The task of ensuring that we build a society that is wholesome is one of the major reasons we must be deliberate in working towards changing an archaic narrative. These narrative must be changed, hence, the attainment of a wholesome society might be far from us. Therefore, as society builders, it is our crucial responsibility to ensure that we get to that level where our thinking is refined and revamped, different from what used to be.
Yes, we want emancipation for the women, and in this world of technological advancement, it is even easier to be involved in massive literacy, with the help of the mass media.
This education must cut across all sectors of the society. And that is why it is vital for our women to have financial literacy.
In order to avoid the presentation of errors of reasoning, it is sacrosanct to point here, that there are women who have been liberated by financial literacy. Although the percentage is low, but instead of blaming the society for being responsible for this misfortune, it is advisable for us to understand that we have dwell too long on blaming the society. What we should be looking at is how we can effectively bring about a visible change in the narrative.
It is not an overemphasis to say that women have less financial knowledge and lower access to financial products than men, and that is why it is necessary for women to be given specific and additional financial literacy.
Yes, it is the primary duty of women to give birth, but it is also their duty to make important decisions about the allocation of household resources, to have a major role in the transmission of financial habits and skills to their children. Hence, there is a need for an adequate and comprehensive financial education for the women, not only for themselves but also for future generations.
Due to the historical advantage, women have a weaker labour market position compared to men. In 2011, on average across OECD countries, 60% of women workforce compared to the 72% of men, in a world where there is likely more women than men.
The world is moving from that point where it is the sole responsibility of the man to provide financially for his home. Besides, I don’t think I have ever hated anything like this notion. This notion has made a lot of women to remain incapacitated, financially. If it is just their incapacitation, I wouldn’t be so angry. It is because that has turned them into beggars, and that, alone, has reduced the prestige of many women. Instead of them to look for a way to settle their financial needs, they look up to their men as if these men are ATMs.
It is very vital to state here that, unless women work hard to split paying of bills and make responsibilities mutually inclusive, the move for an equal society will not be achieved.
We must necessarily raise our daughters to know that financial responsibility is not the duty of a particular gender. Rather, it should be a shared responsibility, or whoever has more should shoulder financial responsibility in marriages/relationships, as this will reduce the pressure on the men about them proving their worth as men.
Women need to develop and manage their entrepreneurial activities, hence the need for their financial education. It is this Education that will bring about their emancipation which will in turn increase their self-worth.
Listen to this: It is good to teach our women to be chaste, good home tenders/builders, but that is not enough. Raising our daughters to see the payment of bills as a crucial duty that both genders perform will be very helpful, that is because WOMEN NEED FINANCIAL EDUCATION FOR THEIR EMANCIPATION.
Written by Faith Ote Uchara
Very educative