The Pros and Cons of Gender Egalitarianism

by  Quadri Femi Daniels
Gender egalitarianism, also known as gender equality or sex equality has been a trending colloquy and subject to hot debate in recent times, it is the view that men and women should receive equal treatment and should not be discriminated against based on gender.

UNICEF describes that gender equality “means that women and men, girls and boys, enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and protection”. It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be the same or that they be treated exactly alike.

[But] in African, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries, gender egalitarianism is more or less a malfeasance largely due to the strong religious and cultural beliefs, norms and values attached to impaired roles of women in political and economic position and activities. 

In the Middle East for instance women are not often allowed to drive cars and engage in any political activity due to the religious belief that women are more feeble individuals. Northern Nigeria is another suitable paradigm where the role of women in economic, social and political activities is largely subdued as a result of cultural and religious beliefs. 

This can however be attributed to the thinking that men are physically stronger while women are more emotionally aware and that men are best providers while women the better nurturers. Of course there are some exceptions, but these generalizations are relative to biological origins. 

In addendum, there is of course also the religious backing for these beliefs. It is of the Islamic view that women are less emotionally strong and are weak willed compared to their male counterparts and therefore they should not be in the political and economic cosmos of the society. 

This view is also present in orthodox Christianity where women play less active roles in the activities of the church, especially in the area of leadership. This ossifying malaise of gender inequality and chauvinism has tacitly crawled into the Nigerian political bathysphere today. Not until recently women play little or no role in Nigerian political system although they have not been given the opportunity to hold strong political positions still.

However, contrary to the aforementioned assertion about women, they have proved that they can solve problems and take up leadership positions and perform excellently well. There has been an upsurge of women in political participation and various campaigns for gender equality by women in Africa especially in Nigeria. Women are now standing up to the task to show the world what they can bring and offer to the political and economic piazza proving to the world that they are also entitled to the same opportunities as men. Great woman like Oby Ezekwesili, ex finance minister- Okonjo Iweala, ex NAFDAC boss late Dora akinwuyili, Folorunsho Alakija- the richest black woman, sir-leaf Johnson—the first female African and Sierra Leonean president, Joyce Banda of Malawi and many more has been a strong affirmation of this fact.

It is ipso factum that the pursuit of gender equality by women however has its con as it has left a big gap in their marital and family life especially in areas of nurturing their children and husbands. Women are best known to be the most sensitive to the immediate needs of the family. Recent cross sectional studies and research has established the speedy rate at which marriages crash at very tender and early stage, one of the resultant effects of women neglecting their primary marital duty for their egocentric dreams. 

In the United States for instance where gender equality is at its acme, drug abuse and s*xual immorality has become a malodorous normalcy for teens and adolescents another resultant effect of inappropriate parenting and lack of supervision by mothers especially. This is not to say that it is inappropriate for women to pursue their dreams or be subjected to the same opportunities as men but to titillate and titivate them to their biological and psychological primary assignment. 

It is evident biologically that women are more sensitive to their family than men and coupled with the fact that their husband also need to be shown some love and care, they should not pursue their dreams at the detriment of their marital and family life. Gender equality is good and fair but [must not be] at the expense of personal family life [which will affect the lager society negatively tomorrow].

- Quadri Femi Daniels