it affects more than half of the global population and touches the lives of every person inequalities are manifested in terms of unequal economic status low political representation and power unequal access to health care and other services high levels of maternal mortality high rates of violence and sexual harassment unequal education low social status and subtle forms of discrimination all of which are fuelled by gender stereotypes roles and norms as well as discriminatory institutions and legal frameworks in many cases control over women and their bodies is woven into the cultural fabric of communities through traditional practices such as early marriage female genital cutting and virginity pledges it is less blatantly maintained through gender segregation of roles and activities