Women in Norway versus women in the Arab States.
Both areas are oil rich societies, yet the contrast in women's equality is staggering as is the standard of living.
Norway has two laws which amazed me. Government must have forty percent representation by females. The second law is more interesting, all company boards must have 40 percent representation by women.
Recently in Egypt, women applied for hundreds of government positions, yet were granted 2% only. A start.
Do you think we would be in this unethical financial debacle if all our boards held 40% female representation?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Destiny
I think about women's equality issues a lot. Goes along with tolerance of each other which has always been close to my heart. Anyone who has been following these postings from the beginning knows how I feel about tolerance.
What would equality look like? Same rules apply to both genders essentially. Able to earn the same wages, defend the country, be represented in government or board rooms which is where the power really is, etc. Many issues would need to be changed.
How many of us are guided by our own gut feelings, our DESTINY in other words? Probably not too many of us. As we grew up, the media through television, magazines, movies played a huge part in how we viewed our roles in society. Our aspirations where often set by others, wanting the latest trendsetter, the biggest house, the cutest car, clothes etc. Our preferences or prejudices were often set by others without a second thought.
How many of us are guided by our churches, temples,groups, clans, which set up expectations of male leadership and female subservience?
The point is, do we as women listen to our own common sense in regards to how we value ourselves or are influenced by others? Can we envision turning off all those constant communications coming at us from the Internet and whatever sources of media we prefer? Can we listen to ourselves, our DESTINY? Would that make us stronger?
What do you think?
What would equality look like? Same rules apply to both genders essentially. Able to earn the same wages, defend the country, be represented in government or board rooms which is where the power really is, etc. Many issues would need to be changed.
How many of us are guided by our own gut feelings, our DESTINY in other words? Probably not too many of us. As we grew up, the media through television, magazines, movies played a huge part in how we viewed our roles in society. Our aspirations where often set by others, wanting the latest trendsetter, the biggest house, the cutest car, clothes etc. Our preferences or prejudices were often set by others without a second thought.
How many of us are guided by our churches, temples,groups, clans, which set up expectations of male leadership and female subservience?
The point is, do we as women listen to our own common sense in regards to how we value ourselves or are influenced by others? Can we envision turning off all those constant communications coming at us from the Internet and whatever sources of media we prefer? Can we listen to ourselves, our DESTINY? Would that make us stronger?
What do you think?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Wake Up Gals, Your Right to an Abortion is Quietly Fading
Twenty States in the US now require abortion providers to conduct ultrasounds before the procedure.
In Texas she must have an ultrasound probe inserted into her vagina, which is state sanctioned rape. Rape is defined as "putting any object into an orifice against a person's will". She must undergo lecturing by superiors and made to wait another 24 hours. Four states are also considering adding this lecturing and rape to their current legislation, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization.
Texas also cut spending on family planning by 66% last year. Many states are seeking ways to abolish Family Planning out of their budgets entirely.
These new abortion laws are demeaning and disrespectful of women's rights.
The fact that women's health is suffering at the hands of political gymnastics which has been going on as long as mankind has been alive.
How many women now know that one has to endure all types of additional hindrances to obtain an abortion? Ideally, abortion shouldn't be an issue. Anyone who has raised teenage children know that abstinence is a fantasy that some churches promote. Often teenagers will never admit they are sexually active to their parents. An IUD for girls is ideal, and it costs $632 which a lot of parents can't afford. Birth control pills are also expensive, and often the lack of discipline to take them daily has its toll.
Remember, currently 67% of all births in the US are now to single mothers. Obviously, the politicians would like to increase the social burden on the rest of us by increasing those numbers and making sure that more than one in five children live in poverty or below as is the current statistics coming out of Washington.
Common sense does not prevail here. Feels like we are all asleep at the wheel? Taking away women's self respect, the hands of a male dominated society, is similar to stoning women in third world countries.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
In Texas she must have an ultrasound probe inserted into her vagina, which is state sanctioned rape. Rape is defined as "putting any object into an orifice against a person's will". She must undergo lecturing by superiors and made to wait another 24 hours. Four states are also considering adding this lecturing and rape to their current legislation, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization.
Texas also cut spending on family planning by 66% last year. Many states are seeking ways to abolish Family Planning out of their budgets entirely.
These new abortion laws are demeaning and disrespectful of women's rights.
The fact that women's health is suffering at the hands of political gymnastics which has been going on as long as mankind has been alive.
How many women now know that one has to endure all types of additional hindrances to obtain an abortion? Ideally, abortion shouldn't be an issue. Anyone who has raised teenage children know that abstinence is a fantasy that some churches promote. Often teenagers will never admit they are sexually active to their parents. An IUD for girls is ideal, and it costs $632 which a lot of parents can't afford. Birth control pills are also expensive, and often the lack of discipline to take them daily has its toll.
Remember, currently 67% of all births in the US are now to single mothers. Obviously, the politicians would like to increase the social burden on the rest of us by increasing those numbers and making sure that more than one in five children live in poverty or below as is the current statistics coming out of Washington.
Common sense does not prevail here. Feels like we are all asleep at the wheel? Taking away women's self respect, the hands of a male dominated society, is similar to stoning women in third world countries.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Womens Support
I was talking with my webmaster, Debbie and she suggested this topic.
Years ago, I went to the American Cancer Society. They had me fill out this form listing ten friends, phone numbers and addresses. These ten friends would be committed to help me while in cancer recovery.
Yeah, right! No way did I have ten friends who would be willing to run errands, feed me, or drive me to doctors etc. I could come up with three. That's it.
This little excerise was very telling to me and I never forgot it!
I made it my business to invest in REAL friends. Friends who stick by you through thick and thin! The only way to do this, of course, is to be willing and able to do the same for others. You do get tested over the years.
We all are reluctant to ask for help. Rejection being a factor, as well as embarrassment. Learnt from an unusual male source, a young yoga instructor, that sometimes we can give to others by allowing them to help us. There is a sense of satifiscation when one reaches out and helps another.
Women have a tendency to give and give to our families, yet this is often taken for granted. Your friends don't take you for granted!
Years ago, I went to the American Cancer Society. They had me fill out this form listing ten friends, phone numbers and addresses. These ten friends would be committed to help me while in cancer recovery.
Yeah, right! No way did I have ten friends who would be willing to run errands, feed me, or drive me to doctors etc. I could come up with three. That's it.
This little excerise was very telling to me and I never forgot it!
I made it my business to invest in REAL friends. Friends who stick by you through thick and thin! The only way to do this, of course, is to be willing and able to do the same for others. You do get tested over the years.
We all are reluctant to ask for help. Rejection being a factor, as well as embarrassment. Learnt from an unusual male source, a young yoga instructor, that sometimes we can give to others by allowing them to help us. There is a sense of satifiscation when one reaches out and helps another.
Women have a tendency to give and give to our families, yet this is often taken for granted. Your friends don't take you for granted!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Gender Equality is Required for World Stability
Recently I wrote about child marriage and how it essentially keeps countries improvised.
Ideally fifty percent of governmental leadership would be female. Could you imagine how different the world would be? Not in our lifetime perhaps?
Monumental events have happened: women getting the vote, man lands on the moon, dismantling the USSR, the fall of the Berlin wall, and the recent Arab Spring. All monumental shifts in humanity.
I remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of my heroes, approaching Oprah Winfrey asking her to run for President of the United States. He stated that "until women run the world, we will continue to have wars".
Some of this female empowerment is seen in various cultures. I really noticed how advanced females were in the United States versus Australia. Some European cultures also come to mind, eg. danish, dutch, swedish etc. Also, I noticed years ago that Israel had a population of approximately 8 million, surrounded by 800 Arab nationals, yet that have been able to hold their own. Why is that? Female equality through women being respected as a valuable resource. Women have been in their military and are encouraged to participate on all levels. I spent some lovely time in the middle east too, and noticed that the national pastime was to disagree with one another. Seemed like a sport to me, nonetheless it doesn't strengthen the community.
Imagine, yes imagine...what the world would be like if we created gender balances. I see the Internet being the vehicle. Information being shared freely, world wide.
I love that phrase....think like a man, act like a woman.
What are your thoughts?
Ideally fifty percent of governmental leadership would be female. Could you imagine how different the world would be? Not in our lifetime perhaps?
Monumental events have happened: women getting the vote, man lands on the moon, dismantling the USSR, the fall of the Berlin wall, and the recent Arab Spring. All monumental shifts in humanity.
I remember Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of my heroes, approaching Oprah Winfrey asking her to run for President of the United States. He stated that "until women run the world, we will continue to have wars".
Some of this female empowerment is seen in various cultures. I really noticed how advanced females were in the United States versus Australia. Some European cultures also come to mind, eg. danish, dutch, swedish etc. Also, I noticed years ago that Israel had a population of approximately 8 million, surrounded by 800 Arab nationals, yet that have been able to hold their own. Why is that? Female equality through women being respected as a valuable resource. Women have been in their military and are encouraged to participate on all levels. I spent some lovely time in the middle east too, and noticed that the national pastime was to disagree with one another. Seemed like a sport to me, nonetheless it doesn't strengthen the community.
Imagine, yes imagine...what the world would be like if we created gender balances. I see the Internet being the vehicle. Information being shared freely, world wide.
I love that phrase....think like a man, act like a woman.
What are your thoughts?
Monday, March 5, 2012
A Woman Should Have
contributed by Sally S.
Maya Anagelou's
A Woman Should Have....
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A Woman Should Have....
a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra..
one friend who always makes her laugh..and one who lets her cry
A Woman Should Have...
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself....
Every Woman Should Know...
how to quit a job
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship
when to try harder and when to walk away
Every Woman Should Know
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over....
Every Woman Should Know
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally....
Every Woman Should Know
where to go ...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming Inn in the woods..
when her soul needs soothing...
Every Woman Should Know
what she can and can't accomplish in a day..
a month....and a year....
Maya Anagelou's
A Woman Should Have....
enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A Woman Should Have....
a youth she's content to leave behind....
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra..
one friend who always makes her laugh..and one who lets her cry
A Woman Should Have...
a feeling of control over her destiny...
how to fall in love without losing herself....
Every Woman Should Know...
how to quit a job
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship
when to try harder and when to walk away
Every Woman Should Know
that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents...
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over....
Every Woman Should Know
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
how to live alone...even if she doesn't like it
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally....
Every Woman Should Know
where to go ...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming Inn in the woods..
when her soul needs soothing...
Every Woman Should Know
what she can and can't accomplish in a day..
a month....and a year....
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