Introducing “Community Space!”
_____________________________________________ When Maggie Thatcher or Golda Meier were in positions of power in their respective countries, none in the media referred to them as ‘female’ prime minister or president because they both acted ‘tough,’ as tough as their men counterparts would have. It would thus seem to imply that only such women would be qualified, or “appropriate” for such positions. This need not be and ought not to be. Heads of governments all over the world are not quite ready to acknowledge the equality of women in playing successful, constructive, sagacious roles as heads of state. Dr.B.Thyagarajan, San Antonio, Texas
Marilyn Borchardt, Development Director Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, Oakland, CA As a Liberian currently residing in the Washington metropolitan area, I am cautiously anticipating Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s presidency. While we’re all in the throes of euphoria, it’s important to remember that her gender doesn’t guarantee swift reforms on behalf of Liberian women. (Margaret Thatcher taught us that in England). I’m watching and waiting to see what she will accomplish, and hoping to be involved, however tangentially, from the U.S. Robtel Neajai Pailey, Washington, D.C.
Mulenga Katyoka, Zambia (Now residing in Washington, D.C.) The greatest challenge of being a woman leader is remembering that we’re women. We’ve come a long way to gain leadership. Although more needs to be done, we should never forget that first, we’re women. Nurturing and caring is a fundamental part of who we are. They are also characters needed to bring peace to the world. Therefore, we must not succumb to aggression to gain power, but rather excel in what we do best—love and care for the world. Jin In, Washington, D.C. Advocate for Women & Girls Behind a successful man there is a woman. The women have been playing the greatest roles in our homes and public life. The present educational, social,
Rasulu Olatoyosi Ishola Ambali, Nigeria (Now residing in Colombia) In a global village dominated by war-mongering leaders, the real conflict is not one of gender. Men and women alike are persecuted and marginalized when they hold and show a compassionate, egalitarian world-view. Much more so if they dare actively join the struggle for social justice, peace, environmental protection, sovereign political rights—or any other cause not approved by the ideologues of war. Young people are made subject to the worst role-models while emerging leaders for peace are discredited. That is the truth. I defend not my gender, but the very survival of my conscience! Sandra Rodriguez, San Juan, Puerto Rico Independent Writer I think that women’s equality is intricately linked to development. It should be understood that providing girls and women the opportunity to attend school gives them valuable literacy skills and having unhindered access to HIV/AIDS treatment so that they become successful women and contributing members to their democratic societies. Additionally, in Africa, it helps in improving maternal health and reducing child mortality rates. Nnamdi Azuike, Nigeria HIV/AIDS Acceleration Africa (NGO) Sadly, your topic perpetuates inequality and disunity. Humanitarian efforts will be advanced when we stop thinking of women as women and of men as men.
Wilf Flint, Brisbane, Australia Amnesty International Indigenous Support Group March is Women’s History Month and the Feminist Majority Foundation is encouraging students and community activists from across the country to join the global majority. The global majority is made up of Americans who believe that you can have a world where children have enough food to eat, women are free from violence, every woman and girl has access to safe and affordable reproductive health services, and clean water is free and readily available. Join us at www.feminst.org/global. Crystal Lander, Washington D.C. Feminist Majority Foundation Mentorship has an important role to play in women’s empowerment, equality, and leadership development. I started the Valuable Girl Project, a program in Egypt that empowers girls and young women in high poverty areas by the creation and provision of positive role models for girls in a one-on-one mentorship program. More information about this program can be found at www.copticorphans.org/programs/valuable-girl.html and requests for a program impact report and/or a DVD can be sent to pfarag@copticorphans.org. Phoebe Farag, Washington, D.C. Coptic Orphans Deprivation of women from education, health care or other human rights is a problem of the whole society—including men. Educating a woman means educating their children. Educating children means building our future. Matthias Behrends, Medical Ethics Director European Medical Students’ Association, Heidelberg, Germany ** Add your thoughts below! |
Comment List
"SUPPORT POLITICAL ASPIRANTS"Author:
REGINA NDUNE
Time: 07/12/2007 13:37
Comment:
I am a civic aspirant in Kenya - East Africa. The elections will be held December 2007. My main challenge is my limited finances which limits my campaigns. I would like to visit all voters door to door, make printed policies, and promote myself to all groups both women and youth groups (merry go rounds, self help groups, community based orgainsations). I would like to print t-shirts for my supporters and encourage groups to start development activities to sustain themselves. All these need finances and i feel so limited. OneWorld members, please assist me and direct me to any organisation that assist women to achieve worthwhile goals. Once elected, i will continue motivating groups and sponsor individuals to schools, colleges and start small business to sustain themselves and improve their lifestyle. I will also ask the government to build a health clinic in my ward to serve many who have to go so far for such services. I will also improve sanitation for their lacks toilets and litter and human wastes litter all over. Thanks and lets join up to improve ourselves. regndune@gmail.com Regina |
"VIOLENCE AND WOMEN IN POLITICS"Author:
REGINA NDUNE
Time: 07/12/2007 13:16
Comment: In most African countries, women aspiring for political seats are put off by the violence during campaigns which is mostly a tool used by male opponents to scare women away.
In Kenya, 2007 is a general elections year and already some of us who are aspiring for parliamentary and civic seats are being threatened by our male opponents who are mostly very wealthy and can influence our youths to cause physical violence and sometimes even sexual violence to women who are strong and outgoing. This has been a weapon used for so many years and as we all know women reduce most kinds of corruption and unproductivity when put to governance. I wish we in OneWorld would team up and financially empower women to wipe out all undermining tricks used to put them off. With finances here in kenya, one can influence the youths to do the right things and empower them to do the right things too. Most women groups are intimidated by men who run most organisations to vote fellow men or they will not get any financial assistance to start business. Women have the power to change the world only if given a chance. All women feel the same and with unity they can empower one another hence end the descrimination towards them. Education is mostly limited for most women during their youths and in adulthood. Men want to dominate all areas. We need help and empowerment to fight this injustice to fellow women. Thank you. |
"women in lead"Author:
wim vanhauwaert
Time: 04/19/2006 00:31
Comment: I still think that women earned equal civil rights as a man
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"Leading Women"Author:
Morgan Hull
Time: 03/20/2006 17:51
Comment: I would like to congratulate all of the women out there who take the time out of their busy lives to help support education of women and girls in the muslim world and fight against poverty in the most affected nations. No matter how big or small your acts are, know that every little bit counts. I would especially like to say thank you to Selene Biffi, the founder of Youth Action for Change, for helping to motivate young people to combine our efforts in order to promote change.
-Morgan A. Hull |
"Leading Lights"Author:
OneworldNL The Netherlands
Time: 03/09/2006 11:42
Comment: I would like to add Maneka Ghandi as a 'leading light'. Quote from the website Satya: 'Maneka Gandhi is a member of one of the most famous families in the world. But it’s her work — not her name — that makes her remarkable. Gandhi is an animal rights and environmental activist who sees no difference between the two.'
more: http://www.satyamag.com/sept95/gandhi.html |
"Moving Forward"Author:
Jalana Lazar
Time: 02/26/2006 20:48
Comment: It is encouraging to read about all the wonderful work women are doing to assure equal access, equal freedom and achieve peace and prosperity. It is important that we remember that this is an ongoing movement, and that women need not only seek the partnership of men in this movement, but to remember to support their fellow women. I have been distressed by what seems to be a backlash generation of young women who have forgotten how hard women fought in the U.S. and abroad to achieve the right to work outside the home, to have a safe and legal right to an abortion, to participate in government, to vote (remember even wearing trousers was a struggle). In taking forgranted our hard won rights, it will be all too easy for us to lose them, because if we forget that we deserve them, then we are doing everyone a great injustice. Rather than refight old battles, we should concentrate on new ones, and on expanding existing rights to women throughout the world. We should also remember that gender equality and socio-economic equality are inextricably linked and when womens rights are lost, it is almost inevitably the poor who suffer first and who suffer most.
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