NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS, DEVALUING WOMEN MUST STOP

Sir,

Our real battle is the battle of re-educating our boys and men to look at women in a manner that they will be able to honour and value them. Perception defines how we see ourselves and others. There must be a reset in how most men perceive women spiritually, emotionally, physically, sexually, socially, economically and even politically. God made both men and women equal, unique and complementary in design. A woman’s value and rights are God-given and inherent. Women’s rights are not necessarily given to them by men, but rather by God who created them and put value on them. But tradition and culture have greatly distorted this over a period of many years.

Negative

This has actually caused negative stereotypes against the value of women in society, which has eventually imprisoned their capacity to manifest who they really are. Though men and women are different in design, purpose and function, they are equal in essence. The negative perceptions and devaluing of our sisters and mothers should be stopped. I believe this can be achieved if both men and women work at dismantling wrong belief systems, cultures and traditions that devalue and belittle women. Conversations that devalue, belittle or negatively impact on women should always be discouraged intentionally and with passion. The fact that women are uniquely different from men does not make them inferior, but rather special in design for specific important and necessary functions in society.

Inferior

Just because women have a different biological and emotional make up, that does not necessarily mean they are inferior. As a matter of fact, that’s what makes them uniquely valuable to society. Societies must learn to value, appreciate and celebrate the complementary differences between men and women. We have some notable examples of women throughout history who have accomplished great things, displayed exceptional intelligence and contributed immensely to the betterment of societies in spite of being devalued and looked down upon. It is a social tragedy and shame to look down or abuse women in any way or form.

As men, we must unite and fight this curse that is becoming so common in our communities. Our mothers, daughters and sisters are being verbally abused, physically raped, professionally raped and emotionally broken. Every form of violence against women must be strongly and systematically discouraged through instilling the culture of valuing women in our homes and communities. As men, we must learn to control our emotions, especially the emotion of anger. We must understand what anger is, where it emanates from, identify its many faces and learn how to make choices about what to do when angry. Real men don’t beat or kill women; they are disciplined enough to walk away, or let her go if she wants to move out of the relationship.

Educate

We must educate our sons, friends and relatives about the value of women in society. We must intentionally discourage any negative language against them. We must treat our women with worth and integrity, it will build the required confidence in them to be the best they can be. Many of us owe our successes in life to a mother who gave up her own dreams and pleasure, just to make sure that we had food on the table and went to school. It is, therefore, appropriate to appreciate and value our mothers and all women in general for the value they add to families and communities.

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