30/10/2017
Women in Power
By: Busisiwe Somana
Port Elizabeth
Women have been struggling with justice and gender equality for many years. It saddens me to say that it is still an issue we struggle with to this day! Women still do not have a very prominent role in the society as their male counter parts do. They still face sexism, inequality and gender based violence in the work place and in the community.
It is very hard to be a woman in the work place as you would have to work twice as hard to get the same position of power as your male counter part would get if he put in half the effort you did. Men are seen as naturally born leaders and are raised with that mindset and in that manner. Woman are raised in a manner that subdues them under male power. Therefore naturally, people feel safer when a male is in power. Even women! Because of this, women are not given many powerful positions in the society or in the work place.
As if that's not enough, women also have to face gender based violence because they are seen as weak vessels. This discriminatory barrier prevents women from rising to positions of power or responsibility within a co-operation or society.
This can be fixed, but it needs to start at home! If parents could teach their children from a young age and treat them equally, they will grow up with that mentality. For instance, when buying toys, parents should buy cars for both girls and boys. When it comes to colours, blue shouldn't be a boy's colour only and pink shouldn't be associated with girls only. They should be free to choose any colour that they like. If we can start small, we will be able to raise a sexist and gender discrimination free society for the next generation.