When women do not have the same rights and benefits which men enjoy and, if they are not free to make their own choices, they will be unhappy. When women are controlled and told that they can only play the roles laid down by society, tradition, culture and men, they feel constrained and unhappy. If nations continue to discriminate against women, the unhappiness that women experience will permeate through their families, communities and society. As it is International Women’s Day on March 8th, I would like to discuss in this post this very important issue of equality for women. Women all over the world will be happy once they achieve equality, dignity and freedom of choice to control their lives and bodies within and outside the home.
Discrimination against Women
In many countries of the world, women face economic oppression, commercial exploitation and political and legal discrimination. Women and girls face barriers and disadvantages in every sector in which they work. In some countries girls marry at a young age. Hence, they are not able to get an education and contribute to the progress of their countries.
Throughout the world, there are fewer women who are landowners, entrepreneurs, business owners and legislators. In many countries too, there are few women on the Boards of Directors of public listed companies and there are few women chief executive officers.
There are many more specific examples of discrimination against women. These include the fact that some countries still have a bias for the male child. Violence against women is on the increase and in most countries of the world, women earn less than men. They are denied educational opportunities and they are controlled in many ways by their religious leaders.
In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive. In Islamic societies today women are made to cover their hair when they go out. Some women cover themselves from head to toe. This is a practice based on an interpretation of the Koranic text by men who wish to control women, treat them as subordinates and dominate them.
Effects of Discrimination
With so much discrimination against them, women feel inadequate and they have little for which to look forward. They do not have any opportunity for development, for experimentation, for testing the limits to which they can go, do and be who they can possibly become. Their potential is not realized. Many women feel poorly about being a woman and they have low self-respect and self-esteem.
What Women Want
Women want to have a world where women and men have the same rights and opportunities in all areas of society. This should include economic participation and decision-making. Women also want to live in a world where the different behaviours, dreams, goals and needs of women and men are equally valued and appreciated.
They recognize that women’s equal participation in all spheres of life is fundamental to democracy and justice. Women want to see a world where women can participate actively in society and where their identities are strengthened. They want women to be free to choose what they want to do. Women should not be forced to perform certain roles because they are women.
Women want to see an end to male control and domination. They want to see the belief that man is superior to woman, that women are, and should be, controlled by men and that women are part of a man’s property be destroyed forever.
Women urge men to treat women with respect. They want a better life for women, one that is empowered and that empowers others. The well-being of women in all areas of life must be developed fully and the quality of their lives must improve. Women have special needs and these should be satisfied. Only then will women be happy.
Throughout the world women should have the ability to achieve and develop the best of herself for herself. Women must have the strength and confidence of knowing that they are women, that they are who and what they are and that they must celebrate and enjoy this discovery. Women must take pleasure and pride in being women.
What Equality Brings
Equality between men and women has many advantages. It will result in more effective social organisation, productivity and humanistic well-being. With equality, women will find life more worthwhile and they will be happy. They will be treated with dignity and there will be greater cooperation between men and women. It has been said that when women participate in peace processes, they help to expand the scope of agreements and improve the possibilities for durable peace.
Every work sector will be transformed when there is equality between men and women. Human potential will be unlocked and developed. According to the World Bank, countries with greater gender equality are more prosperous and competitive. When women’s opportunities are expanded in public works, agriculture, finance, and other sectors, economic growth is accelerated. This will help to mitigate the effects of current and future financial crisis created by men.
Studies have shown that Women’s participation in politics results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, and increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines.
When men are freed from their traditional, stereotyped roles, they would be able to engage in many more activities than before. For example, they perform nurturing and caring roles as well.
Conclusion
Make women happy. Treat them with respect. Give them equal status with men. The world will be better and more fabulous! This quotation by ― Nicholas D. Kristof, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide—is most appropriate:
“In the nineteenth century, the central moral challenge was slavery. In the twentieth century, it was the battle against totalitarianism. We believe that in this century the paramount moral challenge will be the struggle for gender equality around the world.”
Splendidly written, and argued with a passion we have come to associate with a devoted advocate for women’s rights, and the abolition of discrimination against women. We need more people to speak up, every day, to raise the consciousness of societies with respect to women’s right and freedoms. Your blog, admirably and with clarity, fills a need to raise consciousness. And, without being aggressively hostile, you go further in your blog, to address the ‘twin issues’ of changing people’s thinking and attitudes, and ACTING accordingly … DOING what will demonstrate equality.
You deal with the issues rationally and with sufficient reference to what goes on in the world around us. Your mention of discriminatory practices in the Islamic countries should bring to people’s attention how dangerous (and poisonous) religion can be. Enshrined within the laws ‘of the faith’ … all designed and enforced by men, incidentally … women are taught and indoctrinated from birth to accept a lower, subservient status in society. It is almost as if women imbibe such acceptance along with their mothers’ milk which nourishes and sustains them through infancy. Within our present-day enlightened times, the need to get rid of such superstitious nonsense is long overdue. You have always been a committed advocate on this front, Zaibun. And, your leadership in this role is borne out of experience, and persistent advocacy for the rights and freedoms, that would provide equality for women, the world over, and make them happy.
I do hope a lot of people read what you have written in this blog. Well done!
Aye! Aye! We shall all look forward to that day. In the meantime, here’s wishing you, Zaibun, the instigator, the deliverer, the channeler of our laughs many belliesful of the rolling good stuff.
Have a Happy International Women’s Day this weekend and many more pleasure fill days ahead.