No one ever said it will be easy...
A few days ago, a friend wanted to hire someone to work on her company's website. She said she didn't want a girl. The one who was also looking for personnel for her said he wouldn't give her a girl. They all agreed that a female would be less hardworking than a male. I was very surprised and shocked!
What happened to the national campaign 'Send Your Girl Child To School'? What happened to 'If You Educate A Boy, You Educate An Individual But If You Educate A Girl, You Educate The Whole Nation (Dr. Kwagyir Aggrey)? Why do a lot of Ghanaians promote 'Educating The Girl Child' if they wont give them a fair chance at the work place? Most people just hire a few ladies in their workplaces because they don't want to be thought of as sexist. What happened to equality? What happened to gender equality? Why do we relegate women to the background?
It is true that biologically, women are != men. And that wouldn't change. But what about intellectually? Isn't that what matters the most in the work place? If I am able to, in a few hours, produce what a man can when he stays at work for a full day + overtime, why shouldn't I be hired? Because as a female, the probability that I will work longer hours == 0?? That is not right!
If we wouldn't give women a chance to prove themselves in the work place, then we might as well as keep our female child at home so that a man would come and marry her and be overly protective of her (by virtue of her gender), so that we don't waste our money on education...giving her a sewing machine to while away the time. That is the mentality of a lot of Ghanaians.
If I am diligent and spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally sound, please give me a chance. Do not relegate me to the background. I can and I will. If you don't give me a chance, I will create one. Yes, I will. Do not discriminate me by basis of my gender.
Check this The Role of Women in Ghana's development
Good point.
ReplyDeleteIts sad that that is coming from a female. That should tell you how she thinks and how hardworking( wonder what its ) she thinks it takes to get a website done. Like you said its all about intelligence and getting things done!
BTW, did you ask them what they mean by hardworking??
Yes. According to her, hardwork means focus. She said the girls will be distracted by guys in the work place and loose focus. Can you imagine? Not all girls have their heads in clouds.Especially not me.
ReplyDeleteI believe we shouldn't all be stereotyped in the workplace by basis of our gender
"Why do we relegate women to the background?"
ReplyDeletefirst of all we are not relegating women to de background, note dat.
"overly protective "
Second, men don't marry to be overly Protective. Women are our responsibility, get dat clear.Dat does not mean overly protective, though some take it in the wrong light.
C, the idea of "What men can do women can do and even better" is wrong! the fact dat we are all of different "modules" should tell u dat derz neva gonna be a way where the two will do the same. Think about this in God's eyes we're all the same, but when it comes to God's Government, hey! a Man is a Man and Woman is Woman. dont confuse the two.
We men have what is called "Testosterone" forgive for ma spelling: that compels us to think in a certain way so so so different from ladies. Datz wy i wouldn't even allow a lady to do so much hard work (Work meat for men). And dats wy we can do certain things dat ladies cannot do even if dey try so hard. So if a lady is not given a Job becos she is a lady, it does not mean dat we're being bias, NO! Derz more to being a Lady Ma Dear!
I see where you coming from Jo2. Denying someone right on the onset because of gender is discrimination/bias if you ask me. Did you try her and she failed? What makes you think you can't get a woman to do a work meant(wonder what its ) for men? Remember, hardworking isn't about struggling to get things done,its about being smart and getting things DONE perfectly. How you do it isn't much important.
ReplyDeleteIf a lady is not being given a job which she can do very well with her talent and acquired skills, then she is being discriminated against, Jo2. Think about it. I don't want to be the same as a man. I just want equal opportunities, to be the best I can be.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog at afrigator and I realised you also blog about GHOSS. I am very passionate about issues on gender (In)balance and female discrimination. Much as I may not agree to your article in the fullest I have some experience to share.
ReplyDeleteA lady friend of mine took an aptitude test at Intercontinental Bank and passed, the schedule officer wanted to lay with her before giving her the offer, after several pleas she had to give the job up afterall. Not too long her young sister wrote an aptitude test at Procredit and the same experience unfolded.
The schedule officer admitted some ladies have succumbed to the request and granted the job offer. The lady had to decline with deep sadness as well.
I may be deviating from the substance of the point, but I find it very difficult to understand, there are several women in enviable position bossing over men in prestigious places.
Traditionally, women have their defined role in society, and there have been efforts to uplift their status which limits them to the defined roles.
I believe much have been achieved in this regard and women have uplifted enough to take challenges, lead teams and create opportunities. It is not as if women have not been given point, it is the fact that they keep falling prey to several opportunist and mischievous personalities along the way to success.
Society is like a keyboard, the black flows with the white and when the black is overshadowing the white, the white keys are discriminated and I believe that is what happens to the fight for the women...
@dniinoi I'm not getting your point here?? so ??
ReplyDeletetwo things, i dont believe women are not being employed, i believe they are in more high places now than before.
ReplyDeleteI was introduing a dimention to the point which does not descriminate women getting job but rather makes them prey on or getting the job....
dniinoi,
ReplyDeleteWomen are not given the chance to be employed in Ghana, as compared to the rest of the world. There is still that mindset that a woman is a woman and her place is not at the workplace. Women are being discriminated on that basis. The dimension you introduced also contributes to the reasons why women are not being employed. They are viewed as objects not beings. It is true that over the years, women have been given more opportunities in the working sector but there are still giant strides that need to be taken