Battle in Brazil

Earlier this month Brazil had reason talk about reproductive rights. A nine year old girl was given access to a healthy abortion following alleged sexual violence by her stepfather. Shortly after, a local Catholic Archbishop, Jose Cardoso Sobrinho, excommunicated the doctors and mother involved in this tragic circumstance.
The Catholic Church seems to be divided on the issue. Some Vatican officials stating the excommunication was justified, while their biotech officials stated it was unmerited because the doctors acted in the interest of the girls’ health.
The medical realities were that this pregnancy would have put the young girl’s health at risk and although abortion is almost always illegal in Brazil there are exception for rape and health.
A majority of Brazilians agree with the criminality of abortion, but there is a movement of to promote reproductive health in the country. Abortion causes thousands of maternal deaths and even more hospitalizations each year in Brazil. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil’s president, has slowly been trying to increase the dialogue on the issue of reproductive rights although he has met much resistance to the conversation. The government also works to provide options so abortion is not necessary, such as dispenses contraceptives during Carnival. Again, the Catholic Church did not approve. However, not all Catholics are so closed minded. Catholics for Choice are one group that is actively fighting for the women of Brazil to have freedom in their sexual and reproductive decisions.

Brazil is a beautiful country and with passion oozing out of its people and environment. If any country can handle this debate and fight for women’s right, it is Brazil. It will be fascinating to see what happens next.

Complicated case

News sources, especially entertainment news, have been featuring the Chris Brown-Rhianna story day after day. There are reports that the couple are still together even after the now infamous (alleged) physical assault. Although it is unfortunate that she would feel compelled to forgive and forget, we need to look closer at the reasons why it might be happening and use this as a chance to expand education on intimate partner violence.
It is easy for someone outside the relationship to say “I’d leave him” but for the abused person things aren’t that simple. They may feel they truly love the person or that this person is the only one who will ever love them. Financial issues may prevent a woman from leaving especially if she is unaware of or unable to get support from outside resources.
Women are socialized to be partners, to take care of families, fall in love and get married. Girls play house while boys play cops & robbers. Girls play with dolls while boys play with water guns. This begins the process of girls developing an identity around relationships. Boys on the other hand are exposed to more violence, which could contribute to future conflicts. (Let me clarify at this point: the vast majority of men do not commit violent acts against women, but even one man that does is one man too many.)

The web of reasons a woman stays with an abuser is very sticky and she will need help to break free from its clutches.
To learn more about intimate partner violence go to these websites:

http://www.abanet.org/domviol/statistics.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/IPV-FactSheet.pdf

http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=32347

Women Here There Everywhere!

This Sunday will commemorate International Women’s Day [IWD]. Although, this may not be a mainstream holiday it gives people many opportunities to learn, celebrate and take action regarding women’s issues across the globe.
IWD grew out of an idea introduced by Clara Zetkin at an international working women’s conference in 1910. Women unionists, activists, politicians, and other leaders come together at this conference and planted the seeds for the first IWD. They ran a successful awareness campaign for the events of the first IWD, March 15th, 1911. Women and men in many different countries participated in parties, lectures, and social action to advance women’s issues. Since 1913, it has been celebrated on March 8th and still today provides excellent event opportunities.
The roots of IWD come from working women and today with the recession women are becoming an even stronger part of the American workforce. Hilda Solis was just names secretary of Labor. She has fought for workers, women, and the environment and is now in a position to continue this fight.
In addition, March marks Women’s History Month so I encourage taking advantage of the many opportunities to celebrate women’s struggles and accomplishments.

For more information and events you can visit these sites:
http://www.feministfriendly.com/
http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
http://www.nwhp.org/