Cleavage video goes viral

The Huffington Post recently reported on the case of an Indian actress whose cleavage video was compiled by the Times of India and released to the public. Angered by the heat that the video that went viral in social media generated, the popular actress retorted, “YES! I am a Woman. I have breasts AND a cleavage! You got a problem!!??” and “Don’t talk about Woman’s Empowerment when YOU don’t know how to RESPECT Women!” This last part was in response to critics who felt that this woman was betraying women’s empowerment.

A culture of sexual violence

This comes against a background of widespread anger for the manner in which women and girls are being subjected to sexual abuse by men. Those opposed to Bollywood’s perceived objectification of women blame it for the obsession that men have on women to the extent of raping them. One writer captures the mood of many in these words, “Beyond the realm of body parts, clothing choices, and sexuality, it is questionable as to whether Bollywood actresses, including Deepika, have done much to empower women with their body of on-screen work.”

Entrenching stereotypes

Essentially, Bollywood is entrenching stereotypes that may be the cause (even if partially) of the proliferation of cases of rape and other forms of sexual abuse in India. Ruchika Tulshyan, writing in Forbes, makes this assertion:

If you’ve watched a Bollywood movie in the last five years, chances are you noticed perfectly-sculpted actresses, donning scanty outfits, not unlike ones you would find on Beyonce. Many famous movies feature women dancing suggestively to item songs.

She further observes that Bollywood movies are replete with scenes of brutality against women, and portrayal of sexual acts, issues that were taboo some years back.

Not a perfect representation of India

It is evident that much of what these movies portray is not entirely synonymous with the life of ordinary Indian people. However, the glorification and reverence of movie stars mean they can influence people to adopt movie lifestyles. This is where Bollywood is betraying women’s empowerment.

©EthLeen

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The world is witnessing a marked shift in women participation in politics, with more politicians of the female gender emerging. Incidentally, while one would expect the developed world to blaze the path of mainstreaming women participation in democracy, it is the developing world that is leading the way. Rwanda is one such example.

The year 2003 marked Rwanda’s journey towards the current 64% women leadership in the legislature, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This is far above countries like South Africa (40%), and Uganda, Tanzania and Angola, which have surpassed the 35% mark. How does the global beacon and defender of democracy fare in this regard? The US has never surpassed the 20% mark in women representation in its various legislative houses.

How did Rwanda achieve this?

Rwanda did not arrive at this point easily. 1994 is undoubtedly the country’s darkest year. The infamous genocide that took away the lives of almost a million citizens was the fulcrum for this nation. The aftermath was conscious effort to transform the face of leadership in the country. Part of this involved entrenching women leadership, considering Rwanda had descended into an abyss under the leadership of men.

To ensure this ideal was realized, President Kagame and his government developed an affirmative action plan. For example, of the 80 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, 24 belong to women by law. However, it appears that women leadership has captivated the electorate to the extent that even in elective seats, women trounce mean. In essence, affirmative action is bolstered by direct election, which proves that women who benefit from this initiative exemplify good effective leadership.

What lessons for women empowerment does Rwanda’s action teach?

All democracies, including Western ones, must realize that women have the ability to lead and can do so when given a chance. Secondly, affirmative should not be shunned but appreciated if women empowerment is to be achieved. Thirdly, once the electorate and citizenry realize the leadership qualities of women, electing the female gender will no longer be debatable.

A final word

Despite the negative media news that emanate from Africa often, it is obvious that the continent has vital lessons in democracy for the rest of the world. The election of Mrs. Johnson-Sirleaf as the president of Liberia, and the ascending of Mrs. Banda into the Malawian presidency (though for a brief stint), illustrate how women empowerment can transform society.

© EthLeen

The post Entrenching Democracy in Rwanda through Women Empowerment appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.

Teenage girls are usually at their most fertile age. The dynamics of adolescence make teenagers want to experiment with sex. While abstinence is desirable and recommended, the commodification and commercialization of sex, hormonal changes and peer pressure combine to make it had to resist the urge to engage in sex before marriage. To avert the complications associated with teenage pregnancy, these young people have various birth control methods at their disposal.

Contraceptives – a human right?

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has a very conservative approach to the issue of contraceptives: “Access to safe, voluntary family planning is a human right. Family planning is central to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and it is a key factor in reducing poverty.”

Millions do not use contraceptives

Be that as it may, the reality is far from desirable. The same organization estimates that over 225 million women do not use effective and safe contraceptives to control birth. Some of the reasons cited for this situation include lacking access to services or information and even negative attitudes and hostility from partners and communities. Majority of these women are residents of 69 poorest nations on the globe. This explains why in these nations, teenage pregnancies occur at very high rates.

They know the importance of birth control

WHO does not blame these women because most of them would actually want to limit child birth, but other factors dissuade them. Following incessant sensitization by governments and NGOs, these women understand that:

Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility.

Birth control, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections

Apart from birth control, there are other key reasons why contraceptives should be encouraged. Take for example the use of condoms. This cheap and convenient method can prevent sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies if used well, in addition to averting unsafe abortion. Condom use is rare in many parts of Africa, for example, due to religious and cultural beliefs. Incidentally, areas where condom use is not sufficient also experience high rates of HIV / Aids.

The way forward

Increased use of birth control methods can greatly aid women empowerment efforts. However, ignorance and erroneous beliefs are hindering these efforts and society must continue to be educated and trained on the need for birth control.

©EthLeen

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Semhar Araia – State of Eritrea/Washington, D.C.

Semhar Araia was born in New York City whose parents are Eritrean immigrant. You will see from the amazing accomplishments outlined below that she has an incredible passion for the well-being of African women around the world. This is evident 30 countries she has visited, worked and lived throughout her life.

Semhar Araia is the founder and Executive Director of the Diaspora African Women’s Network (DAWN), an organization whose mission is to develop and support the next generation of African diaspora women focused on African affairs. With her law background, she specializes in US African affairs, diaspora engagement, humanitarian affairs, conflict resolution & international development. She is an adjunct professor at George Washington University, teaching on conflict, identity & development in the Horn of Africa. Before this, Semhar Araia worked for Oxfam International, US Congress, Nelson Mandela’s organization The Elders, and as an attorney for the implementation of the 1998-2000 Eritrea-Ethiopia peace process.

Semhar is also a community organizer with extensive grassroots and leadership experience working with communities in the diaspora and East Africa. She is a White House Champion of Change and African Union Diaspora Awardee of the Year, recognized for her outstanding contributions in the African diaspora community. She has lived, worked and visited over 30 countries in East Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and Europe. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Saint Thomas and her law degree from Marquette University Law School.

Amanda has made an amazing difference in the lives of children and young adults.

Amanda A. Ebokosia is a Nigerian-American freelance journalist and founder and CEO of The Gem Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization that educates school-age children, youth and young adults about the issues that affect them and their communities. Through the involvement as activity leaders, youth strengthen skills of leadership and community organizing. The Gem Project has directly impacted the lives of thousands of youth and young adults through educational workshops, weekly programs and events.

Amanda A. Ebokosia has been honored by The White House, The City of Newark and the annual FORBES Magazine 30 under 30 list, Ebokosia and her team have demonstrated a great ability to engage communities and young people in ways that develop their leadership skills, which have the capacity to change their lives. The Gem Project and Ebokosia have been featured in many magazines and news programs to share their incredible accomplishments.

In her freelance writing Amanda explores the psychology of people as it relates to their leadership styles. She also focuses on business, women issues and education. She earned a BA in biology with a minor in psychology at Rutgers University. She has also completed the Nonprofit Executive Certificate program from the Rutgers Institute of Ethical Leadership at Rutgers Business School.

©EthLeen

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While reviewing the history of Africans in America it has been shown that black women worked in the field, nursed the children, prepared the meals and attended to the house while the men were the head of household and the family. The men were also leaders in the aspects of their community. While women performed all these roles, domestic violence and incest were prevalent, a fact that black men tried to deny. With all the duties they performed black women had also been the backbone of churches and civil organizations in the black community. But, once again, the males took the leadership role in the churches and civil organizations, even though the women did all of the hard work.

Black women were also limited in their occupational pursuits during this time. It was acceptable for black women to be teachers and nurses, but careers such as doctors, lawyers, scientists and engineers were strictly a man’s profession. Even driving a truck, working on an assembly line or plant was considered taboo for women during this time.

Thankfully, much has changed in black America in the struggle for women’s equality. The changes have occurred because black men and black women are finally standing together in the common fight against racial oppression and economic exploitation. Black women are no longer content to play a secondary role in their freedom and equality struggle. They are no longer content to only prepare the meals, nurse the children and attend to the house. Being a housewife is a perfectly acceptable and respectful profession, but they deserve and want the freedom to choose. They will settle for nothing less than to fulfill their hopes and dreams, just as white women have. They will not rest until they are free of prejudices and misconceptions.

With all that said, they are also continuing the struggle to change some black man’s perceptions. Black men should not feel threatened by the black woman success, whether that success is in their family or their careers.

Although, the black women struggle has improved greatly when compared to prior history there are still many obstacles that need to be overcome. If men and women, regardless of race, all stand together and rally for equality for women of every race, then one day we will all be able to declare, free at last.

©EthLeen

The post The Women’s Struggle for Equality in Black America – Then and Now appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.

Christelyn Karazin who writes for women’s empowering website states that many black communities believe that people can be changed and taught through humiliation and degradation. They claim it is their version of tough love. Some black men admit that they love black women, but they want them to act right.

Christelyn states, “What these “geniuses” don’t realize is that humiliation as a tactic to affect change is called…ABUSE. Discipline through shame is more about the offender seeking attention and approval for himself than it is about actually changing a person’s behavior. Men who do this only wish to exercise their (limited) power by way of bullying.”

Christelyn also claims that YouTube is full of men with this attitude. They conceal the true meaning of this disturbing message, or should I say form of abuse, by claiming they are helping the community. Unfortunately, I witnessed many of these videos for myself. Their real mission in these videos is to demean black women.

What is more disturbing to Christelyn and many others, including myself, is that many nice black men just sit and watch this occur. I wonder if the so-called nice guys realize why they find themselves alone after their girlfriends watch them do nothing while this is occurring.

Here are some of the key reasons why men, regardless of their ethnicity, abuse women:

It has been found that many men, in this case, especially black men, act this way because of bad relationships with their mothers.

They chip away at a woman’s self-confidence and self-esteem so that the female will feel low and negative about themselves. He does this because that is how they feel about themselves and they reflected onto the woman. This gives them a sense of power.

They are angry at women, but at the same time desire them, which causes confusion and results in the abuse.

Make women feel small, incapable and not good enough. This is the same way they feel about themselves.

They believe they are always right, and you are always wrong. They emphasize this through abuse, both verbal and/or physical.

Women who accept abuse have typically had abuse in their childhood. They normalize abusive behavior, whether it is verbal or physical.

The purpose of the women’s empowering website is to show women that they are not alone. Abuse is prevalent in the black community and affects many more black women than any other group. It is clear from the 203 comments Christelyn received from her article that this website is truly helping women realize their potential and helps them nurture their self-esteem. The website is called, “Beyond Black & White.” It is worth a look.

©EthLeen

The post The Black Communities Notion appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.

Violence against women is common

A study carried out by Thomson Reuters Foundation established worrying trends that are prevalent today. To begin with, women are subjected to physical violence by men, including their spouses and relatives, the latter being manifested in honor killings as happens in Palestine territories and Jordan.

Sexual rights are largely non-existent for women

Sexual exploitation is also prevalent as epitomized by rape, even within the domestic sphere, with no pertinent laws to punish offenders. In fact, in some cases, all the rapist has to do to avoid jail is to marry the trophy of his conquest – the woman. Even worse, some countries like Saudi Arabia and Jordan jail women who have been raped, ostensibly for adultery.

10 years olds are married off

The oppression of Arab women is also manifested through early marriages. Apart from Tunisia where girls cannot be married until they attain 20 years of age, Syria and Yemen allow children as young as 10 years to enter into matrimony. Obviously, these children are denied education and enter adult life while illiterate a good example being over 60% illiteracy rate among adult Egyptian women.

FGM is almost universal in certain nations

Freemiddleeast.com observes that “In Egypt, often considered one of the more liberal countries in the Middle East, UNICEF found that from 1997 to 2007, 96 percent of women between 15 and 49 have experienced female genital mutilation.   In Palestine, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, and Oman female genital mutilation is also an issue.”

Participation in election is a luxury

The Center of Arab Women for Training and Research observes that “The numbers of Arab women participating in politics is the lowest in the world.” Although some countries like Tunisia are showing a gradual movement towards granting women the right to vote and stand for election, majority of Arab women remain mere spectators in politics.

No much hope for the future

Considering the intricate relationship between religion, culture and patriarchy, it is anybody’s guess on how long it will take before Arab women can have equal rights to those of their male counterparts. There is hope, however, that other states will emulate Tunisia’s approach towards inclusive democracy.

©EthLeen

The post Shocking Cruelty against Women in the Arab World appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.

The US is acknowledged globally as the epitome of freedom, democracy and equality. Thousands of people seek for Green Cards to migrate to America as they flee war and oppression in their countries or simply in search of the famous ‘American Dream.’ The election and re-election of President Obama is often cited as the embodiment of the possibility for success and fulfillment for every American’s dream irrespective of race, religion, color or creed.

Women empowerment in America is wanting

Despite this, women have not fared well in the US for many years. For example, less than 20% of American women are CEOs of established companies. America also has never had a female president; the future does not seem to be favorable for this prospect either. Single motherhood has become the norm in a country that was renowned for its stable families decades ago. Women are yet to gain the prominence they deserve in American society.

The Obama regime and women empowerment

The Obama government has been taking some steps towards women empowerment since it came into power. For example, in September 2012, it entered into a partnership with other nations in what was called Equal Futures, an initiative for empowering women and girls. In 2012, President Obama had addressed the UN General Assembly and challenged nations to “break down economic and political barriers that stand in the way of women and girls.”  Equal Futures was meant to increase the prospects of girls and women in science, technology, engineering and math and support women to engage in entrepreneurship as well as participate in civic and public leadership.

In 2013, President Obama made this statement:

“When women succeed, nations are more safe, more secure, and more prosperous. Over the last year, we’ve seen women and girls inspiring communities and entire countries to stand up for freedom and justice, and I’m proud of my Administration’s efforts to promote gender equality worldwide.

This was in tandem with the following measures, among many that his government has taken to empower women:

Making the US National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security operational in 2011 to enhance participation of female Americans in pertinent decision making.

Launching the Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Americas initiative to boost women’s participation in business.

Boosting women’s access to financial services

Expanding employment opportunities for women and instituting measures to protect them from harassment.

Instituting measures to curb gender-based violence.

Although the battle is not yet won, this is a step in the right direction for women empowerment.

©EthLeen

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Gaining but losing

In the midst of the impressive growth of Africa’s premier movie industry, it is possible to forget that cinema reflects society, and that women can gain financially but lose in other significant ways. This happens especially because is busy looking for livelihood and not much attention is given to the enhancement of women rights. How does Nollywood, consciously or unconsciously, promote or degrade women empowerment?

Perpetuating stereotypes

Nigerian film makers perpetuate negative stereotypes against women. Dr Akin Alao, a university don, “admitted that the Nigerian film industry has been reinforcing the social reality of stereotyping women, which he blamed on the media.” Fans of Nigerian movies will attest to the flatness of the typical Nigerian woman character in a movie. There are various images of the suffering women, the prostitute and the petite girl who depends on men for everything.

Of witchcraft, jealousy and flesh

One of the most common features of Nigerian movies is witchcraft. More often than not, it is the woman who visits a witch doctor to get charms to befuddle her husband or kill a co-wife or rival. When women act as university students, most of them are portrayed as being dependent on rich parents of boyfriends to survive. The woman’s work is to dress in scanty clothing with the aim of attracting her ideal man to herself. Further, there is more flesh and cleavage on Nigerian movies in relation to women than brains at work.

How about glorifying violence?

In addition, violence and sexual exploitation are prevalent in Nigerian movies. It is this aspect that moved Bayo Olupohunda, a Nigerian writer to start an online campaign dubbed, “Stop the violence against Nigerian women in Nollywood movies.” Her words would serve as nourishing food for thought:

Even when the portrayal of women in these scenes are a reflection of the evils done to women in the Nigerian society, the movies that portray them contribute to the problem by not taking an artistic stand on the side of justice.

Does Nollywood undermine women empowerment? Be the judge.

©EthLeen

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Health – Black women are dying from preventable diseases, social ills and causes. The examples she gives are heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, just to name a few. Staying healthy in the black community is extremely difficult because the social scene concentrates heavily on food. Black women also suffer from a variety of issues that affect their health such as exhaustion, spiritual loss and depression due to society’s perception that African-American women are indestructible, Superwoman.

Financial Freedom – Many black women, regardless of their education and employment status, are living paycheck to paycheck with little to no chance of financial freedom.

Education – Many African-American women are earning college degrees, but there are many more black girls and women without high school diplomas. The professor also states that many who earned degrees do it in the fields of the humanities. She feels that black women need to expand their field of study to things like science, math, computer science, engineering and business. This will make a real change in the future of African-American opportunities.

Interpersonal Relationships and Communication – The professor states, she hates to fight with a black men. She feels, as every woman should, her opinion matters and should be listened to. At times her opinion might be, could be, should be and will be different from others and everyone should respect that. She also hates fighting about and with black women. She states, the majority of women do support each other, but she feels this has changed recently with the reality TV shows that show black women in a bad light. She states, “Some sisters are completely hateful and utterly disloyal to black women in general for inexplicable, bizarre, and unfathomable reasons. Since I started commenting and posting on blogs, I have been stunned at the number of black women that are ready, willing, and able to tear down other black women for just wanting to SUPPORT and EMPOWER black women!”

Pro-Black Women Leadership and Political Representation – The professor feels black women need to be in leadership and political positions. Black women need to run for office and challenge for leadership in some of these established organizations. When they run, we need to support them in any way we can. Having people in power who actually know and care about black women can only benefit us.

This is one black woman’s opinion. What is yours?

©EthLeen

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