The Underestimated Gender: Women

 The Underestimated Gender: Women by Magna Ademoroti Sarah Adejoke.

The Victorian era—and many others throughout history—viewed women as weak and incapable of independent thought. Women were once treated as property, no different from paintings bought at an auction. After years of protests and advocacy, the world finally acknowledged that women no longer wanted to live as property. But instead of being recognized as equal, they were seen as lesser humans.

In many societies, once a woman was married, she was considered legally incapable of entering into contracts, buying property, or even inheriting anything. Women were reduced to baby-making machines and objects of sexual gratification.

Throughout history, women have been dictated to—how to dress, how to speak, even how to eat. Although we now live in the 21st century and many laws have changed, mindsets have not. A female driver who takes a moment to catch up on the road is immediately judged—“I knew it, only a woman would drive like that.”

Phrases like, “She’s a woman, she can’t do the job well,” or “Why did they put a woman in charge?” still echo in workplaces and homes. These reflect how society continues to underestimate women despite decades of progress and proof of their capability.

In many countries, women are still treated as second-class citizens. Some men, threatened by confident, intelligent women, feel the need to suppress them—sometimes through marriage, where the woman is stripped of her confidence and confined to the kitchen. But women are natural multitaskers. Many successful women balance careers, families, and leadership roles—proving that their capacity is limitless.

Unfortunately, this widespread underestimation has led many women to underestimate themselves. They internalize the belief that they are lesser beings. They become comfortable with being silenced, dependent on male validation, and often fail to support other women who dare to rise—like in the case of Senator Natasha, where female solidarity was painfully absent.

A woman who holds her head high is often met with ridicule: “This is not a nightclub,” or “Go home and take care of your child.”

The truth is, the 21st century should be empowering women, not crippling them. It’s time for society to wake up to the reality that women are equal citizens, and the era of intimidation, limitation, and victimization must come to an end.

Women must also stop underestimating themselves. They must embrace their unique strengths, believe in their power, and support one another. This is not about replacing men—it’s about standing confidently beside them.

Thanks for reading.