Introduction

Abstract

Gender bias and discrimination against women are appalling practices that exist as a manifestation of humanity’s fall from grace. Such practices illustrate the victimization of women in private and public spheres. In both these spheres, gender roles and reward-punishment schemes are designed to protect and sustain collective norms and traditions in favor of the collective community, mostly dominated by men, at the expense of women’s well-being. According to the declaration of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), “[T]he term ‘discrimination against women’ shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field” (UN 1993: article 1).