The issue of gender discrimination is most common with women, most cultures pose less importance and consider women as vulnerable specie of man kind. I have seen a lot of them denied several rights and made to look like subjects rather than equal with the other gender.
Don't get me wrong, I know the bible says wives should submit to their husbands but that doesn't make them unequal with men. The bible didn't say women should submit to men but wives to their husbands, thats is a family affair. it is for wives and their husbands in their homes and not in the society.
Women had been made to look so little before the society and that has been bothering me, most women miss certain opportunities because of the genders and men say, she is a woman she can't handle it. Who told you she can't? Try her and see first.
In some families properties are shared without women and I wonder where that concept came from because even in the bible properties were shared with women. Rights are for all humans not for men alone.
Meanwhile, Men also go through gender discrimination but it is not as intense as that of women. I believe that all of us are one and the constitution gave us equal rights. I don't want to say some cultures are missing when they deny women certain rights because I don't know what they considered before passing those bills into law.
However, it is very conspicuous that whatever man can do some women can do it and some even far better and vice versa. I think instead of generalizing that some genders are weak and some are strong or capable in terms of work and the rest, individuals should be allowed to choose whether to do certain things or not.
Each gender is entitled to a specific kind of role based on strength, men are assigned certain duties and women another. These are some of the things that different men from women, but today things are gradually changing, both genders can carry out either of the roles and can do it perfectly.
If a woman thinks she can do hard labour she should be allowed to do so, of a truth some woman can't handle it but those who can should not be thrown away. if a man feels like he is fit to carry out all the responsibilities of a woman he should be left to do so as well.
My experience
I have many sisters in the house, each of us were given certain roles to play based on our gender, the ladies are sadled with the responsibility to sweep, cook , fetch water and other kitchen responsibilities.
The male are responsible for doing work that require a lot of energy like clearing the compound, going to farm and sometimes washing clothes, this is my family's stuff I am not saying it is so in every home.
While I was growing up, I fell in love with what I see my mom doing in the kitchen and often love being around her to help slice or chop vegetables. I loved being in her little canteen more than any other place.
I really wanted to learn how to cook sweet meal like her but our so called beliefs won't let it be. Anytime I try to cook I get prevented by my sister's or mother. Their reason is I am a boy and cooking is not for me.
They kept me from doing what I love the most because I am not a female, now the effect is that at my age I can't really cook a good meal and as God will do it I am living alone. It really pains me a lot. Something I am supposed to have mastered by now but I am still a novice.
How I felt about it
The truth is the feeling of being denied our rights is always painful, each time I get that treatment from my elder sisters or mom I feel very bad and wish I could change their perception about it. It hurts me even more when I see some of my male friends cooking in their homes but I was not allowed in mine
In my own case there is nothing I can to rather than to just take it like that and move on. I had to just embrace the fact that cooking is for female and I am not suppose to do any of the cooking even if I wanted to.
Lessons
Gender discrimination can prevent one from exploiting some potentials that is imbedded in them. If everyone is treated equally and given the opportunity to do whatever he/she feels they are capable of doing, they can be able to bring out certain gifts that are buried in them, afterwards practice makes perfect.
Way Out
1 . In the constitution, it is stated that human right is the entitlement of every human, therefore I think, if there should be gender equality it will go a long way to help eliminate this issue of discrimination. Everyone is ideally supposed to be equal before the law, regardless of gender, rights and everything is supposed to be shared equally not minding whether it is a male or female.
2 . All genders should be granted the right to decide what they want to do or what they can do. There should not be anything like this work is for male alone or female alone. Let the individual decide whether he/she can handle it or not.
3 . Public elighntenment on the havoc of gender discrimination will also go a long way to help. I know not everyone applies what they learn in real life situation but there are definitely some individuals who will take the matter into heart and work with it, that will also help a lot.
4 . Punishment of those who practice gender discrimination, anyone who is found practicing the act of discriminating any gender should be made to pay certain fine and if he or she can't afford it, the person should be held under custody for some stipulated number of days. Some person's don't take things seriously until they see someone used as a scapegoat.
This post was inspired by Hive Learners weekly prompts, week 65 Edition 02 with the title Gender Discrimination. You can check it out.
