Gender discrimination; A cultural norm
Gender discrimination is mostly a cultural norm. There is little or no regards for women especially in my village. Men are advised and encouraged to marry more than one wife to increase his chances of bearing an heir to carry on with the family's lineage.
In a bid to get an heir, the woman in most cases end up having many children beyond the financial capability of the family. Psychologically and emotionally, the woman becomes depressed, sad, unfulfilled and in some cases, develops chronic health challenges that could be fatal.
Children are gifts from God whether male or female, there should be equal love for both sex
Yes, I have been discriminated a few times.
During my traditional marriage.
On that faithful day I was told I was to mount our village flag at the entrance of my compound if not the Elders would not attend the ceremony. Hmm... Now I wasn't aware nobody told me until that faithful day, what should I do now? Where do I get the flag? I asked my dad. He said I should ask his brothers. Finally I was told a man named Agozie is the one in charge of the flag, I and my sister hurriedly went to him and told him what we came for, he looked at me from head to toes and then opened his mouth to say 'he doesn't have any business with women' how does it affect him giving me the flag was what I didn't understand 🤷
I told him it was my wedding and it was almost time I need to mount the flag so the Elders would come in, his response was harsh "don't we have a man in our family?" I should ask a man to come and collect the flag" I was furious! What is the difference, I was so upset the way he talked to me, I began to exercise my power with my mouth until our voices attracted some people and they asked what the problem was and I explained everything to them. what if I have no brothers? Everybody was so busy and I was less busy, of course I am useful even if I was a bride to be and was supposed to be resting my feet in preparation for my dance session.
So they began to talk to him and then he finally went in and brought the flag, he said the flag was #3,000 one of the elderly man present there told him that he shouldn't behave like that, he should be truthful, if he knows the real amount for renting the flag he should just tell me. He sheepishly said I should bring #1500 I have never been that angry, I gave my sister the money to give to him and collect the flag and we left.
I never knew it was their culture that a man is supposed to collect the flag in every occasion (burial, wedding, coronation of any sort e.t.c.)
I was left with one question "what was behind collection of an ordinary flag that a woman is not permitted to collect "
If I was to stop gender discrimination: I would definitely like to start with my village, having all the resources I need, I would open their eyes to see how far a woman can go, bringing chimamada Ngozi Adichie to the table, who is a popular Nigeria writer with all her achievement, despite being married still bears her father's name.
Women should be empowered as much as their men counterpart to contribute in different sectors-politics, economy, technology etc, not relegated to the kitchen and bedroom as commonly practiced in many places. By the way who says a woman's place is in the kitchen? Hell no! Women were created and named 'helper', what does helper mean? In your term...🤔it should mean that when a man is cooking and then gets confused he should ask the woman for help🤷🏻♂, that's right!
Women are equipped with solutions for mankind because the creator knew men would need help to keep what he had bestowed upon them but unfortunately men have refused to take the wise advice of a woman rather would try out the foolish advice of man and would runback into the arms of a woman for solace, how funny?
Hmmm, that was quite unnecessary actually.
In the world of today, any woman who makes herself relevant will definitely be relevant, even men don't take women who has something to offer to the table for a ride, they respect and adore them too.
I think a better approach will be women gaining relevance.
Was a nice read
Well, You haven't witness situations where women who had struggled to be relevant but are still regarded as nothing even when they become relevant their voice are still not heard.
That mentality of thinking less of either gender especially the women needs to be wiped out. All this have to be corrected.
Ouch...I haven't
That's sad though
Some people still live in the olden days. So was it that difficult to just give you the flag. I mean it’s just a flag so what shows a woman can’t come for it.
I hope things change for the better for us.
Yes my dear, I hope so too.