John W. Johnston
August 29, 2008; 2:45:00 PM
Women and Their Basic Involvement -- Its Gotta Start Somewhere.
Oxfam America teamed with TONUS to create an organization in Mali called Savings for Change. This program, which was implemented in 1995. This program, which is overseen by Oxfam America and run mainly by the women for the women, starts a savings type bank for the women in the country of Mali. This bank is then run by the women, mainly for the women, with the respect of the men. Not only does it allow women some type of role in the tribe/community, it allows women to congregate in groups and discuss current affairs for one of the first times in Mali's history. Women have the opportunity to talk about things they have experienced in life and share those values and lessons onto the young and the old. The men, in turn, realize that marrying a woman of this caliber has it's rewards as well. Since the women have been encouraged to speak and are somewhat educated, they can offer loving advice to their husband should he ask. Women can also contribute saved funds to the affairs of the households, as well as the lives of their children. The world is dominated by the big countries who have already moved past these hurdles in their history, but for the women of Mali, they could be eternally grateful.
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Basically, this article makes me happy. It's such a nice experience to see women actually doing something, and being allowed to do something, in tribes and countries such as the ones in Mali. In reality, they are humans too, and it's time that the men start facing up to the fact that, given the chance, women can dominate society as much as men can. The female gender is proven to study things more, give more heartfelt concern to decisions, and generally taking the time to understand situations before acting. While men encompass these traits to some degree, women biologically have the abilities to do this better than males. Sometimes, though, it is good to have men around just to back things up and watch over situations as well, regardless of who's in complete control.
Seeing something as revolutionary as this happen in my lifetime is something I should be grateful to experience. I love my country all most more than anything and, yes, while we have already went through this part in our history, it's humbling to know that people somewhere else on this big planet are experiencing the same thing we have already had the chance to do ourselves.
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/issues_we_work_on/saving_for_change/news_publications/gradual-change-in-the-status-of-women
1 comment:
While I agree that it's wonderful that progress is being made in this area in Mali, it's obvious that it's not nearly enough. In particular, it seems grossly offensive to me that these women are still being valued by men for their marriageability, as evidenced in the phrase "they can offer loving advice to their husband should he ask". It's the "should he ask" bit that's sticking in my throat. In a marriage, where a woman and a man are supposed to be partners, the woman shouldn't have to be asked before she can express her opinion. Simple as that.
I think it's sad that women in Mali have to be "given" the chance to dominate society (to use your phrase), instead of simply having by default the same chances as a man..
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