Social construction of gender with special reference to Gikuyu and Swahili proverbs

Abstract

An analysis of the images of women in Gikuyu and Kiswahili proverbs shows that most of the key images used relate to sexuality and procreation and therefore perpetuate traditional perceptions of women. Qualities that are praised in men, such as authority, economic independence and aggression, are not appreciated in women. Women are praised for their fertility, humility, kindness, loyalty and dependence. The paper rests on the premises that the images of women as projected in the proverbs are meant to maintain a status quo where women are seen as inferiors whose sole purpose in life is serving their husbands and children. In order to redress this unbalanced social situation, it is recommended that proverbs which portray women in such a prejudiced way should be allowed to die a natural death for the betterment of the society. Copyright © 2002 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG.