Her Daily News

The Namibian Businesswoman of the Year 2007 prize was awarded to Rhiana Potgieter, owner of the Shadonai Beauty School. This article on AllAfrica.com stated the awards were given during a banquet on Friday, October 12. Also taking home awards were Helene Vosloo, winning the category of Community and Government, and Margaret Bennett, winner of the Private and Corporate Sector category.

In the announcement of the nominees, Desere Lundon-Muller stated the Businesswoman of the Year program was started 12 years ago to honor the “women whose achievements, commitment and vision have made them leaders in their chosen fields of endeavour.” Telecom Namibia and Castle Brewing Namibia are sponsors for the event, and the Namibia Economist newspaper serves as the organizer.

In an interview with the Namibia Economist, Potgieter said she started the school with just five students and no accreditation. Today, she has 20 full-time and 40 part-time students, and is accredited through the Namibian Training Authority as well as international organizations. “I definitely have an enormous impact on their lives and this is the biggest responsibility of all,” she says.

Women in Namibia are beginning to gain more equal status in some areas, but those living in rural regions still face many hardships and discrimination. In A Physical Educator’s Perspective of Namibia, Africa, Bonnie J. Reimann explores the major issues still affecting women’s rights. The greatest of these issues continues to be HIV/AIDS, with the number of young women living with the disease estimated to be more than twice that of young men. In addition, many widows find themselves suddenly having their property taken away by male family members after the death of a husband. This fact sheet on women’s rights in Namibia may shed some light into this situation faced by agricultural, rural women:

Namibia is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The Constitution of Namibia guarantees equal rights for women and provides for affirmative action to redress past imbalances. However, the Constitution also states that all laws in force at independence remain in force until repealed or amended by Parliament, and that customary and common laws also remain valid, as long as they do not conflict with the Constitution or statutory laws. Thus many discriminatory laws that affect rural women remain intact, including those that limit women’s control over property and access to land over property and access to land and credit.

Reimann stated, “This lowered economic status can encourage high-risk behavior such as engaging in unsafe sex for money, housing or food for women and their children. It becomes evident that the cycle of poverty, HIV/Aids transmission, and gender disparity will be difficult to break.” During her visit to Namibia, she also toured the education programs offered to girls to women in the country. While there are some quality programs in place, the women of Namibia need access to much more. Strong business leaders like Potgieter and the other winners offer the hope that perhaps the gender disparity explored by Reimann, although difficult, can be overcome.

To read how other international women are overcoming oppression, check out Afghanistan City Helping Women Own Businesses.

women, businesswomen, Namibia, Namibian women, women’s rights

Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues throughout the month of October. Awareness is not just learning about the problem. It also means learning to recognize if you are being abused. Many victims will tell you that at first, they did not realize they were being wrongly treated. Something in our brains just doesn’t want to admit that a person who is supposed to love us could do us harm. I have heard from women that even through swollen and bloody bruises, they did not realize they were a victim. Instead, they thought it wholly justified by something they had done or said, or not done or said. “The problem was me, not them.” Sometimes it takes facing death’s door, or on the other side, for a woman to recognize abuse for what it is.

Domestic violence and abuse can take many forms in emotional, sexual, and physical manifestations. Sometimes what starts out as emotional abuse may soon lead to a beating and then rape as the perpetrator’s need for control intensifies. By that time, the victim is so emotionally distraught and disorganized that the physical effects seem just a natural part of the relationship. If she tries harder, cooks better, speaks more softly, looks prettier, he wouldn’t have felt the need to beat her or rape her. As outrageous as this sounds to some of us, it is a well-documented fact of the thought processes of victims. By learning the signs of abuse and recognizing them in your own relationship, hopefully you will not become another statistic.

HelpGuide.org provides an overview of Warning Signs and Symptoms of Abusive Relationships. The cycle of abuse discussed in the article covers early warning signs, escalating behavior, and how to get help. Some basic signs, other than actual physical or sexual violence, include belittling, isolating, intimidating, and blaming.

• Maybe he calls you stupid and tells you nothing you do is right.
• Maybe he calls you “fat” in the middle of a dinner party.
• Maybe he refuses to let you have lunch with your best friend on her birthday.
• Maybe he tells you your parents hate him and you have to choose between him or them.
• Maybe he threatens your life if you tell anyone where that bruise came from.

The “maybe’s” are as varied as the number of excuses that he can come up with, but they all lead to one end: domestic violence.

If you suspect you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately. These behavior do not go away. He will not stop because he said he loves you. He will not keep a promise to not hurt you again. There are two ways his abuse will stop: you will get help and leave, or he will kill you. Please choose the first way!

Wheel image source: www.helpguide.org

For further reading on Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Bob Betzen of Radical Avenue talks about The Lasting Wounds of Domestic Violence.

Also visit these other 451 Press Blogs for more information:

www.lifeasachristianwoman.com
www.about-sanjoseca.com
www.earthlygarden.com
www.watchingbionicwoman.com
www.watchingbsg.com
www.limitededitionfoods.com
www1PStart.com
www.astrologyexplored.com
www.about-honoluluhi.com
www.parentingandreligion.com
www.maritaltalk.com

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, sponsored by the NCADV. Over the next few days, several writers here at 451 Press are dedicating their sites to this cause. According to the daily numbers for this blog, at least 150 women who read this article today have been a victim of abuse. It is up to the other 450 of us to stand by them and provide them with a voice.

My next few posts will talk about specifics of domestic violence including statistics and resources. First, we are going to look at the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) and ways we can support them. The NCADV provides assistance, education, research and public policy information to victims of abuse. The first Unity Day was held in October 1981, which later grew into the Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since that time, they have started and assisted numerous programs including “Remember My Name” the “Bring Volume to Silent Voices Campaign.” They also participate in cell phone drives and charity cars, and partner with cosmetic companies who donate profits from the sale of certain items.

To learn which products you can purchase to help the NCADV, visit the home page and click on the links for each product. One such product is the beautiful sterling silver Faith the Butterfly pendant from HealthHomeandHarmony.com, shown in the picture. Also on the home page you can learn how to send in your old cell phone as a donation and where to order the new Body Shop lip treatment.

I urge you to explore the NCADV website to learn about the resources and programs available. If you have never been the victim of domestic violence yourself, it is almost guaranteed that you know someone who has. Just take a look around your workplace or the grocery store tomorrow. 1 out of every 4 women you pass is a victim. And they never stop being victims, for the psychological and spiritual scars linger long after the physical violence has stopped. Prevention is the only cure for domestic violence victims.

For other online resources, check out www.homecomputertalk.com.

Other participating 451Press blogs:

www.lifeasachristianwoman.com
www.about-sanjoseca.com
www.earthlygarden.com
www.watchingbionicwoman.com
www.watchingbsg.com
www.limitededitionfoods.com
www1PStart.com
www.astrologyexplored.com
www.about-honoluluhi.com
www.parentingandreligion.com
www.maritaltalk.com

Women in military service have long struggled to be recognized not only for the contributions they have made in the past, but the contributions they could make if so allowed. The debate still rages in America, from the family kitchen table to the Pentagon itself. Whatever the final outcome of this debate, the sacrifices made by females in serving their country cannot be denied. Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, USAF (Ret.) is president of the Women’s Memorial Fund and has made it her mission to bring equal attention to her counterparts, both historical and current. The Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation faced a long and difficult battle in our own country to bring attention and a lasting tribute to America’s military women. The commitment of the Foundation and of Brigadier General Vaught paid off with the dedication of the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary on October 18, 1997.

Basic Facts About the Women’s Memorial

WHAT: The only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen—past, present and future. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial honors the more than two million women who have served or are serving in or with the US Armed Forces starting with the American Revolution.

WHERE: The 4.2 acre Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in our nation’s capital.

WHEN: Open to the public every day except Christmas. Dedicated October 18, 1997. Groundbreaking held June 22, 1995.

WHO: Spearheaded by the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc. The Foundation, founded in 1985, is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

THOSE HONORED: All US servicewomen, past, present and future, including living or deceased women veterans; Active Duty, Reserve, Guard and US Public Health Service uniformed women; and women in the Coast Guard auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol. The Memorial also honors women who served overseas during conflicts, in direct support of the armed forces, in organizations such as the Red Cross, USO and Special Services; and members of the US Public Health Service Cadet Nurse Corps. The Foundation is seeking names, addresses, photos and memorable experiences of women who have served to be included in the Memorial’s Register, an interactive computer database available at the Memorial. Deceased servicewomen from any era or those civilian women who served with other civilian organizations can be registered by family members, friends and organizations.

HISTORY: Congressional resolutions to honor military women were introduced by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar (D-OH). Signed into law by President Reagan in November 1986.

DESIGN: By Marion Gail Weiss and Michael Manfredi of Weiss/Manfredi Architects, New York City, winners of a national competition. The Memorial features an upper terrace with views of Arlington National Cemetery and the monuments of Washington, DC. On the terrace, there is an arc of large glass panels on which quotations from and about servicewomen are etched. This arc of glass introduces natural light into the Memorial’s Education Center. At the lower terrace, in front of the Hemicycle wall, are the reflecting pool and Court of Valor. The Education Center, located behind the Hemicycle, houses a Hall of Honor, exhibit gallery, theater, and the computer database of servicewomen called the Register. Through the Register, visitors may access photos, military histories and the individual stories of registered women.

FUNDING: The total cost of building the Memorial was $22 million. In building the Memorial, support came from federal grants; proceeds from the sale of commemorative silver dollars; and corporate, organization, and individual donations. The Memorial Foundation maintains and operates the Memorial Education Center; manages an archive and research collection relating to women in the military; conducts an aggressive education program; builds exhibits showcasing the different eras in which women have served using text, images, memorabilia and artifacts; and continues to register servicewomen past and present.

DONATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS: Donations and registrations of servicewomen can be sent to: Women In Military Service For America Memorial, Dept. 560, Washington, DC, 20042-0560. Telephone: 800-222-2294 or 703-533-1155. FAX: 703-931-4208. E-mail: hq@womensmemorial.org. Web site www.womensmemorial.org. Commemorative coins can be ordered by calling 800-222-2294. The Foundation is a registered participant in the Combined Federal Campaign, the annual workplace fund raising drive conducted by the US government for all military, civilian agency and postal workers worldwide and the National Capital Area United Way Campaign. In state and corporate campaigns, donors may designate “Women In Military Service Memorial Foundation” on their pledge cards.

SOURCE: womensmemorial.org

WOMEN IN THE IRAQ WAR

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, women have continued to serve in America’s military, and have gained rights not allowed in previous conflicts. When remembering the victims of that 9/11 attack, we must also remember the sacrifices these women have made. Pro- or anti-war opinions do not matter. The fact is that these ladies deserve our respect and our gratitude as they continue to struggle not only to serve their President, but their gender. I urge you to visit icasualties.org and read through the list of the female fatalities to date in the Iraq War. Their legacy for equality can only be carried on if we carry it for them in our memories.

Female Fatalities

War Casualty List

9/11, Iraq War, women in the military, Women’s Memorial Fund, female casualties, Wilma Vaught, war casualties

Afgha.com has reported that five women-owned stores in the city of Mazar-e Sharif are doing well. The women’s affairs department helped the women set up their retail shops, something almost unheard of in Afghanistan.

The success of these lady-owned and operated business led to the provincial governor laying the foundation stone for the Women’s Garden, a planned shopping center for 200 more stores. Men as well as women will be allowed to shop there, though it was pointed out that, “officials say their behaviour will be closely monitored.” As expected, there have been some disagreements among religious leaders over the rights of these females, but there are many local clerics who see it as a positive step.

(more…)

I write two blogs here for 451 Press. My other blog is at Life as a Christian Woman. Although I try to keep the two separate, I wanted to give Her Daily News readers a chance to join in today’s activities “over there.”

Jocelyn Andersen is the author of “Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence.” She is appearing on Life as a Christian Woman today to talk about her book and answer questions and comments from readers. She is a domestic abuse survivor and has joined in the movement for churches to catch up with the secular world in providing support and safety for battered women. In Jocelyn’s case, her husband was a minister. The recent case of televangelist Juanita Bynum being attacked by her husband, also a minister, tells us that this problem is more widespread than we would like to think among Christian marriages.

I hope you will join us today to welcome Ms. Andersen and join in the conversation. Women around the world are fighting for their lives, and for the rights to be more than property and possessions in their relationships. The churches have a responsibility to help in this fight. It is through people like Ms. Andersen, and events like her appearance today, that will enable us to begin networking the resources and willing workers to bring about change not only in the Christian communities, but for any woman is living in fear for her life.

books, Jocelyn Andersen, domestic violence, abuse, christian women, religion

I actually found this clip while searching through the online site Lankaweb, a news and opinion site on Sri Lanka. The video clip features Arab-American psychologist Wafa Sultan on an Al-Jazeer broadcast. Clearly, her views expressed in the video could put her life jeopardy. At the same time, her speech is a bold statement made by a woman who has seen and studied both the effects of oppression and of freedom, not just in the war between Iraq and America, but for women around the world.

The best explanation ever

Here is One impressive woman making a huge difference with her powerful and amazing statements on Al jazeera television. The woman is Wafa Sultan, an Arab-American psychologist from Los Angeles. I would suggest watching it ASAP because I don’t know how long the link will be active. This film clip should be shown around the world repeatedly !

Watch video

women’s news, international woman, video, women’s rights

This is a case that really makes me wonder how someone could call themselves an “activist” but not be informed enough to get their protesting right:

David McMenemy, 46, was sentenced Friday to 5 years in prison for attempting to burn down a Davenport, Iowa women’s health clinic on September 11, 2006. McMenemy, a Detroit native, crashed his car into a building that he believed to be an abortion clinic and lit a bottle filled with gasoline before surrendering to firefighters. The Edgerton Women’s Health Care Center does not perform or make referrals for abortions, but provides prenatal care and medical services to low-income and underprivileged women, according to clinic officials.

During the sentencing, McMenemy admitted wrongdoing, telling US District Judge John Javery, “It was wrong. Even if it was an abortion clinic, it would still be wrong.” He then added that he planned to distance himself from any anti-abortion organizations in the future.

The judge ordered him to pay $263,252 in damages to the clinic and also to be treated for mental health and substance-abuse.

It’s not like it would have required much more effort to crash into the place and burn it down than it would have to find out what the clinic actually does. He and the guy who burned down the Hummer plant because they are high polluters (and his destruction of the plant actually caused more pollution than the Hummers could have put out in years) should get together and start a “hair-brained activist club”. In it, they will discuss ways ruin the environment and lives by making base-less assumptions and then acting on them through violent explosions.

I am quite saddened about this case. First of all, I don’t think he received a stiff enough penalty. Maybe if we started factoring is stupidity, sentences could be harsher. Additionally, that clinic was probably helping many women. It was probably run by an non-profit organization who does not have the funds to re-build the entire facility and now will have to remain closed (at least for some time) in order to build more funds. In the mean time, countless low-income and underprivileged women will have to seek care elsewhere, possibly further away and possibly not at all. Sometimes when you fight so hard for a cause, you do more harm than good.

women, abortion, clinics, activists, anti-abortion

This week’s great woman in history is….

Jeannette Rankin - (June 11, 1880 - May 18, 1973)

Here are some highlights in Rankin’s life:

• She was the first American woman elected to Congress on November 6, 1916.
• She was the oldest of eleven children.
• Rankin attended Montana State University at Missoula and graduated in 1902 with a bachelor of science degree in biology.
• She was a social worker in Spokane, Washington, in a children’s home.
• She became involved in the woman suffrage movement in 1910.
• Rankin became the first woman to speak before the Montana legislature.
• She organized and spoke for the Equal Franchise Society.
• She went to work for the New York Woman Suffrage Party and in 1912 she became the field secretary of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
• Rankin was among the thousands of suffragists at the 1913 suffrage march in Washington, D.C., before the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson.
• Only four days after taking office, Jeannette Rankin made history in yet another way: she voted against U.S. entry into World War I.
• She was active in the antiwar movement, often invited to speak or honored by the young antiwar activists and feminists.

For more information: Women’s History, About.com

women, history, politics, Jeannette Rankin, legislature, congress

The abortion discussion in America is often times different from those of other countries. In Mozambique it is a question of protection of women’s lives. Too often women seek abortions in this country, where it is illegal, only to suffer serious injuries and even death because of improper procedure. These illegal abortions are the third leading cause of maternal mortality in Mozambique. For a country with the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, the measure will offer women a chance to seek procedures in proper facilities. The Feminist Daily News has the rest of the story.

women, abortion, Mozambique, international, mortality, maternal

In our modern, fast-paced society, work can seem more like burden than a privilege to most women. But to a group of women in the small desert oasis of Siwa, Egypt, work brings them the kind of independence that is almost unheard of in their culture. The Time story discusses how these women are now contributing to the global economy and are able experience a world they have never known thanks to their traditional skills.

women, international, independence, society, Egypt, culture, traditional, Time

Unfortunately for many of the women shown above, women’s suffrage is a good thing. For those who aren’t clear, suffrage is the right to vote. Therefore, women’s suffrage is a law specifically stating that women have that right in the United States. As I was watching some of the accompanying videos of young men trying to get young women (and sometimes other young men) to sign petitions to end women’s suffrage, a few interesting thoughts came to my mind. It was honestly hard to choose which example to use. There seems to be a growing view in our society that the right to vote isn’t being taken seriously by most women today, especially the younger generation. After watching some of the video clips, I started to wonder if they were on to something.

For the sake of argument, it is possible that there was a misunderstanding of terms. I get the feeling a few people weren’t quite sure what was being asked. Suffrage? Suffering? Semantics — I get it. But the topic still raises issues. Aside from a few confused interviewees, the majority of the people in the video were asked several times to ponder the term, what it means and their thoughts on the issue. The results were still pretty scary. As informed women, especially like those shown in the video in a university setting, should we not be aware of the rights made possible for us so long ago? Granted, it has been a long time since women voting in this country has been an issue. But it also seems that for the younger generation of women today, voting is a right like any other that has always been there; almost taken for granted. How easily we forget the great strides made in women’s rights since the 1920s, that have afforded us so many of the rights we see today.

So this leads me to wonder, has voting become viewed as just a birth right rather than a liberty afforded to us long ago through no easy task? We often hear talk of the low voting statistics in this country and wonder where the passion has gone. With women making up more than half the population, as well as out-voting men in the 2004 presidential election, we should seize this opportunity to effect change in this country. It isn’t just a right we are born with; it is our duty as informed citizens.

women, voting, rights, suffrage