HomeWomen’s empowerment has been on overdrive since the 1950s. It was birthed from the disproportionate inequality that subjugated women to the peripheral based on their gender. However, as we keep pushing for gender equality, we do ourselves a great disservice when we slowly but surely send men to the peripheral in the name of gender equality.
Men’s plight is largely ignored or receives very little coverage because of the traditional societal mindset. It’s assumed that men are strong, macho and able to face anything. The assumption that men are empowered by an invisible “patriarchy” has led society to lay the foundations of gender inequality against men.
Thanks to a very progressive constitution in Kenya, gender equality is firmly enmeshed in the Constitution. However, we haven’t yet fully implemented the two thirds gender rule in Parliament courtesy of a boycott by male parliamentarians every time this comes up. Male legislators in Kenya form the majority of legislators.
While in Africa there are some residues of toxic traditional mindsets where a small minority of men subscribe to “toxic masculinity”, the truth is, the ground is level. The challenges that Kenyans face on a daily basis know no gender. The bad leadership that has made poor economic decisions has affected every Kenyan whether male of female.
Therefore, the male gender needs to be heard and treated equally. There are many NGOs which are offering economic empowerment for women and youth. But the ones that particularly cater to the category of men, are virtually non-existent.
Let’s not forget that as Veronique Barbelet writes in her article “Male gender-based violence: a silent crisis”, the reason why male gender-based violence seems to be lower than female GBV, is because cases are not being reported.
Due to the societal belief that men are the perpetrators of gender-based violence, very few men come out to report when they have been abused. Unfortunately as Veronique reported, in some African countries, NGOs were reluctant to help male victims of gender-based violence.
The long-term effects of ignoring this, are that men resort to alcohol to self-medicate. Eventually this leads to suicide ideation and implementations. A Business Daily article reveals that 58% of men in Kenya commit suicide.
This is a call to NGOs to start paying close attention to men and treat them equally. Men are known to be inventors and leaders. With proper economic and educational investment they would do much more and spur economic growth. They would also lead their families better and become the biggest champions of women empowerment. Empowered people empower people.
