One Woman Army

The blame game in Africa; a tale of discrimination

I want to come back now to my earlier post about the forced sterilization of women - particularly the news today about the situation in Africa, where women are being sterilized to stop the spread of HIV without their knowledge.

My thoughts kept on in this direction after a lengthy debate about the issue with my partner.

Aside from the issue of choice, this points to a much larger issue.

That being, women-blaming, misogyny, sexism. discrimination.

Yeah, not words thrown around lightly, but also not words that one should be surprised to find me using on this blog.

In this case, we are seeing the sterilization of hundreds of women with the sole intent of ensuring they don't pass HIV onto any future children in pregnancy (which is preventable, might I add). There is no concern or mention of the same issue with men - who continue to spread HIV in Africa through sexual intercourse with men, women, and children in a hopelessly depressing, agonizing myth that having sex with children is a cure for HIV. There is no mention of how the government and health system are dealing with this issue - solely that women are being taken to task. In Sierra Leone and Tanzania, governments have passed laws outlawing transmission of HIV from mother-to-child - despite that medications are now available to prevent this. The onus is still put on the woman, being blamed for contracting HIV, the responsibility put solely on her. This does nothing to prevent further HIV transmission to other partners, nor from those partners transmitting themselves. It does nothing for education regarding HIV and serves only to fuel existing myths and blame.

Frustrated, angry, upset.
Africa needs much more than forced sterilization of women. Support for economic poverty, access to healthcare, equality... that's only the beginning and a much much larger issue for another discussion.

Video of the day: Mother's Day Action

I have always had mixed feelings about Mother's Day - a hallmark holiday whereas you are suddenly told to emulate and celebrate your mother - and there are many mothers in the world who should not be mothers and should not be celebrated on command.

Why have just one day to do so? Why  not whenever you need to? Whenever you feel like?

Its easy to forget the history of Mother's Day - and that it wasn't about celebrating the mother - but rather, restoring peace.

I love this video from Mothers Day For Peace - featuring Gloria Steinem, Alfre Woodard, Christine Lahti and more. I'll admit it made me cry. And while I can't donate to their charity right now - helping children devastated in the Iraqui War - I love how it makes you remember that there is something bigger than celebrating your mother right now - finding peace.

New issue of E4W!

The new issue of Empowerment4Women.org is now up and available

Pretty new tshirts, new blogs and a brand-new Sexuality section where you can win an OhMyBod music-powered vibrator!!!!!

Fuuuuuuun!

National Day of Truthtelling

Today, April 28th, is the National Day of Truthtelling taking place in Durham, North Carolina.

Although I am far away, my spirits are there with all my sisters who are telling the truth today and working to end violence against women. The Day of Truthtelling gets to the heart of stopping violence against women.

To heal - we must tell the truth.

To change - we must tell the truth.

To raise our voices - we must tell the truth.

To be believed - we must tell the truth.

To support one another - we must tell the truth.

To stop the violence - we must tell the truth.

I believe every single woman who says she is raped. Every. Single. Woman. I believe her when she says she said no. I believe her when she says she fought back. I believe her even if she says she was enjoying it but then changed her mind later. I believe her if she was wearing “sexy” clothes. I believe her no matter her sexual history. I BELIEVE HER.

Because No Means No. It doesn’t mean maybe later, or I’ll think about it, or keep talking me into it because I don’t really mean it, or… (insert anything here!!!!). NO MEANS NO!

So I will believe every single woman who says that she was raped, that she didn’t want it, that she didn’t understand it was rape, that she thought it was her fault and so she didn’t know it was rape. I will believe her. Because the hardest most painful, most difficult part of stopping violence against women, of healing oneself and violence, is to tell the truth about what happened to you. Not even to tell the truth to the world - but to tell it to yourself. To admit it to yourself. To speak the words.

So any woman who says she has been a victim of violence - I will believe her.

And that is the key to ending violence.

So today, my heart and passions are with all the women gathered from across North America who have come to march in solidarity in Durham, North Carolina, who will be attending teach-ins and workshops and speaking out their truths to eachother and to themselves.

Today is a Day of Truthtelling - but so should everyday be one.

-Artemis.

Thumbs up for provincial budget!

Media Release - For Immediate Release
April 27, 2007

Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Newfoundland and Labrador

“Advisory Council Gives Provincial Budget a Thumb’s Up”

“The Provincial Government gets a big thumbs up for this year’s budget”, says Leslie MacLeod, President of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

Many of the initiatives included in social spending indicate that government has been listening to the advice of women around the Province.  “We were very pleased to see the strong commitment to advancing the status of women in a variety of ways”, said Ms. MacLeod.

The Advisory Council was relieved to see a $25,000 increase in funding to each of the eight Women’s Centres around the Province. “Women’s Centres are an essential part of our communities.  They provide important resources to women and have been doing this on a shoe string budget”, said Ms. MacLeod.

The Advisory Council also received a significant budget increase. “We will have an additional staff member and more resources.  We will be able to do more to advance the issues that are important to women,” said Ms. MacLeod.

Women make up the majority of people who work for minimum wage, and women’s groups have been a vocal part of the lobby for $10 an hour minimum wage.  The announcement of an $8.00 minimum wage by April 2008 shows we’re clearly on the way to that target.

The new post-secondary student grant system and reduced interest on student loans, free text books, assistance to people who have high drug costs, improved health care for women, as well as improvements in social housing and justice services are all welcomed by the Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council congratulates the women of Labrador for their success in advocating for increased medical transportation coverage, lower electrical costs, and improvements in education and justice services.

“We are also delighted that a total of $30 million in tax cuts will directly improve the lives of women and families in the low income bracket,” said Ms. MacLeod.

However, the Advisory Council continues to give the federal government a big thumb’s down.  “If Harper’s government hadn’t turned its back on women’s issues, the Province would have significantly more money for child care and early learning programs”, said Ms. MacLeod.

“We would also be well on our way to solving serious problems with the egal aid system if the federal government believed in our right to ccess the justice system.”  Unfortunately, thanks to the federal government, access to both child care and legal aid continue to be serious problems for the women in our Province.

(30)

All I want for Christmas

Dear Santa,

Its been quite a few years since I’ve written, but I’m sure to be on your good list this year! I’ve been so well-behaved - no name-calling, back-stabbing, putting gum in people’s hair - nothing like that. I’ve been an angel, so I’d like to ask for a few things for Christmas.

All I really want for Christmas is the funding to Status of Women Canada restored and equality put back in its mandate. If there’s one thing you can bring me - this is it! SWC has done so much for women’s equality in Canada over the years, and the work isn’t done yet. If you can’t do it on your own, how about getting every woman in Canada to email Bev Oda on Christmas Day to ask her for it as our Christmas gift? Here’s how to reach her: [email protected]

What else would I like for Christmas? A job that pays the same wage as my male friends, all wrapped up in a stocking with a big red bow.

The Court Challenges Program restored in Canada - how can we challenge the government on women’s equality without it?

A t-shirt for every day of the week - This is What a Feminist Looks Like! Wear it loud and wear it proud!

Safe streets to walk on, safe bars to dance in, safe drinks to drink. How hard is that? Can you get it for me by New Year’s Eve?

What I really want for Christmas? Time with my family and friends. A home to call my own. And the knowledge of what it used to be like to be a feminist - because in my Christmas gift, feminism is no longer needed since we’re living in a post-patriarchy.

Hey, I said I’d been good, so I figured I’d make my list big That’s what Christmas wishes are all about!

Happy Holidays everyone, whatever holiday you may be choosing to celebrate!

- Artemis

Taking Action: The Feminist Challenge

Today I marched. I yelled, I rallied, I waved my placard. Tonight, my voice is almost gone.

And tomorrow, I’m ready to start all over again.

I’ll talk more soon about the SWC actions taking place around the country now, but if you’re like me and want to do more, check this out:

Its the Empowerment4Women Feminist Challenge.

I can’t find a deadline, it just says “for an upcoming issue” - but the general crux is take action! In the smallest ways, or the biggest - just try to do some sort of action on a daily - or weekly - basis. Then write about it.

I LOVE this idea. Anything to get more feminist action out in this world!

Anyone else in?

-Artemis

Women Are Angry...

And they have every right to be.

I’ve talked before about the cuts to Status of Women Canada.

$5 million dollars. That a whole 40% of its operating budget. This past week, the supposedly right honorable Minister Bev Oda, Minister responsible for Status of Women, announced the closure of three-quarters of the Status of Women offices in Canada. This effectively disables the organization - and with it women’s equality in Canada.

Oda said:

“The government recognizes, knows and does not have to be told that women are equal… Women across Canada will support the $5 million cut.”

Women are already equal huh? We don’t need this money? I guess this is why she also removed the word “equality” from the agenda of Status of Women Canada.

Women’s rights, services, advocacy and equality are under full-attack in Canada. So women are equal? This is the reality of Canadian women:

• women with post-secondary degrees earn 68.9% of what their male counterparts do.
• Canada ranks 38th in the world in the wage gap. Who’s more equal than Canada? Cambodia, Kenya, Czech Republic, and over 30 others!
• Canada ranks 25th in the world in the representation of women in professional and technical occupations.
• the average income for Canadian men: $36,865. The average income for Canadian women: $22,885.
• 1 in 5 Canadian women live in poverty.
• half of all single, widowed, and divorced women over 65 live in poverty.
• 67% of minimum wage earners are women.
• 29% of Canadian women have been assaulted by a spouse.
• half of all Canadian women have been sexually or physically assaulted.
• 43% of women have been sexually assaulted before the age of 16.
• in Canada, women make up 50.4% of the population, but only 20.8 of the seats in the House of Common.

EQUALITY IS STILL ON MY AGENDA.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Canada’s signing of the UN Convention to Eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women. It’s time to hold Harper accountable.

Here’s a snapshot of events across Canada:

On December 10th (Human Rights Day), if you’re in Ottawa, rally for equality and justice! 1:30pm at the Supreme Court of Canada.

In St. John’s, Newfoundland? Join in the protests as the only Status of Women’s office in Newfoundland is being eliminated! December 8th meet at the Colonial Building at noon to rally against the cuts.

In Victoria, British Columbia, head to the government buildings at noon on December 8th. These cuts come on top of massive 100% funding cuts to women’s centres in BC over the last 4 years by the Campbell government.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, attend a Funeral for Women’s Equality on December 8th at noon at the Women’s Memorial Grove on the legislature grounds.

In Moncton, New Brunswick, meet at the City Hall at noon on December 8th.

Bring your signs, your pots and pans, your energy and let this government know that women’s rights are human rights!!!!!!

For more information:

• Womennet
• Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action (FAFIA)
• The Women Are Angry
  

In sisterhood, Artemis

Fight for us all!

Women’s voices are being silenced.
More to the point, we’re being stamped out, stomped on, our rights eliminated and taken away.

Yesterday, Minister Bev Oda announced further cuts to Status of Women Canada - seeing the closures of regional offices across the country. Only four will be left when the slashing and burning is done.

Offices in Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia will no longer have Status of Women offices.

Minister Oda said the offices were being closed because they were too supportive of groups who advocated or lobbied on behalf of women.

Where are you going to be on December 10th?
Hopefully, fighting the good fight, raising your voice, letting the Canadian govenrment know that we are here and our SWC offices are needed. Women’s funding is needed. Women’s advocacy and equality work is needed.

Protest! Make your voice heard! Events are taking place across Canada.

Women’s rights are human rights! Fight for us all!

Wear it proud!

For those who have been asking where to find one. Some places make them local - here in the Atlantic provinces I've seen at least three Crisis Centres who make their own for fundraising. If you can't find one locally, check out the Feminist Majority Online Store. For another version check out the National Organization for Women's (NOW) cool shirt. -Artemis