When Women Earn More Than Men

Last week, America celebrated Equal Pay Day in order to raise awareness about how much women earn in comparison to men. For every N$5,89 a man earned, a woman only received N$1,13, prompting an investigation into the unequal gender pay gap. Although it is not necessarily the same in Namibia, more men are said to take top positions in the country.

In general, it is quite difficult for women to obtain top spots in the industry, as women are constantly blamed for being ‘too emotional’ or ‘unable to think rationally in stressful situations’.

There is no doubt that women are often underestimated. But what happens when the tables turn and the woman earns more than her partner in a relationship? Why does it cause such a stir in the family?

Helena Nakanyala says it’s all about their status as upholding the household.

‘Men are usually known to be, and want to be, the providers and breadwinners in a household/relationship. I don’t think it’s a big issue if a woman earns more than her man, but it might affect the man’s confidence as he might feel he can’t fully provide for his woman, especially if people outside the relationship find out. There are also (a few) women who earn more than their men and make it a point to constantly remind them – that can easily ruin a relationship.’

And to note, there are positives and negatives to this situation.

For some couples, a woman would give their money to her partner and make sure he manages it as long as she can access that money whenever it is possible. Other couples prefer to create a joint bank account where they both manage their money, despite who earns more.

Various studies have shown that finances have been one of the main reasons of divorce because of the lack of management and agreement in terms of what should and should not be bought.

For Kondja Shaimemanya, there’s no issue at all if his girl has a little more in her pocket than he does. ‘I feel no threat from a woman who earns more than me,’ he said. ‘

Most of us Africans have been conditioned to think that it’s not traditional/allowed for women to earn more, which I find rather ridiculous.

Some dudes just have bruised egos towards a woman who earns more than them, hence the name calling and all the other nonsensical things dudes do while some women, on the other hand, also make it a point to shame you about how much less you earn at every single interval.’

Unfortunately, money seems to equal power in some relationships. Because the person earns more money than their partner, it gives them the idea that they ‘own’ the relationship or they wear the pants in the relationship, opening the door to slandering or abusing their partner, which is not right.

Society has conditioned most people to think it is ‘wrong’ for the women to earn more than her husband, otherwise he will be shamed for not being a provider or leeching off his wife.

As Petrus Iipinge says, ‘if a woman earns more than the man, everybody will know it!’

So how do we curb this issue?

Well, it depends on the couple. If they are comfortable with the woman earning more than her boyfriend or husband, then they can always split the finances in a way that will be beneficial to both, the same way it would be if the man earned just as much. After all, the fight for equality among men and women is a battle that has yet to be won.

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