Jose, hata kama unalishwa na mkeo, usione soo, yot...
Jose, hata kama unalishwa na mkeo, usione soo, yote maisha (Jose, even if you rely on your wife for basic necessities, don’t feel ashamed of it, it is all life), Alsisiri
Date: January 1, 1970
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The article tells the story of a man who has taken a woman to court for insulting him about his man hood. He says that he was told he is not a man because he is being supported by his wife.
This article may be used in training to:
1. Highlight power relations and stereotypes between men and women.
2. Illustrate the visibility of women and what women do that makes news.
3. Highlight how courts trivialise disputes especially between men and women even where the law provides dispute resolution mechanisms.
4. Highlight need for right of response and balanced sources.
Trainer’s notes
This article is told from the point of view of the “insulted” man and does not give the accused the right of response. This story reinforces the stereotype that men are expected to be breadwinners who have to fend their families, while it is ok for women to be taken of. This is evident in the manner in which the subject of the story feels insulted to have his manhood questioned. The article does not make an attempt to analyse the perceived insult itself, whether it is wrong to be supported by a wife, and the gender stereotypes that this implies.
While the headline Jose, hata kama unalishwa na mkeo, usione soo, yote maisha (Jose, even if you rely on your wife for basic necessities, don’t feel ashamed of it, it is all life), gives the impression that Jose should not be ashamed, there is nothing in the story to suggest that being supported by your wife is not the ultimate shame. The story also does not explore the fact that how a couple decides to manage their home is their own business, and does not mention if Jose may be caring for the home.
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is this article considered newsworthy enough for publication?
2. What does it mean to “be a man? “ How does culture and society shape this?
Training exercises:
1. Make a list of questions that you would ask the two women involved.
2. Conduct a survey asking men and women what it means to “be a man.” Are there gender differences in the responses?
3. Write a commentary piece highlighting gender benders or tradional role reversals in society.
Links to other training resources
Whose News, Whose Views a Southern African Gender in Media Handbook.”
https://www.genderlinks.org.za/page.php?p_id=114
https://www.genderlinks.org.za/page.php?p_id=114
Related GL Commentaries
Gender benders good for business in Tanzania
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Translation
[Report by Adam Fungamwango in Magomeni.
A man has lodged a complaint with the court over an alleged insult by a woman, Fitina Mzuka aged 24. The complainant was aggrieved by remarks directed at him by the accused stating that he is not a man because he is being supported by his wife.
“He has told me I am not a man because my wife feeds and supports me! No! It can not be allowed to happen! This is an extremely great insult to me!”, the complainant remarked bitterly. The Complainant has accused the woman of making allegations that have made him angry. He said that on the day in question, the accused disagreed with his wife and a verbal exchange of words ensued. He decided to intervene between the two to end the verbal exchange only for the accused to direct her verbal abuse and insults towards him. “She ceased insulting my wife and rained insults on me that were very shocking,” he continued. The court clerk, Nicolaus Masakandila stated the facts of the case that on June 3 this year at 8.00 p.m in Tabata area contrary to the law, the accused insulted the complainant and aggrieved him.]
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