Open Letter To Men: Gender Equality Is A Gradual Process

Dear Men,

I do not understand why you are making a mountain out of this molehill. All we want is what is due us. We received your letter with your numerous requirements. Must I say that some were plain outrageous and funny but that's what you always do, passively listening anytime you are confronted. The equality we seek cannot be gained from physical prowess. We want to be equal on an intellectual level, political and financial levels.

Ever wondered why Adam was given a female companion and not a male one? An increase in the testosterone levels of the garden will breed a competitive spirit. Instead of working together, Adam and Adam II will allocate portions of the garden to each other and prove that one is better than the other. In his infinite wisdom, God gave Eve to Adam as a supportive companion. So this our request, allow us to support you not just by making us bear kids, feed you and do your laundry.

I'm impressed that you have not hindered the promotion of girl-child education but how many of us get to complete the basic level. Priority has always been given to our brothers and our hand is given in marriage to a 64 year old man whose 3 wives cannot bear him a son so that we produce one or better still a legion of sons for him. Equality will mean that not just the daughters of well-to-do men but also the pauper, gets quality education at all levels with no hindrance whatsoever.

Politically, there has been great improvements in our political arena. Ladies are handed the mantle to become Assemblywomen, Members of Parliament and even Ministers. But this is because the men go higher up the ladder, becoming Presidential candidates, Running mates and Chiefs of Staff. It doesn't bother us though, but we are hurt when we are scoffed at for having ambitions such as theirs. Ghana might no be ready for a female Commander in Chief, we won't rush that. But let us be your Running mates and when you win the elections, we'll both enter the FlagStaff House with us as your Vice. As motherly as we can ever be, mismanagement of resources will be far from our minds. Increase our numbers in the legislative arm too. Thanks for making Mrs Georgina Theodora Woode the Chief Justice. Under her reign, all these corrupt justices will be brought to book.

To appreciate us the more, we'd like you to do a few things:

• Dedicate a week of every month to experiencing cramps and its accompanying discomfort.

• Do not woo us with your sweet words and leave us pregnant and in junior high.

• House chores are now done jointly, we'd rotate monthly. For a month, you'd handle cleaning, cooking, bathing and sending the kids off to school and picking them up, lay the bed,clean the bathroom and go grocery shopping but do not forget that you'll have to be at work by 8 a.m.

• Lest I forget, pregnancy is now a joint affair. If I carry this one, the next time we're pregnant, you have to carry the baby. How you'd deliver is your cup of tea.

We as women would also try and do the following:

• Go for tuition from mechanics, changing tires won't be a problem. Don't be surprised if we get mechanised emotionally too by them.

• If my salary is equal to that of my colleague of your sex, the bills will be split evenly.

• With the bravery of Yaa Asantewaa, cockroaches and mice will be the least of our worries.

• We've already begun approaching you and starting conversations, even proposing.

• During football matches, we'll continue asking questions but see it as a tutorial phase. after a season or two, we'll argue like your friends do with you during the UEFA cahampions league and Barclays premier league.

Whether we meet in parliament, Beijing or Copenhagen, make sure you are not there to sabotage us. We remain your humble adversaries.

Sgd,

Baaba Bavard