Understanding The Word Gender And It's Associated Stereotype

When it comes to the issues of gender inclusion, equity and equality, I think Ghanaians have made a great stride as the numbers stand.

We have women occupying the portfolio of Minister of Gender, Minister of Justice, Chief of Staff, Electoral Commissioner ,Ghana Education Service HRMD ,Chief Justice,Foreign Affairs Minister and many other other women CEOs in Ghana. We have about 90 women representing their constituents as Members of Parliament.

Gone were the days when the place of women were relegated to the kitchen and the other room.

Now, thanks to education, times have changed. The Ghana education system and employment agencies attach prominence to gender equity and equality which is a massive improvement in ensuring equality .

But I think much needs to be done in understanding the meaning behind the word 'gender'

In Ghana, at the mention of gender, every attention is shifted to girls and women .I think many people still hold that mindset because of the past when men were always taking the lead in business,leadership, academia etc.

But in this 21st century, this stereotype should not go unnoticed. It's time to correct feminist, activists and gender advocates in Ghana. I am a women and girls empowerment advocate so the feminists and the gender activists shouldn't say I am been biased.

We should get the right meaning of the work of a Feminist and Gender Activist so that ,there wouldn't be contradictions.

You can't call yourself a gender activist and support only the empowerment of girls and women .That is wrong in the first place.

According to Merrian Webster's Dictionary, gender is a state of being male or female.

Oxford dictionaries defines gender as either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones.

Wikipedia has it that, gender is a range of physical, mental, and behavioral characteristics distinguishing between masculinity and femininity.

In Ghana ,there is a Ministry for Gender, Women and Social Protection. This Ministry was created during the erstwhile Kufour administration and it has been in existence for 16 years but there have not been any representation of a male in that Ministry portfolio.My question is why that misconception and stereotype behind the word??

If we should go by what advocates and feminist preach, then, there is imbalance because, basically gender looks beyond only females.

To achieve gender balance at work place, decision making, leadership and governance, people should understand that, gender issues are not only related to girls or women empowerment, advocacy or development. This stereotype needs to be corrected as we move forward to attaining the status of fair and equitable distribution of opportunities in Ghana irrespective of being male or female.

Nowadays, many young boys at the age of 11 have started indulging in sex, stealing and drugs. These boys also need to be empowered.We can't leave them behind. It's the time of gender activist to correct that menace.

If truly, people are advocating for gender activism in Ghana , then, t think there should be inclusion of boys.

The knowledge of boys in issues concerning gender would go a long way to help bridge the wide gap between male and female.

Let us correct this stereotype which only see gender as something relating to girls /women.

If you didn't know, now you are informed.
Let's continue to advocate for equity and equality of opportunities in Ghana.

If you are advocate for girls/women or an activist of gender ,kindly let people know the difference.

By Kenneth Gyamerah
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