Igbo Gender Roles

“No matter how prosperous a man was, if he was unable to rule his women and his children (and especially his women) he was not really a man” (Achebe 45). In a third world continent like Africa, gender role remains a contentious issue based on simply shortage of intelligence. The men believed they held higher supremacy than women. Okonkwo based his daily accomplishments in proving his greed and higher achievements to downgrade the female population.
With colonizing forces pushing through, the Igbo population is at a watershed moment in their history and culture. The fast occurring changes are affecting religion, family structure, trade and especially gender roles. As society began changing women who once were confined to their homes and had
In past events females were often sexualized and diminished while being stripped of all their pride. The men’s only pleasure was treating women with disdain but they only showed weakness when it was time to bare more children. Whilst Igbo women no longer sat back and laid low bemoaning themselves they turned their tragic situations into globalizing victories. As the outcomes of colonization kept pushed through, in Nigeria harvesting crops faced rapid cultural changes. While they still do not harvest yams, “a man’s crop” (Achebe 22), and symbol of “manliness…[and] great [ness] (Achebe 33), the “coco-yams, beans and cassava” (Achebe 22).
“Behind every successful man, stands a great women” Is a prideful quote used by many. With women gaining their respect and power, double standards is null in today’s society. Conferred upon them through their status and acquired in trading, helped contest the historical notions of gender relations. Viewed with high regards, the female society controls most of men actions. With the help of both genders, Africa has improved in both the mental and technological aspects. Given the outmost respect women cause the Igbo nation to make Nigeria a superior and more predominant