The Contradiction: A Gender Perspective on Property Ownership

During the nbc news bulletin of 3 October there was a report on the handover of houses at Oshikuku.
As much as women’s access to housing was praised, men were being castigated for their lack of drive to own houses, and should apparently ‘man up’.

In recent years, there has been a commendable push towards gender equality and empowerment, with a specific focus on women gaining access to property ownership.

This recognises the importance of providing women with secure assets, not just for their own financial security, but also as a means to challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes.

However, amid this noble pursuit, an interesting contradiction has emerged in some quarters. It is now being suggested that men, too, should focus on owning houses.

While on the surface this may seem like a harmless proposition, it raises questions about the irony and double standards inherent in such a shift.

The irony lies in the fact that women have in the past often been denied the opportunity to own property, and the recent progress should rightfully be celebrated. But suggesting that men should now take centre stage in property ownership could undermine the progress made in promoting women’s rights in this regard.

Moreover, the double standards become evident when we consider the implications of this shift. It implies that property ownership is inherently more valuable when it pertains to men.

Such a notion contradicts the very principles of gender equality and equal opportunity. It also risks perpetuating outdated stereotypes that associate masculinity with property ownership, while undermining the significance of women achieving the same.

Instead of framing property ownership as a gendered issue, it is crucial to maintain a focus on equal access and opportunities for all.

Encouraging both men and women to pursue property ownership is a progressive step, as long as it is not done at the expense of the hard-won gains in gender equality.

Rather than pitting one gender against the other in the property ownership arena, let us strive for a society where both men and women can achieve their property ownership goals without facing contradictory expectations or double standards.

Albert Tjaronda