Promoting gender equality

The case of gender inequality in our society these days is saddening. In many families in Nigeria, a male child is welcomed with much joy and excitement  because people believe that male children have more to offer the family in future than female children.

It is believed that male children promote the family name. I strongly disagree with this and I would like to say that no matter the gender of a child, parents should  see their children as blessings from God and have the assurance that all their children would bring honour and blessings to them in future whether male or female. When we regard children as gifts of God, we are bound to stop imparting dangerous and false ideas to them right from the cradle. I believe firmly that gender equality is both desirable.

Gender inequality also manifests in the workplace. It seems that some professions are reserved for men. For instance, the number of female editors in Nigeria’s media houses is drastically insignificant. It is believed that the job of the newsroom is meant for men. This is just a sexist excuse; it has no empirical basis.

The women who have served as editors have not been proved to work less harder than their male counterparts. In many business organizations, we have more male CEOs than female. This is in spite of the fact that there are many well educated, talented and committed women who can serve as CEOs, in some cases even better than the men. If women are given the opportunity to excel, they will do just that. It is time the nation stopped pretending that women have been given equal opportunities as men.

Faith Adeniyi

Ilorin, kwara state.