Stop Femicide, Stop Female Subjugation, Call for Women to Unite
Once again, in news, the Taliban forbid girls schooling beyond year 6, whilst in Mexico an average of 11 women are killed each day. Thousands of women are killed in honour killings and of countries with the highest femicide rates, 50% are in Latin America.
I distinctly recall doing a Major in Politics at Uni and writing a paper on Women in Africa in the 80s. As I researched the subject, I remember feeling extremely passionate about it. How they could mutilate young girls so that they didn’t enjoy sex and force them into marriages. FGM is practiced in 31 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Apart from child marriages, girls suffer abuse, sex trafficking and other offences.
From worldvision. org on the consequences of FGM: Often carried out under primitive and unsanitary conditions without anesthetic, FGM can cause severe pain, bleeding, and swelling that may prevent passing urine or feces. In the long term, it leads to chronic pelvic infections, urinary tract infections, and birth complications for mothers and children. The horror of the event — including being physically restrained against their will — affects many women for years. There are no health benefits from the procedure, which is not medically necessary or condoned by the World Health Organization, most governments, and reputable medical associations.
Though outlawed in many countries, the impact of the Pandemic has increased the likelihood and danger of these offences.
What of all the women who fall victim to acid poured over them in India? from Statista.com on What is the reason behind acid attacks?
The most common reasons for attacks on women and girls is the refusal of marriage, the denial of sex, and the sexual rejection of men and boys. It is an expression of control over women’s and girls’ bodies. In Bangladesh, where ActionAid works, there have been thousands of acid attacks over the last few years.
These are but a few examples of what happens around the world. Women have fought and succeeded in winning many rights over time. The fact, however remains that even in developed nations like Australia, women are still paid less, ageing in poverty, 1 in 3 abused in intimate relationships, there is still a long way to go.
The Power of Unity
Any success women have had has been in Unity. Together we are incredibly powerful! When you think about the reason behind female subjugation over time, it can only come down to Fear!
Women make excellent leaders. We can multi task, birth children, nurture, we are practical, strategic, collaborative rather than competitive, less the testosterone driving our male counterparts. Women are more democratic, we make great role models and support our subordinates in their growth, developing full potential. In fact women score higher in effectiveness than men.
We have all seen the state of the world as it stands today. Clearly women are needed for our cultural survival. So how do we stop the atrocities and grow to our full potential? Together!
There have been so many organisations working toward the empowerment of women so well. I personally started my first company at the age of 52 to empower women personally and professionally with the Areti Goddess Events .
Here’s an Idea!
Calling organisations and groups passionate about empowering women to Unite! A big part of Areti Goddess Events is the creation of a virtual umbrella so that we can make this possible. Together we can do so much! Who can dare to stop us in our numbers? we do, after all, make up 50% of the population! Isn’t it time we Rise?
If this inspires you, I would love to hear from you! www.aretigoddessevents.com/home
