Monday, March 20, 2000
International Women's Day Special
Sawf MembersThis issue of Connect commemorates International women's Day (08 March). This is an open section which we hope to build further using readers contributions. We invite Sawf readers add their thoughts to this page. Please send your contributions to Sawf Editor for inclusion on this page. |
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Manjusree Sen
Empowering Women
 I have wondered about International Women's Day many times, as I've gone about my personal struggles, watched the struggles of other women, and heard a woman call in to a program on NPR recently that she was quite sick of listening to yet another tearful, hard-luck story from a woman -- her words were somewhat tougher, as I recall, but cannot remember exactly, tougher, as though spoken by a woman who can lower an axe with precision, never blink, nor shed a tear, not even a crocodile tear.
What then, I wonder still, is International Women's Day all about? Is it about the obvious political issues, the covert domestic abuse on the rise, or always present, but now brought out into the open? Is it only about Pro-Choice and Pro-Life? Is it only about Equal Opportunity? All things being equal in a healthy woman's life, what, indeed, is International Women's Day about? Does a woman with all doors open to her need more?
Looking around me, I feel that this day that the whole world is meant to celebrate, as if we must label days to remember what we really value -- I feel that this day is a reminder of how much more we must do to achieve Liberty, Health, and Equality, among *women*. To find these three nuggets of true wealth in the women in the lives of both men and women, we can know the meaning of empowerment. My mother, the late Srimati Kanika Sen, embodied all three, her courage, her unconditional love a firm foundation for her family and her friends. In the last five years, I've become wealthy beyond imagining. Each woman I have trusted with my words, my health, and my life...each, whether family or friend, whether in person, or in my cyber life, each has enlightened me, and in so doing, empowered me. Their friendship opened doors to Art, Music,
Dance, Literature, Creative Writing, Teaching. They have, in turn, trusted me with their quests, believing that I would be truthful. And the men? The men in my life have also empowered me; mentored me; and have brought me opportunities for learning and work in the world of men. I could not complete this thought without remembering my first Mentor, my late father, Sri Hari Keshab Sen, whose wisdom, courage, and love have been the moorings over troubled seas. I remember his words in admiration of a woman physicist, "Do you see her over there? She's a
Wife, a Mother, and a Physicist! I'm just a Physicist." I know that he held me, an infant, his baby daughter, while my mother did other chores. He knew I was capable of achieving anything. That was *empowering*!
Bhawana Upadhyaya
Women's role in World Economy
On March 8, 1857, hundreds of women workers in garment and textile factories in New York City staged a strike against low wages, long working hours and inhumane working conditions. In August 1910, at a meeting in Copenhagen, the Women's Socialist International decided to commemorate the strike by observing an annual International Women's Day (IWD). This is where we can find the roots of IWD. In 1975, during International Women's Year, the United Nations (UN) began celebrating March 8 as IWD.
In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the UN General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.
For women, the Day offers an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.
In recent years, though world's women are referred to as having made tremendous progress towards achieving equality with men, there exists huge disparity when it comes to women of developing countries. Women continue to be among the poorest: the majority of the world's 1.3 billion absolute poor are women. Three-quarters of the women over 25 in much of Asia and Africa are illiterate. On the average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work. Everywhere, women continue to be victims of violence.
Efforts should be made to enhance their access to education and proper health care and their participation in the paid labour force. Legislation that promises equal opportunities for women and respect for their human rights has to be adopted by many countries.
On this auspicious occasion, let us commit ourselves to work towards helping the world realize that women are the only way to build a sustainable, just and developed society --the fact put forth by the Platform for Action at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.
Suman Chopra
KEEP YOUR WIFE HAPPY
 Most husbands find themselves in deep trouble trying to keep their wives happy. One has got to be a smart crook like my husband. Here are some his gimmicks. Call them 'ides of 8th march'.
1. Always agree with her - at least outwardly. There is always that perfect understanding between us. Whenever we disagree, She goes her own way, and He goes Hers'.
2. Nothing needs better timing and tact, than introducing the subject of calling people home for a meal to your wife. Give her a feeling you are consulting - even though you want to say "Get going you fat a…"
3. Listen to her demands attentively and say "no problem". Do what you want. If you are caught, say "sorry'. Managing a wife is an art not a science. Defies all logic.
4. Every morning ask her "Darling what can I do for you today". Remember she thinks her jobs are more important than your board meeting. Delegate them to the peon - mostly he is more suited to do them.
5. Learn to say 'sorry'. Between Husband and wife it hardly matters who is right or wrong. Then we all know the wife can never be wrong. If she is graceful enough to say sorry once in a year, treat it as matrimonial medal.
6. Decision-making is not a trait distributed evenly by god. What she must cook for dinner is occasionally more difficult to decide than running a diverse country like India. Help her - just suggest a dish she cooked when her mother dropped by last - incase you remember.
7. Praise her mother - at least in front of her - once in a while. Praise your wife herself 3-4 times a day - She trusts you more than the mirror.
8. 'Lend Her your Ears' - listen to her most patiently - use cotton buds if required.
9. Gift and forget. Never expect gratitude. Bring her a diamond set and she always wanted Rubies.
10. When you go grocery shopping, always quote half the price you paid for the goods when debriefing her on return, else you and the grocer had it.
11. Invest in an additional telephone. That's the cheapest way to keep her occupied. Graham Bell was the greatest inventor - so she thinks.
12. Keep your mouth shut. The women are masters at throwing the hook, don't bite it - you both will be fishing in troubled waters thereon.
13. Lastly, when your wife..
We are not sure if Suman has quite finished as yet! - Ed
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