Background
There are numerous countries outside the United States, Kenya being among them. Kenya is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa with oppressive conditions, most preferably the gender inequality and marginalization of a specific proportion of the populace. Oppressive condition is a situation that renders some individuals feeling not like the other individuals due to humiliation endorsed to them. Oppression renders other individuals disadvantaged in society, often referred to as the marginalized group.
The specific oppression evident in Kenya is gender inequality which has existed since the colonial era.Gender inequality refers to the ranking of a specific group not being at equivalence with the entire populace. Gender inequality denies other individuals’ opportunities in the various sectors of the economy since they are treated as inferior. Gender inequality is most evident in the education sector, the health care sector, and the workplace (Koenig & Li, 2021). It is primarily rooted in nations’ cultures that have not decided to be a part of the current changing world about cultural norms and traditions.
Groups of People in Kenya Affected by Gender Inequality
In the contemporary society, the most affected category falls on the women and children. Women and children are considered inferior members of society in the Kenyan communities due to the customs and norms rooted in most communities (Banda et al., 2017). Men’s superiority and prominence are what is evident in Kenyan society. Men were given sophisticated roles, and women served as the subordinates, which has been evident since the colonial periods when women were not even allowed to have identifications cards or vote, not even the opportunity to talk while in public participation. Decision-making entirely rests on the men on matters relating to work, home, and generally everywhere. The women must stick to decisions and orders given and not questioning them even if it was against them or not appealing to their liking.
How Gender Inequality Affects Women and Children
This oppressive condition of gender discrimination has rendered inequality in health care access and the education sector. Due to the discrepancy in care delivery, maternal and child mortality rates have increased (Banda et al., 2017). Women’s dependency on their husbands for the provision of essential services has negatively impacted their health issues. During pregnancy, women need access to quality hygiene, health, and adequate nutrition, which they cannot afford personally if their caregivers or husbands cannot (Batist, 2019). Poverty has greatly jeopardized the health outcomes of women and children due to limited access to financial resources.
In the education sector in most communities in Kenya, a boychild is more preferred than a girlchild due to traditions and opinions that the role of a girl is to give birth and take care of children while the boy is to become a leader. However, contemporary education inequality has been addressed by some communities while others still cling to norms and traditions (Koenig & Li, 2021). The high number of maternal and infant mortality is due to illiteracy levels on the importance of accessing postnatal and prenatal health care.
Dominant Religion in Kenya and their Cultural Values and Beliefs
Religion plays a vital role the life of most Kenyans. The most dominant religion in the Kenyan country is Christianity. Christians constitute eight percent of the population; forty-eight percent are Protestants, twenty-three percent are Catholics, and twelve percent are members of other branches of Christianity. The Christian values have changed the traditional beliefs on marriage and families in contemporary Kenya. It has discouraged polygamous practices embracing the small family’s concept (Wambui, 2017). The central Christianity elements are rhythm, singing, dancing, and music use. Similarly, Islam is the second preferred religion in Kenya, primarily found in Kenya’s coastal, northeastern, and eastern parts.
Kenya is a multi-racial and multi-cultural nation. National culture is what unites the country into one nation. Due to the multi-racial nature of the country, diverse cultures are evident because of diverse ethnic clusters. However, due to urbanization, western education, and technological advancement, diversity in cultures is no longer evident as it was during the pre-colonial periods. Cultures refer to the entire mode of life of any civilization. All human beings are born into a multifaceted and unique culture that directly influences their behavior in their entire lives. Marriage was one of the highly valued institutions in the colonial period. Women’s role was to give birth and take care of children, which was gender inequality (Wambui, 2017). Similarly, human life is highly valued in the Kenyan communities and the current world.
Contributing Factors to Gender Inequality
Gender inequality is an issue that have its roots both internationally and indigenously. First is the unequal admittance to education, where men are most preferred over women. Fifty-eight percent of women do not complete education due to early marriages in Kenya. Almost two-thirds of the populace are uneducated women (Dominelli, 2017). Similarly, women are given fewer rights than men in terms of employment opportunities. Men are believed to be more equipped than women in handling specific jobs, which the latter is not valid. Concurrently, based on the world bank study, women do not have lawful protection regarding local and sexual fierceness, thus impacting how females live and flourish on their liberty. Women are prone to harassment in public places like schools and workplaces. The named residences become hazardous, thus forcing them to make selections that edge and compromise their goals.
Likewise, women have no autonomy over their bodies due to religious and cultural opposition regarding accessing birth controls; thus, most end up having unplanned pregnancies. Moreover, we the issue of racism and societal issues. Racism tends to scrutinize women in the job markets based on color and status (Dominelli, 2017). Whatever a woman is paid depends on her race, where she comes from, and society’s status. The societal mindset about gender causes gender inequality, primarily affecting women. The beliefs and norms hinder women’s advancement in education, leadership, and employment.
Ways to Alleviate Gender Inequality
No problem does not have a solution or efforts done to curb it. In curbing gender inequality, the Kenyan government has allotted funds to women, which aid them to indulge in commercial activities and gain monetary freedom. Similarly, increased women’s participation at diverse levels has reduced inequality since women can run for offices in the Kenyan government, such as senatorial, governor, and women representative seats. Similarly, due to devolution, women had the opportunity to be elected to various government offices where they could represent their fellow women in campaigning for their rights and privileges. Concurrently, the budgeting proves that women and children are considered in the allocation, especially regarding childcare issues that affect them (Koenig & Li, 2021). USAID has aided in reducing gender inequality by narrowing gender gaps in employment, training, and education and giving credits facilities to women to initiate businesses.
Possible Actions to Alleviate Gender Inequality
Women and children grip infinite latent in Kenya. Addressing the needs that impact them will ultimately boost the nation’s development. In addressing the issue, the women’s movement overtone has been formed to aid women in airing their grievances. Similarly, women have formed self-help groups where they can access loans and credit, which have low-interest rates (Koenig & Li, 2021). Concurrently the Kenya nationals have embraced the religious aspect, which condemns such practices as genital female mutilation giving young girls the opportunity to continue their studies. There is the governmental seat, often referred to as the women’s representative, where the women will elect their fellow women to represent them, evident in the forty-seven counties found in Kenya. Women empowerment forums have been initiated where women are advised on better strategies to advance their lives other than just being homemakers.
Effects of Gender Inequality at Personal Level and how to overcome it
Gender equality is a humanoid right. Every woman should live with freedom and dignity, free from anxiety and want. Gender inequality significantly impacts one creating psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and panic. Most traumatic conditions are due to oppression from the other gender, thus making an individual have insomnia, often absent-minded, and depressed. Decreasing a woman’s self-esteem makes her hate herself just like any other human being. Women are at peace when respect and proper treatment are accorded to them. In avoiding the health issues that inequality creates, it is thus our opportunity to advocate for women’s and children’s rights. Similarly, it is my responsibility to support women in their business ideas in any way possible and condemn all acts meant to destroy women’s self-esteem and respect. Convincingly, we all need to work as a team to eradicate gender inequality and bring gender equity.
References
Banda, P. C., Odimegwu, C. O., Ntoimo, L. F., & Muchiri, E. (2017). Women at risk: Gender inequality and maternal health. Women & Health, 57(4), 405–429.
Baptist, J. (2019). An intersectional analysis of maternal mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: A human rights issue. Journal of Global Health, 9(1).
Dominelli, L. (2017). Women, development, and gender inequality. Encyclopedia of Social Work. Web.
Koenig, L. R., & Li, M. (2021). Achieving gender equality: Understanding gender equality and health among vulnerable adolescents in the sustainable development goals era. Sustainable Human Development Across the Life Course, 113–134.
Wambui, N. (2017). The impact of religion on values and behavior in Kenya. European Journal of Philosophy, Culture and Religion, 1(1), 50–65.