I wrote this article as a
feminist due to the glaring rights deprived the female folks which many
including the females themselves are veiled from seeing. Before I begin the
sail, let me quickly proclaim that my intention for baring the unseen is far
from instigating rebellion in the female folks or infringing upon some blessed
ways or kneading the already placid human relationship until it becomes
ruffled. Rather, I put forth my thoughts into writing based on my brainstorming
and events which have been unfolding before me since I became conscious of my
existence.
I should start with the discourse of the plights faced by the girl child who has above all borne the cruellest brunt of gender mainstream. In most parts of the world especially the developing countries, a girl child is often treated more or less like a slave as compared to her male counterparts; she is considered a builder of an alien family rather than hers, so that as a consequence, she is deprived some opportunities which the boys get. As early as her breasts are seen, she's pushed down slippery matrimonial slope with little or no formal education.
It is shrewd to say that this issue of gender inequality didn't start in our age; it dates back to the days of yore. In fact, it was more appalling in those days. Not until recently, women were barred on the political stage; they were denied access to communal lands. A woman without a spouse was scorned till death, even by fellow women. Very often, women tilled the land while the men got the plaudits: this I prove with Achebe's magnus opus - Things Fall Apart as my guild: the man cleared the forest, felled trees, planted yams and staked the young tendrils while the women weeded the yam farm amid catering for their own cocoyam and cassava farms. But in the end, Okonkwo - the hero won all the accolades as a successful farmer.
The society in general has done apparently nothing to arrest the insidious issue of gender discrimination. Often times, the topic is swept to the dustbin as it's considered flippant. Most circumstances, when the word 'man' flips into a statement, it has positive meaning, whereas the reverse is the case when the word 'woman' appears. For instance, even mothers tease their lazy male children, 'you are a man, and hence stop behaving like a woman.' or 'why are you gossiping like women?'
This leads us into the issue of politics as affected by gender inequality. Over the years in the political atmosphere, women have been kept at bay. This is not unconnected with gender mainstream. Up till date, only few women have been able to climb the ladder to become leaders of their countries and kingdoms; a very alarming case begging for attention. It is worthy of note that in the 2011 presidential election in Nigeria, a woman ran for the PDP primaries, but had only one vote, and that was from herself. There were delegates who were women in that congregation. In some cultures, women are barred from choosing their leaders by virtue of voting - an infringement upon a very important fundamental right of vote and be voted for.
The viper called gender inequality has also sprawled its dank and venom-coated flesh to some vital social recesses of feminine life: a married woman must not stay out late, else tongues would be wagging, indicting her as promiscuous. Her husband could be pardoned for such offence. A man can marry as many wives as he can under one roof. But a woman who tries the 'taboo' is set for perdition. What inequality!
One could point out that women are at advantage during the war because they are not selected as warriors to brawl. But it is faintly true. Although men go to war and suffer severely, women are nowhere near better life during and even after the war. During the war, they are at home living and catering for their kids with fear and heavy heart. And sometimes when their territories are raided, they suffer rape and even death. After the war, those who have become widows become bread-winners for their families - a rather hideous job owing to societal discrimination and their physiological disadvantage.
Conclusively, a most irritating and obfuscating aspect of all is that nature in some way is in support of feminine oppression: at forty when most men are still sexually active, most women experience menopause.
This and others rolled in one leave me agape and forge a big question in my mind - question rhetorical as well as philosophical - oppression of women in the society: is it a divine will?
I should start with the discourse of the plights faced by the girl child who has above all borne the cruellest brunt of gender mainstream. In most parts of the world especially the developing countries, a girl child is often treated more or less like a slave as compared to her male counterparts; she is considered a builder of an alien family rather than hers, so that as a consequence, she is deprived some opportunities which the boys get. As early as her breasts are seen, she's pushed down slippery matrimonial slope with little or no formal education.
It is shrewd to say that this issue of gender inequality didn't start in our age; it dates back to the days of yore. In fact, it was more appalling in those days. Not until recently, women were barred on the political stage; they were denied access to communal lands. A woman without a spouse was scorned till death, even by fellow women. Very often, women tilled the land while the men got the plaudits: this I prove with Achebe's magnus opus - Things Fall Apart as my guild: the man cleared the forest, felled trees, planted yams and staked the young tendrils while the women weeded the yam farm amid catering for their own cocoyam and cassava farms. But in the end, Okonkwo - the hero won all the accolades as a successful farmer.
The society in general has done apparently nothing to arrest the insidious issue of gender discrimination. Often times, the topic is swept to the dustbin as it's considered flippant. Most circumstances, when the word 'man' flips into a statement, it has positive meaning, whereas the reverse is the case when the word 'woman' appears. For instance, even mothers tease their lazy male children, 'you are a man, and hence stop behaving like a woman.' or 'why are you gossiping like women?'
This leads us into the issue of politics as affected by gender inequality. Over the years in the political atmosphere, women have been kept at bay. This is not unconnected with gender mainstream. Up till date, only few women have been able to climb the ladder to become leaders of their countries and kingdoms; a very alarming case begging for attention. It is worthy of note that in the 2011 presidential election in Nigeria, a woman ran for the PDP primaries, but had only one vote, and that was from herself. There were delegates who were women in that congregation. In some cultures, women are barred from choosing their leaders by virtue of voting - an infringement upon a very important fundamental right of vote and be voted for.
The viper called gender inequality has also sprawled its dank and venom-coated flesh to some vital social recesses of feminine life: a married woman must not stay out late, else tongues would be wagging, indicting her as promiscuous. Her husband could be pardoned for such offence. A man can marry as many wives as he can under one roof. But a woman who tries the 'taboo' is set for perdition. What inequality!
One could point out that women are at advantage during the war because they are not selected as warriors to brawl. But it is faintly true. Although men go to war and suffer severely, women are nowhere near better life during and even after the war. During the war, they are at home living and catering for their kids with fear and heavy heart. And sometimes when their territories are raided, they suffer rape and even death. After the war, those who have become widows become bread-winners for their families - a rather hideous job owing to societal discrimination and their physiological disadvantage.
Conclusively, a most irritating and obfuscating aspect of all is that nature in some way is in support of feminine oppression: at forty when most men are still sexually active, most women experience menopause.
This and others rolled in one leave me agape and forge a big question in my mind - question rhetorical as well as philosophical - oppression of women in the society: is it a divine will?
