Community Health Volunteer's Training Manual - Population Council

Gender roles
Conflict Prernclonnt MnMarernctMnnt reoolclon
Also in our cultures the gender roles of women and men can cause conflicts. They carry this
mentality to work and to other groups. When women assert themselves or are encouraged to
do so this may raise some issues with men.
Men may refuse to work under women leaders or to allow them in decision making and
leadership roles. Women may also refuse to participate in community activities because they
feel their contributions are not recognised in the community.
Gender issues are common sources of conflicts in our communities.
Position and situation in life
Unfortunately many people use position and situation in life as a measure of importance
and ability. Some people become proud and others sometimes view them as such so their
attitude and the way they relate to others becomes a source of conflict for the people they
work with.
Box 1.5.1: Personal reflection
1. Take a few minutes to think about some conflicts you have personally had with other
people.
2. What happened? Who was involved? How did it affect you personally? How did it affect
the other person? How did you resolve it?
3. Do you have peace about it now when you think of it? If not, tell yourself ‘let go of all
these issues...!’ Seek professional help if need be.
NB: Refuse to think about the issue. Otherwise this inner conflict affects your work all the
time. Talk to a counsellor.
At times the position of a person is seen as the important thing and not his character, his
ability to reason and to make good decisions. So whether he is right or wrong his decisions
are not questioned even though people may not be happy with it.
For example, the chief and his elders have their final say on most issues concerning a
community just because of the position. However, some community members may not
be in favour of their decisions. Again, we view learned people like doctors, nurses, lawyers
as influential and knowledgeable, who may not be questioned for their practices. Though
we might not agree with what they do. Political groupings are also seen as powerful, as are
opponents who must fight each other to gain power.
Some decisions and actions may be taken because of a person’s present situation in life, just
to serve a present need and not the future generations. Conflict can occur in such situations
too.
The age of people has also been a barrier to work in our communities. For instance,
enthusiastic young men are not encouraged to seek leadership positions and assert
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