“50% representation politically incorrect”

Date: November 7, 2011

Name: 50% representation politically incorrect

Name of publication: News Day

Name of publisher: The Editor

Date: 21 September 2011

Country: Zimbabwe

Theme: Gender Equality; Politics

Skills: Events vs Issues, Perspective

Genre: Opinion and analysis

Gem classification: Gender Blind

Description

The push for the 50/50 in decision making by 2015 has brought with it mixed feelings, views and opinions. While for some female quarters the campaign has brought with it the renewed hope of women empowerment and emancipation. However others are of the notion that, this is a political statement, which reinforces the superiority of men over women. As such they are of the notion that with or without a quota system, women can still be at the helm of decision-making, something that is already taking shape in the country and in different sectors of life.

Description

Headlines

The headline of the article “50% representation politically incorrectÀ challenging (dismissing) the political astuteness of the view that a constitutional provision advocating for a 50% quota system in which women are represented in decision-making at all levels as the one way to redress the parochial tendencies that suggest women cannot be leaders or managers. There is a direct correlation of events in the article with the headline. The headline depicts some bitterness on the part of the writer on how the 50/50 parity issue is politically packaged.

Sources

The article resembles only women’s opinions as it is the direct voice of what I would assume to be a radical feminist (female chauvinist). From the onset she makes her feelings known that women can do it. She cites examples of women who are doing it in their various fields of expertise which is very credible. However, in my own opinion, the writer would have done herself some justice had she followed up this with tentative statistics on the quantities of such women. To only reiterate that “see how many of us are filling the planes to Dubai, China or South Africa. Women business people have invaded the CBDÀ is an injustice and subject to a lot of debate.

Language

The language used in the story is very emotional. It acknowledges that there is an unjust treatment of women in regards to the 50/50 parity issue. She believes that women can do occupy influential decision-making positions without the help of men. This is typically depicted in the phrase ‘ I believe the campaign for 50% representation of women in decision-making levels makes us second class citizens who cannot rise to dizzy heights without a push from men or a piece of legislation’. This covertly suggests that women are still stereotypically viewed as “unfitÀ to have a place in the office, a notion that the writer of the article is vehemently dismissing. The language shows the stereotypical tags that are placed on women, which the writer is challenging like ‘ usafunge semukadzi’ (don’t think like a woman) which suggests that men are greater thinkers than women.

The speech highlights the notion that the support of 50/50 parity is a piece of sublime mysticism and utter nonsense according to the writer of the article. The argument being that, “there is no female mind. The brain is not an organ of sexÀ. She further alludes that “by supporting the 50% representation of women at all decision-making levels we are supporting that there is a female brain, which is not biologically correctÀ. The writer of the article suggests that the dignity and respect of women (even those that will have excelled through merit) will be lost should the 50% representation be advocated for. She clearly reiterates that ‘Reserving seats in boardrooms and in Parliament is a mockery of our ability to achieve things on our own capacity. It affects our ego as women. It is an insult to great achievers and ambitious women…À

Visual Images

The image in the article is that of a woman who is championing the notion that women need their male counterparts to occupy influential decision-making positions, which is very reminiscent of the contents of the article.

Story angle

The article predominantly illustrates the voice of women. The story is challenging stereotypes in a sense that the writer acknowledges that women are also capable of undertaking the roles that men are thought to be the ‘naturals’. This is clearly highlighted by the phrase ‘ I hate to meet someone who sees my achievement as affirmative action as opposed to merit and abilty’. She is dismissing the parochial notion that men have more abiltyt than women by acknowledging that women are bridging the gap through abilty, ambition, keenness and qualification. Men’s voices are clearly missing. Their inclusion would give a clarity on what the connotations of 50/50 parity would be for women. More so how would they view women in light of the statutory provisions of the 50/50 parity.

Placement and positioning

The story is in the opinion and analysis column, bolded and is easily noticeable. Its placement shows that people are embracing the reality of the need to shelve discrimination of major importance as most of the topical issues prevailing in the country are placed on the page.

Training exercises

How are men going to view women in light of the 50/50 parity?

2. Educate men and women that women are more than capable of occupying decision-making positions.

3. How do we package the strategies so that women get recognition for their ability and merit?

“50% representation politically incorrect”

Comment on “50% representation politically incorrect” Cancel reply

What’s New

Recent Comments