One’s gender should not determine their status

Editor,What an interesting subject of discussion and a potential one for debate!Those who still think that a woman must earn less compared to a man exactly shows you how such stereotypes confuse gender and sex concepts.No male is born to struggle, earn much more, head the family...; and no female is born to subordinate, earn less, etc.A man should rather be considered so because of “things” he is born with that cannot change (naturally). This is the same to the woman. But other things like how much one earns, socio-economic and political status are all earned after birth and can change depending on time, space, culture, etc.This indicates exactly how the government and organisations that are in charge of sensitisation and mobilisation have got much work to do especially at the community and household level where misconceptions and challenges to gender equality still cause gender-based violence, divorce, and other effects like street children.I hope the presence of many women in decision-making government structures like the Parliament and the Executive will contribute to the change in attitudes, but not worsen the situation, while the intention of empowering women might not necessarily be to disempower men.Clement, Kigali, Rwanda*****************************Clement, what you say are theories but get down on the field to gather evidence. Its really capital to empower women economically and raise their social status in society.We all agree that women have been forgotten for centuries; hence it is perfect to promote them through affirmative actions and empowerment. This has proven positive in terms of the countrys economic development and in reducing maternal and child mortality as well as other morbidity.However, we cannot ignore our cultural and religious contexts and also we cannot ignore the concept of “man” and “woman”. Some women who are mature enough know well that mutual respect in terms of managing the finances of the family and sustaining their matrimonial relations.Women empowerment does not guarantee women the right to disrespect or undermine their husbands who may be earning less compared to them. Men, too, should not always nurture this superiority complex, instead they have to see how, together, they can strive to make their family a success.Thierry, Kigali, RwandaReactions to the story, “The power struggle: When women bring home the bacon”, (Women Today, July 25.

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One’s gender should not determine their status