUELA. Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Yanis Reina, 30, gas station attendant from Venezuela: "No doubt this is a job initially intended for men, because you have to be standing on the street all your shift, it is dirty, greasy and there is always a strong gasoline smell. I have to adapt the pants of my uniform because they are men's and make me look weird but I adore my work. My clients are like my relatives, they come here everyday and we chat a couple of minutes while the tank is being filled. They come every day because they feel safer to be served by a woman," Reina said. "With the difficult situation that we have in Venezuela, having a job that covers your expenses is almost a luxury, but beyond that, I'm very proud of my job. I believe that now we, the women, have to be the warriors."

Luisana Quero Duran, 32, a veterinarian from Venezuela, said: "The gender inequality that I'm aware of seems to me to be more on the part of the clients. To a certain extent, I am fortunate, having a university degree favours me a lot."
. Caracas, Venezuela. Reuters/Marco Bello

Luisana Quero Duran, 32, a veterinarian from Venezuela, said: "The gender inequality that I'm aware of seems to me to be more on the part of the clients. To a certain extent, I am fortunate, having a university degree favours me a lot."

Ana Maria del Verdun Suarez, 27, a police officer from Uruguay, said: "More women should be able to have jobs that traditionally were considered only for men. I believe that discrimination comes sometimes from all of us, it comes from the inside. There are already many professions that were exclusively male and are now performed by women."
. Montevideo, URUGUAY. Reuters/Andres Stapff

Ana Maria del Verdun Suarez, 27, a police officer from Uruguay, said: "More women should be able to have jobs that traditionally were considered only for men. I believe that discrimination comes sometimes from all of us, it comes from the inside. There are already many professions that were exclusively male and are now performed by women."

Rocio Larranaga, 53, surfer and surf instructor from Peru: "I am the first woman to represent my country in national and international competitions since 1977," said Larranaga. "In 1995 I became a surf teacher. Lots of women surf and they are very good at it. I hope that in the future women have the same quota as men in professional competitions."
. Lima, PERU. Reuters/Guadalupe Pardo

Rocio Larranaga, 53, surfer and surf instructor from Peru: "I am the first woman to represent my country in national and international competitions since 1977," said Larranaga. "In 1995 I became a surf teacher. Lots of women surf and they are very good at it. I hope that in the future women have the same quota as men in professional competitions."

Lina Maria da Silva, 62, a babysitter from Brazil, said: "I've never suffered mistreatment at work. I have always felt a lot of affection from the families I have worked with."
. Rio De Janeiro, BRAZIL. Reuters/Pilar Olivares

Lina Maria da Silva, 62, a babysitter from Brazil, said: "I've never suffered mistreatment at work. I have always felt a lot of affection from the families I have worked with."

Mado, 34, an artist from Brazil: "Once a company did not want to hire me to paint a mural because they said that women could not carry the work material (paint boxes, ladders), Mado said. "I believe that things will only get better for all of us if men treat women equally."
. Sao Paulo, BRAZIL. Reuters/Nacho Doce

Mado, 34, an artist from Brazil: "Once a company did not want to hire me to paint a mural because they said that women could not carry the work material (paint boxes, ladders), Mado said. "I believe that things will only get better for all of us if men treat women equally."

Tara McCannel, 44, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Ophthalmic Oncology Center at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles: "Women are held to a higher standard… in knowledge, in abilities, in how the clinical practices go, in appearance" McCannel said. "Women just can't be themselves or just think: 'Oh I'm just going to do my work,' and focus on the job. There are these other things that need to be considered because it's not completely equal even though things are getting better." 
. Los Angeles, United States. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

Tara McCannel, 44, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Ophthalmic Oncology Center at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles: "Women are held to a higher standard… in knowledge, in abilities, in how the clinical practices go, in appearance" McCannel said. "Women just can't be themselves or just think: 'Oh I'm just going to do my work,' and focus on the job. There are these other things that need to be considered because it's not completely equal even though things are getting better." 

Maxine Mallett, 52, headteacher at Rutherford House School from Britain: "The most stressful time of my career was when I had children. Women who return to work after having a child are sometimes treated with suspicion, as if they now lack commitment to the school when it is quite the opposite," Mallett said. "We need to remove barriers and support all... Having a fulfilling career should not have to be a battle that you have to constantly fight."
. London, United Kingdom. Reuters/Stefan Wermuth

Maxine Mallett, 52, headteacher at Rutherford House School from Britain: "The most stressful time of my career was when I had children. Women who return to work after having a child are sometimes treated with suspicion, as if they now lack commitment to the school when it is quite the opposite," Mallett said. "We need to remove barriers and support all... Having a fulfilling career should not have to be a battle that you have to constantly fight."

Alice Temperley, 41, a fashion designer from Britain, said: "I don't think the fashion industry suffers from it (gender inequality) like other industries necessarily. I do think though, I have to say, there's not that many women designers because the intensity of being the designer and the seasons and the churn of it and having children and being a woman, I think that's why a lot of bigger designers are men. I don't think that's a sexist thing, I think you have to be very strong to be able to take the pace... There's different issues in our industry."
. London, UNITED KINGDOM. Reuters/Neil Hall

Alice Temperley, 41, a fashion designer from Britain, said: "I don't think the fashion industry suffers from it (gender inequality) like other industries necessarily. I do think though, I have to say, there's not that many women designers because the intensity of being the designer and the seasons and the churn of it and having children and being a woman, I think that's why a lot of bigger designers are men. I don't think that's a sexist thing, I think you have to be very strong to be able to take the pace... There's different issues in our industry."

Dr Catherine Reynolds, 37, a scientific researcher at Imperial College from Britain: "Women are very well represented at junior levels in Biological Sciences research. At a senior level it is still true that there are fewer female professors in science, but the gap is slowly closing," Reynolds said. "More policies that promote flexible working and that support staff in taking career breaks (both men and women) are an essential way in which it is possible for employees, especially those with young families, to realise their full potential in the work place."
. London, UNITED KINGDOM. Reuters/Dylan Martinez

Dr Catherine Reynolds, 37, a scientific researcher at Imperial College from Britain: "Women are very well represented at junior levels in Biological Sciences research. At a senior level it is still true that there are fewer female professors in science, but the gap is slowly closing," Reynolds said. "More policies that promote flexible working and that support staff in taking career breaks (both men and women) are an essential way in which it is possible for employees, especially those with young families, to realise their full potential in the work place."

Cilene Connolly, 32, a Royal Mail postwoman from Britain: "Fortunately, I haven't been faced with gender inequalities in my role as a postwoman," Connolly said. "I've had a great response from my customers for being a female delivering their post, women in particular are always pleasantly surprised to see a female face."
. Coventry, UNITED KINGDOM. Reuters/Hannah McKay

Cilene Connolly, 32, a Royal Mail postwoman from Britain: "Fortunately, I haven't been faced with gender inequalities in my role as a postwoman," Connolly said. "I've had a great response from my customers for being a female delivering their post, women in particular are always pleasantly surprised to see a female face."

Sarah Hunter, 31, England women's rugby captain and RFU University Rugby Development Officer for the South West: "I think that if we’re the right person for the right job in the workplace then so be it and the same for men," Hunter said. "I’ve worked for the RFU, and being what is deemed as a male sport perhaps in the past, I was welcomed into that environment and I personally haven’t experienced gender inequality in the workplace, so I think that I’ve been very fortunate in the career that I’ve had and in the jobs that I’ve had that I’ve been seen for the person that I am and not for the gender that I am."
. London, UNITED KINGDOM. Reuters/Henry Browne

Sarah Hunter, 31, England women's rugby captain and RFU University Rugby Development Officer for the South West: "I think that if we’re the right person for the right job in the workplace then so be it and the same for men," Hunter said. "I’ve worked for the RFU, and being what is deemed as a male sport perhaps in the past, I was welcomed into that environment and I personally haven’t experienced gender inequality in the workplace, so I think that I’ve been very fortunate in the career that I’ve had and in the jobs that I’ve had that I’ve been seen for the person that I am and not for the gender that I am."

Rosalina Dallago, 52,  from Italy poses for a photograph at her shoe-shine shop: "My customers see me as a professional before they see me as a woman," said Dallago. "Mothers should instil a sense of gender equality in their sons," she said.
. Rome, ITALY. Reuters/Alessandro Bianchi

Rosalina Dallago, 52, from Italy poses for a photograph at her shoe-shine shop: "My customers see me as a professional before they see me as a woman," said Dallago. "Mothers should instil a sense of gender equality in their sons," she said.

Raquel Gomez Delgado, 42, a marine fishing inspector from Spain, said: "In my opinion the only way to end gender inequality is through education in schools and bringing us examples of equality (in the media)."
. Puerto Del Moral, SPAIN. Reuters/Juan Medina

Raquel Gomez Delgado, 42, a marine fishing inspector from Spain, said: "In my opinion the only way to end gender inequality is through education in schools and bringing us examples of equality (in the media)."

Ana Maria Garcia, 58, a chef from Spain: "Women in some professions are protected. For example, in my workplace the men help women to move the heavy and big pots with food," Garcia said. "I think that gender inequality is more in men than in women in my workplace. I think we're creating lazy people."
. Ronda, SPAIN. Reuters/Jon Nazca

Ana Maria Garcia, 58, a chef from Spain: "Women in some professions are protected. For example, in my workplace the men help women to move the heavy and big pots with food," Garcia said. "I think that gender inequality is more in men than in women in my workplace. I think we're creating lazy people."

Paloma Granero, 38, skydiving instructor from Spain: "Men don’t have to prove themselves like we do. We are tested every day," Granero said. "The instruction jobs still go mostly to men, whereas the administrative jobs go mostly to women."
. Madrid, SPAIN. Reuters/Susana Vera

Paloma Granero, 38, skydiving instructor from Spain: "Men don’t have to prove themselves like we do. We are tested every day," Granero said. "The instruction jobs still go mostly to men, whereas the administrative jobs go mostly to women."

Gabriela Santos, 26, driver of carriages for tourists from Portugal, said: "In my work it is better to be a woman than a man. Women have more sensitivity with horses. That is why employers prefer to hire women. Also tourists prefer a carriage driven by a woman."
. Lisbon, Portugal. Reuters/Rafael Marchante

Gabriela Santos, 26, driver of carriages for tourists from Portugal, said: "In my work it is better to be a woman than a man. Women have more sensitivity with horses. That is why employers prefer to hire women. Also tourists prefer a carriage driven by a woman."

Valerie Perron, 53, an oyster farmer from France, said: "It must not be forgotten that it is women, moms, who raise the boys ... It is therefore up to us to change the mentalities by raising the boys at their youngest age, in a spirit of parity and equality with the woman. We must change the mentalities of early childhood education. A boy can play with dolls and a little girl with small cars."
. Andernos, France. Reuters/Regis Duvignau

Valerie Perron, 53, an oyster farmer from France, said: "It must not be forgotten that it is women, moms, who raise the boys ... It is therefore up to us to change the mentalities by raising the boys at their youngest age, in a spirit of parity and equality with the woman. We must change the mentalities of early childhood education. A boy can play with dolls and a little girl with small cars."

Emilie Jeannin, 37, a cow breeder from France: "Once I could not help laughing when an agricultural advisor asked me, where the boss was, when I was standing right in front of him. I can assure you that the meeting got very quickly cut short!," Jeannin said. "Being a breeder  is seen as a man’s job. In the past women were usually doing the administrative work or low level tasks. People need to be more open minded. This change needs to happen everywhere not just on the fields."
. Beurizot, France. Reuters/Benoit Tessier

Emilie Jeannin, 37, a cow breeder from France: "Once I could not help laughing when an agricultural advisor asked me, where the boss was, when I was standing right in front of him. I can assure you that the meeting got very quickly cut short!," Jeannin said. "Being a breeder is seen as a man’s job. In the past women were usually doing the administrative work or low level tasks. People need to be more open minded. This change needs to happen everywhere not just on the fields."

Merylee, 26, a soldier from France, said: "The parity in the army already exists, it is the uniform that takes precedence over gender."
. Nice, France. Reuters/Eric Gaillard

Merylee, 26, a soldier from France, said: "The parity in the army already exists, it is the uniform that takes precedence over gender."

Swiss President and Minister of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, Doris Leuthard, 54, said she still sees gender inequality occur in the workplace. "Salaries. The differences between wages of men and women can be up to 20 percent. It happens to many women. Transparency helps, discussions about salaries are important. In upper management and leading positions in politics we still seem to be the minority. I encourage women to work on their career."
. Bern, Switzerland. Reuters/Ruben Sprich

Swiss President and Minister of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, Doris Leuthard, 54, said she still sees gender inequality occur in the workplace. "Salaries. The differences between wages of men and women can be up to 20 percent. It happens to many women. Transparency helps, discussions about salaries are important. In upper management and leading positions in politics we still seem to be the minority. I encourage women to work on their career."

Sandra Mifsud, 43, Opening Doors Malta artistic director and dance practitioner, said: "In the world of professional dance, I've read about and I know of many more established male choreographers than female choreographers. I also know of many more female dancers than male dancers, the latter is the result of life choices as well as taboos associated with males and dance."
. Mosta, MALTA. Reuters/Darrin Zammit Lupi

Sandra Mifsud, 43, Opening Doors Malta artistic director and dance practitioner, said: "In the world of professional dance, I've read about and I know of many more established male choreographers than female choreographers. I also know of many more female dancers than male dancers, the latter is the result of life choices as well as taboos associated with males and dance."

Aneta Lukasiewicz, 33, a hairdresser from Poland, said: "From my observation in this job there is more women hairdressers then men in Poland. But I think the number of male hairdressers is growing. From my experience women clients even prefer to have their hair cut by men, sometimes the reason is curiosity, but also it's a fashion."
. Warsaw, Poland. Reuters/Kacper Pempel

Aneta Lukasiewicz, 33, a hairdresser from Poland, said: "From my observation in this job there is more women hairdressers then men in Poland. But I think the number of male hairdressers is growing. From my experience women clients even prefer to have their hair cut by men, sometimes the reason is curiosity, but also it's a fashion."

Ivana, a 32-year-old community manager from Serbia, smiles at her home where she works: "Mainly you can see these (gender) gaps in state companies, which are relics of socialism. It is that standard belief where women are 'the best' at being secretaries," she said.
. Belgrade, Serbia. Reuters/Marko Djurica

Ivana, a 32-year-old community manager from Serbia, smiles at her home where she works: "Mainly you can see these (gender) gaps in state companies, which are relics of socialism. It is that standard belief where women are 'the best' at being secretaries," she said.

Lejla Selimovic, 34, a furniture restorer from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: "In my country this is an unusual profession for a woman, but so far I have not met anyone seeing it in a negative context. People are often surprised, but essentially only interested in a job well done."
. Zenica, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. Reuters/Dado Ruvic

Lejla Selimovic, 34, a furniture restorer from Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: "In my country this is an unusual profession for a woman, but so far I have not met anyone seeing it in a negative context. People are often surprised, but essentially only interested in a job well done."

Military pilot captain Ekaterine Kvlividze, 30, who joined Georgian Air Forces in 2007, said: "There were some difficulties at the beginning, I felt some irony, cynicism. I felt they did not appreciate me. But, thank God, during the last 10 years society has changed and nowadays a woman pilot is a normal thing."
. Tbilisi, GEORGIA. Reuters/David Mdzinarishvili

Military pilot captain Ekaterine Kvlividze, 30, who joined Georgian Air Forces in 2007, said: "There were some difficulties at the beginning, I felt some irony, cynicism. I felt they did not appreciate me. But, thank God, during the last 10 years society has changed and nowadays a woman pilot is a normal thing."

Serpil Cigdem, 44, an engine driver from Turkey, said: "When I applied for a job 23 years ago as an engine driver, I was told that it is a profession for men. I knew that during the written examination even if I got the same results with a male candidate, he would have been chosen. That’s why I worked hard to pass the exam with a very good result ahead of the male candidates. In my opinion, gender inequality starts in our minds saying it’s a male profession or it’s a men job."
. Istanbul, Turkey. Reuters/Osman Orsal

Serpil Cigdem, 44, an engine driver from Turkey, said: "When I applied for a job 23 years ago as an engine driver, I was told that it is a profession for men. I knew that during the written examination even if I got the same results with a male candidate, he would have been chosen. That’s why I worked hard to pass the exam with a very good result ahead of the male candidates. In my opinion, gender inequality starts in our minds saying it’s a male profession or it’s a men job."

Julia Argunova, 36, mountaineering instructor from Kazakhstan, said: "Physical strength benefits male colleagues in some situations on harder routes. But, women are more concentrated and meticulous. In general, women are better at teaching. My main professional task is to teach safe mountaineering."
. Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN. Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov

Julia Argunova, 36, mountaineering instructor from Kazakhstan, said: "Physical strength benefits male colleagues in some situations on harder routes. But, women are more concentrated and meticulous. In general, women are better at teaching. My main professional task is to teach safe mountaineering."

Pilot Maria Uvarovskaya poses for a photograph in A320 flight simulator at the Aeroflot training centre at Sheremetyevo airport in Russia. "Much more can be done by the women themselves to solve such problems (gender inequality)," she said.
. Sheremetyevo, Russia. Reuters/Grigory Dukor

Pilot Maria Uvarovskaya poses for a photograph in A320 flight simulator at the Aeroflot training centre at Sheremetyevo airport in Russia. "Much more can be done by the women themselves to solve such problems (gender inequality)," she said.

Jeung Un, 27, a freelance photographer from South Korea, said: "Most news outlets prefer to employ male photographers. I feel strongly about gender inequality. When I cover violent scenes, sometimes I am harassed and hear sexually-biased remarks."
. Seoul, South Korea. Reuters/Kim Hong-Ji

Jeung Un, 27, a freelance photographer from South Korea, said: "Most news outlets prefer to employ male photographers. I feel strongly about gender inequality. When I cover violent scenes, sometimes I am harassed and hear sexually-biased remarks."

Deng Qiyan, 47, a mother of three and a decoration worker at contraction sites from China, said: "Sometimes (gender inequality) happens. But we cannot do anything about that. After all, you have to digest all those unhappy things and carry on."
. Beijing, CHINA. Reuters/Jason Lee

Deng Qiyan, 47, a mother of three and a decoration worker at contraction sites from China, said: "Sometimes (gender inequality) happens. But we cannot do anything about that. After all, you have to digest all those unhappy things and carry on."

Januka Shrestha, 25, a Tuk Tuk driver from Nepal, said: "There is no difference in a vehicle driven by a woman and man. While driving on the road people sometimes try to dominate a vehicle especially when they see a woman driving it. People have even used foul language toward me. When this happens I keep quiet and work even harder to prove that we are as capable as men."
. Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar

Januka Shrestha, 25, a Tuk Tuk driver from Nepal, said: "There is no difference in a vehicle driven by a woman and man. While driving on the road people sometimes try to dominate a vehicle especially when they see a woman driving it. People have even used foul language toward me. When this happens I keep quiet and work even harder to prove that we are as capable as men."

Phung Thi Hai, 54, from Vietnam is among a group of 25 women working at a brick factory where she has to move 3,000 bricks a day to the kiln. "How unfair that a 54-year-old woman like me has to work and take care of the whole family. With the same work male labourers can get a better income. Not only me, all women in the village work very hard with no education, no insurance and no future," she said.
. Hanoi, Vietnam. Reuters/Kham

Phung Thi Hai, 54, from Vietnam is among a group of 25 women working at a brick factory where she has to move 3,000 bricks a day to the kiln. "How unfair that a 54-year-old woman like me has to work and take care of the whole family. With the same work male labourers can get a better income. Not only me, all women in the village work very hard with no education, no insurance and no future," she said.

Ram, 46, a flower seller from Thailand, said: "In this market men do the hard jobs, they carry heavy things, load trucks."
. Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters/Jorge Silva

Ram, 46, a flower seller from Thailand, said: "In this market men do the hard jobs, they carry heavy things, load trucks."

Mehwish Ekhlaque, 26, a bike rider and trainer from Pakistan, said: "When I planned a Pakistan Bike Tour many of my male colleagues gave me a piece of advice not to do it as it's neither safe nor easy for a woman. But I did it."
. Karachi, Pakistan. Reuters/Akhtar Soomro

Mehwish Ekhlaque, 26, a bike rider and trainer from Pakistan, said: "When I planned a Pakistan Bike Tour many of my male colleagues gave me a piece of advice not to do it as it's neither safe nor easy for a woman. But I did it."

Yuniko Chung, 24, a video game broadcaster from Taiwan, said: "I always hear people say that they never watch female gaming broadcasters as they rely only on their appearance rather than skills. I am not that type of broadcaster. I can play along with men. I am not using my face and my gender as advantage."
. Taipei, TAIWAN. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

Yuniko Chung, 24, a video game broadcaster from Taiwan, said: "I always hear people say that they never watch female gaming broadcasters as they rely only on their appearance rather than skills. I am not that type of broadcaster. I can play along with men. I am not using my face and my gender as advantage."

Filipina Grace Ocol, 40, a backhoe operator from Philippines, said: "There are a few female workers that can drive big trucks and backhoe. If men can do it, why can't women do it? I'm better than the men, they can only drive trucks here but I can drive both."
. Manila, Philippines. Reuters/Erik De Castro

Filipina Grace Ocol, 40, a backhoe operator from Philippines, said: "There are a few female workers that can drive big trucks and backhoe. If men can do it, why can't women do it? I'm better than the men, they can only drive trucks here but I can drive both."

Liz Azoulay, 26, who loads and unloads cargo at Ashdod port, said: "In most of my professional life I did not face any inequality. In the port of Ashdod we are equal on the docks. I am the first woman who began working at the Ashdod port as a stevedore."
. Ashdod, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

Liz Azoulay, 26, who loads and unloads cargo at Ashdod port, said: "In most of my professional life I did not face any inequality. In the port of Ashdod we are equal on the docks. I am the first woman who began working at the Ashdod port as a stevedore."

Khawla Sheikh, 54, a plumber and a certified trainer from Jordan: "Housewives are more comfortable to have a woman plumber in their house in the absence of their husbands," said Sheikh. "To tackle gender inequality, I think that all operating sectors must provide equal opportunities for men and women in all fields and each woman must believe in her capabilities and skills that she has in order to convince the others."
. Amman, Jordan. Reuters/Muhammad Hamed

Khawla Sheikh, 54, a plumber and a certified trainer from Jordan: "Housewives are more comfortable to have a woman plumber in their house in the absence of their husbands," said Sheikh. "To tackle gender inequality, I think that all operating sectors must provide equal opportunities for men and women in all fields and each woman must believe in her capabilities and skills that she has in order to convince the others."

Laila Sterk, 22, a Syrian Democratic Forces female fighter: "Before becoming a fighter, I was suffering from inequality in society. But after joining the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), I didn't encounter that anymore," said Sterk. This is due to the fact that when men want to join the SDF they attend educational courses about women fighting alongside them. Therefore the woman fighter leads the military campaigns just like any man."
. Hasaka, Syria. Reuters/Rodi Said

Laila Sterk, 22, a Syrian Democratic Forces female fighter: "Before becoming a fighter, I was suffering from inequality in society. But after joining the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), I didn't encounter that anymore," said Sterk. This is due to the fact that when men want to join the SDF they attend educational courses about women fighting alongside them. Therefore the woman fighter leads the military campaigns just like any man."

Christine Akoth, 38, a painter from Kenya, said: "I have experienced gender bias on my work where some time I am denied contracts because of who I am and maybe my marital status. Some female colleagues have been treated unfairly because of their sex and even exploited."
. Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters/Thomas Mukoya

Christine Akoth, 38, a painter from Kenya, said: "I have experienced gender bias on my work where some time I am denied contracts because of who I am and maybe my marital status. Some female colleagues have been treated unfairly because of their sex and even exploited."

Samah Abdelaty, 38, a writer and a chief of the investigations department at Al Watan Newspaper from Egypt, said: "On the issue of gender equality in my field I do not remember any discrimination against me working in the field of journalism."
. Cairo, Egypt. Reuters/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Samah Abdelaty, 38, a writer and a chief of the investigations department at Al Watan Newspaper from Egypt, said: "On the issue of gender equality in my field I do not remember any discrimination against me working in the field of journalism."

Chrifa Nimri, 69,  a fisherwoman from Tunisia, said: "At the beginning of my fishing career all the world told me that the trade was for men but now all my colleges respect and call me captain."
. Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia. Reuters/Zoubeir Souissi

Chrifa Nimri, 69, a fisherwoman from Tunisia, said: "At the beginning of my fishing career all the world told me that the trade was for men but now all my colleges respect and call me captain."

Cristina Alvarez, 29, a butcher from Mexico, said: "I've never felt any gender inequality. I believe women can do the same jobs as men and that there should be no discrimination."
. Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters/Jose Luis Gonzalez

Cristina Alvarez, 29, a butcher from Mexico, said: "I've never felt any gender inequality. I believe women can do the same jobs as men and that there should be no discrimination."

Jauna Diaz, 43, a street sweeper from mexico: "In my previous job my boss gave preference to male colleagues and women always were paid later. That’s why I changed jobs," Diaz said. "To tackle gender inequality I think there needs to be more communication and information about women's rights in the work place."
. Mexico City, MEXICO. Reuters/Carlos Jasso

Jauna Diaz, 43, a street sweeper from mexico: "In my previous job my boss gave preference to male colleagues and women always were paid later. That’s why I changed jobs," Diaz said. "To tackle gender inequality I think there needs to be more communication and information about women's rights in the work place."

Ivonne Quintero, a chef from Mexico, said: "There are many limitations in the kitchen for being female. I had two men under my charge and they did not do what I asked them to do in the kitchen because I was a woman."
. Mexico City, Mexico. Reuters/Henry Romero

Ivonne Quintero, a chef from Mexico, said: "There are many limitations in the kitchen for being female. I had two men under my charge and they did not do what I asked them to do in the kitchen because I was a woman."