Women of Burundi

With more and more studies being done on gender and feminist theory we have come to see the importance in women helping other women. Women and girls have and continue to be suppressed in their communities and commonly do not get the resources they need and equally deserve.

Organizations like Friends Women’s Association work to empower women by helping them in all aspects of their lives: financially, family, health, psychologically etc. They provide resources for these Burundi women so that they too can become functioning members of their society. It is important that these organization leaders and volunteers are women because many of these Burundi women have been victims of violence specifically from men. The Rwanda Genocide, which greatly affected Burundi, was known to fuel a lot of sexual acts of violence against women. By having women peacekeepers and members of these organizations helps build trust amongst these women and allows for dialogue.

Friends Women’s Association not only looks at the problems on the surface but focuses on root issues like gender inequality. By focusing on these core issues, which are commonly overlooked, can reveal reasons to why some programs and plans are not successful. For example, providing women with condoms and sex education does not guarantee a decrease in HIV/AIDS transmission and/or a decrease in unplanned pregnancies. Within this communities males usually run the household and make decisions regarding sex; women have no say in the decision making and rely too much on their male partners financially to disagree with them. Having a multilayer approach to problems and focusing on the influence of gender can help empower these women permanently.

Oh Yes, The Dress

So for an entire week straight, the media focused all its attention on the Royal Wedding. All of the major news outlets had multiple correspondents in London and spent valuable airtime on every detail up until the big event at Westminster Abbey.

Especially The Dress:

Kate Middleton’s dress was one of the hottest topics of the week because it was a closely guarded secret. Even some of the world’s top fashion designers were left guessing until she walked down the aisle.

Don’t get me wrong, I was a little curious, but not for more than a passing thought. Here is a woman on the world’s biggest stage about the marry a man who will with near certainty ascend to British throne during his lifetime, a future female LEADER about to be born. This topic should’ve been touched on way more than The Dress.

While Kate is well-known for her fashion sense, it would make more sense to me that she be treated as a serious role model. She will likely be queen one day, and I would like to get to know more about her opinions on how things should be run. I know that as a constitutional monarchy, the royal family’s political power is not very large so Kate probably won’t be able to overhaul programs and other government entities. However, they are still very influential in Britain and in the rest of the world. I would just like for her to be treated as a real leader and for the focus to be on her, not The Dress.

The “Sluts” Take a Stand

This week in Boston, about 2,000 people marched around the streets dressed in revealing clothing in the latest “Slutwalk,” a series of rallies in various cities in response to a Toronto police office implying that girls wouldn’t get raped if “they weren’t dressed like sluts.”

My first thought to this statement wasn’t indignant, but still disappointed. It shows me that no matter how far we think women have come, there are still ignorant people out there who think that girls ask to be assaulted. No one, and I mean NO ONE, has the right to make you feel uncomfortable, no matter what you happen to be wearing. I can see why some women might be offended that these women called them “sluts,” but I feel it may be a similar case to the n-word. It is still completely inappropriate to use that word, but this is a case where women have also decided to take that word and make it their own, if only to prove a point.

Quote of the Moment

“The word ‘slut’ is a vicious weapon… designed to keep us in line. To separate us. To make us police each other, turn on each other and turn each other in so that we can prove we’re not ‘like that.’” – Jaclyn Friedman, writer, performer and editor of  “Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape.”

Take Care of Yourself

As women, we must take initiative to keep our bodies and minds healthy. While I’ll be the first to admit that I sometimes don’t follow my own advice, the future healthcare professional in me knows it’s an important issue to push.

We’re right smack in the middle of National Women’s Health Week, whose purpose is to pool various publics and communities into the cause of promoting women’s health. The brainchild of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this year’s theme is called “It’s Your Time” and its mission is to empower women to make their health – physical, mental, emotional – their top priority.

I know that many health tips sound like a broken record, but they’re not called “tried and true” for nothing:

• Become and stay active: Going to the gym four times a week would be awesome, but try to walk more, even if it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking up and down a corridor at work every hour or so.
• Take a break from meat: OK so this may sound biased because I’m a vegetarian, but hear me out. Try looking up recipes for vegan soups or something simple and make a huge batch on Sunday so you have enough to last you for the week. I’m always on the go, so it’s nice to come home and just pop some fresh soup in the microwave that you’re not going to regret later.
• Keep up to date with your checkups: This is probably the most important one. Some preventable or detectable diseases that were once reserved for “old people” are now surprising young women. Get checked by your doctor at least twice a year, even if you haven’t been ill in a while. It might also be a good idea to see a specialist or two, but a general physician should be fine.

Your own health should always be your top priority. However, we can’t forget about those women who are in other countries who unfortunately don’t have the same access we take for granted, even if they desperately need it. There are several organizations dedicated to serving these women who do not have access the basic health care they deserve.

Global Alliance for Women’s Health

International Organization for Women and Development

The Veerni Project

Newsweek Gallery

Some of the best and most inspiring women’s covers featured on NEWSWEEK by Sarah Ball.

These photos capture icons and feelings of passion during the Women’s Movement.

Women’s Rugby

Yes women play Rugby too, and no it’s not touch. Women have not only pushed boundaries in the workplace but in sports as well. Here is a video of Women’s Rugby Cup Final 2010.

YEP

Youth Exploring Passion (YEP)  is a mentoring program that pairs USC women with pregnant and parenting teens to help them explore their personal and academic passions.

 

Breaking Career Barriers

Women are still working for equality in the workplace. Little by little women are breaking barriers and entering careers fields commonly dominated by men. Here are examples of some local women who have broken the gender boundaries.

Kristen Crowley is a Fire Captain for the LAFD. She is a strong women who not only dedicates her time and efforts to the community but also to empowering young women.

Dr. Magdalena C. Arias-arenas is a specialist in internal medicine, pulmonary disease and critical care. She  graduated from the Keck School of Medicine of USC in 1997. On top of balancing a family and a demanding career she always makes time to revisit the campus and inspire young minds. In her last visit to USC, she quoted If by Rudyard Kipling and shared how this poem gave her strength during her academic career.

Kristy Johnson is a lawyer turned actress. She demonstrates the courage it takes to leave a secure and prestigious career to purse one’s true passion. Kristy’s story illustrates how even after breaking one mold women can continue to push the bar and enter multiple career fields.

Women’s Rights

The Daily Beast addresses the power of law in spreading Women’s Rights around the world.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/swf/TheDailyBeastVideoPlayer.swf