And so I think of the many around the world who are being abused and killed virtually every minute if not seconds. Why, why, why? What is in the minds of both women and men that allows for the difference in gender equality and equity? Who or what in our human system tells and gives men and boys power and control over women and girls and who or what tell women and girls that they are to accept and allow these gender inequalities and inequities? Women have risen in education, in professional jobs, in owning real estates and other major material assets, yet they are still controlled, abused and killed.
We can mark the achievements of women and girls which is good and ought to be celebrated but it must not cause us to sleep as too many women and girls are still being abused and killed off because they are independent in one way or another. What is the real problem? Women holding higher education, be professional, having significant material assets have not solved the problems they face daily at the hand of men and boys.
The training of both boys and girls ought to be analyzed. What are boys and girls taught at home, in their communities, their school, etc. what is demonstrated or modeled to them?
Today I reflect on an often over looked reality. I think of the many elderly women who have worked hard only to have the significant males in their lives, especially worthless sons slow kill them for their houses and lands. Many of our elderly women are being abused for what they worked hard for. They cannot enjoy their retirement and live in fear every day. How do we work with men and boys to reduce and eventually rid our societies of gender social ills. That is the question.
So I would say have a reflective and prayerfully proactive international women’s day EVERYONE!!!.
I particularly pray for one retired school principal who celebrated one hundred years recently. Now bed ridden, I am sure now grieving her proud upright posture and high heel strides, grieving her proud achievement once prominent on her living room wall but was taken down by her “apple of her eye son” I pray and think of her as she silently suffers. I pray for the many friends and family who have been run from her life by this particular son. I pray for the young grands and great grands who may learn from him how to get house and land. I pray for all of us sinners who do not treat our mothers and grandmothers with the love and respect, care and comfort they deserve in the diamond years of their lives
For our women and girls we pray liberation this day of reflection, prayer and activism for women and girls the world over.