The Myth of Male Privilege

Today is March 8, Happy International Women’s Day. There are some matters I want to talk about, first, on this day all they do is spread misinformation about women being oppressed and they paint it like men have it easy.

Now let’s see in detail:- We always hear women’s institutions and feminists saying that they work for equality which type of equality are they talking about?

Let’s see our country Ethiopia

What rights do men have and women don’t in Ethiopia? As far as I am concerned women and girls get special support and affirmative action in educational institutions and the labor force. Girls get affirmative action in schools they pass exams with easy effort while thousands of men fail to get the same marks as women.

Is it true that feminists and women’s rights institutions say men have it easy in Ethiopia? Let’s see in detail:-

If a man suffers from violence which institution will help him in Ethiopia? None zero. Domestic violence is seen as a gendered crime and in Ethiopia there is a perception that only women suffer from domestic violence and women also don’t commit violence. We should change this perception and advocate for male victims of violence too.

If men get raped which institution will help them in Ethiopia? None zero. Rape against men is a taboo issue in Ethiopia and society will shame, insult, and ridicule male victims of rape and violence. And also the definition of rape in Ethiopia is also wrong, the perception is a man penetrates a woman forcefully that’s the definition of rape, if a woman gets a man drunk or takes advantage of a man who is drunk and has sex with him that will not be considered rape. if a woman sleeps with under age boy it will not be considered rape because the definition is “penetration”. Rape is not only having sex but also forcefully kissing, touching, and grabbing is also rape. Men have additional struggles they don’t speak up when they suffer from violence and rape because of shame, stigma, and toxic masculinity. So, we should change the perception and definition of rape.

Men commit suicide more than women which institution helps men in terms of mental health in Ethiopia? None zero. At least there is awareness about about women’s mental and overall health including funds while there is no provision for men. Men also face another problem they suppress their emotions to confirm society’s perception of masculinity. We should breach societies, culture, and religion’s perception of what a man is or what masculinity is and we should strive towards a society in which men can express their emotions and feelings.

Also Read: Shemgelena ( ሽምግልና)

Prostate cancer kills more men than women yet women get all the health funds. In Ethiopia, there is a free cancer checkup for women and also there are funds but there are no funds even free check-ups for prostate cancer. We should also change this and make it fair.

Sexual Assault– Many men grew up being sexually assaulted without even knowing that it was assault. In Ethiopia, studies only carried out on sexual assault against women so people think only women suffer. Studies should also be carried out on sexual assault against men, otherwise, no one knows how many men suffer from assault. This is also should be changed.

Men from childhood are expected to be successful, they are expected to make more money than women, be more successful, and take more responsibilities from an early age, which can cause anxiety and depression. Men are also expected to be tough and not to cry or show any emotions which can cause mental health problems including suicide.

We should change society, culture, and religious perceptions so that these responsibilities will be shared by both men and women. Men and boys shouldn’t be expected or forced to be a breadwinner or successful or make more money than a woman instead it should be said that both men and women should be successful and provide for their home. Men and boys shouldn’t be expected to be tough or not to cry also they should be encouraged to show emotions weakness and vulnerability.

What feminists and women’s rights institutions who claim to work for equality have done for men and boys in terms of the above issues? Nothing. Equality for them is working and tackling women’s and girls’ problems only.

Solutions:- Men and boys need their national day and institutions that work for men and boys’ rights and well-being.