It is on a Friday afternoon. I am meeting up with one of my best friends for a lunch date. It has been a while since we met. We have a lot to share… all that is happening around us. But today we decided to concentrate on the role of women in the society. What the society expect of us.
It all starts by discussing on the freedoms that men enjoy compared to women… Don’t we all know them? Women do not have freedom, instead they have expectations. Expectations that have been set by our society. For instance, a woman is expected to be always well dressed and sexy. Everything about the she gender is questioned.
I am that kind of a person who believe I can perform any kind of role or activity, all that I need is to learn how to do it. And with this kind of personality I am viewed as a feminist. A couple of months ago, my… called me a feminist, for the reason that I was trying to be productive. It is unfortunate that up to date men are not comfortable with women pursuing their education and career. They feel like a woman’s role is in the home. This is something that I will never agree too. I was surprised when my ex… was telling me to forgo my degree,yet this is my life. NEVER. “Your EDUCATION IS MY PERMANENT HUSBAND”. As was said to us back in high school. I believe on this statement.
I was actually surprised that ‘he’ could say I am competing with him, just because I insisted on going to work, contrary to his wishes. Even if the pay is less, that is not the only reason people work. There is a lot more to gain than money. We gain experiences in work place, and we learn through it, We network, we discover ourselves, what we are good at and what we are not, the list is just endless.
Women are not allowed to voice their opinion. When you fight for a women rights you are synonymous viewed as hating. It is not practical to me, that a couple are both in the house yet the ‘she’ is expected to do all the house chores; from cleaning, cook, washing dishes and taking care of the kids yet the ‘he’ is comfortably watching TV and expect food to be brought to him on the table. I know, this is a statement that majority will not agree on. But Hey! How about we help each other in all these house chores. We will have saved a lot of time and done something constructive afterwards.
Why does it look like that women are slaves! In a case where ‘both’ are working, does all the finances that they earn goes to development of their home? Why is it that after all the hustle, she is the one to come do the house duties alone yet he is there doing nothing constructive!
I know, my expression are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and unattractive.
I believe that women should be involved in making social decisions and policies. They should be given the same respect as men. They should be given equal opportunities to pursue their education and career. They should be given the freedom to be themselves.
Today, father’s role as a parent are being valued less by society, yet both their presence is needed by a child. Men suffer from mental illness but they can not share, because they will look less of men. Our men are imprisoned by gender stereotype. When they are free, is when things will change for women as a natural consequence. When men do not have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women will not feel compelled to be submissive. If men do not have to control, women will not be controlled.
We should all be sensitive strong. Gender should be perceived as a spectrum, instead of a two sides opposing ideals. Both the ‘two’ should stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining each other by who we are.
FEMINISM is the belief that women and men should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.
I have decided to be a humanizing force, to change broken systems that I find. to make someone life become more just. Join me in the act, to make our society a better place. For me and for you and the generation to come.
Says Beline Nyangi
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