What’s happening in the world?

At a time when women are advocating for gender equality worldwide, some governments are denying women their rights. Women’s groups are championing for women empowerment and gender equality at the workplace and even in parliament.

Picture by Fatemeh Bahrami / AA / Abaca Press / Polaris

Many countries have noted an increased number of women in the workforce, whilst others are denying women that opportunity, infringing on their rights.  The Iranian government has drafted laws that will restrict the use of contraceptives and family planning methods.

According to an article published in America Aljazeera (online), the laws are meant to increase birthrate in the country as the country has witnessed a downward birth trend since 2012.

“The proposed laws will entrench discriminatory practices and set the rights of women and girls in Iran back by decades,” Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, the deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, said in a statement. “The authorities are promoting a dangerous culture in which women are stripped of key rights and viewed as baby-making machines rather than human beings with fundamental rights to make choices about their own bodies and lives.”

They say the low birth rate is resulting from women who are keen on studying yet their place is at home with the children. This is a violation of women’s rights and also hinders working women from advancing their studies as well as developing their careers. Read the full story here http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/3/11/amnesty-decries-iran-draft-law-to-boost-population.html

Is this fair treatment to women especially at a stage where the world is championing for women empowerment? What impact does it have on working women as they have to venture into childbearing?

Imagine if our government would formulate such laws and implement them, what impact would it have on Zimbabwean working women? Readers have your say on this matter.

Breast feeding

Breastfeeding has become a controversial issue especially on married working women. Most 

working women do not have time to breastfeed as they spend the whole day  at work, posing 

challenges to the infants.

mother and baby bonding- memorial care .org
 

A majority of working women usually have three months to nurse infants. It is common especially in Zimbabwe so that the mother bonds with her newly born member of the family. This is one of the benefits granted to women in the workforce.

Things tend to take a new twist especially when maternity leave comes to an end and the mother has to return to work. The baby has to conform to a new method of feeding as the mother spends the day at work and cannot breastfeed normally.

A majority of babies are introduced to feeding bottles during the day and are breastfed when the mother returns from work. Lactating mothers usually come up with a feeding table so that the baby has a balanced number of meals.

However, this cannot be said for all mothers as some do not breastfeed due to health problems as well as other personal reasons. Some women can’t bear the demands associated with breastfeeding whilst some do not have the time because of their busy schedules.

This has become a problem in society as health practitioners encourage mothers to breastfeed for at least 18months, to facilitate the growth of the baby as well as strong and healthy bones and other body tissue.

Women who do not breastfeed are said to be westernized as they try to imitate western lifestyles. People should be educated on the reasons why working women cannot breastfeed fulltime because they are labelled as “reckless mothers” in society.

Some women are diagnosed with illnesses that could pose dangers to the baby’s health. Some are advised by doctors not to breastfeed because of the dangers likely to affect the baby. Society should be made aware that breastfeeding is a choice by the mother but at times it is hindered by medical problems.  

Follow the link to find out some of the reasons why some women do not breastfeedhttp://www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com/2014/10/quick-guide-to-breastfeeding-challenges.html#more

Career Women's issues: Can I trust her

Career Women's issues: Can I trust her

Can I trust her

My wife  has been behaving in a negative way since she was promoted to the position of the Human Resources Manager. I have been a driver for more than 15 years at a transport company. Sometimes I do not understand the way she treats me as well as the children because she is always occupied. What can I do to get her attention again?

We have been living a normal life, a life where we could afford to spend as a family and also have fun. My wife has always been supportive and also had time for me and the children. She always attended activities and events with the children and we were happy.

Undecided husband

Things changed when she was promoted to a senior post at work. She became so occupied with her work that she would even work on weekends, and could not spend time with the family.  During the first few months, I thought it was due to the pressure of a new office that she was getting used to, but it became worse.

She started coming home late and would say she was in meetings or interviews. Towards the end of the month she would be busy compiling monthly reports and other work related issues. Life drastically changed as the children also missed those precious moments where their mother was helping them with their school work.

 The family celebrated with her when she got the promotion. I thought she deserved the post due to hard work and it was a rejoicing moment when she got the job as I thought we could afford to give the children a lifestyle we did not experience.

I do not know whether I made the wrong decision when I allowed her to go to work because she has changed completely. I can’t trust her anymore because lately her excuses have just become too good to be true.

Readers this is a true story of Mr. Samuel Saidi who needs advise on how to deal with a situation affecting his family. Your views and responses will be useful to him.

 

Women and drinks: Men's views

A group of men are drinking at a local bar in the city and are watching a repeat soccer match. One suddenly talks about the way the secretary was dressed in the office, citing how he wished he could turn back the clock and go back to his youthful days.

courtesy of Google

“We have a new secretary these days and you could wish to spend the day visiting the reception. This woman has a perfume that fills the whole reception. She is so attractive that I greet her every time I pass by the reception just to catch a glimpse of that beautiful smile. I wanted to ask her out when I noticed a ring on her finger. Should I go ahead even though she is married?”

Tinashe: honestly I see no problem in asking her out for drinks because she is married. You are also married so who can question seeing that you both have rings.

Noel: I would advise you to go ahead. She is human and her husband could be asking his colleagues for drinks as well. Every normal being deserves to have fun.

James: I am against your idea. Imagine if that beautiful secretary was your wife and you find her in a bar after hours, having drinks with a male colleague. If she was my wife, she would definitely pack her bags and leave.

Chris: That would not be enough my friend, I would first bash her for disrespecting me. Accepting that offer means that she goes out with every man who asks her out. That is why I did not allow my wife to work because of what I have observed at the workplace.

Tinashe: Bashing a woman cannot stop her from going for drinks with colleagues. We drink till late and women are lonely at home. Is it wrong if she also spends time with colleagues?

James: I won’t have a problem if she was going for drinks with female friends not man. What would she be discussing with a man especially in the evening? Women are easily taken away my friend.

Chris: I support you on that point. What does a married woman discuss with somebody's husband  at a time when she should be home cooking. The next thing you hear when she gets home is that she is very tired and because she worked overtime.

Noel: I give up. You guys are really harsh and I wonder how your wives manage to stay with such man. I think you also check their messages.

The conversation goes on till late and a lot of issues are raised including the way women dress in the office amongst other issues. They agreed that beating a woman was the best method of discipline.

Is it wrong for working women to go out for drinks with male colleagues? Is gender based violence the solution to solving issues between couples?

Readers say your views concerning this issue.

NB. The above views were collected from a discussion held at a local bar and the names of characters are not real.

Should I stay

Jenny has been employed as a deputy manager at a leading retail outlet. She has been working for 5 years and has attained her Master’s Degree in Accounting. The manager is linked to a fraud scandal and after investigations are carried out, he resigns as he is found guilty.

stressed

The company advertises the job and Jenny is one of the applicants. She is shortlisted for interviews and has to compete against four applicants. The results have to be announced by the board chairman who is said to be outside town attending a meeting.

Jenny is summoned to the boardroom and is told that she qualified for the job and it is the best news ever. However, her happiness is cut short as she is told that although she has the qualifications, she cannot take the job.

The board chairman announces that the post is reserved for a male as women cannot handle the workload. This was devastating news to Jenny, a proud mother of two, who was prepared to take the challenge.

She questioned herself, asking where she was lacking since she was the acting manager when he was not around and the company flourished. She was stressed to an extent that she thought of quitting.

What would you do if you faced such a problem? Is the board fair in its decision?

Readers have your say 

Gender based violence

fighting gender violence

There are socially constructed roles for women in society. There are certain activities that society expects women to undertake especially as they venture into marriage. Traditionally, women are expected to take care of their husbands and extended families and the most anticipated part, child bearing.

 

Women are groomed from childhood to cook, wash, clean and all other household activities. They are expected to uphold these roles when they start their families. A woman has to stay at home and the man has to fend for the family.

Time has changed and women have been made aware of their rights. The introduction of gender equality gives women equal opportunities with men.  A couple can do to work and leave the children under the care of the maid as they are fending for the family.

Traditionalists view gender equality as inciting rebellion in women. Women have their expected roles and they cannot have the same authority as men. Once a woman starts going to work and earning a salary, she wants to be in control of everything and everyone.

Women become victims of gender based violence which is at most times perpetrated by men. Newsday recently published an article revealing shocking statistics on gender based violence in the country. Findings revealed that 68% of women have been victims of gender based violence, however, some cases are not reported and perpetrators go unpunished.

Victims of gender based violence are afraid to expose perpetrators because at most times they are threatened with death. Some women go to work with bruises and scars and find ways of covering for the perpetrator as they fear victimization.

Some employed married women are afraid of what the in-laws would say when their son has been imprisoned due to an act of gender based violence. This gives the perpetrators the opportunity to go free instead of facing the consequences for their actions. 

Follow the link to find out some of the problems women face once they venture into marriage http://www.sundaynews.co.zw/gender-based-violence-women-bruised/