Category Archives: Question…
Sex Education: A Human Right?
Have you seen this film?
If not, you should and it’s on Netflix for your viewing pleasure. If you have seen the film, what did you think? Read the rest of this entry
2 Days Shy of 3 Weeks
Confession (and self-diagnosis): I definitely have seasonal depressive disorder, or whatever it’s called where you get in a terrible mood during the winter, largely due to absence of sun.
Today marks the second day where I have been in a genuinely good mood here in Khujand. It’s like the bitchy attitude fog has been lifted from my personality (shocking, yes). Today also marks the second day that has been genuinely warm in Khujand (by warm I mean in around 10C plus bitter cold wind). I have almost officially retired my arctic style winter coat, and can frequently walk around without gloves. Hello sunshine!
Enough about the weather, what else is going on. Lots has happened in the past 1.5 weeks. Read the rest of this entry
The Root Cause
What is the root cause of gender issues nationally, internationally, in the private sphere (home), and throughout the public realm (professional & public sector jobs, on the street, in the market, at schools)?
Last night I had dinner at a friend-of-a-friend’s, now my friend’s, house. As we dinned over our scrumptious plov, paprika tomatoes, bread, and pomegranate juice, the conversation took to what we each did professionally in Tajikistan. As you know, I work at Saodat, a local human rights group focused on creating a more equal and just Tajikistan. As you also probably know, equality, justice and gender issues are a hot topic in almost any country (for some reason privilege and the sharing thereof makes many people nervous … hmm I wonder why?).
So we’re sitting there chatting and eating, sharing about our lives, when the conversation turns to what we each think of the gender issues in our native countries (USA, Canada, Tajikistan all present at the table). Jamie, psychologist from Vancouver, Canada, asks, “What do you think the source of all our gender issues are? Politics? Religion? Family dynamics? Education?” The conversation paused … and paused … and, not loving silence, I blurted out, “All of them!”
Now I turn the question to you … What is the root cause of gender inequality in the world? In your nation? In your community? In your home? One source, or all of them?
Values and Tradition
They say you should respect tradition, right? But when is it appropriate to retire tradition? More accurately, when is it time to usher in a new tradition?
Generally speaking tradition serves the important purpose of informing one’s value set. This value set then defines the worth of X person, place, thing or action as either positive or negative, worthwhile or simply wasteful, sacred or sacrilegious (to name but a few common dichotomies). From tradition to value set to worth, reality is translated and made understandable. In most cases, it seems to me that tradition is a positive force in our lives. It grounds us in our family’s past. It offers reason for the present and hope for the future. However, as we move forward – learning to work together, attempting to solve gross inequities, and challenging ourselves to embrace diversity – tradition can sometimes offer a significant stumbling block. Read the rest of this entry
Silencing the Noise
Given the task of creating a strategic plan that will combat persistent gender inequity in Northern Tajikistan, I have been locked in a contemplative state, my mind running circles around equality, access, empowerment and barriers thereof. The questions are as persistent as the inequality. Why are men offered more privilege than women? Why are women often complacent in the empowerment process, seemingly resigned to the status quo? What is the major barrier, stumbling block, or obstacle preventing women, and men, from embracing equality? Read the rest of this entry
