Hello, ladies. It's your favorite gyal again! So, we'll be talking about a very conventional somewhat controversial topic. And it is, Gender Discrimination!
You might be wondering, why do you want to talk about this?
Well, lately I've been seeing some thangs and I just thought, why not chitchat about it with my ladies on hive?
Now, someone may go like when you bring up gender discrimination, it's always about the ladies being oppressed? What about the gentleman? If I must, I'll let you know that it could come in many ways and it is basically a violation of human rights. So, yes! Anyone may go through discrimination but it seems as though the number of women who are seem and heard of go through this every day and everywhere is higher. So, we'll be focusing on them, yeah? (Disclaimer: I do not mean to disregard anyone or their experiences. Please, do not take offense)
Gender Discrimination as you well know, is unequal treatment that comes in different forms and ways and results in violation of human rights. It happens in school, workplace, home...you name it!
It could be the lower pays than deserved or the stereotyping ranging from the least violation to what could be considered a serious crime, sexual harassment.
I recently came across a video while scrolling on YouTube and it was about a female TV worker who was seemingly harassed on Screen while she was working. If you don't mind, here is the link to the video:
In her stead, a fellow workers stood up for her and if you view/viewed the video, you'll see the relief she felt when she got support from her facials. For her, she was defended and stood up for. But for some others, they don't get this kind of support and is left feeling devastated and depressed. I know that this topic had been talked about so much but I also think that the one person who reads my article and understands the problem that comes with this discrimination is actually enough.
Gender Discrimination may happen anywhere, anytime to anybody but we'll be mainly talking about the school and the workplace.
In School, we see gender discrimination take forms like;
- Unequal Educational Opportunities where we see some customs of the male gender's education is prioritized or instances of treating the female gender as though they were the lesser human. I'll give you the instance I witnessed when a lecturer said that as ladies in the class, we had to sweep and keep the class clean (is he wrong? Maybe, maybe not.) We'll talk about this instance later on.
- Gender stereotyping like when you're told that as a girl, you're not supposed to be studying this or that this course is not for the gender and things like that
- Sexual harassment . Do I need to explain? Teachers using sexist remarks, touching a student inappropriately and the list goes on.
In the workplace, we see similar forms of discrimination but I'll give a little list of some;
- Gender salary gap where despite the efforts which have been made to address this, we still see a female being paid less because for some reason which is not rational and defendable, she deserves less?
- Underrepresentation in offices, positions and the likes of it. This is also seen in the school instance where females cannot talks official positions because why?!
- Bias and stereotyping also comes in here and sexual harassment too like in the video link I shared.
the impact of gender discrimination on individuals and society
Discrimination of all sorts is a no no because it really affects us all in s o may ways. Gender Discrimination too can tear us apart individually and as a society as it affects:
- The mental health...leaving so many depressed, tired and sometimes, suicidal
- It affects the economy since the needed human resources are not there
- It reduces productivity individually and as a society
- It is injustice and who likes injustice? Not me, not you!
- It affects the relationships we keep and family life too.
This list is most likely endless and could go on and on!
Some efforts like making statutes, policy changes, programs for inclusion and diversity has been made and is continuing to be made but we can also individually help. Well, how can we fight gender discrimination?
- Social and self education. Teaching about this and the problems it brings would help, I think.
- Speaking up and speaking out. If you're going through it, ask for help from a trusted person or just get a lawyer (perks could include legal advices and some damages). If you've gone through it, help others to not go through same and you'll be helping yourself in a way. Speak up! If you're a witness to one.
About the instance I have earlier about the lecturer, a girl stood up and spoke up saying that the males too should take part in keeping the class clean since we all paid the same amount of dues. For a minute, they argued and it seemed as though she got in the lecturer's black book but he later took a liking to her.
- Self awareness is important too. Just so, you wouldn't be the one doing the discriminating. Alright, boo?
You can do so much more.....
Women are so important to the family, society. They're like the pillars that hold a building and a foundation to a strong one. We wouldn't want to see them broken because then, we would have a broken persons, homes and society. We wouldn't want that. right?
Your comments, upvotes and reposts are deeply appreciated by @mesonia 🌹
