THE PHALLOCRACY QUESTION; A FEMINIST ANSWER

 “Our enemy isn’t man but phallocracy; that is, the imperialism of the phallus” (Fouque 1987: 52)

This text borrowed from the introduction of Dani Cavallaro’s ‘French Feminist Theory’ (2003) shall form the basis for my discussion today. Slightly a week ago, I happened to attend some interview where 9 out of the 10 interview panelists were men. While I am not one to be intimidated by men, still I thought to myself: wow, this process is probably going to be centered on a male point of view, poor female me! While the little girl inside me told me to maintain a smiley face throughout and keep off any gender political stances to be on the safe side, the much more mature woman in me preferred that I focus on the professional bit of the process and forget the glaring display of androcracy in the room. I cannot recall which direction I took but what I know is that I gave up even before they had asked me any question. I faced the reality of women having to put in thrice more effort than men to convince anyone that they are competent. I cringed at the thought of any of them asking how I would manage to balance between PMS (pre-menstrual stress) and my job or that sort of thing; luckily for me no such ludicrous questions came my way but the structure of the entire process served me my very first dose of the so called ‘glass ceiling’ that prevents most women from advancing in their careers or otherwise; that is, the imperialism of the phallus.

‘Phallocracy’ simply put means ‘a government controlled by men’. From there the trend trickles down to other structures in the society- including the social ones and in the end it creates a complex male-based structure that formulates and implements policies that are based on the male way of doing things; a structure that primarily believes in male dominance and female subordination. The system which dates way back is the problem then, men are just serving it continuity. While the law is said to be a double- edged sword, phallocracy on the other hand is a single- edged sword; only cutting in ways that suit the already existent andro- system. Women therefore have to find some sort of way to work around this system- the whole thing about always ‘being sweet, helpful, looking beautiful at all times and shutting up’. Well, many women are not complaining, seeing as the same system is the judge and jury here.

The African gender socialization process championed by our largely patriarchal social structures nurtures women to accept the system as the appropriate- to accept the fact that the male is the superior while the female is inferior, vulnerable even and can only be saved by the male should he choose to do so. Once the ‘inferior’ and ‘vulnerable’ fears have been properly implanted into the female psyche through a process of specified discriminative gender roles that relegate women to the position of serving men, discriminative language (phrases like’acha umama’) and denial of economic and educational opportunities, phallocracy then fits in nicely promising ‘protection’ and ‘providence’ to the female and the result is women who are totally arrested in the position of the ‘second sex’. Any person who tries to go against this is seen as an enemy of both genders, so to speak. While a lot of rhetoric is going around about how women are ‘fully empowered’ in the modern African societies, the reality on the ground is heartbreaking. While there is commendable progress especially in the education and legal sectors, a lot still needs to be done to change the mentality of both genders. You can empower women with all the tools of emancipation but subjecting them to the same Stone Age system that still subverts them to positions of subservience is pointless.

When Hon. Martha Karua decided to have her name on the ballot box in the Kenyan Presidential elections in 2013, there was a lot to be said about her, and much had nothing to do with her leadership capabilities. Both women and men were guilty on this one. The men were of course unsettled with her kind of boldness and intelligence while the women had to deal with the guilt of not showing solidarity with ‘one of their own’, confirming the notion that ‘women are their own worst enemies’ a false phrase coined by a smart man to make women not to just fear men, but fear themselves too. What am I driving at? Well when it comes to women, the question of their gender always has to crop up. You are seen first as a woman, then your title or competencies next. You will never hear of terms such as ‘male M.P’, ‘male president’ etc but in the case of women, your competencies cannot be recognized before first being reminded about your position in society, that of a woman. The society cannot therefore claim to have achieved human civility if gender still supersedes individuality. People should be treated as independent individuals without any gender undertones that serve to discriminate them.

While men and women are creatures with distinct differences, physical that is, this should not serve as a tool for gender inequalities in society. I refuse to believe that it is ‘a man’s world’; even then, this shouldn’t mean that the condition is perpetual. Men and women need each other in many ways and this co-existence can further be improved if both genders work towards eliminating the androgynous system that is a hindrance to human development. Men have to appreciate the fact that none of us is ‘a threat’ to their existence. The fear that liberated women will wipe out the entire male species has to be done away with and women included in all structures unconditionally, based on their competencies just as their male counterparts. Unless women are placed in positions where they can influence major decisions that affect society, we shall continue being subjected to male perspectives and policies that do not necessarily conform to the dynamics of female emancipation. Let’s embrace differences dictated to us by nature but use the nurturing process to enhance unity and harmonious co-existence of both genders through inclusivity and fair treatment in all aspects of life. While feminism works towards ensuring an equitable society for the benefit of all genders and tackles the bigger picture of human development, phallocracy on the other hand seeks to go against human civilization and development of the society as a whole and eliminating it not optional, it is mandatory. Thus:

“Our enemy isn’t man but phallocracy; that is, the imperialism of the phallus” (Fouque 1987: 52)

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A friend of mine debated on whether this piece or a similar one could be published in any local dailies based on content. We both agreed that it could not, well, all Editors of the major newspapers are male and I doubt if phallocracy rings any bells to them. They would rather run a whole spread poking fun at how a certain female leader was battered by her male counterpart and whether she has ‘learnt her lesson’. No hard questions asked about the criminality of the male leader’s actions or the kind of example his gutting actions set. Do not ask me why I do not read local newspapers anymore.

            

 “Our enemy isn’t man but phallocracy; that is, the imperialism of the phallus” (Fouque 1987: 52)

This text borrowed from the introduction of Dani Cavallaro’s ‘French Feminist Theory’ (2003) shall form the basis for my discussion today. Slightly a week ago, I happened to attend some interview where 9 out of the 10 interview panelists were men. While I am not one to be intimidated by men, still I thought to myself: wow, this process is probably going to be centered on a male point of view, poor female me! While the little girl inside me told me to maintain a smiley face throughout and keep off any gender political stances to be on the safe side, the much more mature woman in me preferred that I focus on the professional bit of the process and forget the glaring display of androcracy in the room. I cannot recall which direction I took but what I know is that I gave up even before they had asked me any question. I faced the reality of women having to put in thrice more effort than men to convince anyone that they are competent. I cringed at the thought of any of them asking how I would manage to balance between PMS (pre-menstrual stress) and my job or that sort of thing; luckily for me no such ludicrous questions came my way but the structure of the entire process served me my very first dose of the so called ‘glass ceiling’ that prevents most women from advancing in their careers or otherwise; that is, the imperialism of the phallus.

‘Phallocracy’ simply put means ‘a government controlled by men’. From there the trend trickles down to other structures in the society- including the social ones and in the end it creates a complex male-based structure that formulates and implements policies that are based on the male way of doing things; a structure that primarily believes in male dominance and female subordination. The system which dates way back is the problem then, men are just serving it continuity. While the law is said to be a double- edged sword, phallocracy on the other hand is a single- edged sword; only cutting in ways that suit the already existent andro- system. Women therefore have to find some sort of way to work around this system- the whole thing about always ‘being sweet, helpful, looking beautiful at all times and shutting up’. Well, many women are not complaining, seeing as the same system is the judge and jury here.

The African gender socialization process championed by our largely patriarchal social structures nurtures women to accept the system as the appropriate- to accept the fact that the male is the superior while the female is inferior, vulnerable even and can only be saved by the male should he choose to do so. Once the ‘inferior’ and ‘vulnerable’ fears have been properly implanted into the female psyche through a process of specified discriminative gender roles that relegate women to the position of serving men, discriminative language (phrases like’acha umama’) and denial of economic and educational opportunities, phallocracy then fits in nicely promising ‘protection’ and ‘providence’ to the female and the result is women who are totally arrested in the position of the ‘second sex’. Any person who tries to go against this is seen as an enemy of both genders, so to speak. While a lot of rhetoric is going around about how women are ‘fully empowered’ in the modern African societies, the reality on the ground is heartbreaking. While there is commendable progress especially in the education and legal sectors, a lot still needs to be done to change the mentality of both genders. You can empower women with all the tools of emancipation but subjecting them to the same Stone Age system that still subverts them to positions of subservience is pointless.

When Hon. Martha Karua decided to have her name on the ballot box in the Kenyan Presidential elections in 2013, there was a lot to be said about her, and much had nothing to do with her leadership capabilities. Both women and men were guilty on this one. The men were of course unsettled with her kind of boldness and intelligence while the women had to deal with the guilt of not showing solidarity with ‘one of their own’, confirming the notion that ‘women are their own worst enemies’ a false phrase coined by a smart man to make women not to just fear men, but fear themselves too. What am I driving at? Well when it comes to women, the question of their gender always has to crop up. You are seen first as a woman, then your title or competencies next. You will never hear of terms such as ‘male M.P’, ‘male president’ etc but in the case of women, your competencies cannot be recognized before first being reminded about your position in society, that of a woman. The society cannot therefore claim to have achieved human civility if gender still supersedes individuality. People should be treated as independent individuals without any gender undertones that serve to discriminate them.

While men and women are creatures with distinct differences, physical that is, this should not serve as a tool for gender inequalities in society. I refuse to believe that it is ‘a man’s world’; even then, this shouldn’t mean that the condition is perpetual. Men and women need each other in many ways and this co-existence can further be improved if both genders work towards eliminating the androgynous system that is a hindrance to human development. Men have to appreciate the fact that none of us is ‘a threat’ to their existence. The fear that liberated women will wipe out the entire male species has to be done away with and women included in all structures unconditionally, based on their competencies just as their male counterparts. Unless women are placed in positions where they can influence major decisions that affect society, we shall continue being subjected to male perspectives and policies that do not necessarily conform to the dynamics of female emancipation. Let’s embrace differences dictated to us by nature but use the nurturing process to enhance unity and harmonious co-existence of both genders through inclusivity and fair treatment in all aspects of life. While feminism works towards ensuring an equitable society for the benefit of all genders and tackles the bigger picture of human development, phallocracy on the other hand seeks to go against human civilization and development of the society as a whole and eliminating it not optional, it is mandatory. Thus:

“Our enemy isn’t man but phallocracy; that is, the imperialism of the phallus” (Fouque 1987: 52)

                                           *****

A friend of mine debated on whether this piece or a similar one could be published in any local dailies based on content. We both agreed that it could not, well, all Editors of the major newspapers are male and I doubt if phallocracy rings any bells to them. They would rather run a whole spread poking fun at how a certain female leader was battered by her male counterpart and whether she has ‘learnt her lesson’. No hard questions asked about the criminality of the male leader’s actions or the kind of example his gutting actions set. Do not ask me why I do not read local newspapers anymore.