Measures to eliminate gender based stereotyping and violence in our society

Introduction

Gender stereotype is a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics that are or ought to be possessed by men and women or the roles that should be performed by men and women. It is the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms (The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR], 2013).

Puri (2011), mentioned that stereotypes still exist at all level of society and in all age group, affecting how we perceive each other through oversimplified assumption based on socially constructed norms, practices and beliefs that are often cultural and religion based and fostered, and which reflects and perpetuate underlying power relations. All direct and indirect forms of gender discrimination should be eliminated in order to guarantee women the right to equal treatment and change the cultural perception that women are in many ways passive or lesser beings than men. Traditional gender roles and stereotypes continue to have a strong influence on the division of roles between women and men in the home, the workplace and in society at large, with women depicted as running the house and caring for children while men are depicted as wage-earners and protectors. Gender stereotyping tend to perpetuate the status quo of inherited obstacles to achieving gender equality, and to limit women’s range of employment choices and personal development, impeding them from realizing their full potential as individuals and economic players and therefore constitute strong obstacle to the achievement of equality between women and men.

According to Gallagher (2010), stereotypes are also prevalent in every day media. Women are often portrayed solely as homemakers and caregiver of the family, dependent on men, or as object of male attention. Stories by female reporters are more likely to challenge stereotypes than those filed by male reporters. As such, there is a link between the participation of women in the media and improvement in the representation of women. Men are also subjected to stereotyping in the media. They are typically characterized as powerful and dominant. There is little room for alternative vision of masculinity. The media tends to demean men in caring or domestics roles or those who oppose violence. Such portrayals can influence perceptions in terms of what society may expect from men and women, and also what they may expect from themselves. They promote an unbalanced vision of the role of women and men in the society.

The relationship between gender and violence is complex. The different roles and behaviors of females and males children as well as that of adults are shaped and reinforced by gender norms within that defined appropriate behaviors for women and men. For example, in most societies, it is assumed and expected of the gender “male” to be dominant, tough, aggressive, sexually active or having multiple sexual partners and so on. Difference in gender roles and behaviors often create inequalities whereby one gender becomes superior and empowered to the disadvantage of the other. Stereotypes pave the way to sexism. Thus in many societies, women are viewed as inferior and subordinate to men. It is assumed that being a female is associated with the raising of children, being the homemaker and be submissive to men, etc. The persistence of stereotypes acts as a barrier to the sharing of family and domestic responsibilities between women and men, it hinders the achievement of equality in the family and society at large and often result in time poverty for women and lower levels of education.

Conceptual framework

Individuals make sense of the world around them by using the meanings that the members of the society have come to share. Individuals, like actors in stage production, occupy particular roles. They play these roles according to society’s norms or expectations for the particular role. However, while there are societal expectations about given roles, the rules for playing the roles are not rigid. Rather within the confines of the meaning attributed to a role by society, individuals develop “identities” that defines what a particular role means to them. Thus, they are able to manipulate the way that they play a specific role. Children as well manipulate and learn role through childhood. Play during childhood becomes an important component of socialization.

Peng and Mou(2010) claimed that it is through the process of socialization that boys and girls are encouraged to adopt and develop certain personality traits that are often referred to masculine and feminine. These personality traits then have an impact upon the roles that individuals assume. The effect of television program and advertisements upon the roles and expectations of both women and men has received considerable attention. However, as the popularity and accessibility of video games continues to increase, the effect of the portrayal of women in video games upon gender role expectations as well as upon the use of violence arises.

According to the European Parliament (2012), traditional gender roles and stereotypes continue to have a strong influence on the division of roles between women and men in the home, the workplace and in society at large, with women depicted as running the house and caring for children while men are depicted as wage earners and protectors.

Gender stereotype tends to perpetuate the status quo inherited obstacles to achieving gender equality, and to limit women’s range of employment choices and personal development, impeding them from realizing their full potential as individuals and economic players, and therefore constitute strong obstacles to the achievement of equality between women and men.

Bawazeer and Wazerah(2010), opined that gender role stereotype continues to be a key barrier to, and is responsible for the slower progress of women’s presence in high management positions. Gender stereotype are consistent across cultures and time; however, there are some degree of variation across the world which confirms that gender stereotypes are structured by limited cognitive and social systems which may change over time. Adequate evidence supports the fact that the gender-role stereotyping has negative effect on women’s managerial performance such as in their negotiation and decision-making performance. In addition, gender stereotypes also negatively influence organizational decisions such as selection and evaluation in a way which constrains women from progressing to higher levels of managerial achievement.

Gender stereotyping has been clearly identified in the CEDAW-committee on the elimination of discrimination against women as something that impedes the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It asserts that all human-beings regardless of sex are covered by this principle and implies that to develop their abilities, pursue a professional career and make their own choices without limitation set by gender stereotypes, rigid gender roles or prejudices.

Causes of gender stereotype and violence

Gender stereotypes are sets of cultural expectation popularly adopted by the mass majority. These roles and expectations are kept in place partly because of the human need to belong. Some cultures have restricting gender stereotypes, while others have become more lenient and accepting of deviation from gender roles. Gender stereotypes have existed throughout history with many cultures even today insisting that women are less significant than men based on longstanding cultural view points. Several causes of gender stereotyping according to Luke (2011), includes;

  • Socialization
  • Media
  • Workplace/society

Socialization

Gender socialization is the process by which males and females are informed about the norms and behaviors associated with their sex. Gender stereotypes can be a result of gender socialization. Girls and boys are expected to act in certain ways that are socialized from birth. Children and adults who do not conform to gender stereotypes are often ostracized by peers for being different. Sociologist and other social scientists generally attribute many of the behavioral differences between genders to socialization. The most intense period of socialization is during childhood, when adults who are members of a particular cultural group instruct young children on how to behave in order to comply with social norms. Today, it is largely believed that most gender differences are attributed to differences in socialization rather than genetic and biological factors (Boundless, 2016).

Media

Gender role are shaped and imposed through a variety of social influences, notably the media. Mass media play a significant role in a modern world, by broadcasting information in fast pace and giving entertainment to vast audiences. They consist of press, television, radio, books and the internet. Media can manipulate people’s attitude and opinions. The media has a very powerful effect on culture, shaping societal structures and operations. Dominant media forms have heavily assisted in constructing gender and generalized norms. Advertising and mass media forms display codes that are associated with representing male and female attributes. These gender codes shape the way in which society views gender and assists in determining what is acceptable gender performance. It is through media’s reinforcement of gender stereotypes, codes and gender displays that shape the way in which society perceives and constructs genders. Mass media projects gender stereotypes as models for the sexes to follow. Men within the media are constructed to be powerful aggressive figures, embracing financial stability and dominant controls. Whereas the media projects women to be constructed as nurturing figures, concern with family and sustaining feminine beauty. Often these gender assumptions cast negative representations that place barriers on women to develop and reach their true potential within society. The media’s influence constricts both men and women, as the sexes are faced to conform to gendered ideals. These gender codes become heavily assimilated within mass media and marketing, as many advertisers display men and women to portray stereotypical gender roles. Often these advertisements illustrate men and women differently, altering the way in which society views the sexes. Women within advertisements are often displayed in a sexualized nature that exposes females as vulnerable defenseless figure (Jhally, 2011).

Workplace/society

Society is another factor as it validates gender roles and stereotypes, encouraging us to “fit in” to the dominant culture. Gender roles and stereotypes have a history steeped in tradition through religious, political, legal and economic systems. For example, it wasn’t until the war brought about a shortage in male workers that women were encouraged to step outside the traditional housewife role to work. Gender roles and stereotypes can place restrictions on our human right. If you think of a fundamental right such as the right to employment or to earn money, the traditional stereotype of women as housewives has places restrictions and expectations on what a woman is socially and economically capable of doing. Gender roles and stereotypes can cause problems in relationships as it sets up inequality between males and females. Boys are not born to be violent or have unhealthy attitudes towards girls. These attitude and behaviors are learnt through stereotypes of what society thinks it means to act and behave like a man, due to his physical strength or biological makeup. Inequality between a male and female in a relationship can be problematic if gender roles and stereotypes are present (Weaver, 2010).

No-bullying(2016), stated that gender stereotyping in the workplace emerge from the assumption that women belong at home. Women cannot have any job they would like to, that there are jobs they are “inadequate” for. This resulted in women drawing lower wages than men, holding low status jobs, comprising of few senior positions in prestigious firms where they compete with men and take up equally huge responsibilities.

Despite women making up half of the employees of large corporations, they are under-represented in higher-status, higher paying occupations such as university teaching, law and medicine.

Female gender stereotypes in the workplace are called “women’s ghettos”. This name references women’s positions in relation to the higher paid jobs in which they serve men. “women ghettos” are supervised by men. Constantly and forever, such that whenever a woman moves a step up the corporate ladder, there is always a man above her. Gender stereotypes imprison humans in the “fact” that every person should either act as male or female, disregarding completely those who identify as neither or both.

According to Beniol (2011), gendered stereotypes have made it more difficult for women to be taken seriously within the workplace, adding that male colleagues are more respected in these companies for they  are perceived to be more dedicated workers.

Measures to eliminate gender stereotypes and violence

The phenomenon of gender stereotypes needs to be fought and reduced in multiple areas; in languages and vocabulary, laws and practices, mind-sets of peoples, justice systems, media and education, in different organizations and public authorities, in enterprises, and in individuals. Concerted effort is needed to change what a supporter of gender equality, professor ling white from the United States of America called the cosmography of gender inequality. He pointed out that the “habit of language implies that personality is mainly a male attribute and that women are subhuman-subspecies-men as leader, women as follower, man as producer, women as consumer, man as strength, women as weakness- this is a cosmography that has brought to us man as aggressor and humanity the victim (Puri, 2011)

In the domestic family context, at the community, society and national levels, as well as the global level, we need to create an enabling environment, specific instructions and systems, and individual champions and role model creation are called for.

At the country level, the following policies and measures would be effective.

  • Temporary special measures, including quotas in parliament and political parties, judiciary, law enforcement agencies, executive and the corporate sector (women’s empowerment principles to be applied) are to be taken.
  • Correct representation of women in media and their proactive role as media persons in changing perceptions. Use the potency and easy reach of social media and ICT.
  • Participation and leadership of women in religious and faith – based community groups and legal systems is critical in stimulating a gender-sensitive and just interpretation of religious and cultural texts, customs and norms.
  • Rigorous and corrective education curriculum development, impacting education since early childhood to all levels and considering both boys and girls should be accompanied by educational campaigns for adults. Development of social educational tools at all levels, of special educational tools as all levels.
  • Encourage women and girls to enter into traditionally male-dominated fields of education and professions like armed forces, pilot, science, engineer, etc.
  • Enact laws that change mind-sets, like those against domestic violence and other gender-based violence, including sexual harassment at the workplace and rape-law should criminalize such activities and high-rate of convictions, and should change the perception of what masculinity means, and what is permissible and what is not.
  • Promotion of shared domestic responsibilities between women and men. For example, parenting, care giving etc.
  • Promotion of property right, including land rights and control over financial and economic assets, access to credit and support for entrepreneurship development.
  • Allocation of adequate resources for programs targeting the elimination of gender stereotypes, for example through advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns, and educational curriculum development.

According to Grewal(2010), gender stereotype in the workplace can be reduced through the following.

  • Consider educating all employees about how stereotypes affect decisions.
  • Demonstrate institutional commitment to diversity through strategic plans, mission statements, and other communication to employees.
  • Educate organizational leaders on how stereotypes, especially those that are unconscious, affect hiring and evaluation decisions.
  • Make efforts to diversify candidate hiring pools in order to avoid creating “token”.
  • Diversify the members of all hiring committee.
  • Create ground rules for hiring discussion, including keeping job criteria front and center and focusing on evidence rather than opinions.
  • Appoint at least one senior leader who is responsible for monitoring institutional fairness.
  • Although numbers are important, focus equally on creating an inclusive organizational culture that supports diversity.
  • Help build and support professional networks that connect scientists of different backgrounds and ages.
  • Develop leadership-development programs for scientist that incorporate diversity training.

The following are other practical ways to reduce gender violence and gender stereotypes.

  • Community outreach and mobilization can encompass a range of interventions and approaches including community meeting, training or sensitization sessions with traditional authorities, community or religious leaders, street theatreand other cultural activities and marches and demonstrations.
  • Mass media campaigns i.e. the use of radio, television, bill boards or other media to reach a wide segment of the community. It also offers individuals, especially young people, anonymous access to valuable information and resources without having to, through others they may not trust, e.g. doctors, teachers, etc.
  • Entertainment-education or “edutainment” is a particularly useful strategy that entails the process of purposely designing and implementing a media message to both entertain and educate in order to increase audience and member’s knowledge about educational issues, create favourable attitudes, shift social norms and change overt behavior.
  • Other innovative approaches that can be effective in reaching diverse audiences include games, electronic technologies (mobile phones, computers).
  • Encourage and engage community members to take up the issue and become activists themselves.
  • Frame violence against women as the community responsibility and not as individual women’s problems.
  • Highlight the benefits of human rights and nonviolent relationships and healthy families rather than taking an individual right-based approach.
  • Enable men to recognize the disparity between the actual and perceived norms regarding behavior and attitudes.
  • Encourage men to intervene when they identify a situation that may lead to violence.
  • Foster a sense of community responsibility for prevention. Improve collaboration on intervention.
  • Empowering youths to take action to end dating violence, promote healthy relationships based on equality and respect and create safer school community.
  • Ensure political support as well as the support of the government, non-government organization and other institutions.

In conclusion, women right as human rights are indeed fundamental to societal growth and well-being. Gender inequality, discrimination and violence are anathema to human existence, healthy relationship and development. Ignorance contributes to gender discrimination and violation of rights, availability of information can help alleviate these problems.

References

Bawazeer, D. & Wazerah, S. (2010). Stereotypes and prejudice: Their automatic and controlled components. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56 (1), 5–18.

Boundless, A. (2016).Pride and prejudice: Employment discrimination against openly gay men in the United States. American Journal of Sociology,117(2), 586–626.

Chan, K. (2010). Ageism: Stereotyping and prejudice against older persons. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.

European Parliament (2012).Stereotyping and social reality. Oxford: Blackwell.

Gallagher, M. (2010).Definition and assessment of accuracy in social stereotypes. Psychological Review, 100 (1), 109–128.

Grawal, A. (2010). Social psychology (7th ed.). New York: Pearson.

Luke, H. (2011). Intergroup behaviour. Oxford: Blackwell

No-bullying, C. (2016).  Racial prejudice and racial stereotypes. American Psychological Association,30 (2),175–193.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (2013).Typecasting: On the arts and sciences of human inequality. New York: OHCHR

Pegg, K. &Mou, A. (2010).Hate prejudice and racism. Albany: State University of New York Press

Puri, M. (2011).Stereotypes as explanations: The formation of meaningful beliefs about social groups. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Weaver, S. (2010). The handbook of social psychology. Vol. II (4th ed.). Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill.

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