Undervaluing women’s work

Visual Aid 2.1.13:  Undervaluing women’s work

            Handout for Case Study (30 Min)

WHAT

·         Trainees discuss the current situation of the family. ·         Trainees discuss why they think Alam’s friends intervened. What do you think they observed that they were shocked? ·         What would trainees think would include changing Alam’s attitude? What is Alam’s belief system? ·         What impact would it have upon husband, wife and family? ·         Briefly discuss findings.

Changing Attitudes

Raisa is married to Alam. They have three children. Alam and their children never help Raisa around the house. She has a great deal to do every day: washing, feeding the chickens, cooking and getting the children ready for school. From 8.30 a.m. until 4p.m. Raisa works in a garment factory while Alam has a job as a security guard. When Raisa leaves work, she goes straight to the market; Alam goes home to rest or spends time visiting friends. One day Alam’s friends came to visit him. They were shocked to see Raisa working alone and how Alam shouted, pushed and treated her. The friends advised Alam to change his attitude and help his wife. Insulted, Alam at first refuses. But after many long discussions with his friends, Alam finally begins to change. In the end, Alam has become a helpmate to his wife and treats her and talks to her with respect. Sharing equally is a very necessary precondition in a stable and happy relationship.

After the discussion, summarise that gender equality is legally binding and requires significant re-thinking of our role understanding about men and women. Gender equality is based on mutual respect and clearly condemns any form of violence.