EMPOWERING WOMEN 2

To those who say, God will take care of the abused women of this world (or of you?), and leave it at that, I say:  You are copping-out!  God also commanded (not recommended) that we treat our neighbors as ourselves and gave many admonitions to fight “evil.”  (Yes, one of many contradictions from the Bible—but this is one I choose.)

Yes, things are better for women compared to the past, but, whoa women!!!  We have SO much further to go to be treated equally, with respect and love by our families, our religions, our laws, our men, our world.

Why does “society” need so much power over us?  What compels others to misuse and abuse power?  From a psychological standpoint, even sexual crimes are all about POWER—not sex.  People want power; many are driven by it. 

If someone misuses power, I believe they are trying to compensate for their own feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and low self-regard (if they have any feelings at all!).  The more external power they want or feel they need, the more pathetically weak they are inside.  Despite all our great Universal Moralities, we continue to raise children in ways that contribute to them becoming monsters, mentally sick.  Religions seem to be failing us.  Or we are failing religion?!

Women need more power!  Power in it self is not bad—it is something to strive for; better said:  to become EMPOWERED.  The first step toward self-empowerment is finding ways to survive and take care of ourselves and our families.  This requires education, some money, and some outside help.  Then we need to keep families intact. We need to teach parents basic principles on how to raise their children so they don’t develop mental illnesses, so they feel loved, so they grow up emotionally "clean" and whole.

So easy to say; so hard to do.  Cultures and belief systems don’t change overnight.  But we’ve got to keep trying, at least in the small sphere of our own world.  How else can we keep despair at bay?

There are charities that cater especially to helping women.  Women for Women International, I think, is one of the best.  It is not expensive and gives you personal contact with the woman you are helping, if you wish.  I first saw the director of this charity on Oprah.  (Bravo, again, Oprah. I’m not a huge fan--all gaga over her--but I respect the good she has done in helping women empower themselves and being a positive role-model.)

Take action, people.  Even tiny steps will help you feel less hopeless and helpless in combating these evils.  Only action will empower; only action will de-stress our righteous indignation over this issue.  Talk to people, join a charity, help your friends find help, and, especially, do NOT tolerate abuse of any kind yourself!  I know, I know, again, easy to say—but it IS doable.  Many women’s successes in overcoming abuse are testament to the power of therapy and other means of practical help through social work and their communities.  

If you are abused, it is NOT your fault!  If you are abused, you are NOT a bad person because of it. If you are abused, there is no shame for you.

Do you feel better or worse?  I hope you feel better.  That’s what I started out to do, even though my road took a few turns.  I feel better, just having written down my thoughts about the desperate situation women are facing today.  It was a tiny step, but I DID take action. ;0)

SEE POST:  EMPOWERING WOMEN  1

EMPOWERING WOMEN 1

Browsing the web, I was looking for something to write on uplifting women.  What I found was site after site on, either wearing the right-fitting bra, or religious (read Christian) pep talks with scripture, about how Jesus is the answer and will make everything all right.  What a paradoxical source for helping women, when, historically, for thousands of years, the Bible has been instrumental in keeping women “in their place!”  Hypocrits!

When I read anything to do with the Bible that is used to “uplift” women, I shut down, knowing that the Bible is generally one of the worst sources of material for evidence of women’s self-empowerment and equality.  The book is sexist and reading it can make the thinking woman stare at the cruelty and accepted abuse of other women, their 2^nd class citizen status, their history of bearing the brunt of the grunt work and holding no power, except when holding their husbands.

I also read several sites written by men for women.  In most cases, they don’t have a clue.  I actually felt nauseated at one particular site with pictures of religious authoritarian men saying, in essence, nothing that actually helps women.  I say, “Walk a mile in our stilettos and THEN talk!”

When I read about stoning of unmarried pregnant women in Saudia Arabia, and the savage and brutal cutting out the clitoris of females to ensure their fidelity in African societies, and the trafficking of kidnapped or selling of girls into slavery and prostitution in many countries, my heart feels like collapsing.  When I hear of women who have been raped, molested, abused and beaten, I feel angry and disgusted.  And this is not just happening in 3^rd world countries; it is right next door to us!  Or in our own homes?

So much for trying to find something uplifting.  Maybe it is my own filters that cause this negative outlook; yet how can I ignore these ongoing atrocities--in 2011???

I would like to think that things are getting better for women, and, it seems that in some ways they are.  Especially countries like India, Zimbabwe, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are instituting laws to help women become more empowered.  Bravo to them!

Efforts are ongoing in African countries to improve the condition of women, so families survive.  So many men have been killed or maimed, or have left their families for war, and women are usually left alone to fend for themselves, not having a trade, but having plenty of children to support.  I can’t even begin to imagine how challenging that situation is for these African women, especially with approximately 40% of their population under voting age.

OK, how does this information make you feel?  (Rhetorical question.)

Oh, yes, let us use self-affirmations and read uplifting poems, if that is what gets you through the day.  However, I see those efforts as being insular, naïve and short-lived.  Leave that pseudo-psychology for the motivational speakers!  The only way to feel better about such injustice is to take some kind of action—to EMPOWER YOURSELVES.

SEE POST:  EMPOWERING WOMEN  2