Devil on the Cross

The theme of The Treatment of Women in the Workforce is prominently featured in Devil on the Cross, primarily through the experiences of the protagonist, Jacinta Warĩĩnga. Her experiences as a secretary at the Champion Construction Company in Nairobi depict a work environment where sexual harassment is prevalent and often goes unchallenged. Warĩĩnga’s rejection of her employer’s sexual advances leads directly to her dismissal, highlighting the power imbalance between male employers and female employees.

This incident not only illustrates the sexual exploitation women face but also demonstrates how women’s employment security is often tied to their willingness to comply with sexual demands. The novel shows how this creates a double bind for women: They must either endure sexual harassment or risk losing their livelihoods. This aspect of The Treatment of Women in the Workforce is represented by her boyfriend, John Kimwana, who accuses her of being the boss’s mistress. This shows how women in the workforce are often subject to suspicion and moral judgment, regardless of their actual behavior, highlighting the social pressures and stigma women face when navigating professional environments.

Furthermore, women’s treatment in the workforce is often tied to broader societal attitudes toward women. Warĩĩnga’s initial belief that her dark complexion and physical appearance are the root of her problems reflects internalized societal beauty standards that affect women’s self-perception and, by extension, their professional confidence. The story she tells of Kareendi, which is implied to be Warĩĩnga’s own story, further elaborates on the challenges women face in the workforce. It describes a woman who becomes pregnant, gives the baby to her family to raise, and pursues education at a secretarial school. Despite facing constant sexual harassment, she finds a job, only to be fired after rejecting and fighting off her boss’s attempted rape. This narrative encapsulates the multiple layers of difficulty women face: balancing family responsibilities, pursuing education, dealing with workplace harassment, and the potential for violent retaliation when they resist exploitation.

A contrast to the earlier depictions of gender-based exploitation is presented in Warĩĩnga’s later career as a mechanical engineer. The text describes how she had to deal with mockery from men before they began to respect her abilities, illustrating the additional challenges women face when entering non-traditional professions. This shift in her professional life demonstrates her resilience and determination to succeed in a male-dominated field; additionally, it shows how Warĩĩnga has changed once the systems that created her earlier despair were made explicit by the Devil’s Feast.

The broader context of post-colonial Kenya provides another layer to this theme. The novel suggests that women’s treatment in the workforce is not solely a matter of individual behavior but is tied to larger systemic issues. Capitalism, as portrayed in the novel, is shown to exacerbate gender-based exploitation, with economic power often being used as a tool for sexual coercion. Devil on the Cross portrays a workforce environment that is often hostile to women, requiring them to navigate multiple layers of discrimination and harassment. At the same time, it presents examples of resilience and resistance, suggesting the potential for change even in challenging circumstances.