Make equality for all truly equal
THE world is striving for gender equality. Amazing, isn’t it? We are all humans, after all. No gender has to settle for less, or nothing.
But being “laymen”, our perspectives differ. Daily matters are what we focus on more.
Many (in) equality reports have appeared in the media. (But it’s like reading about astronauts’ discoveries – not quite understanding a word written, although we feel excited about it.) Because these reports are often about corporate positions and salaries. It’s as though inequality only concerns these few matters.
From a layman’s perspective, we generally understand that there must be a sense of fairness towards (and from) both genders.
I recently overheard a bitter discussion. One man pointed out that these days, more women seem to be working than men “because employers nowadays favour female over male workers”.
An elderly man added, “If women want to conquer everything, from household to corporate matters, let them. Might as well let them rule the whole world.” I felt pity for these men. Maybe they’d been “dethroned” from their role as head of the family.
Equality is this: If a dollar is given to a woman, the same amount must be given to a man; and vice versa. Whether either of the two accepts the dollar, that’s another story. If there’s only one 1-dollar note, it must be offered to the person most worthy to receive it – without ever taking gender into account.
So, in a multi-storey carpark with a floor strictly for female drivers, there ought to be a floor only for male drivers. Just to be fair. Similarly, on public transportation, a coach be reserved for male users if there is one only for women. After all, not all straight men fancy being around women 24/7. Which explains why male buddies meet to bond and chat over a meal after work.
In most offices these days, the male-to-female ratio is about 3:7. If equality is the norm, enforce a rule. Make the ratio 5:5. Of course, this is just a layman’s perspective – it’s particularly obvious in the service industry.
“In person, women look more pleasant, and sound more attractive over the phone,” I’ve heard. When I joined a hotel workforce years ago, I was the sole rose among the five thorns in my department! (It wasn’t an issue for me; getting along was more crucial than the gender equality fuss.)
Similarly, we keep hearing on TV news about the endless empowering programmes for women and single mothers. A carbon copy of such programmes must be made available to men, too. Whether any man takes up the offer, that’s another issue. Assuming no man in Malaysia needs guidance is an “unequal” mindset.
And then there’s this paternity issue. It takes two to tango, you know. Some women have no “entourage” made up of parents, parents-in-law, siblings, and cousins, except their own spouse to help out during confinement. What’s worse is when the couple has a toddler or two to look after as well. Make it mandatory that a father working in the private sector be “bestowed” at least 45 days of leave.
How the nation gangs up on a man for his gender-related remarks reflects some inequality. When a remark of a similar nature comes tumbling out of a woman’s mouth, the nation hails her for being outspoken, heroic, and “the woman the country needs”.
In the workplace, if a man mentions anything about a woman’s body parts, the women will glare at him and ask him to zip it. But it’s OK for them to discuss and joke at great length about a man’s “assets”.
If a woman slaps a man, make this an offence with a similar punishment if it had been done by a man to a woman. If the world wants equality, make it 100% equal – no gender bias.
Pictures in the media are equally one-sided. Articles on obesity are often accompanied by a picture of a fat man. Are there no obese women in the world?
For equality to be fully understood, accepted, and respected by all, it must begin at the lowest tier of the world pyramid – the family. Children must be taught the importance and goodness of equality towards every one from every nation regardless of gender! Equality is never just in terms of salaries and career opportunities, though sadly these are only what the world seems to be striving for.
On every Mother’s and Women’s Day, it’s common to see politicians handing out flowers to women on the street. When Father’s Day comes around, we see nothing. Please, a ballpoint pen could mean the world to some men.
Equality comes in many shades – attention, love, empathy, respect, compassion, etc. In short, equality concerns anything under the sun. Have something you feel strongly about? Get on your soapbox and preach to us at star2@thestar.com. my so that we can share it with the world.