Breaking Barriers: Navigating Gender Discrimination

This topic is very interesting, and I would have enjoyed speaking about this, citing the female gender as my case study. However, the rules state that I should be myself as a case study, and I am a Man. I have experienced a lot of gender discrimination, especially when I was younger. I guess the discrimination was meant to teach me the way of life and how to act responsibly in society. As a kid, I was quite notorious as I love to explore. As a boy, I was expected to wear trousers and shorts, but I sometimes explore and wear things that belong to the opposite gender. I sometimes wear my mum's wigs; wigs were not popular den as it is now, so people who have no idea who I am might think I am a girl, lol. I did a lot of crazy stuff, like using lipstick and trying out female wear. I am glad that I was cautioned and taught right because I might have been a cross-dresser now.

Now that you know some of my crazy exploits as a kid, let us move to the real deal. To answer the question of which I have been discriminated against based on my sex?

Well, The answer is yes. I have experienced discrimination, and it happened a couple of times; however, the event that I won't forget so soon was when I lost out on a job based on my gender. It was one of the most painful moments of my career, as I was sure I would get the Job. Then during the last interview stage, I was invited for a salary negotiation. On getting to the venue, I was walked into the office of the MD, who was supposed to discuss my salary with me. He said, "i am sorry, we can not employ you as we are looking to employ a lady for gender balance in the organisation".

I felt bad after hearing this, and I think I did not handle it well because I almost cried on my way home. Having lost my previous job due to the coronavirus, I needed another paycheck source as Hive could not be relied on then and even now as I earn little from it. My soul was crushed, and my spirit was broken. That incident marked the end of my job search. Also, for the other jobs I applied for before then and got an interview, I completely ignored them and travelled to another state to stay with a friend to survive.

I learnt a lot from the singular event as I learnt and discovered a side of me I never wanted to see again, and that's the aspect of me giving up. I gave up all because of a setback and depended on another for daily bread. I never want to be in that space again. Also, that event opened my eye to the fact that a job isn't yours until you get an offer letter, and never be overconfident about something which could go sideways. Lastly, gender role is bullshit, and the best man should be given the job regardless of gender.

I will want to stop every form of discrimination, but it could be hard to accomplish, especially when you are doing it alone. However, if all tools and resources were available, I would pass a law that no man or woman should be discriminated against regarding accessing basic life or a resource. Everyone should be treated fairly regardless of their gender, and lastly, anyone instigating gender discrimination will be penalised.