"Ebube, this world is all wrong," Mma said, her gaze frenziedly dancing towards the heavens. Is there anything you'd like to change about it?" I pondered the question for a long time. I discovered an answer.
I used to believe that the world was full of rainbows and sunshine when I was a kid. I was horribly mistaken. In my previous post, I mentioned that I was more concerned with acing my class. However, in the minds of my male classmates, a girl should not be on top.
MY STORY
I didn’t understand the stigma that came with doing certain things as a girl at first. It became clear to me as I grew older.
Sure, you could dismiss this as simple ignorance, but the tragedy continues. When I started secondary school, the same scene repeated itself until I finally had some academic competition. The class was divided in some ways. The boys cheered for my competitor (who, yes, was a guy), while the girls cheered for me.
As strange as it may appear, I came to a realization. Perhaps we aren't equal after all. I mean, why the stress, division, rage, and so on? Everything was so exhausting.
But it’s not just about the girls. The boys too suffer from this but on a lower scale. Why are you walking like that,an aunt will ask her niece? Girls don’t walk like that. Why do you always wear trousers? Do you not own any skirts? Why are you breathing in such a strange manner? That is not how women breathe!
Not to start a gender war, but women are frequently at the bottom of the food chain. Gender equality is not something that many countries, particularly those in the developing world, have in their vocabulary. The majority of women in poorer families are subjected to early marriages, genital mutilation🤮, and little to no education.
Here’s an example: The girl child is not always accepted in my tribe (I’m Igbo). If you as a woman is unable to produce a male heir, you are unlucky. But thank the Lord for science. In many of my tribe’s communities, a girl cannot even inherit land😖!
The good news is that people are becoming more aware of the situation. A problem can be solved with awareness. Many international organizations, including the United Nations, have established procedures to address and combat gender inequality. Are the guidelines effective? Yes, to some extent, not on a large scale.
As previously stated, organizations are doing their best to empower, raise awareness, and so on, but wounds heal slowly. If you’ve drilled hate into a child, it will take a while for love to override. In this case, society is hammering us instead of us hammering ourselves. Heck, at one point in my life, I began to believe these things. I awoke from my slumber. I’m relieved I’m no longer there.
HOPE
The family is a strong tool in combating gender inequality. Raise strong men and daughters for societal gains. Only weaklings seek to oppress others.
Governments of countries should be proactive especially in a sector like education. At a basic level, education should be free.
It will take a long time for this problem to be eradicated though (if it’s ever going to happen) but together we will overcome.
