Understanding Gender Inequality: A Community Perspective

The Role of Community in Gender Inequality

It is interesting to see that each time we talk about gender inequality and equal access to opportunities, patriarchy or men’s power dominance receives the biggest share of the blame. Often, we hear comments like, “the man is the head of the family,” “it is what he wants that we do,” or “the men of the house have the final say.” These statements suggest that men control resources and determine what a woman receives. Many believe that until men align with women, we cannot progress on gender equality. While these conclusions hold some truth, could we look a little deeper and ask who is really responsible for this—men or the community, which includes both men and women?

Gender Socialization: A Community Issue

We have made several efforts to treat the issues of gender inequality as primarily a women’s issue. Recently, it has started to be viewed as a men’s issue, but these arguments often stem from a ‘victim vs. masculinity’ perspective. This viewpoint overlooks the fundamental subject of socialization and the community’s role. Gender socialization begins at birth and intensifies during adolescence. It contributes to gender inequalities in education, employment, income, empowerment, and other significant outcomes of well-being throughout life.

Before we rush to blame women’s poor participation in the formal labor market on patriarchy, we must take a step back. When a child is born, is that child treated first as a human or based on their sex? It is easy to answer ‘human first,’ but is that truly the case? Does the sex of the child determine everything about their opportunities and experiences? It’s essential to remember that the child is not raised solely by the father.

Expectations Based on Gender

When the sex of a child is known, automatic expectations are attached. If the child is female, she is often associated with the color pink, ponies, house chores, chastity, decency, and submissiveness. These norms are aimed at preparing her to be a good wife and mother. She learns to play it safe, avoid risks, and submit to the man who provides shelter and food. Over 70% of conversations with the girl child revolve around these themes, whether with parents, grandparents, peers, or social networks. In many African homes, taking risks with education and career opportunities is not a priority for girls. Even when encouraged to pursue education, they are often directed toward careers that will allow them to care for their families. What types of jobs are these? Your guess is as good as mine.

Conversely, boys are taught to access and take risks, be strategic, and pursue business and career opportunities. They are expected to make money and support their families. In summary, there is a general acceptance that women need time and home-based skills (unpaid jobs), while men are encouraged to take risks and earn money to support their wives and children.

The Ideal Society: A Fair Distribution of Labor?

For an ideal society, this may seem like a fair distribution of labor. However, this value system significantly influences a woman’s entry and sustainability in the labor market, particularly in the formal sector.

Now, consider a woman whose value system has been shaped over 16-18 years, focusing primarily on family. While this focus is valid, it often lacks the necessary infrastructure or policies to balance work and family. Consequently, her capacity to aspire for opportunities beyond the community level is limited. This is not an ideology that can be changed through six months of advocacy campaigns or programs.

Who Holds the Responsibility?

So, who is responsible for this situation—the man, the woman, or the community? Who transfers this value system within the community? Female children are nurtured by their mothers, who pass on the same knowledge to their children. This cycle continues, as mothers teach what they believe is right for their daughters, preparing them for a future they deem best.

As a result, when we implement interventions, campaigns, or messages stating that “women need to enter the formal sector or labor market,” it is not that they do not hear or agree with us. Instead, they may not know how to change their practices while still adhering to their value system centered on family. They often struggle to find formal jobs that allow them to balance work and family life.

Addressing Limitations in Women's Engagement

Women’s engagement in the labor market requires deliberate efforts to address the limitations they face at individual, community, and sectoral levels. We must think about establishing structures and enforcing policies that support women in balancing family values with work ethics. This may be the only way to elevate women within the labor market pyramid.

Conclusion: A Call for Collective Action

In conclusion, addressing gender inequality is not solely a women's issue or a men's issue; it is a community issue. Both men and women play crucial roles in shaping societal norms and expectations. By fostering a community-wide dialogue about gender roles and expectations, we can create a more equitable environment for all.

Let’s work together to empower women and ensure that every individual, regardless of gender, has equal access to opportunities and resources. Only then can we hope to achieve true gender equality and social progress.

---wix---