Inspiring change: putting women and girls first

By Jaevion Nelson

We have a penchant for flirting with the concept and importance of protecting and promoting the human rights of women and girls, but we don't seem to take action in this regard with any sense of urgency to remedy their situation.

It would appear we are unperturbed by the fact that women are more likely to be poor and unemployed despite higher levels of education, that our women and girls experience high rates of sexual abuse and are three times more likely to be living with HIV, that they don't have autonomy over their bodies where sexual and reproductive health is concerned, and that female headed households are larger and consume less. It's disheartening that women and girls (and, of course, other marginalised groups) are seemingly being left behind as we improve our socio-economic conditions.

It is critical that, as we work towards achieving our development goals - the ambitious Vision 2030 - that we take the advice of experts like Joseph Stiglitz, former vice-president and chief economist at the World Bank, who advised that "development is more than just the accumulation of capital and the reduction of distortions (inefficiencies) in the economy. It is the transformation of society, a departure from traditional ways of doing things and traditional modes of thinking".

Stiglitz is right, and there are many more experts such as Amartya Sen who posit similar arguments. We must explore new ways of doing things and ensure we put women and girls at the heart of our development, because "When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life" (Kofi Annan). It means, therefore, that equality and social justice should underscore our socio-economic development strategies. I believe Michael Manley said it best when he advised that we be concerned about the "organisation of access" in our country. This, he said, though not referring specifically to women, is crucial so there may be "equal access to jobs, to goods, clothing and shelter; to social security, to the decision-making process, to the sense of belonging and being of equal value, to create leisure, to the process and remedies of the law and to education" (Michael Manley, 1974).

On Saturday, March 8, we will observe International Women's Day to reflect on the strides we have made over the years, celebrate the contributions women have made to our society, and to (hopefully) moot for changes. I sincerely hope we will do more of the latter than the usual celebration about the few women who are in positions of authority and increased opportunities women and girls now have compared to a decade or so ago. There is a lot of work to be done and we mustn't forget that if we truly want to be a prosperous nation. Let us ensure our promise to women and girls - that their rights are more than a speech, more than an election promise, and more than a project objective, but their lived reality, especially where economic empowerment is concerned.

Lastly, on an unrelated matter: as we seek to improve the institutional response to violence against women and pursue social justice for them, it is pivotal we take action to end 'slut shaming'. Well that's if we want a reduction in the number of sexual abuse cases annually; if we want them to not suffer in silence and come forward and make reports.

demeaning women

We desperately need to stop thinking they have no right to celebrate their sexuality. We cannot continue to demean them for the way they dress and pretend they are the bane of their own existence. Women should not be required to confine their femininity (however they choose to define it) behind closed doors while men are given freedom to prove their hegemonic masculine status.

Besides, why are we so easily offended by females celebrating their sexuality however they choose to? Why do we demean them for their performance of such but glorify and limit them to objects of sex (the pawns of men) in advertising, movies, art, etc. Is this not a double standard? Why do we continue to blame and guilt them into believing that they somehow cause men to sexually harass and rape them? Should we not castigate men and boys for doing the things they should not do and call on the Government to take action? If a female chooses to expose her genitalia on her forehead she is no less a human than the church sister adorned in a long frock and hat and surely does not deserve to be raped because of her attire. There ain't no one way to be a woman.

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.