GENDER EQUALITY
I wonder why it is that when we speak of gender equality the first thing that comes to mind is women,yet gender is the social meaning attached to being male or female.Maybe its because women experience discrimination from the word go.In many African communities,the celebration that will occur when a female child is born is nothing compared to the jubilant celebration that ensues when a male child is born.As female children grow they are introduced to the world of domestic chores as the male children are involved in seemingly muscle needing activities.It was and still is a big issue taking girls to school as there was-as people thought-no need for them to go to school,after all,they would be married and gone,of course,after the parents got ‘paid’ for taking care of the child until marriage.In marriages,men seem to think that they own the women,atfer all,they paid dowry,didnt they? There are very many cases of gender based violence the most common being domestic abuse,and women and children are the most vulnerable.Women are physically,psychologically,sexually and economically abused all over the world,day in,day out!
Women have come a long way and it is good to see many women now involved in many activities that were previously dominated by men.However,women are still discriminated on when job searching and some go through gruelling situations before they are employed.Participation of women in formal jobs is affected by such factors as religion,race,age and marital status.
Jayne I do agree with you;development programmes focused on women benefits the whole community! It could be that women take care of their own and can be very selfless when it comes to their families and friends..I dont know,what do others think?
I have not really experienced discrimination-apart from being told I could not play some games because I was a girl!!! the nerves! trust you me,I proved them wrong!-but have seen women being discriminated on.I have seen men batter their wives without mercy,heard of women denied work because they refused to sleep with the male boss,seen the lifeless eyes of female children raped by men,hard of women who struggle to feed their children while their husbands rot away in drunken stupor and therefore dont lift a finger!.........the effect of all this,sadness(why,oh why?),determination(you wait,i will show them!),hope(something can be done,right?)
Definately,gender equality is something to be fought for!! Society should be educated on need for gender equality and women treated as equal beings,legal measures should be taken,women empowered and customs that make men think women are their property,changed.
Women are very important in the society and should be treated thus.