GENDER ISSUE

Denotatively, gender simply means the categorization of sex into male and female. When we talk about gender discrimination, fingers are always pointed at women. This is because gender discrimination specifically painted the image of men to be superior, while that of women to be inferior. Women marginalization therefore can be defined as an act of sidelining or confinement of women to a marginal space, particularly in the contemporary political activities of Africans. However, this notion has been criticized on the basis that women are no less inferior to men. It is often said in a phrase that “what a man can do, a woman can do better”. This has led to contention, controversy and what I described as hullabaloo among the scholars.

REASONS FOR MARGINALIZATION OF WOMEN

1.      Traditional/Cultural Belief: Without any iota of doubt, African culture does not allow a woman to look into a man’s face or talk when a man is talking. Men are to lead while women are to follow. Women are bound in the place of marriage because the society encouraged men to have more than one wife while women are not allowed to have more than one husband. Therefore, women are seen as mere properties of men which could be used and disposed at any time. However, the modern time has turned this around by championing the course of women called “WOMAN EMANCIPATION”

2.      Religious Belief: This is almost in the same level with cultural belief. The two dominant religions in African are undoubtedly Islam and Christianity. These religions frown at any step or effort taking by women to equally contend with men. It was believed that women are created from the rib of men; no doubt, man is the head of the woman.

3.      Family: The women in most of African homes were regarded as custodian of life. This explains why some men relegate their wife to be full house wife irrespective of their qualifications.

4.      Economic Discrimination: Women are deprived some economic benefit. For instance, there are certain levels a woman can rise to in the military. Not only that, women are not put into consideration when the Army are going to war.

5.      Male Chauvinism: Naturally, men always have the feeling of superiority over women. This is not unconnected with the believe that women are not in any means equal to the men.

6.      Financial Implication: Women may not be able to meet up with the financial cost of African society. For instance, politics involves the use of money which some women might be finding it difficult to participate because of financial constraint. This explains why women are always sidelined when it comes to politics. Not only that, men usually will not obey women leaders because of their gender pride. This is based on the believe that women are not equal to men even though they are better off.

7.      Social Discrimination: Women are always at the receiving end during social vices. They are always the victim of rape, unwanted pregnancy and other deadly diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Although, it takes two to tango, when a boy impregnates a girl, the boy is not the one to carry the pregnancy, but the girl is and she also bears the shame alone. To worsen the matter, especially when the girl is promiscuous, it might be difficult to know the person responsible for the pregnancy. These entire situations, women seem helpless.

Nevertheless, it has been proven that women are no less inferior to men as experience has shown that women could even do better than men. Epitomes of women with remarkable impact include FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI, MAGRET THARCHER, HELEN JOHNSON SELIF ETC.

However, some male scholars have argued that nobody marginalized the women, but the inferiority complex that women have made them feel they are sidelined.

Succinctly, it’s not that women are not productive, but they are submissive to their husband thereby making their wealth seems like their husband’s wealth.

 

OLAYIWOLA OLAMIDE

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