Community Work and Develop
Discuss about the Influence Of Culture On Gender Inequality In State.
From my Kikuyu community, gender imbalance has been prevalent since this tribe came to existence. According to Ajoke (2014, p. 205), this community has a strong culture which is influenced by different aspects such as the dress code, diet, male and female responsibilities among others. Apart from these aspects, art has remained to be one of the most essential elements in defining its culture, with the people being able to develop different types of artwork which portrays diverse things in their community.
Lfe (2016) affirm that social injustice such as gender discrimination is one of the barriers to development in the society because it makes some of the people who can perfect in some things to lack opportunities. Over the years, the kikuyu community has been having different views concerning the roles that should be played by male and female. According to Alexandra (2016, p. 27), men are viewed as superior to women because of various factors such as owning wealth and being the heads of their families. This paper aims to change some of the issues related to gender inequality in this community because according to Pantoja (2012, p. 77), men and women are equal beings and should be given opportunities to access what can give them fulfilling lives. The paper seeks to change the perceptions which the community holds concerning one gender being superior to the other. Being one of the communities talented in artwork, the paper will base some of the measures of addressing this issue through artwork.
I have chosen feminist framework to be the guideline in suggesting change strategies for this community. According to Tylor (2015), feminist framework occupies a political position seeking changes on women through emphasizing on promoting an understanding of these group of people as amongst many within any community identified by varying needs, values, desires, and priorities because of their role and the position they occupy in the society. The reason why this framework was ideal for this study is that it relates to the primary aim of the study because it seeks to address gender inequality among this community.
The other reason for choosing this framework is that it is grass root based and democratic, it challenges dominant frameworks such as neo-liberalism or patriarchy, and it creates the possibilities for empowering a community (Juliet 2012, p. 76). This means it will be ideal because the study will entail changing the status of gender issues in this community through seeking measures which can empower women who are viewed as inferior to men.
Recap of assignment one
The manner in which the Kikuyu community is structured, its culture and religion present gender hierarchy. This results due to socialization process and classification of tasks based on gender (Ridgeway, 2011). This framework will be fundamental in addressing this issue because it focuses on the importance of establishing gender equality through giving women proper status in the community.
According to Davis (2016), men and women in this community perceive gender inequality as natural, and probably Devine, and therefore, unchangeable. Based on this framework, the gender imbalance is something that can be changed because it is mostly based on myths and misconceptions which communities hold. Men and women have the potentials of doing things in equal capacity, and therefore, saying that men are superior to women when it comes to allocation of tasks are baseless.
The feminist framework is essential in this study because it provides a new and more sensible thought concerning the gender (Stephen, 2000). It questions its naturalness about the male/female dichotomy by shifting the old patterns of description to reformulate them as fluid, culturally located negotiations. The framework identifies the notion which a community hold that one gender is superior to the other as baseless and views women as people who can accomplish tasks just like men.
The framework argues that gender imbalance is unjust and a denial of liberty and therefore recommends that women should be given recognition because they play a crucial role in the society (Alexandra 2016, p. 27). For gender imbalance to be addressed in this community, everyone should first attain self-awareness and realize that the perceptions which they hold concerning one gender being superior to the other are more based on myths and misconceptions because they do not have natural roots as many may suggest. For this issue to be addressed, this community should understand that giving women a good status can benefit not only the females but also the entire society.
According to Zuziwa (2016, p. 74), this framework is crucial for implementing changes in a community which does not understand that gender imbalance prevents development. For instance, in the Kikuyu community, viewing females as inferior to men prevent this community from utilizing talents and potentials of women. Through understanding the consequences, and how communities can address gender imbalance, the feminist framework will be fundamental in this study because it will assist in suggesting some of the measures that can be taken to address gender discrimination.
Theoretical perspective
Addressing gender inequality among the Kikuyu will include various practical actions and will involve males and females in this community, as well as government and non-governmental agencies. To help the community understand the implications of gender discrimination, the first action will be conducting campaigns to help the society understand that the perceptions which they have concerning gender are myths and misconceptions (Sveiby, 2006). This campaigns will also help them to understand that there is nothing natural to do with gender inequality. These campaigns will be conducted in central Kenya because it is the areas where majority members of this community live. The campaigns will involve the use of roadshows, schools, churches and other institutions where a large number of residents meet.
The other practical action, in this case, will be empowerment. According to Pantoja (2012, p. 79), empowerment helps people to understand the potentials they have to succeed in a particular task. One of the factors that make women in this community to be subjected to discrimination because of their gender is that they do not understand they have the capability of succeeding in things which men think they cannot undertake. Through empowerment, females in this community will become stronger and more confident, more so in controlling their lives and demanding their rights. It will also make them realize their capabilities and overcome the barriers which the community has placed in attaining their success. This action will be undertaken through calling the women for meetings and giving them an insight of their potentials of succeeding through fighting for their rights and viewing themselves as beings who can succeed in doing things which the society think they cannot do.
Teaching children about gender is also a fundamental way of eliminating gender inequality in this community. According to Kenny (2017), kids learn about issues related to gender at their tender age. Through the people around them, young girls learn how to play with dolls, while young boys learn how to play with cars. In most cases, parents encourage this type of gendered play, even in some cases discouraging their children from using the toy that belongs to the other gender. Teaching parents about how this kind of upbringing triggers gender discrimination is fundamental. This strategy will entail enabling parents to watch their actions and encourage their kids to try all things that they may like even if it is perceived to belong to the other gender. This activity will be undertaken through conducting seminars and providing parents with booklets which can assist them to understand the effects of showing children about gender biases while they grow.
Practical action in the strategy
According to Coy (2016), the media is a significant contribution to gender discrimination in this community. Research has implied that media often represent negative images of both genders. For instance, it portrays women as weak and ones whose primary role should be giving birth and taking care of their children and husbands, while men are portrayed as strong and ones who should provide for their families. Portraying this kind of image worsens gender discrimination in this community, and therefore, it will be crucial to encourage critical thinking to all types of media, and also educating the community on how to interpret the information they receive from media in the right manner. It will also include urging the government and non-governmental agencies to act on media platforms which contribute to gender discrimination through the content they release to the public.
The other way of addressing gender discrimination is encouraging social inclusion through educating the community that giving women chances to play a role in all activities in the society can make all people realize significant benefits. Recruiting men to play the role of fighting against gender discrimination will also be fundamental in addressing this issue (Pantoja 2012, p. 79). This is because it is obvious that women would want a change, but men are less likely to give up the status they have in the community. However, when men play a role in resisting gender discrimination through treating their women with respect, the issue of gender discrimination can be eliminated.
The first expected outcome, in this case, will be that gender discrimination will be eradicated in this community. After implementing these strategies, women, who are often seen as inferior to men will know they are capable of overcoming barriers that exist and enhance their lives through being allowed to participate in activities which can promote their wellbeing.
Implementation of these strategies will also enable the community to realize that the perceptions which they have concerning gender discrimination do not have a natural basis. Being able to realize that their view concerning gender bias is based on myths and misconceptions will enable them to respect both genders and treat women with dignity and respect.
Lastly, these strategies will aid in making the Kikuyu community to identify some of the things that make them to view one gender as superior to other. Some of the things will include using wrong methods to up bring children, wrong consumption of media content, and the myths and misconceptions they hold concerning gender (Pantoja 2012, p. 79). One of the factors that would show these strategies have worked is seeing women being treated with respect, being allowed to participate in income generation activities which men are allowed to undertake and being viewed as a strong social being who can play a key role in addressing some of the factors that affect the community.
References
Ajoke, O. C. (2014). The Influence of Culture on Gender Inequality in Ekiti State, Nigeria: Implication on Women’s Empowerment and Development. Journal of Research in Gender Studies, 4(2), 201-245.
Alexandra, S. (2016). Gender Inequality in Immigration Law: Why a Parent’s Gender Should Not Determine a Child’s Citizenship. St. John’s Law Review, 90(4), 25-48.
Coy, M. (2016). Prostitution, Harm, and Gender Inequality: Theory, Research and Policy. London: Routledge.
Davis, K. M. (2016). Hard Work Is Not Enough: Gender and Racial Inequality in an Urban Workspace. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press.
Juliet, J. (2012). Perspectives on Gender Inequality and the Barrier of Culture on Education. Journal of Community Positive Practices, 12(4), 77-93
Kenny, S. (2017). Developing communities for the Future. South Melbourn: Cengage Learning.
Lfe, JW. (2016). Community Development in an Uncertain World: Vision, analysis and Practice. Post Melbourne: Cambridge University Press.
Pantoja, P. J. (2012). Gender Inequality and School Dropout at the Secondary Level. Resources for Feminist Research, 34(1-2), 78-96.
Ridgeway, C. L. (2011). Framed by Gender: How Gender Inequality Persists in the Modern World. New York: Oxford University Press.
Stephen, C. (2000). Social Work as Community Development: A management Model for Social Charge. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Sveiby, K-E. (2006). Treading Lightly: The Hidden Wisdom of the World’s Oldest People. Sydney: Allen & Unwin
Tylor, J. (2015). Working With Communities. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Zuziwa, K. (2016). Separate Space: An Approach to Addressing Gender Inequality in the Workplace. Journal of International Women’s Studies, 17(4), 68-95.
Order an Essay Now & Get These Features For Free:
Turnitin Report
Formatting
Title Page
Citation
Outline
