The Daily Monitor (Addis Ababa)
20 Mars 2008
Despite their active role played in the political social and economic life of the country, Ethiopian women and their contribution in welfare and bringing about positive change, this has not been acknowledged and paid its due, in the Ethiopian context, a gender activist said on Thursday.
[ See Article ]
The disadvantages women face transcends formal institutions. The main problems are the norms, values, etc. that assign women and men to act a certain way just because they have a certain sex. Likewise, the solution should not be focused solely on women--it must include men, if we are to see any solution. How do we change this norm that requires men to get paid more than their wives and take care of their wives, to be heard more than their wives, to be dominant and act "like a man" etc. How do we change the norm that requires parents to raise their girl "as a woman?" How do we empower women to be who they are, who they want to be instead of "acting like a woman?" How do we change our mentality? For those who are in international NGOs who attempt to "help women in third world countries," how do you explain these issues with individuals in these societies?
Another option: Incorporate our culture, religion etc. Don't break marriages and our building block--the family. I AM A STRONG BELIEVER THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. But, please deal with these issues carefully.