TGIF Parents! It is the weekend, and we will be looking at how we can celebrate gender equality as a family. As parents and adults, we have a responsibility to promote and celebrate gender equality in our family and society. Most especially to our children, we need to impact certain values in them; regarding how to treat themselves and other children around them with respect.
We will be sharing 5 things to do as a family to help promote and celebrate gender equality; here are the things to do:
Be a Good Role Model
As parents and adults, we need to display good character and behavior in and around the home, that we expect from our children. Showing that as spouses, you respect each other is a good way to celebrate gender equality. Let them see you work together irrespective of your gender; they will see this and imbibe these good behaviors and characters.
Development of character and empathy in children starts from home, and we must encourage positivity as a family; also having fun as a family will breed this positivity and encourage a better show of character. Read: Family friendly bonding ideas
Ensure the Children have Chores and Responsibilities
We can promote equality in the home by sharing household chores among them, irrespective of their gender. Not assigning chores as due to being manly or girly will teach your children to respect each other and promote equality. Assigning the boys to help mum with dishes in the kitchen and the girls to help dad wash the car from time to time will negate them thinking they should be assigned to certain responsibilities in the future.
When we start to raise children who understand that they have duties in the home, then we start to raise a generation that understands that everybody needs to pull their weight.
 Talk about Heroes and big wins toward Equality
Having conversations in the family about people, both globally and locally, from both genders who have attained success in their fields. Parents can educate that both genders can be successful and to pursue their dreams and goals to be their best. Citing examples such as Folorunsho Alakija, a Nigerian billionaire businesswoman, who is ranked by Forbes as the richest woman in Nigeria; and successful men such as Tony Elumelu, Femi Otedola, and so on.
And also celebrate big wins towards equality; such as the appointment of Kamala Harris as the next Vice President of the United States of America. This making her the first female vice president; this will encourage children that these kind of feats are possible for both genders.
Get rid of Labels
Getting rid of labels in our homes that are normally attached to specific genders in society; is something we as parents should teach and practice. For instance, labeling a male child as not being good with English studies or a female child as not being good at STEM. These labels tend to affect self-confidence and make children fallout in areas they should excel in.
As parents, we should encourage our children that they can do everything they put their minds to. Everyone has different strengths and passions; encourage your child to pursue theirs, regardless of gender.
Communicate with them
As parents, we should celebrate gender equality with our families by keeping communication channels open at home. Encourage children to ask questions on matters they are curious about, and take out the time to answer them. A question such as the physical differences in both genders should not be ignored, but parents should answer by acknowledging the differences they have seen; making them see that both genders should be treated equally.
Equal rights are achievable and the most ideal avenue to encourage and celebrate this is the home. Children are the future, and celebrating gender equality is essential in an ongoing process of making them agents of positive change.
Read Also [How do we Raise our Girls to understand Gender Equality]
