By Sharon Alawada
Ooh, what a shame.
Patriarchy, a word used to signify the dominance of men over women. A word that suggests men are superior to women.
It is the elder brother of misogyny. They are used as an aversion against women. They are used to keep women in a subordinate positions. It is a word that makes people believe that the male gender is born to rule while the female gender is born to serve.
The patriarchal system has eaten deep into the society that is now seen as the norm. Anyone who dares to come against it is often told to SHUT UP. The guys who are against it are called derogatory words like sissy, gay, etc. The women are often called extreme feminist.
People have failed to realize that what they consider as the norm of the society is actually a form of discrimination against women. This includes women of different classes, whether the poor or elites.
The patriarchal system has always been in existence. In the olden days, women were not sent to school because they were seen as a piece of property that was always going to end up in the kitchen. Even now in modern societies, it is being practiced in the corporate world where the male counterparts earn way more than the females, and steadily move up the ladder of leadership.
Patriarchy believes women are not fit to be in high positions; that they are not meant for the real world. What clowns they are.
Although patriarchy still thrives in our societies, women are steadily rising above the hurdles created for them in a patriarchal society. Women are fighting back. They are tired of their silence being misunderstood for cowardice. Women no longer want to be subjected to the norms of the patriarchal society. They see how the patriarchal system turns against them, and they are fighting to overthrow it.
Alas, the end time of patriarchy is near. The patriarchal system is on the verge of being extinct. Women are now learning to stand up for themselves. They’re stepping into places that were originally thought to be for men, organizing programs, and creating NGOs that challenge everything that limits women to archaic expectations. They are also constantly fighting for gender equality.
As individuals who frown at patriarchal practices, we can also challenge patriarchy by standing up against sexist remarks, regardless of gender. Women empowerment should be encouraged in every household. Governments can also help by implementing policies for gender equality and ensuring women are well-represented in leadership positions.
Patriarchy may have deep roots in Nigerian culture, but that doesn’t mean its grip is unbreakable. The time for silence is over; the time for action is now.
PATRIARCHY, WATCH YOUR BACK. THE END IS NEAR!
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