It’s not just up to men to create a culture of respect

How you treat each other at home is undoubtedly important. When men and women are treated equally, then it builds respect in one’s family, neighbourhood, and throughout society. Children watch how their father treats their mother and vice versa, so it’s important to set a good example that is carried forward through the generations. That said, I think the responsibility of creating a culture of respect does not lie just with men. People from both genders have to work together to set the standard. You hear of cases where even men go through abuse from their spouses, so who is responsible for that? Respect is something that should be nurtured by both genders, and the responsibility of seeing this through, lies with the people, more than the authorities. No matter how many public service campaigns run, if you don’t treat your sister or wife with consideration, there’s no point. In the Philippines, where I’m from, women play an important role culturally. They are central to decision-making and planning. But in some other cultures, they may have a different role, one that comes with less freedom or independence. We might be in the 21st century, but I think while some developed nations have helped women prosper, others still have a long way to go. From Mr Esme Yungao Works in an IT company in Dubai