If all we had to do was “think” about it and really REALLY really want it, the why the hell haven’t we yet achieved gender equality? Surely women world-wide aren’t secretly desiring oppression?

I belong to an organization call Soroptomists (on Facebook as well).

I am with Soroptimists is because I believe

1. Women’s well-being is fundamental to the the future welfare of humankind on this earth
2. Women worldwide are oppressed by patriarchy politically, professionally, sexually and intellectually, and
3. We as women can take the lead on changing that (we have to, simply because men aren’t rushing in droves to step up to the plate — the old system is to their benefit of course — and the problem is not going to fix itself).
4. Women are f’n good. Hell, some research even says we’re better.

Interest in the welfare of women worldwide is just not my own passion. In other words, it’s just not me thinking about it, there are others. Hell, we’re even ACTING on it and it still hasn’t gotten better. Must have a word with the Mr Proctor over that one. I was just listening to Ideas on CBC, and they are running a series called The New Revolutionaries. It has to do with women being the economic force that will define the future.

One of the groups heavily discussed in that show was a project called 160 Girls Project, coming out of Kenya. Using legal precedence set here in Canada (yay that we did it, boo that it had to be done), 160 girls are filing a class action suit against the Kenyan government for failing to protect them from rape (legally illegal in Kenya). The claimants are all girls between the ages of 3 (!!!) to 17.

Now, I like micro-loans for women, because women are cool, creative and reliable, and will all most always put community/family before self. Given the money (studies show this) men will drink, gamble or visit a prostitute. Given the opportunity, women succeed along with an entire goddamn community. All the Kenyan girls involved in the 160 Girls Project have already stepped outside of convention to fight their battle, at the risk of their  reputations and indeed their lives. They are fighters. So in this case the ROI is not financial, it’s way more powerful than that, it’s about creating a future force of advocates.

As one woman pointed out in Ideas, women have made headway in some parts of the world, but have not ANYWHERE succeeded in overturning patriarchy. (You’ve come a long, “baby”.) Even in Canada (now this is me speaking), women still earn under $.80 to the male dollar, solving crimes against prostitutes is pathetically under-funded (and women are still largely the target of the law, not the Johns), child-poverty rates are rising (because single-mom poverty is also rising), and the date-rape drug is still happily used at college parties and beyond. Men will be men after all…

I get very angry at sexual violence. In short(s), it’s about Paul putting Peter back in his pants, and using his head (specifically, the one on his shoulders) to guide him past these tricky urges. Tuck it in, Paul. End-of-discussion. No problem.

But until we have massive male buy-in on that simple singular concept, it’s an exercise in futility. That message coming from women (tuck it back in Paul) is akin to the pig pleading with the hungry breakfast diner at Denny’s to stop eating bacon.

What if — oh but what if — we could create a sister project that supports the girls in 160? Currently they have shelter that provides the girls safety for up to six weeks, and after that they are on their own. AND what if men and women contributed equally to such an enterprise?? What if the villagers (or I guess even more importantly the -maleHeavy- Kenyan Government) could see that internationally, the protection of women worldwide is endorsed by both women and men (sure, women have to pick up the torch and make it happen, and ultimately the men will take the credit for it, but what the hell, beginning steps…)? These little girls are tomorrow’s Amazons. The ROI in terms of the big fight will be huge. Plus it would also  raise male consciousness locally. There are men who agree with the vitality of women. They just don’t know where to put their efforts, because they’re not in the crux of things. They know it in their heads (shoulder) but don’t feel it in their hearts.

Again, as Gloria Steinam points out in Ideas, there can NOT be democracy without feminists (and I believe she’s using the term feminist as “one who is interested in the welfare and advancement of women” — sheeshhereitgoes not at the detriment of men of course — why do I always feel  compelled to add that???? Protecting male egos I guess…)

Now, shall we all hold hands and think nice empowering thoughts? FUCK THAT! Read up on the issues, and TAKE ACTION. If the boys of this world won’t, we women have to. We’ve been slogging away at it for hundreds of years. Slowly, we’re making progress.

Am shutting up now. Clicking post….

Have a nice day.