Celebrating women’s day through the eyes of men! |07 March 2020
The date of the International Women's Day was moved to March 8 in 1913. The day aimed to help nations worldwide eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development. International Men's Day is also celebrated on November 19 each year. International Women’s Day is such a valuable opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women but to also examine the gender gaps in our community. In Seychelles, we are lucky to have such a society where women can have access to all basic needs and privileges just like the men.
Talking about the equality of women and men, one wise man from the Middle East, Abdu'l-Bahá noted that “The world of humanity has two wings – one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible. Not until the world of women becomes equal to the world of men in the acquisition of virtues and perfections, can success and prosperity be attained as they ought to be”.
Seychelles NATION contacted some men for their views through some questions: Do you think men and women are equal? Do you think women are respected enough in Seychelles? If not what would you recommend?
Jude Bijoux: “I think that men and women are equal under the law. However in life there are situations that are advantageous as well as disadvantageous to women because of their different roles. I personally think that women are well respected.”
Terry Moncherry: “In Seychelles yes I believe that men and women are equal but in some countries equality between men and women is still a big problem in the 21st century. Yes women get enough respect in Seychelles.”
Barry Faure: “Yes indeed, men and women are equal. It should be if they are not. Women are doing very well in our country and they are doing much better than the men in fact. My message to the women is to continue to work as well as they are already. But they should make a special effort so that the men are not left behind.”
Jean-François Ferrari: “Men and women are equal definitely. Women are serious and fighting to have their place in the society. It is a permanent struggle to challenge existing customs such as men are placed before the women. It is a struggle not only for women but also for men who are leaders. We have the responsibility to create this space be it in the economic sector, cultural and even politics.”
Patrick Victor: “I believe in the equality of men and women. Women are formidable! There is balance in our society and we have a lot of strong women out there. The women in Seychelles are contributing a lot towards the building of our Nation and they do have strong beliefs. Personally I have a lot of respect for women as I am an adopted child and my adopted mother looked after me so well. She has passed away already but every single day I think of her.”
Alex Jacob: “Yes in Seychelles women are well respected and sometimes form the backbone of the family. However women in Seychelles need to be better moral guides to the family in all aspects and keep the family rooted in the fear of God.”
Some quotations about women:
“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish”- Michelle Obama
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping-stone to greatness” – Oprah
“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman” – Margaret Thatcher
“Human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human rights” – Hillary Clinton
“No woman should be told she can't make decisions about her own body. When women's rights are under attack, we fight back” – Kamala Harris
“I don't know a woman alive who isn't courageous” – Reese Witherspoon
“We need to live in a culture that values and respects and looks up to and idolizes women as much as men” – Emma Watson
“Do not live someone else's life and someone else's idea of what womanhood is. Womanhood is you” – Viola Davis
“Feminism isn't about making women strong. Women are already strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength” – G.D. Anderson
Compiled by Vidya Gappy