A few decades ago, men were considered to be providers and protectors; today, a lot of discussions are centred around gender equality, and nowadays women around the world are fighting fiercely to make sure their rights are respected. And this is the way it should be.
Patriarchal Dominance
Far too many societies and countries are still stuck in Patriarchal Dominance and this reality is set to be with us for many years to come. [Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.]
This leaves us with the reality that for many of years to come we will be fighting the battle of women empowerment. Men are by far the main perpetrators of injustices perpetuated against women. [rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment; sexism etc.] So quite rightly - there are numerous programs to address men’s failures to honour their responsibilities or to address negative/criminal/anti-social behaviour.
Are Men the Enemy?
It also leaves us with the reality that we are providing scant attention to support and prepare men pro-actively and positively for their future roles. In the urgency to address Gender Inequality of Women, have we not sometimes tended to make men the enemy [Personally I know I did- and I also promoted this with vigour]. Promoting women’s liberation, does not need to endorse male suppression.
I have struggled silently with this concept for some years now. Every time I prepare to vocalise my thoughts something happens to silence me - #MeToo; yet another women murdered by the partner [38% of women murdered in SA are murdered by male partner]; #Malala; 15 509 000 Child female brides in India etc.
It is August 2021. In South Africa that means Women’s Month. Many reading this post will say it is not PC to place focus on men’s needs. Many out there will say this is not the month to address the role of men in our society. I disagree -to eradicate the scourge of Female Oppression we need to address the reality that 49% of our population are males. We need to engage with them not just as perpetrators and Oppressors, but as a human beings who happen to be male.
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