Woman, 'know your place'

 

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When the Justice and Legal Affairs committee chairman, MP Samuel Chepkonga argued the case for polygamy recently and said, “Any time a man comes home with a woman, that would be assumed to be a second or third wife. Under customary law, women or wives you have married do not need to be told when you’re coming home with a second or third wife,” he did more than just dent family stability and any positive strides in women empowerment.

What is understated is the vital role a woman plays in the family set-up and statements such as this do more than warrant a mere shaking of the head. It is unbelievable that the so-called electable representatives come up with such inane and ridiculous proposals and term it, ‘all in a day’s work.’ We can guarantee that we will eternally attract ridicule in both national and international press with such announcements delivered dead-pan and assumed to be ‘intelligent’ points. Not to mention what reversal of progress we mete to humankind in general.

Possibly these other announcements are in the offing and may have missed their 15 minutes of fame.

Women will have to have spousal endorsement to further their education. It is unthinkable that women in this age are still taking education seriously as that role is a moot point in development.

Women superfluous at best

Everybody knows that leaders who drive the economy can only be men and educating the woman is superfluous at best. Any such advancement will be treading on familial duties to her husband and his children, takes her away from her primary job and as such needs his approval.  Women’s dressing will be according to what the man wants. When she is young, this duty is ascribed to the father and when she is in her husband’s house, she must consult with her husband on the intended image that she ought to portray. The number of children the family will have is a preserve of the man. The man as the head of the house will steer the course in as far as the aspect is concerned, the woman should avail herself as to meet this demand. No opinion from her is required to validate any of these key decisions.

A woman has no good reason for coming home late. Work or education engagements are not sufficient enough to merit lateness and are a threat to the family unit. Social engagements are out of the question; a weekly appearance at church is more than adequate with the requisite ideal skirt length. Alternately there are social engagements to support the man’s career, with a nod here and there in conversation. Her opinion is not needed and should only be geared to build the man up and not detract to anything that is her own endorsement. If unclear, she ought to remain at home.

It ought to be clear that the woman is as a man’s property no different from his land or livestock and as such if the man’s sees it fit to increase his property, she is to be welcoming to any new addition to the family as co-wives.

Wife beating is no more

They all serve a primary purpose; make the man happy and dissent is not welcomed.

Wife-beating is no more than putting someone in line. That is within a man’s right to stop any challenge to his opinion by the woman and will serve as a reminder to her that such behaviour is not welcome. It is obvious that a woman is no more than a bigger version of a child and correction is not only essential but a must.  Sounds simple enough.

Alexis is a healthcare professional.