Why should boys have all the fun?
“You are not my daughter, you’re like my son!” “Be a man!” “Don’t cry like a girl” “Why are you so feminine” “Pink is a girl’s colour” “Football is a boy’s sport”, these are just a few of the myriad sexist comments made casually in every day life…Gender is a simple word that highlights the fact of being male or female. However, unfortunately us humans, being the complex animals we are, have managed to complicate this as well. In today’s World, where man has even accomplished making an artificial Sun, it is doleful that a mere necessity of ‘Gender Equality’ has not been achieved yet! Gender Equality simply stands for all genders being free to pursue the career, lifestyle of their choice and have access to similar rights, opportunities, responsibilities , benefits in society irrespective of their gender. The different needs and dreams of each individual being respected and valued equally is what gender equality represents. It doesn’t mean that we consider men and women to be the same, it is impossible to do so, however preventing a person’s gender being a barrier in pursuing a particular goal and recognising the diversity in mankind, accepting its beauty is very essential! It is not a women’s issue but the issue of the society collectively and it is indeed imperative to fathom its vital role in helping our World progress together!
We witness Gender Inequality in our homes, communities, text books, media and our society. Women working more or equal hours as men, but getting paid les, Huge population of females not having access to education, women being expected to take charge of household chores, barriers in their career, discrimination in the field of sports, women occupying only 7% of the World’s leaders list are a few examples of the suppression faced by women. Being a female of a country where the birth of a girl child is an ill-fate for the family and giving birth to a female is considered a failure of the mother is infuriating. I am outraged by the fact that in 18 countries husbands can legally prevent their wives from working, one in five women and girls have experienced physical or sexual violence within the last 12 months but nothing is done to protect women against such violence. Even today, many educated families in my country give dowry to the groom’s family, and treat marriage as a trade and the bride to be as an article. I was astounded to know about the pink tax, which is charged on seemingly feminine products.70 % of the health workers who were the backbones of millions during the pandemic were women, however only 25% comprised decision making bodies. However, gender inequality harms all genders, even today men asking for family leaves, stay at home fathers,male nurses or dancers, or men applying make-up are laughed at!
Achieving Gender Equality is Goal number 5 in the list of Sustainable Development Goals, which clearly portrays its importance in the world’s progress. It must be paid heed to, as it helps establish a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable World. No society can develop economically, politically, or socially if half of its population is marginalised. We must leave no one behind! Gender equality stimulates economic growth which is vital especially in countries with higher unemployment rates, less economic opportunities. When women make their own reproductive choices, children are raised healthier. Legal protections are enhanced and racially equal environment helps people live productive lives. Poverty levels are also reduced, as it helps bring women and their families out of the cycle of poverty. Overall inhumane crimes like domestic violence, forced sexual activities, human trafficking, are reduced which strengthens a country and brings peace to its citizens.
Schools play a major role in moulding a child’s future and have a great impact on the mindsets of the students. To help promote gender equality, schools must adapt to gender neutral responses in classrooms and refrain from using stereotypical remarks, as language lays a foundation that may limit a child’s understanding of gender roles. Give equal opportunities to both girls and boys in every field, refrain from restricting girls to dancing or boys to sports. It is imperative for schools to help reduce the gender gaps and normalise healthy relations and friendships between boys and girls. It is also a school’s responsibility to correct any gender biased ideologies in the premises. Even in the curriculum, class projects gender equality must be included. Trying to not segregate male and female students in competitions is also helpful.
Families are primary agents of gender socialisation and must build a child’s resilience to rigid gender barriers. Parents must talk about gender equality and the children must receive equal attention from both parents. Making a kid realise that both parents are equally responsible in the upbringing of the child and functioning of the household is very important. Gender neutral upbringing brings huge changes! Involving girls and boys both in household chores from an early age, and making them understand they can pursue whatever they want irrespective of their gender is vital. Making your child accept their preferences even if it doesn’t belong to the set parameters, helping them be vocal about their choices, as well as respecting the choices of the opposite gender can make a huge difference. Helping and encouraging your child in fighting such discrimination is key to a healthy childhood. One must remember to not form restricted expectations for their children. Most importantly families must raise sons women can feel safe with, and educate them to treat women as their equal and accept women to be on the same level as them.
We all have unconscious gender biases and it is high time we challenge these stereotypes. As rightly stated by Jane Fonda, “Let’s all of us make an effort to expand that tent so that everyone rises and so that everyone’s story has the chance to be seen and heard”. Open your minds and accept equality for a better tomorrow!