Gender Equality Month

March is recognized as Gender Equality Month.  Over the past twenty-five (25) years there has been a movement across countries, industries, cultures and generations to recognize the world would be a better place if all women and girls were able to live freely and safely with dignity and access to equal opportunities that would help them live their best lives.
          In 1995, The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was a creative plan to empower women and is recognized as the document to begin Gender Equality Month.  To this day it is one of the leading records that helps to advance the discussions of global agendas for women on peace and security.  United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, “Just as slavery and colonialism were a stain on previous centuries, women’s inequality should shame us all in the 21st.  Because it is not only unacceptable; it is stupid.”
 
               The central issue is power and control, like gender inequality.  National economies, political systems, to corporate world and beyond are male dominated power structures, that control everything.  Patriarchal systems influence our men and boys, creating gender stereotypes, which can result in domestic violence and/or sexual assault. in discussions with women who have been battered, the Duluth Power and Control Window was developed.  It is important to note, the tactics used in the wheel (i.e. economic abuse, using male privilege, using children, etc) are not deemed bad in all relationships but what changes when physical violence or threat of it is used in a relationship . In situations where your partner comes home and states, “I believe only I should be working, because you need to care for the children”, and you feel confident in our ability to converse as partners to resolve this issue—it would not be deemed power and control.  A victim of violence would think, “What will happen if I say No”, or “I will be silenced if I voice my opinion,” or “I just need to agree to keep the peace”.  but what changes when physical violence or threat of it is used in a relationship.
          When women are not provided equal access as men, the community response is similar to the tactics used of power and control.  In American Samoa we live in a patriarchal, or male-controlled society.  Many positions of power within our culture, employment, religious areas are held by men.  Women do not hold that same power, but we can make simple changes in our community to shift the way that power is held.  One way is to share the household chores, where all adults living in the same home take responsibility for the household chores and children’s care.  We can vote for more women in House of Representatives, and scold chauvinist as well as racist attitudes.  These are small steps that we can take to make a difference. 
          When we encourage gender equality, we promote the wellness of our community, and families.  
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