Who Will Lead?

I have to admit that I’m not well-versed in the laws governing gender equality and sexism in Cameroon but from what I can observe and what I’ve experienced, I can say that the culture is not yet ripe for a society where men and women are considered equals.

I see it every day in my entrepreneurial world. Men thinking that because I’m a woman who wants something from them on a business level, I’ll be willing to do more on the personal one.

Every change needs a start and people paving the way for it to come to pass. And in Cameroon that will be the missing piece even if all other factors are in place. Society just isn’t ready and willing to see equality between the genders. It is a combination of customs and tradition with a dash of religion. What was passed down to us from our forefathers reeks of sexism and gender discrimination and undoing centuries of mental programming will take more than undoing laws in place.

I see it every day in my entrepreneurial world. Men thinking that because I’m a woman who wants something from them on a business level, I’ll be willing to do more on the personal one. The confused look on their faces when offers are turned down is actually confusing to me but I digress.

Times are changing. The number of women entrepreneur in Cameroon is quite impressive. Women constitute 80% of small business owners. But the changes need to be on a bigger scale; for example, when will we see a female prime minister, minister of finances or the economy? Can we move away from what we know and show that steps can be taken forward?

Aiming higher, be better (and why not the best), do what you want should also be taught to women giving them the vast array of what is possible and attainable.

As excited as I am when I see a young bright woman follow the path she set for herself, I become just as disillusioned when that young woman says that she HAS to get married, not because she really wants to but because all her friends are getting hitched and she doesn’t want to be the one left out. This shows me that mental ties by way of cultural stumble blocks will be the hardest hurdles. It will take institutions to lead the way but it will ultimately come down to the cellular unit who is in charge of educating these women.

Aiming higher, be better (and why not the best), do what you want should also be taught to women giving them the vast array of what is possible and attainable. Who will lead the cause? Laws will change but will the people?

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