Ugrc 230 - Gender and Culture Baidoo Armah Joseph 10852150 Q1

UGRC 230 - GENDER AND CULTURE
BAIDOO ARMAH JOSEPH
10852150
Q1
Over the years, major discriminatory acts have been linked to culture in the African
society. Despite the importance of culture in the typical African context, the
imbalance of its discriminatory and stereotypical views cannot be overlooked. Some
of these cultural practices which show gender inequality in the African society
include; chieftancy appointments in local villages, decision making in a typical
African home, the role of women in the house, FGM and the Trokosi system,
discriminatory widowhood rites, sharing of inheritance and many more. These
practices see women as the dominant victims and through the acts, show gender
inequality. However, legal and policy reforms such as Criminal Amendment Acts
against FGM and Trokosi, establishment of Domestic units and others have been put
in place in order to curb indiscriminate cultural practices and promote gender equality
as it should be. However, the question which arises from this is that; to what extent
have these reforms gone to in order to promote equality?
For a start, the establishment of policy reforms such as the education of the girl child
has created a certain balance where both boys and girls can be educated and be given
equal opportunities to develop their potentials according to Jonathan Turner (1997).
Culturally, the African society confines girls to the home to undertake reproductive
roles and girls are generally ignored. With the education of the girl child, girls have
been able to match head to head with boys and have occupied prominent positions in
the society. Many women occupy seats in parliamentary houses in Africa and also
many notable companies have women as CEOs. This shows the extent to which
reforms have reached in promoting equality.
One way reforms have been able to greatly promote gender equality and to a great
extent is the establishment of domestic units such as WAJU. In local societies where
culture is dominant, most women are not allowed to own properties. Also when the
husband dies, the wife is usually forced to undergo vicious widowhood rites which
may affect the victim mentally. Men are not obliged or forced to go through such acts.
The introduction of WAJU has gone to a great extent to eliminate most of these
practices. Now, a woman can decide to undergo widowhood rites and will have
domestic units at her back. Offenders who try to force them are prosecuted and
severely punished. This has promoted gender equality. Women now also have the
rights to own properties and have fair shares of the deceased husband’s property
through the PNDC amendment act.
The introduction of Criminal Amendement Act Law of 1985 (PNDC 111) of 1994
and 1998 which criminalizes Female Genital Mutilation and the Trokosi System has
also seen a curb in gender inequality and a surge in equality. Criminalizing these acts
means that women will not be forced and mistreated into doing things against their
wills. In the contemporary African society where laws are against these practices,
offenders are jailed and put behind bars for long times. This has clearly deterred
others from treating women and girls the way they have been treated in recent history.
In conclusion, it can be seen that the policy and legal reforms have gone a great deal
to promote gender equality which is prominent in our modern day Africa. Even
though much work need to be done, these reforms have started a good course and
progress is being made.

Q3
In the contemporary world, members of a community share views which are highly
influenced by an array of pervasive information. Culture become more dynamic with
increasing information accessible to us at any time. One broad way of gaining
information is by popular culture. Popular culture is an aspect of culture that has a
universal appeal. Popular culture, through its many branches, has become a great
influence on the way we think. Due to its popularity, the media has become the main
example of popular culture which promotes gender stereotypes typically against
women and hence endangers them.
One way through which popular culture promotes stereotypical views aginst women
is by social media. Social media as an example of popular culture and due to its
liability, false information are dominant on its platform. Many views are false and
very much endangers the people especially women. For instance, the social media is
full of stories of women who have led unfaithful lives with their husbands. News like
this have sparked the stereotypical view that most women are cheats. Also stories of
women being raped are neglected and attributed to indecent dressing among them.
Since Ghanaian culture frown on western culture, people tend to neglect these
accusations. This causes women to be more exposed to these criminal acts
Another way through which popular culture promotes stereotypical views and
endangers women is through the production of movies. In a typical local movie, old
women are usually portrayed as witches and cause harm. These witches as portrayed
in the movies have no good intention and cause destruction in the community. Due to
this old women in the community are accused of witchcraft and are either banished to
witch camps or even killed. This causes worry among worry as they age and even
cause depression in some. Due to popular culture, this stereotype endangers women
and puts them in a position where they can be harmed
Finally one way popular culture promotes stereotype and endangers women is through
the television. The television is an effective way to reach out to the general masses in
a community. In TV productions, men are usually casted as dominant features in the
contemporary homes with women as helps. In movies and arts, women are usually
given roles that show minority and are forced to accept decisions men make. In some
instances men beat their wives and go free. All these contribute immensely to the
stereotype that women are inferior to men and that men are the dominant features in
the local homes. This endangers women and increases gender inequality in the
contemporary African setting, where more efforts are being put in place to promote
gender equality and justice.

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UGRC 230 - GENDER AND CULTURE

BAIDOO ARMAH JOSEPH

imbalance of its discriminatory and stereotypical views cannot be overlooked. Some

include; chieftancy appointments in local villages, decision making in a typical

discriminatory widowhood rites, sharing of inheritance and many more. These

have these reforms gone to in order to promote equality?

equal opportunities to develop their potentials according to Jonathan Turner (1997).

reforms have reached in promoting equality.

through the PNDC amendment act.

progress is being made.

influenced by an array of pervasive information. Culture become more dynamic with

increasing information accessible to us at any time. One broad way of gaining

information is by popular culture. Popular culture is an aspect of culture that has a

example of popular culture which promotes gender stereotypes typically against

women and hence endangers them.

accusations. This causes women to be more exposed to these criminal acts

and puts them in a position where they can be harmed

a community. In TV productions, men are usually casted as dominant features in the

gender equality and justice.

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