Welcome to our series of bi-weekly columns under the title “The Gender Corner,” published in collaboration with the Anguillian Newspaper. Through this publication we hope to provide thought-provoking and stimulating discussion that will translate into practical ways of effecting positive change in gender affairs. This week we have a guest contributor, Ms. Rhina Meade, who provides a personal take on gender beliefs; creating a sense of encouragement despite any perceived gender-based obstacles.
When I was at university I befriended a very “conscious” brother. One evening, as we were in deep discussion, he began to describe me using various adjectives that were etched into my memory and later scribed for remembrance. His words also inspired me to write a creative piece which touches on some of my gender beliefs, an excerpt of which follows:
The Rastaman called me frail,
He said my frame was tiny.
Yet the Ras acknowledged that I was not weak-
He said I was strong in mind.
We stood there, the Ras and I,
Toe-to-toe not eye-to-eye.
I looked up to his towering height,
He looked up to the empress on her throne.
Physical variations, like strength and height, are structural (and maybe cultural) differences in sexes. As in the poem, men tend to be stronger and, on average, taller than women; but does physical or biological differences mean that women are therefore lesser beings? — Having gender differences, in my humble opinion, do not mean that the scale is tipped to where one wins out in the war of masculinity vs. femininity. For the most part, we are evenly grounded ‘toe-to-toe’ but as the final line in the excerpt says; ‘he looked up’, which says that I, in spite of my physical smallness, did not feel that I was somehow less than any man and truth be told, I can sometimes feel like I am, as a woman, on top. Each gender group, each individual has their own strengths and weaknesses. My biological makeup does make me pull back and allow those who are more, let’s say, able bodied to do the heavy lifting and reaching. But I refuse to be made to feel that because I am constrained in certain physical spheres I am therefore beneath a man and must be barred from certain arenas.
Today when I look at the social landscape of Anguilla, there may not be a perceived great, glaring, gender divide with several gaps in our social structure, but they do exist and it may be that we have conditioned ourselves to see fairness when equity is just not there in the expected gender roles we have grown to identify with. We seem to have forgotten the strides we have made in having inclusion for both genders in a very short time. Just 40 years ago only a third of working-age women participated in our local labour force. We must acknowledge progress and change over the history of Anguilla and what it means for the fairer sex *big smile*. My choices in this life ultimately reflect my desires to be socially responsible and fit the, not so, neat gender role. Albeit, I recognise that fitting is not enough and we must push the boundaries and challenge the status quo.
At this time when we are reminded of the importance of education with exam results still fresh and schools reopening, I think of how, as a female, we are expected to all do well in school, pass all our CXC exams – so that covers CPEA, CCSLC, CSEC, CAPE and whatever other Cs we have to swim across to make the family proud and not drown. We are made to feel that without CXC passes we cannot progress in life. Then, after we think we made it to land you hear you need a BA, BSc, MBA, LLB, MSc, CPA, PhD and whatever other letters knocked together to make you sound intelligent, accomplished, arrived. No one really says that it’s OK to fail and try again; it’s OK to not understand the first, second or third time; or it’s OK once you’ve done your best. My friends – it is OK! Education is a golden key and I hope we all maximise the opportunities before us. To all my females and my males who sat exams this year, I tip my hat to you for doing your do and getting what you got – congratulations! And if you didn’t achieve what you desired, please don’t give up; try again. To my brothers, in Anguilla approximately 7% of you complete university level education. I don’t think you should continue to let the girls get too far ahead – we need balance.
The hit song asks, “Who runs the world?” — I honestly believe we do have space for two thrones, Regina and Rex holding on to the scepter. But I would love for you to let the Gender Affairs Unit know what you think the answer should be.
The Gender Affairs Unit thanks Ms. Rhina Meade for submitting an article to The Gender Corner. Individuals and groups are also invited to send submissions such as opinion articles, visionary reflections or poems related to gender issues. Please send a submission of no more than 500-words to Ronya Foy Connor at Ronya.Foy-Connor@gov.ai. Enjoy this week!
