Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
It is laudable and simultaneously troubling that we have to set aside a specific time to do what we should be doing everyday and all the time, appreciating the never ending contribution of woman. So, it is my conviction that everyday, should be noted as working women's day, because in effect, that is what it is. Days only possible, because of the work of women. Among the troubling revelations that may obtain by taking a more comprehensive look at the work of women, is that we would be forced to acknowledge the ongoing, institutionalised oppression of women.
In effect the tacit legalization of a despicable crime against humanity, through the wanton abuse of womanhood. In times of war and peace and for too many women, it has always been long night of fear and violence, and too often days of thankless struggle, toil and disrespect.
It is evident, in a global order, in the dominant global culture, and subcultures,that for all intents and purposes this is a man's world, in which women may participate only at the invitation of men. The commanding heights and the essential expression of contemporary society, is almost totally male, in form or essence.
The efforts of the women and their male allies, who have broken the barricades of gender oppression, have helped to humanize us all and it is this aspect that I find most enriching, most hopeful. Aware, that most of you are familiar with the horrendous abuse of women, around the world, I will not insult your consciousness by recounting the myriad of situations that should have all humanity up in arms. There is a world war being waged, if not for the destruction of women, certainly for to intensify and sustain their dehumanization. This is particularly evident in the global war on terror, and the never ending imperial war to procure, dominate and exploit the human and material resources of vulnerable societies. Those who work to assert the human rights and dignity of women, generously offer us all the chance of redemption and restoration of the integrity of humanity. This is a job of monumental significance, a sacred duty.
One area of endeavor that I have found of tremendous value, is that of how we perceive the role of women in the context of reproduction. At risk of being too idealistic, I would suggest that the failure to pay even more attention to the contradictions inherent in the work of procreation, of motherhood, has led to some really twisted attitudes and policies towards women and resultant oppression.
I view the process of reproduction as a creative, endeavour in which woman grants man the opportunity to participate. Not to disavow the obvious value of our contribution as men, but I believe it would be accurate to view our participation as an honor and a privilege, and proceed from that consciousness. I am not proposing that women's role be elevated to a position of superiority, but in a value system, where the status of men has been superior, I feel that the question of the validity of that relation is in order, and that it should be corrected. Again, I will refrain from presenting the obvious, suffice it to say that the privilege of choosing a mate, dehumanizing in itself, has mainly been the right of the male.
In order to attain justice for all, liberation and to truly value the human experience, these forms of oppression have to be done away with. But again, of equal importance is concrete, functional appreciation the role of women in the creative process, of the facilitation of the development and coming forth of life itself. Family, community and the state itself needs to institutionalize and express in their relations in policy and practice and in the culture the value of womanhood. The nation state and the international community needs homage and model respect for to the inherent and irreducible worth of women.
Here are a few propositions for your consideration:
1.That we continue to challenge the assumptions about gender value.
2.Take a close look at the implications of gender based power dynamics for all
relationships and particularly those built around the reproductive process.
3.That in reviewing the creative relationship we honor the humanity of all involved
by recognising that the opportunity to share in the life of another human being
is a privilege that is valid solely on the discretion of the other party. In the
context of this discussion, the woman decides if she wants to share her body and
the mother, whose duty it will be to bear the fruit of labor, must in principle be
accorded the authority commensurate with her contribution.
4.The plight of women around the world needs to be acknowledged even more
directly,recognised and defined, as a product of a deliberate, historic and
institutionalised policy to oppress and dehumanize women. That this status, as
already laid out in various human rights forums, needs to be brought into the
popular consciousness and engaged with the same, or more intense investment as is
the global war on terror,the death penalty and other human rights abuses.
In almost every conflict, in contemporary and historic times, we see that the
women experience devastating victimization and have little to gain from
whatever men may be supposedly fighting over.
5.Finally, in all aspects of human endeavor, all work,the contributions and most
importantly the wisdom of women, should be sought after and respected in
pursuit of a more humane and dignified world for all.
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