The increase of number of females in high earning bracket outnumbered the male counterparts in the same bracket, 7% for men and 93% for female’, read a statistic conducted by a statistics bureau of a country .
I remember the heated discussions that ensued on social media platforms. I am a curious participant on HR and Finance professional groups. I could not help but notice the different reasons given to that statistic by different genders. Mostly women were silent on these issues ‘Women are favoured in return of sexual favours’ Chimed in a commentator. These was followed by a stream of memes in cartoons that depicted females with endowed behinds and what seemed like attractive faces, and other blessed body parts. To what extent could this be true ? if it were true , is it enough to cause such a shift ? I wondered.
For decades, the roles of men and women in most African societies have been shaped by deeply ingrained traditions and expectations. Men were the providers, the protectors, and the unquestioned heads of households, while women were often relegated to the home, their opportunities for education and economic independence limited by societal constraints. Yet, as the world around evolves, so too does the structure of its households, its workplaces, and its broader society. Could we be having a quiet revolution of gender? Women are taking up roles on corporate tables, discussing issues that were most left in the hands of men. Its been said that the upspring of support groups for women empowerment and girl education has necessitated this. But is this enough to bring such a dynamic shift ? And if such shift exists, does it mean that the male counterparts are displaced from the table ? One of the men in the groups alluded the change to hard work ,zeal and relentless drive by ladies . He insinuated that Most MBA and leadership classes were dominated by females . He noted that in most interviews he had conducted, ladies seemed to have invested in themselves much more compared to their male counterparts . One man lamented of an opportunity that he eyed but evidently couldn’t be shortlisted as the opportunity only targeted women, disabled and refugees. His comment bended mostly on companies hiring women mostly based on diversity , equity and inclusion policies .
In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable shift in the gender dynamics. With more women pursuing higher education and career advancement, many men are grappling with new realities in their roles as partners, fathers, and citizens. Women are increasingly becoming the primary breadwinners, and this has sparked both empowerment and frustration. For some, this new order is a welcome sign of progress, while for others, it challenges the traditional concept of masculinity that have long defined a given identity. In recent years, we have seen an increase in single mothers. With some laying blame on toxic feminity yet others lamenting of men neglecting their roles in family . Whether such issues are spurring some women to career success, its open for discussion.
How do men navigate their place in a society where their roles as economic providers and familial leaders are being questioned and reshaped? What does masculinity mean where gender equality is becoming an ever-pressing conversation? Is the progress of women out of favouritism?As we reflect on these shifts, we must acknowledge the deep-rooted complexities of gender. In doing so, it provides a wider perspective on how men, as much as women, are redefining their roles.
