P: Good morning, Economist.
E: Good morning, Photographer.
P: Have you followed the Luis Rubiales case, the president of the Spanish soccer federation, who had forcibly kissed the star player, Jenni Hermoso, on live television?
E: I did.
P: So what do you think?
E: Fortunately, times are changing.
P: I thought you would say that. I have another question about this.
E: Out with it.
P: Is the market economy compatible with gender equality?
E: Big question, short answer: Of course, it is.
P: Explain.
E: Imagine two companies. In one of them, there is misogyny; in the other one, there is gender equality. The first company pays women lower wages than men for equal qualifications and gives preference to men when higher positions are to be filled. In the second company, pay is based on performance, regardless of gender. Which company will perform better on the market?
P: I see your point.
E: Companies that fill positions based on qualifications and performance will deliver better products and services. As a result, in the long run, the market economy helps ensure that gender equality becomes established in the economy and society.
P: How long does that term have to be? In other words, how does what you say relate to reality?
E: You know, Photographer, I am a man of theory.
P: Welcome to real life.
E: However, I do believe that societies with market economies will achieve gender equality in the long term. The fight currently taking place in Spain is the best example.
< silence >
P: Do you think gender equality will prevail everywhere in the long term?
E: Nothing happens automatically, everything is the result of human actions. Just look at Afghanistan. Since the Taliban took over, they have imposed the world's most radical gender policies, denying education and employment to millions of Afghan women.
P: This is horrible. I still wish you a nice day, Economist.
E: Same to you, Photographer.
……..🚶🏼♂️…🚶🏻
Why do Strolling Economist and Accidental Photographer take daily walks? Check out here for more. – By the way, sometimes they go their own ways, the economist here, the photographer there.