Communicating Gender (In)Equality in Igbo: A Yoking of Literature and Enculturation

Abstract: Many societies seem to support gender equality but their approach towards the idea most times contradicts what they say. This research aims to reveal the root cause of this position which is common to all genders, ages and social strata of the (Igbo) society. People oppose gender inequality through what they say but (un)consciously supports the same through action, literature and enculturation. The primary data for this work were sourced via covert non-participant observation and literature was reviewed from different domains. The study adopts a desktop research method of data collection and analysis. This work is hinged onAjzen's (1985) Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) which postulates that an individual's intention to engage in a behaviour pattern at a given time and place is driven by behaviour intentions, where behaviour intentions are determined by three key factors: an individual's attitude toward behaviour, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. The research reveals that members of society enjoin every other part of the universe in the advocation for gender equality but these same advocates (un)consciously encourage gender discrimination through (un)conscious indoctrination of gender roles mostly via yoking of literature and enculturation which come in form of oral traditions, marriage, concubinage and widowhood. While a child grows in society, s/he is
unconsciously conditioned to think, speak and act in a certain acceptable way, expected of his/her gender, by society. Hence, s/he lacks the ability/consciousness to question society's inability to initiate and sustain gender equality. Hence, this paper is an invitation call for self and communal consciousness.