More than 50% of humanity continues to be under siege. This group amplifies all of our humanity, all the better parts of us, what makes us better than the animals. Members of this group will often provide that hushed voice in our ear giving advise, direction and empathy. Mother, Sister, Aunt or spouse are all familiar tags for this group.
Womanhood can accomplish much for itself and humanity too, but men continue to build barriers and provide stumbling blocks that stifle their progress.
60% of our global population still see women as objects, possessions, servants & chamber maids, people that need to be protected as the weaker gender, teachable and frivolous with money. Yet womanhood is such things, but so much more, better than mankind in so many ways.
Iran: A revolutionary movement has spread throughout the Persian lands, lead not by men, but by the victims of male misogyny. Iranian Clerics and their foot soldiers persecute woman on a daily basis. Religious Police enforce the dress and social codes ruthlessly, punishing young and old sometimes to death. Woman protest against these laws and have been arrested, beaten and murdered for their beliefs.
Egypt: More than a dozen woman have been arrested for indecent dress. Many influencers such as Egyptian Salma Elshimy dress provocatively to garnish attention add views on social media. Wearing leggings, knee-length dresses, swim wear and often no head dress, these woman would attract likes on social media in America, but in Egypt they are viewed differently, often accused of spreading immorality and posting items that contradict social norms and modesty values.
Most of Middle East: Woman will dress in western dress and mannerisms are often verbally and physically abused by the public. Religious norms demand humility from these woman, and have no difficulty using violence to get obedience from them. Acid can be thrown at these ladies, as to fire rituals that will eliminate a spouse while the man keeps her families dowry to himself. Female Journalists and broadcasters are threatened and often attacked by religious fundamentalist of Muslim or Orthodox Jewish Faiths.
North America: You’d think such things do not happen in America or Canada, but not only do they but the instances are rising annually. The Religious Right use social media, protest and lobbyists to force legislative votes that could change the way woman live daily. End all rights to abortion, LGBTQ+ Rights, force dress codes upon school children, apply strict gender barriers. Just a few issues under attack by a movement that would like to return to a more puritan way of life. Forcing their attitudes upon others culturally, socially, religiously and political has become a norm in American State legislatures and Washington D.C., as to Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Several incidents of book burning and censorship show us this movement means business. Conservatives and Republicans alike see women returning to a more traditional role within their version of the nuclear family. Create more jobs by encouraging females to play happy house keepers.
Africa: Several nations have laws forcing women to submit to their male family members, whether that be father, brothers or husbands. Forced marriages, of very young girls to senior men continues to be a problem, as the authorities either know not how to or do not want to enforce their laws. Men within African Society continue to control and manage every aspect of their society.
Totalitarian Regimes: North Korea, China, Russia and @ 33% of nations through our the world allows various forms of equality to the female population (police, military, civil servants) but their pay and treatment by their male counterparts and managers remains prejudice, misogynistic, financially inferior and oppressive. Sexist attitudes towards woman is commonplace, with few good paying jobs available to them. Female children are still aborted in favor of male children, a cultural-Financial practice. Dictatorships keep female poverty well above that of their male counterparts, with the belief “that a dependent female, is a happy female”.
Most government authorities appear intent upon reinforcing societal discrimination by persecuting woman and girls instead of dealing with real life problems such as domestic violence, sexual harassment and violence directed towards women and youth. A real and direct attack upon women’s ability to use public spaces and social media in an attempt to force the submission of females everywhere. Females face a growing threat from morality-Modesty Pressure Groups, and the Boys Club to remain dependent upon traditionalistic customs and rituals often directed and managed by men.
We cannot even talk about equality between the sexes because a war is going on where many men see females not as partners, but as tools of the trade, sexual outlets and objects to trade and sell. Financial, sexual, political, social advancement of our female friends will continue to stagnate along, while our leaders present us with platitudes and self accolade’s for all that has been accomplished for womanhood :(
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
skaszab@yahoo.ca