February
2017
Sexual equality has never meant “sameness” between
men and women when after all men and women are not born, groomed or socialized
in the same ways. Stereotyping the two sexes is still unfortunately the norm.
Boys are stronger, tougher and less articulate etc. while girls are meeker,
weaker and more expressive. In Hong Kong, males in their forties and are still
single are crowned as “diamond bachelors” while the female counterparts are
teased as “residual girls”. Married women with no children are looked at as “incomplete”
or even condemned as “not delivering their duties”.
As in all cases of generalization, sexual stereotyping
is dangerously naïve. Careers such as the disciplinary force or professions like
the architects, engineers, medical doctors, lawyers etc. have long taken women
on board. These days, women can bring in money while men do the laundry. But
social conceptions are not easy to change. It takes time. Quitting jobs to
attend to children is expected of women but regarded as an act of sacrifice or
stupidity when it comes to a man opting for it. .
Institutionalizing sexual equality is not to
promote “sameness” but “fairness” of not discriminating between two people on
the basis of sex. They are to be judged on the same criteria or standards irrespective
of gender. They are to be given the same opportunities and granted the same rights.
But even in this modern society of ours, such is sadly not the reality. Women
are still earning less. There are more men than women in top positions. Why are
housewives not classified in the employed category? They are doing a “no-thanks”
job putting their body and soul into the big business of taking care of the
family and bringing up children.There is Women’s Day but no Men’s Day! Why not
let us have Human Day like the 7th day of the first month of the
Chinese calendar!
As the Chairperson of Hong Kong Women Teachers’
Organization, I have been criticized as sexist! I am not. Our activities or
classes held at Hong Kong Teachers’ Centre are open to all teachers, men and
women. And it is because of the limited space we have at our office that the
classes held there are for women only.
So sisters, with heads held up, let’s celebrate our
greatness - Happy Women’s Day!
