Calling all Women - what's your Biggest Issue?

[Christine Crowstaff]

Emily Hiatt, WFAC Advocacy Consultant, has worked in politics for several years, including the Office of Global Communications at The White House, and also U.S. Congress, CNN, and in international affairs. She currently works in healthcare policy.

Emily is a 'lobbyist by trade', and has kindly offered to help with policy analysis and advocacy in the US and the rest of the world.

She is helping to organise a Women for a Change survey to find out the main issues affecting women across the world. Do tell us what your major concern is, This is the beginning of a wider project to help create platforms for change.

The bigger response to this survey the more effective it will be.
So this discussion is addressed to all women on the Business Fights Poverty network:
You are invited to leave a comment here to let us know what your #1 issue is...

The WFAC International Foundation is an NGO registered in the UK.

[Christine Crowstaff]

Thank you so much for this Torti - I didn't know about it - though I've heard of similar (and quite succesful) sex strikes in other areas.
I've shared the wonderful document with our supporters in our women-only community.

Thanks so much for all your valuable input here.

[Reinette Kydd]

Thank you for this opportunity.

This may not be relevant, however, my biggest issue here in the South of South Africa is the fact that women are still treated like slaves by their partners or husbands and men in general.

I am refering to the middle/lower income groups as well as the unemployed. This will include black, coloured and white women. The culture is of such that the men feel it is the women's responsibility to clean, cook and still go out and try to make some money to put food on the table. Women are raped, even by their husbands, and the women just keep quiet about it. The reason is mainly the embarrassment around the situation and in the black community, it is almost the men's right to be able to "take" any woman he wishes.

I would love to be involved in a movement that could make a difference in the South African women's lives. Especially the previously disadvantaged women.

Kind regards,

Reinette Kydd
[e-mail]

[OFONG PAULINE]

Hi, Renette,
My name is Pauline Ofong from Uganda. Women all over the world still suffer especially in patriachial societies where men dominate, control all economic resources, eg land and property, where a man pays bride price to get a wife! Indeed women are treated as property by some men and treated any way the men wish.Women worker harder but their contribution to the home is not recognised.
In Uganda we have zeroed on economic empowerment as key to reducing dependency on men. If a woman is economically empowered, if she acquires entrepreneurship skills; she is able to think strategically, to plan better to utilize her time and to improve her quality of life.
Women are responsible for improving their situation. Nobody else can get us out of the bondage we are in exept our selves. Change the mind set, accept responsibility to improve ourselves, build self esteeem and confidence through networking with other women. Prove that you are capable. Capacity building, networking, working in groups can help women to gain confidence, sharing with each other is very empowering.
When next I talk to you I will have some contact addresses of some Women Organisations that could network with you and share their experiences in advocating for women.
Women do not enjoy human or economic rights at the same level as men and the struggle to improve the situation goes on.
Thanks for bringing this up
Pauline