Gender and Our Society

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I went to class some weeks back. I already had in mind to write about gender due my dissatisfaction on a course I took earlier on. I have noticed gender inequality in the combat for gender equality in my generation. Two male colleagues made an interesting comment about poor male representation in certain fields of life and if I wanted proof of it, I should look at the number of men and women who were present for the class on that day. In a total of about 50 students, there were ten young men present in our midst in a law class. In my opinion, a portion of representation issues in fields of employment especially has got to do with interests of people and simply, inequity.

To the main issue

The Rome Statute stipulates in article 7(3) that the term “gender” refers to the two sexes, male and female, within the context of society. [The term “gender” does not indicate any meaning different from the above.] We automatically as part of identification, specify who a person is based on the sex. However, there is more to a person than his/her sex. I always say that, we are humans before our gender and everything else, and that is what should matter. As to this reason both sexes deserve equal treatment. It is amazing how women’s rights have been fought for, neglecting that of men. All women’s rights activism is on the basis of emotions and what women feel is wrong being done to them and therefore needs to change. It is absolutely reasonable and just to fight for your inalienable rights and human dignity. However, society fails to look at it from the perspective of men how much they are being supressed daily as well because, as a man it is part of your characteristics to be strong, to forbear everything unpleasant, to keep everything inside, not to complain nor cry even when it hurts most. There are men who will even disagree with what is being said now because their thoughts have been shaped to accept some of these displeasures and live with it.

If honesty will be applied, there are women who engage in the most heinous crimes. If we should look at gender based crimes like rape, sexual violence, sexual harassment, sexual slavery and forced prostitution, there are tons of women who commit these crimes against men and their fellow women. Most of such cases are left unprosecuted because a proportion of men do not report it due to shame and fear of being ridiculed and the rest is left with the question of ‘who will even believe me’? I firmly believe that as we are giving rise to the voice of women in the society, we should take a careful look at the rights of men especially that of freedom of expression to ensure that even on all levels, gender equality is being promoted rightly. It does not make a man less of a man to take the right action when his inherent rights are infringed.

Scriptures have it in Genesis 1:27 that God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. The word hu denotes gender neutralism moving away to the person inside the gender. It is wrong if a woman will be paid attention to on emotional matters, psychological matters and social matters whiles we believe the male gender does not need such equal attention because we think men are emotionally and mentally strong and rooted than women. The same blood runs through their veins and the same heart lies within their chest. As we promote gender equality, we should promote equality in treatment and equity in opportunities and representation. I will conclude with the remark that there have been several abuse and inferiorization of women for centuries now which we cannot turn a blind eye to, however we should quit being gender biased. No sex matters more than the other or is superior in any matters of life over the other. With the male and female gender, we are meant to rule this world peacefully together according to each other’s strengths. Advocacy is being done on the national, regional and international level to secure our rights. It should be done right and should begin from our various homes with how we raise our boys and girls and treat our men and women with love, kindness, fairness and transparency with the understanding that as humans, we deserve to be treated equally.

COVID-19 as biological terrorism

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COVID-19 is seen as a global health issue and almost everyone’s mind captures it as a pandemic, meanwhile the world at the moment is in a state of fear and anxiety. Everyone is taking all the necessary precautions to ensure his or her health safety.  Knowledge is advancing and the essence of science is manipulated into being used by others for criminal activities. Before the outbreak of coronavirus in Wuhan, there had been predictions and statements of certainty about the outbreak  several years back. The predictions of this man-made virus were considered as mere statements until it caught us by surprise.

I personally refuse to see this health situation merely as a pandemic but a criminal activity and terrorist attack by biological means, for whatever the purpose is. Whatever that is happening is a crime against humanity per the ICC Statute’s definition in article 7. This pandemic is a ‘widespread and systematic attack directed against civilian population, with knowledge of the attack’. It is an ‘inhumane act which intentionally causes great suffering, or serious injury to body or to mental or physical health’.  Clearly, less light has been shed on biological terrorism. Had it been the likes of 9/11 attack in America which brought a wake-up call to the world and international communities, it would have been quickly recognised. Apparently, biological terrorism is out of the ordinary and the known specific international law signed and ratified by states is the Biological Weapons Convention which prohibits the ‘use of such agents or toxins for hostile purposes’ by State parties. Surprisingly, the United Nations Security Council which has the primary function of maintenance of peace and security is missing in action but the General Assembly has passed a resolution on the pandemic which Antonio Guterres describes as ‘the most challenging crisis we have faced since the Second World War’. No country has accepted culpability yet because the situation seems to be a blame battle between two permanent members of the Security Council.

According to Customary International Law, four elements should be met for a terrorist act to occur in peacetime. There should be an ‘intent of the underlying crime’ (releasing the virus in this case), a ‘special intent to spread fear and coerce authority’, there should be a ‘commission of a criminal act’ and that ‘terrorist act should be transnational’. The virus began in Wuhan and has spread to 208 countries at the moment which fulfils the transnational element. We have seen governments coerced to close down borders, execute travel bans, shut down sources of income and institutions, as precautionary measures to contain the spread. Obviously, there is no bomb which has exploded neither have throats been slaughtered, but lives are being taken in a different method, as effective as possible. People advanced in age and others with underlying health conditions, respiratory problems especially, fear for their lives because they estimate their chances of survival should they be infected. This and other circumstances incite fear into the hearts and minds of the world’s citizens.

Our world has to rise and be aware. A must-learn lesson for states after this pandemic is to invest and be resourceful in medical health systems. On the other hand, this generation and the next generations of scientists, international and criminal lawyers, investigative journalists, decision-makers, concerned (international) organisations and other bodies should pay critical attention to biological terrorism, it should not always slip away. Evidences are out there, although legally immaterial at the moment to punish this heinous crime. An issue is the fact that the animal source of the virus remains a mystery to our scientists and makes expert evidence inconclusive. I am wondering whether a tribunal or international court can ever be set up, or any existing court shall try such cases to end this impunity.

A friend of mine always says that, God is not the architect of misfortunes, not even the ones he permits. Isaiah 54:17 states that, no weapon formed against us shall prosper and every tongue which rises against us in judgement should be condemned.  Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but MIGHTY THROUGH GOD FOR THE PULLING DOWN OF STRONGHOLDS. COVID-19 is a man-made virus and a weapon fulfilling the intents of unknown perpetrators. It will be for the greater good if we all shall vent in prayer to God. We cannot be adamant as believers for evil to prevail. Neither should we compensate ourselves with the mortality rate. It is 5th April as I write and 66,502 adults and children have lost their lives, yet we underestimate the scale of the virus by its mortality rate.

We have witnessed the impact of the virus on human rights, especially on the right to life. There are videos of people commiting suicide due to the loss of their loved ones. The mental health of people are being disturbed due to lockdown which has restricted freedom of movement and association. There are loss of jobs almost everywhere and it is another issue for people who live in countries where social security systems do not function. Our faith ought to be practiced in a different manner now. Education ministries are still figuring out how to help students pursue their visions. The list of its effects can keep on going. However, there is nothing which is standing tall or low in the physical realm, that was not first implemented in the spiritual realm. The world needs to come together and pray for God’s intervention. Particularly as a believer of Christ Jesus, I urge us to pray by our vested authority and pull down the stronghold of this virus. Further compel God by the reason of the blood of Jesus which speaks better things than Abel’s (judgement) and the cross which is the arena of salvation and liberty unto mankind. Emphatically, this is not the will of God. If human intelligence is unable to solve this pandemic, with God nothing is impossible.

To end with, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 incites that God is still in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself. This is a moment of reconciliation to (re)dedicate our lives to God. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Until then, I decree and declare that you and I will not be part of the COVID-19’s statistics. Stay safe, be still in your heart and protect your mental health.