A SHORT ESSAY ON GENDER INEQUALITY AS A HUMAN PROBLEM: AN ATTEMPT AT A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE FOR BOTH SEXES

Abstract

At the mention of women empowerment in a program, a man asked: “what about men? Ma, don’t men need empowerment? Why is there no minister for men affairs?” The man’s interjection puts into perspective a dominant single narrative approach to gender inequality that makes it solely a woman’s problem. While it remains true that the present world order ensures that women are often the victims in the unequal opportunities due to their gender, it is also true that the picture will not be complete if men are not also considered in the narratives. This paper interrogates the dominant perspective to gender inequality that enthrones women as victims and men as offenders. The purpose is to investigate and discover the wounds of each gender and heal it by the powers of truth and love. The study employs analytic method and discovers that we must unlearn the prejudices and discriminatory practices, without shame and blame, despite their hurtful nature. As such, we can reclaim and recover our humaneness and sustain it. The study argues that without healing the old and recent wounds of both genders, a new humanity cannot be possible. Yet our society will forever bear the marks of crucifixion even as we begin to experience the resurrection.