Pink and blue? - Gender stereotypes: being a WOMAN in South Africa

Gender stereotypes are those beliefs deeply ingrained in society about what women and men are like, or how they should be. They are beliefs that dictate the roles that men and women must play in the society to which they belong. Each of the countries of the world, have these useless and harmful gender stereotypes, South Africa is no exception.

South African women and girls are particularly vulnerable to these prejudices and stereotypes that they are technically forced to abide by. One of the strongest gender stereotypes present in this culture is that "the place of women is in the house, in the kitchen and taking care of children". Now, although this is a gender stereotype that can be seen in many cultures, I highly doubt that there is one in which it is so firmly rooted in the thinking of the inhabitants (both men and women) as in South Africa. This belief is so normalized in South African society that, even today and sometimes without protesting to avoid criticism or problems, girls and young women are married at an early age and end up having many children with men up to ten years older than them, without having the opportunity to even complete their studies. In fact, in South Africa, 25% of the population still believe that a boy has more rights to education than a girl.

On the other hand, what could be perhaps the worst gender stereotype present in South American society, and which I venture to assure without fear of being wrong is the root of all gender stereotypes and the implementation of gender roles in that culture. , is to consider that women in South Africa are less important, or less deserving of power, than men. There are traditional social groups and organizations in Africa that are male-centered and male-dominated. 

Afrikaner religious beliefs also include a strong emphasis on the belief that women's contributions to society must be approved or made on behalf of men and it is they who will get the credit even though it is women who do the work. As if it were not enough with having to deal with being seen as less than men, women must perform more tasks than they do with little or no remuneration. In fact, according to studies, women in South Africa produce 80%, consume 10% and own only 1% of the land.

In conclusion, we could definitely say that gender stereotypes are a huge evil that affects the healthy development in the lives of South African women and, ultimately, needs to be eradicated from the roots if what is sought is to create and promote the development of societies and cultures with gender equality in which both men and women have the same rights.