Blog 10: Men urged to speak out against violence

There is an ongoing crisis when it comes to violence against women and the need for individuals to speak up and support equality for women is in need. Although this is happening all over the world this particular article is based on the UK.  As stated in the article, help organizations that deal with victims of violence against women say it is crucial that more men speak out against the problems and get involved in changing attitudes in society. This needs to be a joint effort and more importantly not just women standing up for their own rights, but men as well need to be more involved. There is a UN website that is dedicated to this campaign called UNITE to end violence against women. UNITE states that too many times boys and young men are taught to equate masculinity with the use of violence and dominance over women and girls. Also, too often, this kind of behavior is met with silence and is tolerated by other men which only leads to normalize gender inequality and negative stereotypes. For years now women all over the world have led efforts to prevent and put an end to violence, but today, now more than ever, men are standing up and showing support to this movement. More often than not, women are more likely to be victims of violence, so it is extremely important to have the support of males to spread this awareness and hopefully put an end to violence against women.

In the past, although roles are slowly changing, men have always been superior when it comes to governmental roles, higher paying jobs, and higher up in the job market. More often than not men are the ones we see and hear from. Men simply have crucial roles such as being fathers, brothers, friends, decision makers, and community and opinion leaders in speaking out against violence against women and young girls and ensuring that priority attention is given to the issues. In order to make change, everyone needs to be involved, and when it comes to violence against women, there needs to be females as well as males wanting to make a difference and change this act of violence.

http://www.euronews.com/2013/04/15/men-urged-to-speak-out-against-violence/

Meredith Casacchia
4-15-2013   4:52pm

Blog 9: Tackling water inequality: can we avoid a global crisis?

This article discusses our world’s fresh water supply and if action is not taken place now, the fresh water that we will essentially need in the future will become similar to the gasoline fuel of the present. Just like gas prices continue to go up and we never truly know if prices will ever go back down, our water supply for our future is also being questioned.  Just like the article states, water scarcity already exists within some regions of the northern hemisphere and almost every country in the southern hemisphere faces issues and problems relating to water inequality. There are also many states in America that face water scarcity and there are competitions and struggles among them for access to clean water from rivers and lakes. In the United Kingdom there are already issues concerning an available water supply because they face such severe droughts and this will continue to be a major concern to worry about within the next two decades.  The key problem and issues is water management. Overall everyone is not using their water supply efficiently. Humans are wasting away water not knowing that in the future having fresh, clean water could potentially be a major crisis. The article also states that we need to educated citizens and government policies and also develop an ethos for responsible water consumption and local water management. We also need to ask ourselves what are our responsibilities as water users are and how can we encourage more sustainable forms of water consumption?

Overall this article really brings up some extremely crucial questions. We all need to ask ourselves do we really need to take a thirty minute shower or do we really need to wash our car every month. Even the simplest of things and bringing awareness to these issues can help us prepare for the future. Knowing that water is something we need to survive, we all need to start taking precautions and learning how we can tackle inequality and just like the article says, avoid a global crisis. Raising awareness of this issue is most certainly a key component and the elite and those living in the higher, industrialized countries need to not take for granted their fresh water supply, because perhaps in 20 or 30 years clean water might not be available. Right now, there are about one billion people who live without clean drinking water and this number continues to rise. This is very important and valuable information and everyone needs to be aware of these statistics and what could happen in the future if we are not careful.

http://www.scienceomega.com/article/972/tackling-water-inequality-can-we-avoid-a-global-crisis

Meredith Casacchia
4-9-2013 12:50pm

Blog 8: India Ranks Lower Than Pakistan on Gender Equality

Out of the 187 countries on the gender inequality index India is ranked number 132, which is even lower than Pakistan. With this being said this article states that all countries in South Asia, not including Afghanistan, were a better place for women than compared to India. Gender inequality is especially relevant in India because it excludes women from social opportunities. In India the sex ratio is off, with only 914 females every 1000 males. Also the families in India prefer boys to girls. Another mind blowing fact is that only 29 percent of Indian women above the age of 15 were part of the country’s labor force, compared to 80 percent of men in the year of 2011. Education and health in India for women is also very low, compared to males. In India only 26 percent of women above the age of 25 have received a secondary education compared to 50 percent of men. In the United States 97 percent of women have received a secondary education which is even higher that men at 94 percent. These statistics are outstanding and also extremely heartbreaking.

When you look at how low and poorly these women have it in India you wonder how and why things could be this bad. These women are living in a country where they are barely even wanted, where baby girls are a threat and more so at risk for dying because they are not males. Women are not participating in the work force, nor are they getting a good education, or any education if that. When it comes to women’s health, well these percentages are not high either. For example, 200 women die every 100,000 childbirths where in the United States it is only around 21. With inequality like this and women being treated very unfairly in India it is hard to imagine or see what will happen in the future. Although ratios are rising with women’s education in the United States, we need to do something else about these other countries around the world that are suffering

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/03/15/india-ranks-lower-than-pakistan-on-gender-equality/

Meredith Casacchia
4-2-2013 11:22am

Blog 7: Iraqi Kurdish women protest against violence and inequality

In this article, violence against women in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region seems to be a major concern. These Iraqi women speak out and protest against their community because they want violence against women to come to an end as well as wanting equality for women. One of the main issues that this article focuses on is how there is inconsistent data that is collected and underreported when it comes to violence against women. For example, in 2011 there were four thousand cases reported, and three thousand cases reported in 2012. Yet, women’s group recorded five thousand cases in 2012. Laws are not being enforced and legal actions are not being taken. Polygamy is also outlawed, only in the case if a woman cannot have children and gives permission, but men are traveling out of their way in order to perform these acts of polygamy and no actions or punishments are being taken either. Women’s rights do get recognition from international organizations because violence and inequality is a national issue but more laws need to be implemented other than just internationally.

These issues of women rights, violence, and women’s inequality are all issues that have been going on year after year. Other laws and rules need to be taken that will fully put an end to these acts so that women can finally feel as though they are being treated equally. Being a female I understand these acts of inequality and I can agree with these women that appropriate actions are not being taken. In order for women to feel equal and for violence to stop cases need to be reported and punishments need to be applied otherwise we will continues to see violence against women continue. Without laws and regulations we cannot put an end to things, but more importantly without these actions actually being reported, we will never be able to stop these awful acts.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/10/292774/iraqi-kurdish-women-protest-against-violence-and-inequality/

Meredith Casacchia

3/21/13 1:48pm

Blog 6: In India, water and inequality are intertwined

In India there seems to be a huge problem when it comes to clean water, or any water for that matter. Many people have no access to water, and others find ways to water by taking illegal measures. Some discover the city’s main supply line and dig themselves an access point where they developed their own line of water. Many women and young girls have to carry the burden of collecting water for their families, where they have to travel long distances, some having to walk for hours to retrieve water so that they can have it for cooking, sanitation, and of course for drinking needs. Because of this many of the girls have to sacrifice their education, so that they can take the time to go find water, which also makes it harder for these females and their families to climb out of poverty. According to the 2011 census, that out of 79 million urban household in India, 18.6 percent are without a toilet, while 168 million rural households it was 69.3 percent. As these results show, more than 65 percent of the country’s populations are living in rural areas where having access to water is clearly a huge challenge. Although there have been improvements over the years to receive access to water for those living in India, this is still a major problem.

When I found myself reading this article, I could not believe how much higher the percentage was for those living in rural areas, compared to those living in urban areas when it came to not having a toilet, not something we would think very highly of. There is also a major problem in India with the quality of water, where urban water is full of pollutants, and also untreated sewage. Water is overall something that every human being needs to survive but in India even having access to water at all, whether that be clean water or not, is a key problem in itself. I know from my perspective have clean water has never been something I have had to worry about, and knowing that those living in India have to deal with this issue makes me realize how lucky I am.

Meredith Casacchia
3-6-13 7:26pm

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/india/130303/india-water-access-inequality

Blog 5: Inequality is the biggest threat to the world and needs to be tackled now

This article discusses how growing inequality is becoming a major issue and this is now becoming one of the biggest threats to the world economy. Discussions around the post-2015 global agenda are focusing on universal access to qualify basic goods and services and to focus on many forms of inequality and simply what can be done about it. Something that this article focuses on is a plan to reduce inequality and to ensure universal access to good quality basic goods and services such as food, housing, health services, education, water, energy, and social protection. Not only does a policy of universalism need to take place but also specific interventions most likely need to be required. Financial policies also need to be set in stone so that this system can provide financial security.  Unemployment is also something that was taken into consideration because this is something that fits into inequality, as well as wages. Macroeconomic policy needs to push policies for increasing regular good quality work that is covered by basic labor protection. One thing that is stated towards the end of article is that these policies and procedures might not be put in place but at least these issues on inequality are being raised and discussed, and more public pressure could in turn lead to some positive change. 

I find this article very interesting because when I find myself reading any article about inequality it seems that there are so many ideas to stop and change inequality for the better, but when will we actually start to see change? Even stated at the end of this article after all these ideas and policies are discussed, the article mentions that these things might not happen but at least these issues are being raised. Of course I completely agree and admire that inequality around the world is being discussed but I would actually like to see some change. People are suffering when it comes to jobs, education, health services, food, and even safe, clean water in many areas of the world. I find the policies in this article well thought out and great I just hope that they are actually implemented and used in our near future so that we can start to see change when it comes to global inequality.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/feb/20/inequality-threat-to-world-needs-tackling

 

Meredith Casacchia

2-28-13 3:02pm

Blog 4: Rekindling the South African dream

Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, who is an author, activist, and also a businesswoman states “let’s build the country of our dreams” which is her main goal and political plan which she calls “Agang” which stands for build in Setswana. She thinks that we should be able to vote for the person in our own area that we want to represent us in Parliament, so that we can hold them accountable for their actions. The issue is that South Africa’s people are effectively being prevented from governing by the country’s electoral system, and this simply is not fair. This article also discusses how poor people and workers are the ones that suffer the most because they are the victims of the interests of privileged union leaders. Dr. Ramphele plans to defend the rights of the workers to unionize and protect their rights at all times. Another goal that is stated in this article is that the platform will promote full engagement of workers in shaping a prosperous society for all, and strengthening of the role of government in serving all citizens equally.

Overall I think this article is extremely important because those living in South Africa are not being treated like they should be. They are experiencing inequality but I find it very refreshing that someone is stepping up to the plate and trying to change all of this. The problem that I see coming from all these goals and plans is will there actually be change? I ask this because change it’s truly a hard thing especially when these forms of inequality have been around for years and years. The article discusses how there is a poor performance of public service which is why providing citizens with quality public services is such a hard thing. With that being said jobs, and in general the standard of living is hard to improve on because public service is lacking. These are all issues that I am most positive not just South Africa is facing. Inequality is seen everywhere and those that have to deal with inequality are truly hurting. I would love to see change occur through Dr. Ramphele’s plan and I hope that she continues to fight for the rights of the people. We need more people like her to start standing up and wanting to make change because without the push and the willingness to help from others we will never seek equality.

Meredith Casacchia

2-21-13  2:18pm

http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=1162&dir=2013/February/Tuesday19

 

Blog 3- Africa: Beyond Averages - Addressing Inequalities for Post 2015

This article discuses UN women as well as UNICEF women who came together to discuss and address the inequalities in relation to the post-2015 development agenda. Some of the key messages that came out of the discussion were that inequalities concern everyone, such as violence against women, exclusion of people with disabilities, and child deprivations, which are issues that people all over the world face. This article states that global action needs to take place so that these issues of inequality can be handled and hopefully fixed. This article also discuses that inequality is not just faced by those most directly affected by disadvantage, but those inequalities are widespread and often growing. Children are left with poor education, poor nutrition and low future productivity. Another important factor that is addressed is poverty, where the impacts of inequalities are then transmitted to future generations and then continuing, generation after generation. When a family is born into poverty it is extremely hard to rise above and get out of it.  Along with these inequalities come discriminations as well as prejudice. The question that kept coming back was how political leaders and decision makers can put an end to all this, which they stated that only the use of human rights framework for development would help ensure accountability and transformative approaches. Basically, leaders need to start actually making laws and regulations in order for change to occur.

Overall I feel that this article touches on some extremely important issues that are happening all around the world. People are being treated poorly and nothing is being done about it. How do people who grow up and are born into poverty make a better life for themselves, without discrimination and all the difficulties that come along with being poor? How do we allow poor countries the ability to offer education so that children will be able to find a decent job and receive a good education? There seems to be so many issues that are going on around the world that a lot of people do not think about simply because it is not affecting them. Just like the article states accountability will be at the core of all this. People need to take into account about what is going on in our world today, and people also need to take action and be accountable for their actions as well.

 

Meredith Casacchia

2/15/13 1:13pm

http://allafrica.com/stories/201302131131.html?page=2

 

Blog 2: Advocates speak out for athletes who are unemployed, poor, denied rights

The Special Olympics is a great way for those with special needs and intellectual disabilities to participate and feel as if they are a part of something wonderful.  This article discusses the recent 2013 Special Olympics where more than 2,300 athletes participated in a week full of fun, and intense winter events this past Tuesday the 5th. The Special Olympics is a great way to promote and encourage others to be athletic, as well as allowing those with disabilities to participate. Like this article states, people with intellectual disabilities make up the largest disability group worldwide, but the problem is that most of the disabled are unemployed, live in poverty, and are also denied education. Despite these members living in such harsh conditions, they still find the time and determination to come out and participate in these risky activities and sports in the cold winter weather.

The problem that I see with this article is that those with intellectual disabilities are born already with a disadvantage because people do not give them or treat them with the same opportunities as they do with those who do not have special needs. This to me is seen as a form of inequality and even though these people are rising above and still participating in the Special Olympics they are still not granted the same opportunities, which to me is completely unfair. The question is what can be done about it? Should we have jobs or jobs set aside for those born with special needs, because a lot of these people cannot do the kind of work that is required for a specific job? But, these people with intellectual disabilities are also denied education and this is a major problem, because in my opinion everyone deserves the right to be educated. Overall I found this article very interesting because this is not something that I feel everyone realizes or thinks about on a daily basis. We do not realize that people are born with unequal rights and are born without privilege.

 

Meredith Casacchia
2-6-2013 10:22pm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/05/special-olympics-2013_n_2624345.html?ref=topbar

Blog 1: Ignoring global Inequality

This article discusses how people are not always taught and fully assured what rights they have and how the international law needs to be enforcing the governments so that they can teach citizens and inform them on what rights they actually have. For example, this article goes into the topic of gender inequality, which is made up of a person’s race, gender, religions, and other backgrounds. Another topic that is brought to attention is females, and how females are more likely to be poor if they come from a marginalized ethnic group, and if they were to come from a neglected region of the country. This also corresponds with political and civil rights, pretty much determining a person’s economic and social right. For example the article discusses how if one is stationed at the bottom of the social pyramid most likely they will also be at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Overall this article is extremely interesting because it really does make me worry about others and how they are supposed to surpass and rise above inequality if they were born into it. For example if you are a female you are not seen as high up as a male is because males are considered to be more privileged then females especially when it comes to the work environment. Another example of inequality is race, whites have privilege where as African Americans are oppressed. Our society has unconsciously established these rules of privilege and oppression and it has caused great inequality all over the world. Society needs to take a step back and realize we are all fighting to make it through the day and based on our gender, race, culture, religion, or any other backgrounds, no one person is better than the next because of who they are of what they simply believe in.


9:05pm 1/31/13
Meredith Casacchia

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/01/2013125113659521297.html

Inequality

I decided to choose the topic on Inequality because this is something that is seen constantly everywhere. This can be seen with men versus women, with Whites vs Blacks, and there needs to be something done about it. I think there are so many example presented all around the world, that if people actually heard and learned about what is going on we might actually be able to do something about inequality, so that everyone is treated equally.


1/18/13 4:37pm
Meredith Casacchia