A gender equal world is possible

It is not a man’s world. It is everyone’s world, man or woman, boy or girl, this is our world. This year, the International Women’s Day theme, #BreakTheBias called for a world free of gender bias, stereotypes and discrimination.

Perhaps one would ask; how can we make the world a more equal place? I believe that it is possible to do away with the stereotypes by looking at women as human beings that have the capacity to do and achieve whatever they set their mind on. It’s doable by looking beyond the social constructs and stereotypes about women.

Women have been downtrodden by society’s stereotypes that often regard women as weak, less intelligent, and have in turn assigned roles that are perceived suitable for women and other roles, often perceived hard, for men. This is where our world gets it wrong.

It is quite true that biologically men and women are different, but that’s it. There is nothing to prove that men are more intelligent than women. There are women who are more intelligent, innovative, and have good leadership skills than men. The World over, history is awash with stories of women movers and shakers; be it in science, politics, or even just ordinary women.

I salute some of Malawi’s pioneering women whose deeds and voices assured other women that they too can do it. I am proud of women such as Rose Chibambo, the first female Cabinet minister, Vera Chirwa, Joyce Banda, Anastanzia Msosa, and many other women behind the stage who in a way set the tone and showed women that a woman can be anything she wants to be and she can deliver.

I believe that if the biases are broken even in our homes, it shows. A home where there is no bias and stereotypes is a happy and progressive home. A workplace where there is does not discriminate anyone based on their gender, is often a productive workplace but a workplace where the women are treated with contempt, is toxic and unproductive.

I pledge to rally fellow women to take up their rightful positions and not just the roles that society has assigned to them. I pledge to support fellow women aspiring for various political positions regardless of the colour of their political party. I pledge to lend a listening ear to fellow women and help in whatever way I can. We are all striving for a gender-equal world, free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

The fight for gender equality is not a fight that must be won by either men or women, it is a fight that must be won by all.

In this part of the world where I live, women have brought down the most feared dictators with nothing but their voice and determination. Women have come up with scientific innovations beyond people’s imagination. Women have been a rock that anchors their families in bad and good times. Women have sometimes, single-handedly, raised children that have gone on to become world leaders. I could go on and on.

Women should, therefore, be celebrated every day not just by mere words but by actions that show that women are capable.