Colombia Has Prohibited Child Marriage

 

Child marriage has been outlawed in Colombia. After 17 years of advocacy groups working to make this possible, the bill was passed. Marriage is now prohibited for anyone under the age of 18. Certain countries still allow child marriage. This puts girls at risk for violence and sexual exploitation. The practice harms girls advancement in education and prevents economic opportunities in adulthood. Colombia is estimated to have about 4.5 million girls married before the age of 18 according to Unicef data. Child marriage remained more prevalent in rural communities. The economic strain that certain families face make then marry off their daughters to someone more wealthy. The reason child marriage effects girls more than boys is due to a culture of machista. The culture of male dominance does not allow girls and women much personal freedom. The challenge now is chaining attitudes about women and girls roles in society. Ensuring the law will be recognized will be difficult for law enforcement. The connection between poverty and child marriage has been noted. Social welfare programs, expansion of employment, and more public education can contribute to the fight against child marriage. Colombia had to act seeing as child marriage was becoming a public health concern. Child brides, just like adults can be subject to domestic violence. Getting pregnant too young can increase risk of death during childbirth. Colombia is the latest South American country to ban child marriage. Only 12 countries have a ban on child marriage in Latin America. Colombia could inspire activists in other countries to get legislation passed to protect girls from  child marriage. 

Iceland's Women Workers Strike

 

Iceland saw women workers do a labor strike across the country. Taking place on October 24, it only lasted a day. This was not genuine labor action or protest. Labor strikes are designed to last as long as certain demands are met. The focus was also to draw attention to unequal pay and gender based violence. These are feminist concerns that should have their own demonstration. The attempts at worker solidarity have limitations. If there is a concern about domestic violence, then more laws should be made to address it. When it comes to income inequality, as long neoliberal capitalism exists equal pay is not possible. Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir claimed she remained home to show her support. The move was more of a public relations stunt, rather than a serious political position. The strike itself seemed to lack direction or purpose. The World Economic Forum has ranked Iceland one of the most gender equal countries. The problem with international institution rankings is that they do not recognize the reality of the experiences of the regular person. The strike ignores the immigrant women's struggle in Iceland. The tactics of fouth wave feminism could be self defeating. Making all men seem like an enemy disregards that men of low income are exploited. Building an alliance requires compromises and collaboration with  various organizations. The discussion of domestic violence at a worker's rights demonstration becomes a non-sequitur. Unequal pay does not just effects women. Among various racial and ethnic groups there is a gap. Then it must be understood, that women are not going into certain sectors as men are. More women have to get involved in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. Working women should question why Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir has not made economic and women's issue a priority. New legislation has not been introduced since the October labor strike.  

The Taliban Increases Restrictions On Women

 

Ever since the Taliban returned to power women have seen a dramatic decrease in basic rights. More discrimination is being seen related to education and employment. The regime has issued a prohibition on women attending universities. The action has devasting effects Afghanistan. Without educating the entire population the country will never reach higher development. Stopping women from graduating from medical school has dire consequences on public health. Afghanistan already has a low life expectancy and fewer medical professionals will make it worse. Discrimination as government policy will eventually backfire. Women are now forced to travel with a male companion when in public. The new Taliban regime is the worst mix of religious fundamentalism and misogyny than its previous rule from 1996 to 2001. Female employees of non-government organizations are not safe. Reports of Afghan women being flogged have surfaced causing international condemnation. The more restrictions the Taliban imposes on the citizens the more discontent shall grow. Afghanistan's economic condition worsens and the standard of living continues to decline. The Taliban lost power due to an invasion by the US and NATO. It is possible the armed groups still fighting could grow in number and remove them. As long as they do not improve the conditions of  the average Afghan, a mass uprising could happen in the future. Women have even lost the ability to enjoy public accommodations. The Taliban has ordered business owners to shutdown beauty salons. The reason these businesses were targeted is because it was women's only public space. Limiting women's education and employment makes them dependent on men. There has been resistance. The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan has been known to operate secret schools inside the country for girls. Some women now are seeking to flee Afghanistan. A new element has to examined in the plight of refugees. While some flee due to war or persecution based on their race,  sex  can also be a reason.     

Accusations of Sexual Harassment At The United Nations

 

The United Nations has been accused of creating a hostile workplace for women. The international body has been exposed to have massive amounts of sexual harassment claims. Those who were subject to abuse either had their claims ignored or faced retaliation. The accusations come as the UN faces challenges related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, climate change, and growing US-China tension. The cases of sexual violence and abuse  are not shocking considering more egregious incidents. UN peacekeepers have engaged in sexual violence in conflict zones. Seeing as women are also a part of those forces similar cases have occurred. Although  the UN has denied whistleblowers were targeted for exposing crimes, evidence suggests some were terminated because they exposed this to the press. The slow response and limited investigation implies cove-up or guilt. The UN has presented itself as the institution that promotes human rights and the protection of international law. The image that has been presented to the public has gradually faded. Corruption and an unsafe work environment has damaged the UN's credibility. Women who thought the United Nations could advance the cause of women's rights are faced with a dilemma. The world's most powerful supranational institution has a sexist and male dominated workplace culture. Creating gender balance in leadership will not help, unless culprits are punished for their actions. If the United Nations does not fix failures in policy and the organization, it might not survive. The UN could become defunct from internal problems that it refuses to resolve. The exact number of incidents is unknown. The United Nations has not provided data related to sexual harassment in its offices or sexual violence during peacekeeping operations.  

Bell Hooks Explains The Problem With Supporting Hillary Clinton (2016)

 

Bell Hooks (1952-2021)  at one time was a supporter of Hilary Clinton. There was a major contradiction in that support. It became apparent with Clinton's actions as Secretary of State. The war in Libya and Clinton's poor record on race relations were issues that caused division in the Democratic Party. Women should not support any woman in politics. Those women that advance imperialism and war are not allies. Identity politics has created a trap in which critical thinking about politics has become limited. No matter what the sex or race of the politician, there must be scrutiny of their actions. The problem with the feminist movement is that it focused on white women, ignoring the experiences of African American, Asian American, and Latino women. Building solidarity among  groups in America will continue to be difficult. 

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895)

Frederick Douglass was an   orator, writer, government official,  and abolitionist. His life was dedicated to human rights promotion and to enhancing the American democratic system. Born enslaved in  antebellum era,  during his youth he was determined to not only gain his own freedom, but to be a crusader for other African Americans in bondage. At age ten he was sold to another slave owning family. When Frederick Douglass turned 21, he made his escape to freedom. Fleeing to New Bedford Massachusetts, this was a place of large amounts  abolitionist activism. There he was able to have a platform to fight against slavery. As time passed he became a skilled public speaker. He did this at enormous risk to his life. The risk of being kidnapped by slave catchers or killed by racist mobs was a constant danger . Douglass was more determined than ever to see slavery eliminated and became a dedicated lecturer  about its abuses. Around the 1840s he travelled through out New England and the North telling his life as an enslaved person. Frederick Douglass  also did speaking tours in Ireland and Great Britain gaining a profile outside the United States.  His oratory got so much notoriety that colleagues suggested he write a book. This resulted in the publication of  Narrative of  the Life and Times of Frederick Douglass .   The autobiography was released to the public in 1845.  The exposed the American public to the brutality and violence of slavery rarely discussed. By this  time , Douglass evolved both politically and philosophically. Radical action had to be taken to accelerate the end of slavery.  

     Frederick Douglass by the 1850s became a member of the Liberty Party. Around this time the nation was becoming more divided than ever and closer to civil war. Douglass wanted a from politicians a commitment to the abolition of slavery. The Liberty Party was willing to meet that demand than the accommodating Republican response of  stopping its expansion . John Brown sought Douglass's aid in the raid on Harper's Ferry. Frederick Douglass  told Brown that he did not object to armed uprising, but understood chances of success were limited. Although Douglass did not participate in the raid on Harper's Ferry, he became suspect. Federal marshals sought his arrest and Douglass fled to Canada . This exile would not last long. The US was about to have one of the most violent conflicts on its own soil. The American Civil War was a chance for to finally bring about the end of slavery. Frederick Douglass made it a goal to pressure the Lincoln administration to allow African Americans to serve in combat and gain their freedom. The pressure from Frederick Douglass and the abolitionist movement caused President Abraham Lincoln  to have a change in policy. African Americans were mobilized for war and the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863. Frederick Douglass became involved in recruitment efforts for the Union Army. 

       When the American Civil War ended slavery was abolished, but the fight for liberation was far from over. Fredrick Douglass continued the quest for racial equality. His efforts focused on securing voting rights for African Americans and women. Few men at the time supported women's suffrage, which made Douglass somewhat unique. Frederick Douglass also emphasized the importance of education as a means of  advancing the African American community. He opposed emigration to Africa or relocation to the North on the basis that African Americans could build a strong political and economic  base in the South . Reconstruction failed to produce the multi-racial democracy that Douglass envisioned .  This is why he would continue to do lecture tours, get involved in politics, and be involved in activism up until the end of his life. The Freedmen's Bank was established to aid the formerly enslaved to get loans and have an institution for personal savings. Frederick Douglass would become president of the bank, seeing it as a means  of African American's gaining economic power. The panic of 1873,   which was the worst economic depression of the 19th century caused the bank's failure. Under the Benjamin Harrison administration Frederick Douglass was appointed consul-general to Haiti and charge d' affaires to the Dominican Republic. When he realized this was an attempt at establishing American empire in the Caribbean he resigned. The world was dramatically different in the 1880s. America was transitioning from an agriculture based economy to an industrialized  world power. Frederick Douglass died of a heart attack in 1895, but his work influenced a new generation of leaders in the 20th century. Ida B. Wells, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B Dubois became the next wave fighters for the cause of black liberation. 

References 

David, Blight. Frederick  Douglass Prophet of Freedom. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2018. 

Adams, Russel. Great Negroes Past and Present . Chicago: Afro-Am Publishing Company, 1964. 

Kellyanne Conway's Controversial Comments

 

Kellyanne Conway had defended President Donald Trump's behavior and policies throughout his first term. There is a pattern in which the administration has women, make excuses for his past sexual misconduct. Conway during the 2016 campaign  received much criticism for her comments regarding rape and sex crimes. She stated that "rape would not exist if women were physically stronger." Conway articulated this  on a panel discussion from PBS program To The Contrary . The panel was talking about women in combat roles and Kellyanne was using her statement to exclude women from frontline combat positions. Her statement reflects major ignorance about rape and sex crimes. Men in prison are subject to custodial rape and children can be victim to molestation. Rape can occur with the presence of alcohol, which has been an issue on college campuses. Kellyanne Conway's statement demonstrates that there are women in the Republican Party and the conservative movement that assist in keeping misogyny alive. It was announced that Conway will be resigning from the White House staff. Trump was able to get some women voters, but overall he will struggle in 2020. Many of the women that serve in his administration do not advocate for women in terms of equal pay, reproductive rights, or addressing sexual violence. Simply having a woman in a cabinet position does not ensure women's rights will be protected.     

Angela Davis on Feminism

 

Angela Davis never considered herself a feminist. She stated "I'm not a feminist, I'm a revolutionary." The reason being was that the movement was white dominated and at times used women of different races to advance their cause at other's expense. Without intersectionality the feminist movement is nothing more than a special interest group for white women. African American women contributing to it to a degree broke the long term project for black empowerment in the United States. Fractured movements for liberation will never be successful. Intersectionality has limitations, because various groups have different objectives. Women are divided by race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.  Society functions as an unequal hierarchy. The reality is that white women face little oppression in modern day America. African American, Latino, Asian, and poor women face significant barriers. The concept of inclusion will not solve these problems or emphasis on diversity.  The goal should be acceptance of different types of people. The only logical conclusion is complete dismantling and replacement of the system. Mainstream feminism will not do that and simply has no more relevance in liberation. Third and the emergent fourth wave feminism are gradually becoming more divisive. The path to women's equality rests on the defeat of  neocolonial imperialism, neo-liberal capitalism, and a racist society. 

African Women Reluctant To Embrace #Me Too

African women, particularly in Uganda are hesitant to embrace the #Me Too movement. Western women fail to realize the privileged situation in which they live. This demonstrates the narrow and somewhat superficial nature of the #Me Too movement. There is little attention given to global south nations  in which women struggle with violence, domestic abuse, and sexual harassment. There are nations on the African continent which are high risk factors for women. The DRC, South Africa, and Libya are extremely dangerous for women's personal security. Even in the US, there is an obvious ethnic divide in the #Me Too movement. The women who are most visible in protests are white and normally middle class women. There rarely is mention of the racial disparities or other social problems that effect women of various race and class backgrounds. The #Me Too movement gradually has become nothing more than a movement solely designed for the improvement of white women's lives. African nations must empower women as part of a larger project of liberation from neocolonial domination. The African man's attitude regarding women must change. The idea that men have a right to dominate or control women is antiquated and abusive. Although feminism has its faults, there are some countries that need it.