In Barack Obamas words, “The cynics will soon realise that the ground has shifted beneath them”. That’s what happened then in SA, and the effects of that great day are observed today in many aspects of our day to day living. Women are at the forefront of almost everything from households to large corporations to opposition political parties. And all of these women are strong women, people that have had to bite the bullet to keep up with a dynamic world.
But why? Why such a struggle? Why does it have to be so difficult?
The answer is simply this: Rock has only beaten paper! In legislation, women are no different to men. They should have the same opportunities, allowed the same aspirations and be granted the same level of respect. In practice the grey areas of bureaucracy lend itself to inequality and unfairness.
I have met many women that dwell within the confines of these grey areas unsure how to make the next move. One woman I met wasn’t allowed to take up a more senior post because she would be working with a man whose wife would be unhappy with the situation. Another woman got a brilliant post but no amenities were provided for her. A good friend of mine is contractually bound to a company but her degree is being wasted on tea, coffee and biscuits! I’ve met women with harrowing stories of men cooing at them in their work environments and making their lives unbearable. I too have experienced having to make a choice between being aggressive or assertive to end a tirade of verbal and non-verbal denunciation. In many situations PPE for women does not exist and so the closest male size is substituted. Of course this becomes a safety risk as safety shoes are still too big, sleeves too long, waist sizes different, zippers on uniforms make the uniforms uncomfortable and the woman lands up doing more of a balancing act than actually doing any work!
There are many more stories like these and often the easiest solution to the problem is to find a new job. That sound quite easy so I guess in the process we should find a new society to live in, a new area of expertise oh and why not also find a new set of rules!
Realistically though, more than 50% of South Africa’s work force is made of women. Many of these are single parents who can’t give up a job because a substantial amount of the money goes towards feeding, clothing, schooling and sheltering the young ones.
Its circumstances like that and more that tell the true tale of equality, how less than 40% of working women in SA are in top managerial positions even though women make up more of SA’s population, how so many of these are overqualified for the jobs they’re In but rarely make it right to the top, how earning an equivalent salary (to a male counterpart in the same position) is not commonplace even though the woman (in the case of a single parent) has usually got more responsibility.
There’s the topic of the economic crisis. Companies all over the world are “cutting back”! What does this mean? Well the most dispensable person tends to go first. E.g. the last person in becomes the first person out or perhaps the woman of child-bearing age whose contribution to productivity becomes questionable. This is the “power” based capitalist corporate environment that Deon Chang, a trend analyst, observes. The inherent patient, nurturing nature of women is an asset to any industry especially in times of economic need says Chang. It is power hungry characteristic of men that brought us into this crisis and as the world realises it, the more amiable personality of a woman is being emphasised on and women are being placed into better positions to restore the balance says Chang.
The better positions are not easy territory to manoeuvre and with it come the concept of the “Boys Club”. This is the social networking that goes on right under the noses of the woman, in the sports bar or on the soccer pitch. There is no space in this network for a female colleague and so the woman, be it a senior or junior, experiences a sense of isolation. Her reaction is usually defensive and this often awards her the “bitch” title. If not then she has used Machiavellian tactics to “fit in” or “move up”. This latter option is at the expense of her self-worth and morals.
Digging deep into the core of societies misnomers of gender equality won’t alleviate the problem of inequality. Gender equality does not institute that women lose their femininity nor does it require men to give up their protective nature toward women. These are innate to us as individuals and are a God-given gift. Gender equality doesn’t expect that women be given tasks that are physically impossible for them nor does it allow for them to be judged on their physiques. It does however give them the option to choose to be treated fairly and justly, to get the opportunities based on their skill and not their gender, to stand for a worthy cause and not fight for one that is lacking in substance.
Kiatlin Duck Sherwood brings up the topic of mediocrity in her address to fellow female engineers. She urges women to put their best foot forward and aim high because being anything below standard is not good enough for a male dominated environment. Its only when a woman outshines the rest that recognition is duly given. Until then recognition is reserved for the often “average” male counterparts. Until then “books” will continue to be judged by their delicate covers.
I beg you earnestly, if you’re going to judge this book, don’t judge it by its cover. Read the pages, delve in its descriptions, ponder the messages…there’s more to me than meets the eye.
Words of President Barrack Obama, Deon Chang , Kaitlin Duck Sherwood and Batsesane khumalo are quoted under correction.
But why? Why such a struggle? Why does it have to be so difficult?
The answer is simply this: Rock has only beaten paper! In legislation, women are no different to men. They should have the same opportunities, allowed the same aspirations and be granted the same level of respect. In practice the grey areas of bureaucracy lend itself to inequality and unfairness.
I have met many women that dwell within the confines of these grey areas unsure how to make the next move. One woman I met wasn’t allowed to take up a more senior post because she would be working with a man whose wife would be unhappy with the situation. Another woman got a brilliant post but no amenities were provided for her. A good friend of mine is contractually bound to a company but her degree is being wasted on tea, coffee and biscuits! I’ve met women with harrowing stories of men cooing at them in their work environments and making their lives unbearable. I too have experienced having to make a choice between being aggressive or assertive to end a tirade of verbal and non-verbal denunciation. In many situations PPE for women does not exist and so the closest male size is substituted. Of course this becomes a safety risk as safety shoes are still too big, sleeves too long, waist sizes different, zippers on uniforms make the uniforms uncomfortable and the woman lands up doing more of a balancing act than actually doing any work!
There are many more stories like these and often the easiest solution to the problem is to find a new job. That sound quite easy so I guess in the process we should find a new society to live in, a new area of expertise oh and why not also find a new set of rules!
Realistically though, more than 50% of South Africa’s work force is made of women. Many of these are single parents who can’t give up a job because a substantial amount of the money goes towards feeding, clothing, schooling and sheltering the young ones.
Its circumstances like that and more that tell the true tale of equality, how less than 40% of working women in SA are in top managerial positions even though women make up more of SA’s population, how so many of these are overqualified for the jobs they’re In but rarely make it right to the top, how earning an equivalent salary (to a male counterpart in the same position) is not commonplace even though the woman (in the case of a single parent) has usually got more responsibility.
There’s the topic of the economic crisis. Companies all over the world are “cutting back”! What does this mean? Well the most dispensable person tends to go first. E.g. the last person in becomes the first person out or perhaps the woman of child-bearing age whose contribution to productivity becomes questionable. This is the “power” based capitalist corporate environment that Deon Chang, a trend analyst, observes. The inherent patient, nurturing nature of women is an asset to any industry especially in times of economic need says Chang. It is power hungry characteristic of men that brought us into this crisis and as the world realises it, the more amiable personality of a woman is being emphasised on and women are being placed into better positions to restore the balance says Chang.
The better positions are not easy territory to manoeuvre and with it come the concept of the “Boys Club”. This is the social networking that goes on right under the noses of the woman, in the sports bar or on the soccer pitch. There is no space in this network for a female colleague and so the woman, be it a senior or junior, experiences a sense of isolation. Her reaction is usually defensive and this often awards her the “bitch” title. If not then she has used Machiavellian tactics to “fit in” or “move up”. This latter option is at the expense of her self-worth and morals.
Digging deep into the core of societies misnomers of gender equality won’t alleviate the problem of inequality. Gender equality does not institute that women lose their femininity nor does it require men to give up their protective nature toward women. These are innate to us as individuals and are a God-given gift. Gender equality doesn’t expect that women be given tasks that are physically impossible for them nor does it allow for them to be judged on their physiques. It does however give them the option to choose to be treated fairly and justly, to get the opportunities based on their skill and not their gender, to stand for a worthy cause and not fight for one that is lacking in substance.
Kiatlin Duck Sherwood brings up the topic of mediocrity in her address to fellow female engineers. She urges women to put their best foot forward and aim high because being anything below standard is not good enough for a male dominated environment. Its only when a woman outshines the rest that recognition is duly given. Until then recognition is reserved for the often “average” male counterparts. Until then “books” will continue to be judged by their delicate covers.
I beg you earnestly, if you’re going to judge this book, don’t judge it by its cover. Read the pages, delve in its descriptions, ponder the messages…there’s more to me than meets the eye.
Words of President Barrack Obama, Deon Chang , Kaitlin Duck Sherwood and Batsesane khumalo are quoted under correction.
