Women Are A Great Tool For Progress

Sr Mary Lilly Driciru, MSMMC

MANY people may ask or wonder whether the commemoration of a day for women is only marked in Uganda. They say it is President Yoweri Museveni’s making that the recognition of women and issues affecting them have had much interest in the country.

But, the fact is that interest in female gender issues runs back to the 1970s, before Museveni featured prominently in Uganda’s leadership. Maybe by coincidence, he had women’s interests top on his agenda, but it is more because the United Nations (UN) provided a springboard for women’s affairs in the world.

On December 18, 1972 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by the Commission on the Status of Women – under resolution 3010 – which proclaimed the 1975 International Women’s Year (IWY). On the basis of the resolution, the commission formulated recommendations, which were subsequently gathered into a program approved by the Economic and Social Council, at the May 1974 session.

Under the resolution, the Economic and Social Council requested the secretary general [then Austrian Kurt Waldheim] to convene a world conference, which would launch an international programme of short and long-term action with. The IWY had three-aim-strategy.

For one, it sought to promote equality between men and women. Secondly, it would see to the full integration of women in the total effort for economic, social and cultural development at national, regional and international levels especially during the second UN development decade.

It was also intended to recognize the importance of women’s increasing contribution to development, of friendly relations states. It would also emphasis their role in strengthening peace in the world.

Against this background, it would seem that women over emphasize action number one much more than the other two. They often demand equal rights and follow it with the second prong, while number three remains a challenge to them.

Many women, including the elite, are instead associated with faults against peace and justice. But, women are called to promote and become agents of peace with Holy Mary, the Queen of Peace, their Mother and model.

The UN also adopted for the IWY, an emblem designed by a woman, Valerie Pettis. It was of a stylized dove – the most common symbol of peace – combined with the symbol of the female gender and a mathematical sign for equality. IWY took its origin from a historical act of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the setting up of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

It was meant above all to mark the same time for the progress of the whole humanity. The Church responded positively to the move the UN made to offer special recognition for women and could not help feel challenged by the IWY and the threefold aim assigned to it.

Pope Paul VI would in fact say; “We recognize in the threefold theme of the year – equality, development and peace. The synthesis of vast problems that the world community must face, today, and which expresses aspirations with which the church itself manifests her solidarity…We wish to make contribution towards ensuring that the international women’s year may truly be, in accordance with the happy idea of its promoters, the point of departure for long-term action.” W i t h such a blessing from the Vicar of Christ, I would like to observe that women are strongly taking wider strides! Pope Paul VI also pointed to the harmony existing between the theme of the IWY and the social teaching of the Church.

The Church perpetually opts for the ‘poor’ people, a category to which women generally belong. Besides, the Church’s original contribution developed in relation to these three basic aspects: discernment of the ‘signs of the times’; an educational commitment at all levels; witness of life, the church in the synod of the Bishops in 1971 said is bound to give witness to justice.

Witness demands that women be given their own share of responsibility and participation in the ‘community life’ of society and likewise of the Church.

Providentially, many occasions throughout 1975, a “happy coincidence” was to be highlighted between the Holy Year and the IWY.

Rome stated, “If the holy year is to be a year of renewal and reconciliation, determined efforts must be encouraged among the people of God for a renewal of the whole concept of the person and mission of a woman in the Church and in society, and for a reconciliation of men and women in all fields of life, so that in mutual respect, new relationships may be established based on truth, equality, love and peace.”

After drawing the attention of the Church and State, what next? Well, subsequently, there is need to embark on work and commitment. Let the world enjoy the fruits of women’s unique contribution and role in world. Remember woman stands for: ‘warm/ welcoming, organized, merciful, able and neat.

It all means going uphill, but we have to courage, all women all the women, especially those still in need of empowerment. It was not a mistake that the IWY was blended with the holy year.

It all means that the March 8 Women’s Day should carry Godly elements and enable us remain holy by the nature of its celebration so as to give sweet fragrance to the world. It is unfortunate that sometimes such days or celebrations for women provide fateful occasions of divorce, separation, and quarrels in families.

The Church probably foresaw the deviation and made an interesting recommendation to that that Catholic-founded universities be enabled to conduct theological and scientific research aimed at improving man-woman relationships. And women should be part of the efforts because of their great role in promoting peace and development.

The Writer is a holder of an MA in Mass Communication
from the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome