AS the world observes the annual 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, a crucial period dedicated to advocating for the prevention and elimination of violence, this year’s call to action compels us to look beyond immediate acts of violence and examine the insidious, often unacknowledged societal undercurrents that perpetuate gender inequality and, by extension, vulnerability to violence.
The days were marked under the theme “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls”.
One such fundamental yet frequently overlooked impediment is what Michael Gerson terms the “soft bigotry of low expectations” (SBLE) — a phenomenon wherein lower standards are subtly imposed upon particular communities, often based on stereotypes, thereby curtailing their inherent potential.
In the context of gender, this soft bigotry manifests in myriad ways, quietly but effectively reinforcing restrictive gender roles and expectations for both women and men, ultimately hindering true gender equity and contributing to systemic injustices, notably in nations like Zimbabwe.
The pervasive nature of SBLE is particularly evident when examining the gendered division of labour and career aspirations. For generations, traditional societal norms have dictated that women are inherently less skilled in fields such as mathematics and science.
This unfounded belief, a prime example of SBLE, directly translates into lower expectations for girls in STEM-related careers, systematically guiding them away from rapidly expanding technological sectors.
As technological progress increasingly shifts employment trends towards science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the gender disparity in these critical areas becomes further exacerbated, leaving women perpetually behind.
This quiet acceptance of societal norms that limit girls’ abilities not only curtails individual potential but also deprives nations of invaluable talent and innovation.
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Consequently, we witness the pervasive underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions across boardrooms, politics, and government, despite women constituting approximately 52% of the global population.
The tragic reality is that the talents, skills, and capabilities of women are consistently underutilised in almost every professional field, a direct consequence of these ingrained, often subconscious, biases.
Furthermore, the soft bigotry extends to assumptions about women’s life priorities. There is an unspoken societal expectation that women inherently place family over career aspirations, leading to their professional ambition being frequently underestimated or even dismissed.
This narrative subtly diminishes their agency and contribution outside the domestic sphere.
Paradoxically, women are often recognised and commended for merely completing routine tasks — whether it is compiling reports at work or managing numerous household responsibilities — actions that should, in a truly equitable society, be considered part of the daily routine for all adults.
This dual expectation, where women shoulder both professional and domestic burdens, is a clear manifestation of the double burden, hindering their advancement and well-being.
However, the “soft bigotry of low expectations” is not solely a burden borne by women; it also profoundly impacts men, albeit in different, equally restrictive ways. A significant double standard persists in the expectation that men should be less nurturing, less emotionally expressive, and less skilled in caregiving tasks.
This entrenched belief, rooted in hegemonic masculinity, dictates a narrow definition of what it means to be a “man”, often equating masculinity solely with economic provision and emotional stoicism.
Far too few acknowledge the intrinsic importance of gender equality in relation to the economy and household duties, viewing these as solely women’s realms. Consequently, men continue to operate within a society that imposes specific, often stifling, rules on their identity, role, and responsibilities.
The message men often receive is one of unwavering strength and provision, rather than multifaceted human experience.
Therefore, for true gender equality, men need to hear a different message — not a reprimand, but permission. Permission to transcend the rigid confines of traditional masculinity; permission to embrace caregiving roles, to demonstrate their competence and emotional depth in these areas, just like the women in their lives.
Concurrently, women should also be encouraged to critically rethink how they imagine and value men in their lives, moving beyond outdated stereotypes of male roles.
If society collectively assumes that men inherently lean towards leadership roles, for instance, it inadvertently overlooks and diminishes what women can achieve, perpetuating a glass ceiling that operates on both sides of the gender divide.
True equality between men and women, therefore, necessitates a profound cultural shift and a proactive movement among men themselves to dismantle the restrictive gender roles that society often imposes upon them.
This means creating a future where boys are taught to dream big about their future careers, whether they aspire to be full-time fathers, kindergarten teachers, or investment bankers, all on an equal scale of societal value and respect.
It entails shifting the focus from making provision for a family exclusively about monetary gain to valuing time spent with family more profoundly, recognising caregiving as a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling life for all genders.
This intricate dance of power and vulnerability underscores that gender is not a one-sided problem for women alone, but a complex interaction where both men and women can face disadvantages.
Perpetuating gender stereotypes and reinforcing restrictive gender roles and expectations ultimately harms everyone. This “soft bigotry” often leads to self-fulfilling prophecies: lower expectations can result in reduced effort and, consequently, reduced achievement for both men and women in their respective “non-traditional” spheres.
The ongoing existence of gender disparities and inequality continues to impede social and economic progress worldwide. While for over half a century, women have been at the forefront, pushing society to move away from traditional views on what women desire and their capabilities, it is unequivocally time to extend this same transformative effort to men.
We must collectively strive to make being a dedicated “family man” just as celebrated and conventionally masculine as adhering to the traditional, archetypal notion of a “provider”. The implications of this “soft bigotry of low expectations” are acutely felt in countries such as Zimbabwe, where socio-economic challenges often exacerbate existing gender inequalities and contribute directly to the prevalence of gender-based violence.
In Zimbabwe, traditional patriarchal structures remain deeply entrenched, often reinforced by economic hardships.
When households face financial strain, the pressure on men to solely provide can become overwhelming, sometimes leading to frustrated expressions of power and control, tragically manifesting as domestic violence.
Concurrently, women, who are disproportionately affected by poverty and lack of access to resources, often find their negotiating power diminished, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and violence.
The soft bigotry here reinforces the idea that women’s primary role is domestic, limiting their access to education, economic opportunities, and leadership positions, despite constitutional provisions aiming for gender parity.
For instance, while Zimbabwe has made strides in legal frameworks, the practical implementation of gender-sensitive policies remains a challenge.
Women’s representation in political spheres, though incrementally improving, still lags behind the 50% target, reflecting an underlying SBLE that subtly questions their leadership capabilities and suitability for public office.
Furthermore, issues such as child marriage, while not unique to Zimbabwe, persist in some communities, often fuelled by deeply ingrained low expectations for girls – viewing them as economic burdens or assets to be married off, rather than individuals with full potential deserving of education and self-determination.
These practices are direct affronts to girls’ bodily autonomy and agency, trapping them in cycles of poverty and violence.
The 16 Days of Activism theme, “Invest to Prevent Violence”, therefore, compels us to invest not just in shelters and legal aid, but fundamentally in dismantling the very gender norms and expectations that SBLE propagates.
Preventing violence requires transforming mindsets, challenging the narratives that limit women’s aspirations and constrain men’s emotional and caregiving capacities.
It means fostering environments where boys are encouraged to be emotionally intelligent and respectful, and girls are empowered to lead and innovate without fear of judgment based on their gender.
- Nyawo is a development practitioner, writer and public speaker. These weekly New Perspectives articles, published in the Zimbabwe Independent, are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe. — [email protected] or +263 772 382 852.
