Gender Equality Does Not Connote Competition- Kehinde Salawu

Alhaja Kehinde Salawu,  The Desk Officer for Gender, NYSC Osun State , has stated that gender equality does not connote competition between both genders. 

She made this known during the lecture on Gender issues at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede on Tuesday.

While addressing the 2021 Batch C, stream 1  Corps Members she stated that both males and females are affected by gender issues. She simply defines gender as sex, that is the biological way in which one is born, either male or female. 

The lecture was targeted at creating a balance between  issues affecting both genders. She further spoke on gender roles, saying that gender roles in the society means how we are expected to act, speak, dress, groom, and conduct ourselves based upon our assigned sex. 

"For example, girls and women are generally expected to dress in typically feminine ways and be polite, accommodating, and nurturing" - she added.

She stated that these roles can be changed and  equal rights attained, starting from the home and then to the public sector. According to her, gender equality does not connote competition between both genders but equal and appropriate representation in politics, education and leadership.

She urged corps members to sensitize the communities in their  various places of primary assignment to promote gender equality in education and politics. She also added that Corps members should take up the responsibility of educating female indigenes on the importance of good nutrition, education, health, and also  campaign against sexual harassment and female genital mutilation.

She concluded by encouraging corps members to be sensitive and concerned about issues relating to gender role and equality, stating that this a common issue that affects us all.