The many faces of Gender Inequality – My Reflections

Many societies have diverse forms of gender inequalities entrenched into their cultures as a result of their perceptions and interpretations of religious guidelines.

Looking at it from my local context in a multicultural environment with a dominant Muslim population, Most of the apparent occurrences of gender equality are actually not based on evidences of any religious text

Because some religious positions (Mostly Priesthood) are reserved for men does not in any way mean are second-class citizens. The various religions have opportunities to play full active roles in the spiritual tasks.

Islam as a religion holds that women are not in any way inferior to men but were originally created from the same soul. (Holy Qur’an 4:1). Women are granted equal rights in Islam as well as equal responsibilities.

In marriage, Islam grants women the right to be provided for by their husbands, but there is no Islam text that prohibits a woman from going out to work, provided she conducts herself in morally accepted ways in the course of working.

Examples abound in Islamic history of women who engaged in business or were devoted scholars in diverse fields. The Holy Prophet Muhammad never prohibited women from participating in all activities during his lifetime.

Various cultural prejudices handed down over the centuries have however found their way into our societies and are paraded as being Islamic practices. These include limiting womenfolk to only household chores and child bearing/rearing.

Due to the important influence faith has in our societies, many of these cultural practices have become entrenched in the society to the point that even the women have become conditioned to accepting the discriminations and prejudices against them as being in line with the teachings of Islam.


The media (both local and global) play a very big role in the perpetration of gender inequality. Use of gender specific language, projection of women in stereotype roles and the overwhelming portrayal of female images as sex symbols in adverts.

Instead of girls growing up to see themselves as equal partners, and behaving/aspiring to be seen as such, they are unconsciously conditioned for life as sources of sexual gratification for men and as home keepers. So instead of priming up their minds to aspire to become successful in various fields like the boys, they are made to feel they were not created for that, and blindly guided to believe the opportunities are not there for them!


Starting from the home, there is a great misrepresentation of the roles of males and females. Instead of seeing the different household roles as complementary and equally essential to the peaceful and effective functioning of the home, the males are guided to believe that because they are assigned the physical tasks while the girls carry out the household chores, they are superior!

Even the conservative families will benefit positively from a better understanding that allows everyone’s everyone contribution to be seen and accepted as being a vital part of the home system. If the man works to bring in food for the family, it is the woman’s contribution of cooking the food that turns the supplies into the delicious meals the family enjoys.
While the boys chop wood for fire, it is the plates/plates washed by the girls that are used for the cooking.

This understanding should also be extended to show that any of the roles could be reversed, there are no laws against a woman working to bring food for the family or the boys washing plates while the girls chop the wood; it is simply a matter of every family member supporting the family with his/her contribution to ensure the family maintains a functional and happy home.

Many employers of labour still have reservations about employing women into some male dominated positions in their organizations. Though it might not be publicly acknowledged, many organizations all over the world have silent unwritten rules that are ensure gender bias in the employment process, even if the best qualified applicant is a woman, some flimsy excuse is created to drop her in favour of a less qualified male simply on account of her sex.


Gender inequality is detectable in our school system right from the curriculum. in laying out the diverse general objectives, you’d detect gender specific objectives and activities.

Though this may sound radical, but I am not in support of allocating a fixed quota to girls in the admission process. The educational system should provide a level playing ground that will be well designed and implemented be to guide learners to strive for achievement and excellence with no discrimination or prejudice.

Employment into both private and public sector positions should be based on merit, with fair and equal opportunities for both sexes with no prejudices and institutionalised discrimination. No concession or prejudice should be introduced. With assurance of a level playing ground in which everyone has equal chances of success, the girls will see the various possibilities that exist for them to achieve and excel just like anyone else.