Women Are
Posted by Michelle Moquin on March 27th, 2012
Good morning!
I liked this write. I HOPE You do too.
Nigeria: Significance of Women’s History Month
BY TERENCE P. MCCULLEY, 26 MARCH 2012
Every March, the United States celebrates Women’s History Month, a time to recognise the contributions that women have made and continue to make to their country.
Secretary Hilary Clinton has noted that “What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish.” These words have particular relevance as we celebrate Women’s History Month around the world and as we continue to make strides for women’s progress.
On December 10, 2011, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three extraordinary women who have led the fight for human rights and democracy in their home countries – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, and Tawakkol Karman of Yemen. Their achievement signifies recognition on the world stage of the essential role that women must play in the hard work of building peace and sustainable communities in the 21st century.
When I reflect on the contributions that these women made to their nations, I’m reminded of the important roles that Nigerian women have played in their country’s history. In fact, there is an old song about the great Queen Amina of Zaria from the 16th century who was famous for her bravery in battle, and credited as the architect who created the strong, earth walls that surround Zaria. The song tells of her being “a woman as capable as a man”.
Although I’m sure that is meant to be a compliment, we are thankfully past the era when we need to compare a woman’s abilities to a man’s. Queen Amina of Zaria was extraordinary in her own right. Another extraordinary woman, who played an important role in American history, was the former slave, abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth. She famously asked the question “Ain’t I a woman?” in response to those who said women were too weak to plow fields and raise cattle, as she had done, or too unintelligent to give speeches, as she did with such force on behalf of freedom for African Americans and women.
Thanks to the hard work of many women and African Americans won their rights and are able to participate freely in U.S. society. It is also true that Nigerian women, whether in Zaria, Lagos, or Kano, now need not be royalty for us to recognise how much they contribute to the well-being of their country. Women, both in Nigeria and the US, are crucial to their countries’ strength, prosperity and development.
Take, for example, Nigerian and American women’s participation in government. Ambassadors Susan E. Rice and U. Joy Ogwu serve as Permanent Representatives of the United States and Nigeria, respectively, to the United Nations. Both women have used their posts at the UN to advance global human rights: Ambassador Rice has championed UN efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and enhance humanitarian assistance in Iraq, Afghanistan, Cote d’Ivoire and Libya; while Ambassador Ogwu led the UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters and served on the UN mission that supervised South Africa’s transition out of apartheid.
Ambassadors Rice and Ogwu demonstrate tremendous strength of leadership in defending the rights of all people, and in doing so set great examples of civic engagement and public service. That said, American and Nigerian women remain underrepresented in all three branches of government. More troubling is that in Nigeria, women are far less likely to vote than men are. As we celebrate the contributions that great African and African American women have made to their nations, let us also remember that all citizens-whether black or white, and whether male or female-have the right to vote and the potential to lead.
In recognition of this potential, President Barack Obama released the first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security in December. This plan charted a roadmap for how the US will accelerate and institutionalise efforts across the government to advance women’s participation in preventing conflict and keeping peace. This initiative represents a fundamental change in how the U.S. will approach its diplomatic, military, and development-based support to women in areas of conflict, by ensuring that their perspectives and considerations of gender are woven into the fabric of how the US approaches peace processes, conflict prevention, the protection of civilians, and humanitarian assistance.
We are at a moment of historic opportunity. Secretary Clinton has referred to this era as “the Participation Age”. This is a time where every individual, regardless of gender or other characteristics, is poised to be a contributing and valued member of their society and its economy.
The dedicated and innovative women who have persevered to change the face of global business are perfect examples of the Participation Age. One of the most famous of them is American talk show host and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey. Born poor, education and courage helped her find her way out over poverty. She crafted a new, empathetic style of media that propelled her brand into a global empire. She was once the world’s only black billionaire, male or female, and has been recognised by CNN and Time magazine as “arguably the world’s most influential woman.”
Nigerian talk show host and entrepreneur Mo Abudu has been called “Nigeria’s Oprah,” and has said before that she draws inspiration from Winfrey, but she used her own, distinct style to pursue different ambitions. Her biggest personal achievements have come through efforts to inspire others to success: she translated her recruitment expertise into a successful human resources development company, and now offers more inspiration to Africans in 48 countries through Africa’s first syndicated daily talk show, Moments with Mo.
Women entrepreneurs do not, however, need to earn a billion dollars or speak to an entire continent to change lives. Many run successful farms or small-scale manufacturing businesses that support their families.
The UN reports that women grow 80-90 per cent of all food in sub-Saharan Africa, and female farmers generate 22 per cent more yield than their male counterparts. The World Bank has found that women in Africa who assume microfinance loans are 26 times more likely to pay them back than men: the money goes into successful businesses that turn enough profit to repay debt.
Achievements like these are even more impressive when you consider the difficult conditions experienced by female entrepreneurs in Africa. Women typically face higher barriers to financing a new business, and have more problems getting bank loans to continue their businesses than their male counterparts.
I’m excited about new efforts to change this, including the Central Bank of Nigeria’s fund that will lend to female entrepreneurs at attractive rates, and the Women for Change and Development Initiative, which includes plans for economic empowerment through micro-financing and training. I hope that these programmes can help more businesses run by women compete to their full potential on a more level playing field.
Today’s women have proven themselves to be “as capable as a man” in all walks of life, not just business and politics.
Women are a cornerstone of America’s foreign policy and of the global economy because the simple fact is that no country can hope to move ahead if it is leaving half of its people behind. Women and girls drive our economies.
They build peace and prosperity. Investing in them means investing in global economic progress, political stability, and greater prosperity for everyone-the world over. As we honour them today, let us renew our resolve to work for the cause of equality each and every day of the year.
Ambassador McCulley is a US diplomat
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Peace & Love…
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Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
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March 27th, 2012 at 10:53 am
I’m thinking Obama would be wise to bump Biden and have Hilary as a running mate in 2012. – ZL
March 27th, 2012 at 11:15 am
ZL, I concur. Obama could wrap up the female vote with that ticket
/SB
March 27th, 2012 at 11:54 am
Typical female response. All that would say is Obama is as big an opportunist as McCain was. And considering that you white women don’t support each other what would be the use.
Ted
March 27th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Ditto, Ted, and considering it was coming from the two white women who dissed Michelle in favor of the Dude, it wouldn’t be too hard to imagine that they would go into the booth and vote against the woman.
March 27th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Ted and Elliot, eat shit, I did not ‘diss’ Mischa OVER Doug or any dude, you two are pathetic in your ‘what’s typical’ BS. I already stated my dealio in detail over 2 days, either reread it or just continue being A-hole’s who don’t get it, your choice. – ZL
March 27th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
…and by the way, all politicians are opportunistic to some greater or lesser degree, we are always voting for lesser of 2 evils…avoiding pain and moving towards pleasure is the human condition, so let me spell it out for you – avoid pain=no GOP vote, move towards pleasure=Obama (to finish what he started and try to do it despite interference from ‘the other side’ and our crooked as hell supreme court) – clear now on why we’d do what it takes to get the vote…if the GOP can pull a goofy idiot like Sarah Palin out of their asses to try to snag women voters, why wouldn’t the Dems pull someone of substance and stature like Hilary out of the top ranks to make it more enticing to the female voter? So, do you two read here regularly, we are looking for female representation, any by someone with a brain, hello…!! -ZL
March 27th, 2012 at 1:09 pm
T & E, the only thing you are somewhat correct on, and I say this reluctantly, is that women don’t always support other women, that much is true though – in this regard, and in this pivotal year, I’m holding out HOPE that you are incorrect and women will come together, if not on everything, perhaps just this one thing. (please) – ZL
March 27th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
You tell the a-holes ZL.
March 27th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
In the midst of all the substantive content yesterday, I forgot to mention our great cover story from our print publication. Jay O’Callaghan, longtime observer of election results, completed a lengthy piece analyzing turnout in this year’s Democratic primary. It shows that the turnout is considerably lower than 1996 when Bill Clinton ran for a second term. If the trend holds, as O’Callaghan argues, Obama could face defeat in November.
John Hayward has an analysis on the on-going Trayvon Martin case. It seems that it’s devolving in to a three-ring circus, with everyone from Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson contributing their two cents. John cautions the media to use some restraint and wait for all the facts to come forward before passing judgment a la the Duke Lacrosse case.
Our contributor on defense issues, Robert Maginnis, analyzes the Iran situation and the threat Tehran’s proxies within this country can pose if Iran and Israel are to go to war. A stark reminder of the ramifications that can face all of us if those two countries strike each other.
If you are a Daily Events veteran, you know that we showcase the heavy hitters of conservative opinion. For years, Patrick J. Buchanan has always provided hard-hitting commentary and analysis on the pertinent topics of the day. Today is no different. Pat asks where did the president in Tucson go in response to the Trayvon Martin case? Instead of dousing the flames, he is stoking them, Pat says.
A great Tuesday in store, and keep your eyes peeled to the Supreme Court. As one tweet I read said, Today will be “the most important day at the Supreme Court since Bush v. Gore.”
See you all tomorrow.
March 27th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Holy Shit it seems another of Howie’s predictions is coming true. The government is trying to figure out how to handle the strange erratic behavior of personal in aircraft carriers.
Frist it was a stewardess on a United Airlines carrier now it is the behavior of a Captain on a Jet Blue carrie. Howie warned us about strange events that would occur during this month.
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A JetBlue flight bound for Las Vegas made an emergency landing in Texas on Tuesday after the captain acted strangely, was locked out of the cockpit by his co-pilot and was wrestled to the ground by passengers, witnesses and authorities said.
The plane’s co-pilot, concerned by the “erratic” behavior, locked the door behind the captain when he left the cockpit during the flight, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Passengers described to CNN what happened next.
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“The pilot ran to the cockpit door, began banging on it and said something to the effect of, ‘We’ve gotta pull the throttle back. We’ve gotta get this plane down,’” said Laurie Dhue.
“At that point, the two flight attendants tried to subdue him, and then seemingly out of nowhere, about six or seven large guys stormed to the front of the plane and wrestled the captain of the plane down to the ground and had him subdued in a matter of moments. It was really like something out of a movie,” she said.
Amateur video of the incident showed a commotion as several men were moving in the aisle. A voice, purportedly that of the pilot, can be heard.
“Oh my God. I’m so distraught!” he shouts. The voice mentions Israel and Iraq.
In another video, passengers appeared to be standing over something, or someone, presumably the subdued pilot.
Paul Babakitis, another passenger and a retired New York police officer, said he was one of the men who helped wrestle the captain to the ground.
“I felt if he got in the cockpit, he was going to try to take that plane down, and not for a safe landing,” he said.
Law enforcement met the aircraft, cuffed the pilot and took him off the plane, Babakitis said. Video showed someone being carried off the plane in a sort of chair.
“I’m not foreign to situations like this, but I don’t expect them at 30,000 feet,” he said.
Babakitis and some other passengers reported hearing the captain say the word “bomb” at one point. However, passenger Jason Levin said he did not hear him say that.
Levin was sitting in the front row of the plane, full of people on their way to a security conference, when the pilot came out of the cockpit.
“It just seemed like something triggered him to go off the wall. He would be calm one minute and then just all of sudden turn,” he said. “If it was going to happen, it happened at the right time and the right place.”
Passenger Tony Antolino hailed the co-pilot as a hero.
“The co-pilot of the flight, he really I think is the hero here, because he had the sense to recognize that something was going horribly wrong and he was able to persuade the pilot out of the cockpit,” he told CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight.”
Jet Blue Flight 191 left New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport at 7:28 a.m.
“At roughly 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET, the pilot in command elected to divert to Amarillo, Texas, for a medical situation involving the captain. Another captain, traveling off duty, entered the flight deck prior to landing at Amarillo and took over the duties of the ill crew member once on the ground,” JetBlue said.
The crew member was taken off the plane and transported to a medical facility, it added.
FBI Special Agent Lydia Maese said the FBI responded to the incident and is coordinating with Amarillo and airport police, the FAA and the Transportation Safety Administration. She declined further comment, saying an investigation is pending.
Everything considered, passenger Antolino said he felt thankful. “This could have had a horrific outcome.”
Copyright 2012 by CNN NewSource. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Howie, where is the man who knows all things alien?
Scott
March 28th, 2012 at 8:14 am
Michelle, thank you for all you do. We can only pray to God for Her mercy because the shadow of men who control us is so heavy.