Is this a turning point for gender equality? Paris 2024 will be the most gender-equal Olympics yet. It could send a strong message to the world.
Greatest show on Earth opens in Paris
Is this a turning point for gender equality? Paris 2024 will be the most gender-equal Olympics yet. It could send a strong message to the world.
Today is a big moment for the people of Paris. After years of waiting, the OlympicRelating to the Olympic Games, which take place every four years. games will begin.
This evening, more than 10,000 athletesSomebody who competes in sports events. will float down the river SeineFrance's third-longest river, extending 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. It is also a type of fishing net. in boats during the opening ceremony.
This year is the first Olympics where there will be the same number of men and women competing. There will be 5,250 of each.
This is a huge moment. The last Paris Olympics, in 1924, included just 135 women and 2,954 men.
For centuries, most societies gave more rights to men than to women.
Change has been hard won. Most countries gave men the vote before women. In Britain, women called suffragettesWomen's suffrage is the right for women to vote in local and national elections. The suffragettes fought for this right. campaigned to win the vote.
Today, women have been in charge of countries, run huge businesses and directed films.
Women's sport is becoming more popular too. For England, the Lionesses' win in the 2022 Euros was a huge moment. Many hope Paris 2024 can be another big moment for women.
Yet some think the full picture is not so simple. Many countries have a gender pay gap. The average American woman, for example, earns only 83% of what a working American man earns.
And there are many parts of the world where women have very few rightsThe things that you should be able to do or have in law. at all. There are still places where women cannot vote, or even travel without a man's agreement.
Is this a turning point for gender equalityWhen everyone has equal rights and opportunities. ?
Yes! The Olympics is a turning point. It shows that men and women can be equal in every area of life. Seeing women with gold medals around their necks will inspireMake someone want to do something, especially something creative. girls everywhere today.
No! In many areas of the world women are still far from being equal. They have few rights at all. The real turning point will come when ordinary women are equal to men, not Olympic athletes.
FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.
Olympic - Relating to the Olympic Games, which take place every four years.
Athletes - Somebody who competes in sports events.
Seine - France's third-longest river, extending 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. It is also a type of fishing net.
Suffragettes - Women's suffrage is the right for women to vote in local and national elections. The suffragettes fought for this right.
Rights - The things that you should be able to do or have in law.
Equality - When everyone has equal rights and opportunities.
Inspire - Make someone want to do something, especially something creative.
Greatest show on Earth opens in Paris

Glossary
Olympic - Relating to the Olympic Games, which take place every four years.
Athletes - Somebody who competes in sports events.
Seine - France's third-longest river, extending 485 miles from Dijon to the English Channel. It is also a type of fishing net.
Suffragettes - Women’s suffrage is the right for women to vote in local and national elections. The suffragettes fought for this right.
Rights - The things that you should be able to do or have in law.
Equality - When everyone has equal rights and opportunities.
Inspire - Make someone want to do something, especially something creative.