THIS WOMEN’S DAY, LET’S EMPOWER MEN!

Empowering Men??? Yes, that’s right.

I know most women out there would be shouting “They are already empowered since ages, why would you want to empower them?”

Well, you are right. But empowering men, not in the conventional sense of giving more power to them. But to challenge old beliefs & practices, institutions and structures that drive inequality between men and women.

While there has been considerable progress in empowering women, it is still a work in progress. We have adopted multiple ways for achieving the goal of gender equality by keeping women at the forefront and completely forgot the other half of the equation.

Boys seem to be completely left out of the conversation about gender equality. It is important to address men and masculinity because gender issues are not only women’s problems and femininity does not exist in isolation from masculinity.

We are a species, the human race and our evolution work in tandems like the bicycle or the Yin and Yang. No one gender can grow alone, both have to grow and evolve together.

Let’s look at the logical side and see the root cause of gender inequality,

‘MEN ARE REALLY BEHIND.’

We encourage girls to go and conquer the world but are we teaching the boys the basic life skill like cooking, are we telling them that it is fine to express emotions or that it is okay to be a stay-at-home father? Why, do we not want the boys to survive?

In an advancing world, girls are transforming… boys need to change too or prepare themselves for this change! It is not enough to educate, enlighten and empower women and expect men to follow.

Numerous options have opened up for girls, but boys lives are still restricted by gender norms: being strong, unemotional and robust.

While the women’s movement must continue to lead the drive for gender equality, we also need to engage boys and young men to achieve gender equality.

If you are a man reading this, then reflect for a moment – do you really want to be left behind to the point where your existence does not contribute any value to the other half of your own species? Is there any harm in being independent and self-sufficient? Is there ever anything bad about picking up new skills, about evolving to the next level?

If you are a woman who is reading this, then think about it – if you are the empowered homemaker who is pushing boundaries and exploring your full potential in your workspace whilst still balancing the responsibilities at home – wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a partner who can equally share the responsibilities and help you achieve your best?

It’s cyclical, you get what you give.

Gender equality begins at home and families are at the forefront of change. As parents of the next generation, we have an opportunity to engage young boys in understanding why gender equality is good for everyone. The examples set at home by parents, caregivers and extended family will shape the way they think about gender equality.

From breaking down gender stereotypes to using and sharing their power and privilege and educating about women’s rights, here are some ways we can inspire future feminists in our family.

Talk to them

It is necessary to talk to the kids about women’s rights and gender equality. Talking to them about equality between the two sexes and what can be done to accomplish a gender-equal world, you are setting them to lead the way for a better future.

Involve the Boys too

Women, especially in India, carry out two and a half times more unpaid household work than men. This has led thousands of girls & women missing out on equal opportunities like going to school or taking up a full-time job. They don’t even get enough time to rest.

So, be it cooking or cleaning,  buying groceries or taking care of young ones or elderly, make the boys a part of it too.

Set an example by equally dividing all household chores in your home. Involve boys in housework from an early age, along with the girls! Equality, it’s right there in the name.

Embrace diverse role models

Embracing diversity means accepting differences in others and practising tolerance. We all want to raise open-minded children who are open to new experiences, do not discriminate, are free from prejudice and who do not impose their opinions on others. But teaching children to think differently and accepting differences in others starts at home.

We need to encourage children by showing them role models from different genders, ethnicities and colour. Role models come in all shapes,  sizes, genders, skin tones and cultural backgrounds.

Let’s tell them that they can be anything they want to be, irrespective of their gender.

Fight gender stereotypes

Children acquire stereotypes about personality traits and behaviour as early as 5 years.

We live in a society where gender is considered only as a biological difference between the two sexes. People define what it means to be a boy, or a girl and these social conditionings often expect children to conform to specific and limiting gender roles and expectations from a very young age.

This leads the outer world to expand for boys and shrink for girls by age 10.

We should start conversations about gender roles at an early age and challenge the features and characteristics assigned to boys and girls at home, in our day-to-day routine, in school and also workplaces.

Let’s teach our boys to express their emotions, let’s not judge them as weak if they shed tears out of sadness or frustration. And let’s teach our girls to stand up for themselves, to learn self-defence. It’s not just about IQ, but also about EQ. It’s not just about breaking stereotypes, it’s about reinforcing individuality.

We all have developed gender bias subconsciously based on the society’s set expectations about how men and women should behave, dress and the kind of work they should do. As parents, it’s in our hands how to become aware of these biases and challenge the stereotypes that our kids constantly encounter.

Let our children know that family is a safe space for them to express themselves as they are, by affirming their choices, by reassuring them that it’s okay to be different, and by encouraging a culture of acceptance.

Let’s make the right conversations early on.

If we want to see meaningful change, both men and women need to be involved.

An equal world is an enabled world!