Evaluating Patriachy and Gender Inequality in an Era of Democracy : case of South Africa

Abstract

South Africa is a beautiful country that is made up by different tribes, clans and races. It is truly a rainbow nation that had struggled enormously against minority rule and it was only in 1994 that the first democratic election took place. Women were a force to reckon with during the fight against apartheid and during the political negotiations that took place prior to the first democratic election. Their involvement in the negotiations led to policies and frameworks that were meant to ensure gender equality and the promotion of the rights of all women in South Africa irrespective of race and creed. Women, especially black women, had suffered a great deal during apartheid as they had to deal with the constraints placed against them by the minority regime. They also had to deal with constraints placed against them by by-products of patriarchy at home and in the society. As a result of this women wanted to ensure that the new dispensation was sensitive and aware of their needs. They wanted the new government to ensure gender equality. They stealthily fought for recognition and the right to be heard during the negotiations. Patriarchy played its hand during these negotiations as many male union members held the view that women need not be involved in these negotiations, let alone call for an addition of terms to the negotiations. Despite this, women persevered and gender sensitive policies and laws were crafted. Under the new government South Africa has gained a reputation as a country that is committed to the promotion of gender equality. Its domestic laws and foreign policy show that it is intent on safeguarding gender equality and has a great disdain to any country, person or entity that violates women. It has established proactive national gender frameworks, allows fair discrimination as a way of advancing women, and has equality courts as well as sexual offences courts. However, despite this, South Africa is having grave difficulties in attaining a gender balanced society and furthermore she is besieged by high levels of gender based violence. Women are still exposed to human rights violations and inequalities. This study argues that the reason why South Africa is faced with these grave challenges is because it is a patriarchal society that is divided along gender lines. There is an emphasis on the difference between masculinity and femininity. Men are still seen as the dominant and women as inferior. Patriarchy is a permanent force in South Africa. It is a cause of grave concern as in most cases it hinders the implementation of policies and acts. It also hinders the carrying out of court orders such as the eviction and protection orders. The majority of women, as compared to men, are relegated to low income employment. They are also expected to perform domestic chores and the rearing of their children. Violence against women in South Africa is immense and this is despite the availability of laws and machineries that are meant to protect women. This study argues that patriarchy is the main catalyst of this problem. It breeds and legitimizes all violations and discrimination against women. It teaches male South Africans what it means to be a real man, how a real man is expected to act, what privileges are in store when they act like real men and punishments for any person especially women who contravene these expectations. It also teaches South African women what it means to be real women how a real woman is expected to act, what privileges are in store when they act like real women and punishments for contravening these expectations. Due to this fact gender inequality is difficult to eradicate and is still a problem nineteen years after gaining freedom.