#Article (Archive)

Women deserve a better deal

May 10, 2011, 1:10 PM

Change is inevitable, as society undergoes socio-cultural evolution. While most things change for the worse, others have evidently got better.

One case is the role of women in society. Once seen as just mere wives, today there clearly exists a not-too-great disparity between men and women.

The ongoing changes in social, political and economic spheres in and around the continent entail not only the raising of women's status and their role in society, but also their contribution towards making the continent what it is today.

The role of women in society has been greatly overlooked in the last few decades, but now it has become more evident to people.

In the early days, women were seen as wives who were supposed to cook, clean the house, and take care of the kids.

Most African women were not allowed to vote, while men took care of household expenditures and paying any bills that had to be paid. They faced all forms of discrimination.

Nowadays, women would voice their opinion in any way possible, so that they could reach their goals. In fact, even women are taking care of household expenditures as do their male counterparts.

Indeed, the role of women in society has always been an issue throughout the ages, including in Africa, and all over the world.

Here in The Gambia, women have over the years contributed, and will continue to do so, to key decision-making processes.

Women have over the years been in the forefront of development initiatives, geared towards enhancing the socio-economic development of the country.

Women and children need more protection, because they are always the most vulnerable in times of conflict.

They should be protected from discrimination and provided with special measures; they should be offered equal opportunities in securing employment, freedom to choose a profession and work, equal remuneration, treatment and benefits, protection of their health and safety at work.

Believe it or not, women's role in society cannot be under rated, since no nation can develop without the full participation of its womenfolk.

"A woman uses her intelligence to find reasons to support her intuition."

G.K. Chesterton