Normalizing Gender Equality

Women and men are equal partners in the development of the nation. However, genders are pervasively stereotype. We can still hear some women say that the essence of being a women is being a mother, which they probably got from 1997 Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, while men are seen as providers. We are in the 21st century, yet the deep seated norms are still expressed and hand down from generations to generations.

Could you believe that there are still some people who believed that women are nurturers, weak and inferior, while men are leaders, strong and superior? When in fact, women can be leaders and men can be nurturers. Gender norms in the past should be cancelled and we should start normalizing equality in gender. We should accept the new conformity that husbands are doing household chores while their wives are working, or men being feminine. Let's eradicate the imbalance in power relations that cause violence against women and girls, because women have a say on their sexuality and reproductive outcome.

However, there are people who would say "you said gender equality, but you wish to have a seat where a man sits. Where is gender equality there?" Indeed, a man has the right not to give his seat, but there are circumstances that we need to be a decent human being. There were even people who would ask why can't you punch a women if there's gender equality. But gender equality is not like that. Punching others whether they are a man or a woman is a form of assault. You cannot equate violence with gender equality.

Gender equality is giving every gender equal opprtunities and rights. It's not a priviledge we are fighting for. It is our rights to be treated fairly and equally. We also need to change our perceptions that women could not be masculine and could only love flowers and pink. Instead we need to acknowledge that men and women could be do roles that are not subjected to their gender. We also have to understand that our sex does not define our gender and our characteristics as a person which most of us failed to do. We should realize that men, women and the LGBTQs+ are equal partners of the nation in development. 

(Photos are from pinterest)