Attitude of Superiority Hinders  Women’s Growth, says Minister Kumar

Male chauvinism is so deeply rooted in our society that it contradicts the support for women empowerment.

Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Premila Kumar shared this to women at the Labasa Civic Center at the commemoration for the International Women’s Day (IWD) and Women in Education Leadership function on Saturday.

Ms Kumar said while most men of this generation claimed to be free of any sexist prejudices against women, there were a few things they still unknowingly did that contradicted their support for women because chauvinism was rooted in our patriarchal society.

She said the root of disrespect towards women begins at home and transcended to work places where much of the discrimination happened as women are mistreated every day in the office, in the community and in their own home.

International Women’s Day

Minister Kumar said International Women’s Day provided a platform for women to share their rich stories and perspectives from their unique experiences over the years.

“Women’s struggles should be treated equally, free from domestic violence and gender-based violence.”

Women teachers

Women in Business President Dr Nur Bano Ali was grateful to the Minister and the Permanent Secretary for Education Dr Anjeela Jokhan for the initiative and the opportunity for women in education to share their experiences as leaders.

“This is the first time the Ministry of Education has done this for women teachers,”Dr Ali said.

“We are much empowered ourselves to be able to come and share our own experiences so that we can take them out of their lack of confidence, and become who they really can become.

“Teachers are very important as they are our educators.

“They educate me, you, our children and educate our future leaders, but they’re not given that importance,”she said.

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