ADUN SPEAKS | Zahid's daughter is wrong, women 'boleh'
This type of social conditioning occurs everywhere, and for most, it has become part of the norm. While human reproduction relies, for the most part, heavily on our wombs yet policies regarding reproduction health and the choices we want to make may sometimes be denied or brushed aside as irrelevant. The fear of being ostracised, made fun of or labelled as different may often shape how we think – whether we realise it or not.
The internalisation of patriarchy is best described as a system of beliefs where women and girls accept damning stereotypes and myths to be true.
Society – both men and women - is quick to...
ADUN SPEAKS | From childhood, girls and boys are taught to adhere to certain social guidelines – girls are always given dolls to play with and told to look pretty, while boys are allowed to engage in more physical activities like climbing trees and playing football.
This type of social conditioning occurs everywhere, and for most, it has become part of the norm. While human reproduction relies, for the most part, heavily on our wombs, yet policies regarding reproduction health and the choices we want to make may sometimes be denied or brushed aside as irrelevant.
The fear of being ostracised, made fun of or labelled as different may often shape how we think, whether we realise it or not. The internalisation of patriarchy is best described as a system of beliefs where women and girls accept damning stereotypes and myths to be true.
Society – both men and women - is quick to put labels on women who speak their minds, assert decisions, and dismiss us as “men-haters” when we remind them that respect goes both ways. Women who express themselves are frequently branded as overbearing, while men who do the same are viewed as assertive.
The problem with this mindset is that it perpetuates sexism and reinforces gender stereotypes resulting in many young girls and women second-guessing their abilities to lead.
It really does not help that some women continue to make censorious remarks that sabotage their own as well as other women’s and girls’ potential. Contrary to what Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s eldest daughter Nurulhidayah believes – women are born leaders, in fact, human beings are – irrespective of gender.
However, there are several factors that can develop leadership skills such as experience, determination, confidence, and other positive values that enable individuals to connect and commend.
Science has proven that while there are traits that humans are born with, there are traits that need to be further developed, such as accepting responsibility, communication skills, empathy, being motivators and understanding that life is about constantly learning.
In other words, a leader stops being an effective leader when they stop learning.
The belief that women are inferior and could not possibly lead as good as men have no place in our country or any country for that matter. Malaysia cannot afford to falter in the progressive fight to acknowledge women’s rights and recognise gender parity as social justice.
We need to address sexism and the effects of internalised patriarchy, but here is the single most important reminder for all - when speaking about it, we should not do it from a place of victimisation.
Discourse must stem from our power, our conviction and fervour. Those who undermine us are just too comfortable living in their own insecurities and fear. After all, there is a perverse comfort in putting other women down and disallowing others to break the glass ceiling.
Perhaps it is time for us to reflect on the dangers of internalised patriarchy. Questions of why we are bound to gender roles, how we can understand or even process its effects and ultimately, how to deal with it, are significant keys for us to win this battle.
If we fail to find a way out, we may find ourselves delving deeper into the hallucinations of the misappropriation of our identities.
SYERLEENA ABDUL RASHID is the state assemblyperson for Seri Delima in Penang and a member of the DAP Wanita National Executive Committee.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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