Building on the Theory of the Comfort Zone of Gender Inequality: Analysis of Survey Findings

Despite centuries of efforts to end gender inequality (GI), the world is stillnot on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. No country has achievedgender parity, and it is not likely that an additional 15 years at the end of2030 (what can be called “Progressive Sustainable Development Goals –P-SDGs”) will do the magic by 2045. The World Economic Forum GlobalGender Gap report 2024 made it clear that at the current rate of progress,full gender parity will not be reached until the year 2158. Based on theforegoing, the central argument of this paper is that gender inequality haspersisted because it is a comfort zone for men. It is a place where men preferto stay because of the benefits to them, regardless of the consequences forthe disadvantaged group (women). Two main research questions, amongother questions, addressed in this paper are: is gender inequality a comfortzone for men, and if yes, what is your understanding of gender inequalityin line with the comfort zone thesis? Using survey data, this paper buildson the theory of the comfort zone of gender inequality, which was firstadvanced by Osondu-Oti (2024) in an article titled “The Comfort Zoneof Gender Inequality: A Reflection.” Findings from this survey affirmthat gender inequality is a comfort zone for men, especially those with “authoritative power”- the main beneficiaries of gender inequality. In linewith the comfort zone thesis, findings from the survey show that genderinequality is a rational choice because of men’s fear of losing power andauthority in both private and public domains. Gender inequality also putsmen in an advantageous position where they feel more at ease and incontrol, and being that it is familiar terrain, they are reluctant to leave theircomfort zone. It is therefore recommended that more awareness be createdabout gender inequality being a comfort zone for “men,” so that advocatesof gender equality, including feminist movements and scholars, can engagein a stronger push for equality. This is because these men are less likely tobe committed to the struggle for gender equality, since they are in their“hegemonic palace” with the comfort therein. In addition, more practicalcommitments by organisations to the empowerment of women and girlsare needed more than ever, especially investing in girl-child education.Education is power, and it remains the first and a crucial step that willguarantee more placement of women in positions of authority in the yearsto come, as authoritative power is still less available to women.