Thought Paper on Female Genital Mutilation

 

Every person has the right to say NO, and everyone is entitled to choose what he thinks is good and beneficial for himself. However regardless of these rights, one’s free will is sometimes caged by the society he is in. Following what he wants may show signs of deviation and therefore he is often times treated with prejudice.

 

 

In a country where people strictly adhere to their beliefs and traditions, culture often gets into the way of experiencing the totality of one’s freedom. The Female Genital Mutilation or FGM is a perfect example of rituals being performed without proper procedure and scientific basis. Although this practice has been present for more than decades, as a woman and a person who values individual rights, I am supporting Waris Dirle’s advocacy against FGM.

 

Why am I against FGM? First, it can kill innocent females as young as five years old. Let us face it, the procedure of the surgery in unhygienic and is practiced by people who are not even experts on medical field. The surgery itself may not cause the death, but they may most likely die of infection since the instruments used may not even qualify as standard tools for operating humans. Second, it robs the opportunity of women to experience pleasure during sex. It is not women should be very particular of it, but it is part of adulthood. Why prohibit women or why only women? Are they not entitled of anything, from opportunities in the society, power-relations, and now even simply experiencing pleasure? Lastly, it brings a lifetime nightmare, a traumatic past no girls would ever forget. A person who experienced FGM carries the burden physically, emotionally and psychologically until the she dies. At an early age, one should be enjoying her childhood rather than enduring the pains given for free by mandated traditions that only few bothered to question.

 

I am not disrespecting anyone’s culture. I myself is a slave to society’s traditions but the only difference is, I know when to stop being one especially if it means endangering myself and putting my fellowmen into life-threatening situations.

 

Moms don’t Always Know What is Best

Maternal or Women’s Care is the 5^th Milennium Development Goals of the United Nations. It aims to lower mortality rate and unwanted preganancies.

According to United nations Develoment Programme, in the Philippines induce abortion is the foruth leading cause of maternal death. Also, out of 3 million pregnancies over half of births occurred at home and one-third of them were assisted by traditional birth attendants (TBAs).

In Barangay Lumangan, survey shows that majority of the respondents in Lumanggan are practicing modern maternal care methods but rarely participate in seminars and forums regarding family planning. On the other hand, there are still few who adhere to the traditional means like “hilot”. Age could be considered as an intervening factor since those who prefer “hilot” are the ones who conceived at the year 1970’s.

During the pregnancy stage, 6 out of 9 respondents had their regular check-up at their health center and nearest hospital while the remaining 3 still believe in “hilot”. This could also be attributed to lack of financial resources and the presence of “hilot” and midwives at their barangay.

The survey also shows that majority of the respondenst which is 6 out of 9 gave birth to their children in their home with the aid of “hilot” and midwives. The remaining 3 gave birth in the hospital.

When it comes to family planning, there have been no case of abortion occurred during their pregnancy and the use of contraceptive is not prevalent. This is due to the fact that 5 out of 9 did not participate in any type of forums or seminars conducted by the government or any volunteer group. The remaining 4 attended the seminar about family planning conducted by volunteer groups of UPV and other institutions.

Women in Lumanggan should participate in the activities by the government intended to widen their knowledge about modern maternal care. This will be beneficial on their part since they will learn new ideas and practices given the right methods and proper supervision. They should not rely solely on traditional birth attendants since there are risks involved before and after pregnancy.

Pictures don’t LIE , this time

 

Bodies were dumped like piles of garbage. Women and children crying to death upon the sight of what they have lost. Men try to use all the remaining parts of their broken body, mind and home.

Seeing the picture of the victims of the earthquake in Haiti made me ask myself, if I was there and one of them, would I still want to continue  living?

The pictures were vivid. They showed how the 7.0Mw earthquake killed more than 150,000 people and destroyed the lives of the rest in a matter of days.  Almost 400,000 were homeless. They all depend on the aid the United Nations and other countries offer them.

I may not be from Haiti, but I know how it feels to be part of just a “dot” on the globe. No one really seems to care on what happened, it is just they are obliged to extend their help.

If one continue to browse for more pictures about the devastating incident, one can see more troubled faces. Everyone is in despair with nothing to hold on to but themselves. The bruises on their body will  leave scars that even time cannot heal.

The younger ones  who should be enjoying their childhood definitely were put into a situation where they could not even think about their dreams and ambitions. They were trapped in  the present where everything seemed to be the end of their happiness.

 

Tears and blood were shed with one strike of nature. A natural phenomenon that one can only predict but could not stop. Who would want this to happen to our fellowmen? It is quite ironic that the ones who are not capable of saving themselves from the demand of the society and the global industry are the ones out in a situation that only made them feel smaller than before. I am not saying the scenario could have been better if it happened on the first world countries, but it is just too unfair for the people of Haiti. They are already poor in terms of economy, and now they are burdened with a bigger problem.

Women: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?

(This article is in response to Rina Jimenez-David’s article Women for the Senate)

In the article of Rina Jimenez-David, Women for the Senate, Senator Pia Cayetano pointed out that having more women in the Senate will result to gender equality and more women-friendly bills. As far as gender equality is concern, it has always been, what men can do, women can do it too; sometimes even better. Despite the different approach each gender uses, the results can be of no difference at all.

In the forthcoming election, there will be eight women aspiring to have a seat in the senate. Each of them promised to make the “minority voice” be heard and be equally treated.

However, is having more women in the Senate means a greater chance of a better government?

Women, just like men can be influenced by personal motives and be a great player in politics. If Sen. Pia Cayetano wanted equality and to create more women-friendly rules, could that be offensive on the part of the other gender?

As a common knowledge to all, many bills were passed and approved that favor women. All the rights are always entitled to women since as the society portrays, women are always the victim. They are always the one who need help and protection. Come to think of it, our very own president is a woman. However, did she became a good leader in terms governance and moral recovery?

Looking back to the article, Rep. Rissa Hontiveros mentioned that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has done a disservice to the idea of women leadership.

GMA is  a woman but she acted like she is not. This only shows that a motherly love can also be dangerous and destructive. Not all women entitled to rule or be of power remain to be faithful to their roles. Sometimes they can be of great advantage or the other way around.

Is it not too bias on the part of the women since they always make use of gender stereotyping to promote their own personal motives? I acknowledge that the author has no intentions of promoting senatorial candidates. However, the issue of gender equality and women’s rights have occurred for almost a century now.

The same arguments are being thrown back and forth. When will it ever stop? Are the women of today not yet contended of acquiring the same status as men have or the ones behind this are just asking for sympathy to their advantage?

I am a woman, and being one means knowing that women cannot be good all the time. We can be wolves in sheep’s clothing, and sometimes we can do things worse than men can.