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D E LTAW O M E N M AG A Z I NE
Women, War and Worsening situations
How one woman from Uganda is helping teen mothers survive and thrive
DER GEN
PHOTOGRAPHy
Eleanor Bennet Claudia Fierro Maureen Littlejohn Su Tomesen Chioma Nneji
COnTRIbUTORs
Ngoako Jay Morokolo Nichole Beard Lacey Jean Frye Maureen Littlejohn Ana Isabel Martinez Charlotte Lazarus Christina Y. Kim Effat Allahyari Elaheh Zohrevandi Kirthi Gita Jayakumar Kanika Jain Katherine Vasquez Tarazona Leila A. Fortier Marie Keith S. Epe Hadi Barazandeh Paola Brigneti Fatemeh Mohseni Zafar Ihsan Denise Falcone
CRITICs
Daniela silva Maureen Littlejohn
CEO
Elsie Reed
courage to let our voice be heard, we might be shocked to hear that it is a loud angry voice. Rather than take this all in, we might just as well prefer to stay mad. On the other hand, anger can empower us. It is a strong drug. It intoxicates us and makes us feel big, important, and visible. This is especially true when we feel invisible. Anger is polluting our world. Unresolved, uncontrolled anger is seeping into our lives like toxic waste. This is because when we are angry we are afraid. Standing up for ourselves can evoke feelings of separateness and aloneness - we feel ourselves separating. Separating into ourselves can be terrifying. We are cutting through the bloody tangled knotted mass that keeps us involved. How we were made to feel as children can affect how we direct our anger now. Then it becomes a twofolded place of dealing with our anger: all that retroactive rage of the past and today. If we can confront those old feelings, dust the cobwebs off to understand them, we can move on from a place of being scared or from a place of hating and even allow someone to be mad at us without becoming paralyzed by its power. Why make waves? Because a new voice emerges from a woman who is confident and secure in her anger. Feeling entitled to her feelings, even in anger, she comes through with a more grounded, clearer voice in communicating to others. When she loses the fear in her voice, she looses her status of shrew, scold, bitch, hothead, spoiled child, man-eater, and nag.
Kirthi Gita Jayakumar is a Commissioning Editor for e-IR. she currently also volunteers with the United nations, and works with Femina and Rainmaker as a writer.
missive, holding-in, selfsilencing behavior. Confrontation can be scary. Its invasive. It can ruin a day. It can chip away at our defenses before we know it or before we are ready to let them down. We might take note of feelings of shame by thinking that being angry is wrong, or of feelings of alienation brought on by taking all the responsibility for why our attempt at communication has failed. There might be the realization that the very connection we have been trying so hard to preserve, at the expense of ourselves, has fallen apart. If we do muster up the
Maureen Littlejohn
Chioma nneji
When she graduated from high school in 2002, Pelletier arranged for her to continue her studies in Canada. Her enrollment at Ryerson University didnt happen immediately, though. I was pregnant with my first son plus dealing with the culture shock of a new country. I started school in 2007, Solome explains. She has fond memories of Pelletier, who passed away in 2011. He was a gentle, dedicated and spiritual man who dedicated his life to caring for orphaned children and single mothers with their children in Uganda, she recalls. The Pelletier Teenage Mothers Foundation (PTMOF) was his legacy, an organization that provided shelter and training for children and mothers who had nowhere else to turn. It is especially difficult for teen mothers because often they have been raped, sometimes by family or friends. If they are pregnant, they are kicked out of the home. They have nowhere to go and no way to make a living, explains Solome. One PTMOFs mandates is to alter the view that teen pregnancy is shameful. This is especially important when a young woman has been victimized. We have re-connected many teen mothers to their immediate families. We are promoting community awareness and this has lowered the
numbers of homeless girls, says Solome. On the PTMOF website, some of the teen mothers share their stories. Annet Namalwa, 16, dropped out of school due to financial problems. She was helping her aunt at home when a friend of her fathers promised to pay her school fees. He got her pregnant instead and denied responsibility. Annet describes how she and her baby daughter survive on spare change she gathers from singing for people. Her hope is one day to go back to school and get a certificate in arts and crafts so she can earn a living making sweaters. Another young woman, Tracy Nambatya, 20, tells of her polygamous family, of a co-wife putting a spell on her mother to become ill, and of looking for money to help cure her mother. She found work in a womans house, but was raped by the womans boyfriend. Now she is living with her grandmother and wants to start her own business. PTMOF brought hope to many of Ugandas most vulnerable women and children. When Pelletier retired and returned to Canada in 2000, he entrusted the care of the foundation to the local elders. They were not faithful and went back on their word. The funds were not used properly. The
girls were not in school and not being cared for. I took over the shelter, co-coordinated the girls. You are not allowed to attend regular school if you have a child, so I started a vocational school where the girls could learn skills for a sustainable livelihood, says Solome. After her mother died in 2003, Solome moved the shelter and school to her mothers property. There are 10 adults and nine children currently living there. Her sister Maria acts as housemother, buying food and resolving conflicts. Her other sister Betty, who is deaf and dumb, also resides there. Solome had a studio built on the land where girls learn sewing, hairdressing and business skills. The facility has three hair-drying chairs, three sewing machines and one laptop computer. A social worker comes and does volunteer outreach programs and trainers come to teach on Saturdays. We started out with 15 girls. Last year when I visited there were 50 mothers between the ages of 14 and 25 who wanted training, says Solome, who goes back annually for two or three weeks at a time. The program is popular because it can lead to independence. Once they are trained, we help them get small loans to start a business. We also teach them about family planning, says
Maureen Littlejohn
Solome. Right now, the trainers teach five girls at a time, and the others watch their children, waiting for their turn the following week. We have play time for around 60 children and a learning program that is run by volunteers for children who are ready to go to school. We also network with the local medical centre where the children get health assistance, she explains. Solome has seen the suffering and abuse young girls in Uganda have to endure. Family, teachers or church members have betrayed many of the teen mothers she encounters. Some die due to botched abortions, and some contract HIV/AIDS. They come from abusive homes. Uncles or fathers promise another man sex with their daughter or niece for a glass of vodka, she explains. Solomes father had seven wives. He beat her mother regularly and refused to be tested for HIV/ AIDS. After the divorce, Solome and her family survived on less than a dollar a day. Pelletiers kindness came at a crucial time and Solomes desire to honor her mentor and guardian is understandable. Since Father Raynald Pelletier Im going to Uganda for five or six months after I graduate. I need to hire more people who can commit to the project. Id also like to steer some of the girls towards PLAN Canadas local business management programs. Her hopes for the future of PTMOF are big. Id like to buy some land where we can build a passed away, Solome has taken on full responsibility for PTMOF. Last May she had a fundraising event in Toronto. Friends donated food and played music while Solome collected donations at the door. She raised $500 for a new roof at the PTMOF vocational center. Shes also been supporting the foundation with money from her part-time job, leading a high school girls group for delayed development students. I have 13 people, including myself, pledge $20 a month to the PTMOF account to facilitate vocational programs, food, clean water, workshops, volunteers and medication. We also receive ongoing gifts and one-time donations from volunteers and friends in the USA, UK, Canada and Uganda. In addition, the foundation receives gifts-in-kind including clothes, diapers, formula, food, water, toys, books and shoes. The many heartfelt thank yous from beneficiaries on the PTMOF website reinforce the organizations core beliefs Through our faith in God and services to our fellow women and their children we can, and are making a difference. maternity clinic, plant a garden and create a community center. Where will the funds come from? Shell start with friends, family and established donors who have watched PTMOFs steady progress. Im planning to make my graduation party a fundraiser in Toronto. I have asked all my friends not to buy me gifts but instead to donate to the foundation. Whatever we do, it has to be an achievable goal, she says.
Eleanor bennett
Claudia Fierro
Eleanor bennett
Who, Me?
Twisting your long hair Clipping the strands Checking the mirror With your right hand. Adding colors on the lips Perfecting each arch of the brows More pink on the cheeks you mused, just now. The car is waiting but your skirt is too long Changed it to a shorter one While humming your favorite song. surveying again you were pleased. Tucked your purse on your left hand strutting down the steps, that must not be missed. Opening the door There he is. you gulped hard, a smile on your heart that skipped a beat but the smile died when he simply said Pleased to deliver your pepperoni pizza, steve!
Eleanor bennett
Kanika Jain
Today I want to write about something different in the context of gender. Not about gender issues and not about gender bias or discrimination, but about gender identity and gender roles in the society. Before delving into a discussion, it is essential to understand what these actually mean. Gender identity is often defined as an individuals conception of himself and is primarily self-identified influenced by both internal and external factors. Gender role, on the other hand, reflects this gender identity. It is an exterior personality manifestation. In societal context, it is defined in an individuals habits; way of living and reactions. Gender role is developed and impacted by a diverse set of factors such as religion, culture, climate, history, ethics, the values system etc. Traditionally masculinity has been demonstrated by performing physically challenging activities such as hunting, war etc. while females have been homemakers indulging in activities such as raising children etc. Thus, traditionally people in society took up gender roles based on their gender identity and biological orientation. However, with modernization and changing values, the very significant differences between the males and females are slowly becoming more subtle and even disappearing, especially in developed societies. The pressing concern in this context is what the societys stand on these gender roles is and what are its renditions for humanity?
With well connected societies and better educated individuals, societal roles are now slowly being derived based on individual choices and interests. The clash occurs when some traditional
Kanika Jain
Claudia Fierro
Preventing sexual harassment Freedom of speech. Hindrances: loud stalkers. Let your words be few. America + sexual harassment. Life is a miracle. Business ethics: perspective in moral and immoral. Consent is important regarding what is moral and immoral. Compassion is given through a kind word. Pratical application is good habits make good practice. In hopes every generation rises up in humility standing on common ground overlooking all irritation and being slow in anger. Love is life, peace, joy in all circumstances, whatever love we bring today, Lord Jesus be with us always. Christina Y. Kim
Hadi barazandeh
Two Worlds
Boys World
In the midnight of fear and spark A kid, homeless and still in shock A couple of cops and the five-year-old boy Filled with fears of helplessness and void A white pad, a son, a kid Has cried under the load of that body heat His mother sold him for dope A man hurt him with his lust The kid feels like he's behind bars Feels like he's nothing but a sex prize Doesn't deserve being next to his mom Wanders around in the park and feels like a scum With tears and pain pleaded to God "Don't take me back home I'm filled with faults and sins The man broke my innocent boundaries I can't recall, can't say what he did He ruined my world with his fast breathe I'm a mess, separated from my innocent world Why did he touch me and made me feel cold" The five-year-old full of desire to die Only five but broken like a man, Why?
Girls World
Waiting for an opportunity to bring her home Like a slut Can't you see you're hurting her Her eyes are as red as blood She didn't get any love from home That's why she's sleeping in your bed Then you call her a whore Even when you see her more and more Her culture's attitude is summarized in one word Are you in god's shoes to judge her world?
Preconceptions are helpful for rapid assessments but are just as harmful for understanding and depth development. Women arent weak or the strongest ones. We have jumped from one extreme to the opposite.
Maureen Littlejohn
Claudia Fierro
Elaheh Zohrevandi
su Tomesen
MARCELO, 2006
AnATOMICAL CORRECTnEss
Age 5 At the babysitters turquoise house, there is an olive-skinned who keeps showing himself to the girls. I dont know what this means, I just overhear my babysitter on the phone. Later, I climb the dark staircase to the bathroom. Im sitting on the toilet when the olive-skinned boy walks in. Age 8 ment porch.
nichole beard
She tells me to lie down on the cenight, I watch it alone. Age 10 She lies on top of me for a few seconds. And then she tells me to do the same. After a few seconds, I feel the same kind of guilt that I feel in church. I tell her I have to go. My twelve-year-old sister gets her period. Our mom pulls out a notepad and we lay on the bed on our bellies. Mom sketches out what she tells us is a uterus. She draws the parts inside and points, These are the Fallopian tubes. We giggle and say it sounds like a place, like The Fallopian Islands. Mom laughs with us While our mom is at work, we play because we havent changed yet. Age 12 Ive made my first middle school friend. She invites me to sleep over As the cool water splashes over at her house. While her mom is upstairs, she goes to the website, penis.com because thats the only thing she can think of typing in. She asks me if Ive ever seen one. I stay silent as she scrolls through the pictures. My mom says its okay for me to look, so that I know. She says. Later, she puts on dark purple lipstick and kisses the laundry room door. Thats how you do it, she says. When she hands me the lipstick and tells me to try, I giggle. You looked funny. Id rather do that foreal. She grins. me, my schoolmates little brother dips underwater. He tugs at my schoolmates swim trunks, and thats when I see it: the protruding bit of flesh. And then its gone before I can study it further. At lunch, his mother serves us macaroni and cheese with chopped up hot dog on top. Ive never had this dish. Age 9 At my dads house, I go through the box of movies. I pull out one with the title Dirty Dancing. It has a picture of a man and a woman hugging on the cover. My stepmom puts it back and tells me Im too young to watch it. Later that at the neighbors house. Its summer and they have a pool. Two brothers live there; one is in my grade.
Heres mine. He unzips his pants and shows me a dark, floppy bit. I pull my pants up and run down the stairs. I try to avoid the olive-skinned boy every day that Im there. Age 6 We watch TV with our mom. Its an adult show. She tells us to cover our eyes during some parts, but I peek. I always peek. Age 7 My mom and sister are inside; Im out on the porch. The neighbor girl comes out, shes a year younger than me, I think. She asks, Do you want to play sex? Im hesitant, but she pulls me over.
trajectory of a state is largely up to the state itself, and its policies vis-a-vis women. In most parts of the world, women find themselves inadequately equipped and inadequately represented. Furthermore, in several post conflict regions, women find themselves in a situation of fear, and in a situation where they are placed as sole breadwinners, and thinking of participation in the political process is far too distant a proposition. Where the fear factor goes, most women believe that participation in a vociferous political framework might bring them more harm. This is especially true in the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo. When women are forced to be sole breadwinners by circumstance, they are obligated to put their families first. This often makes them want to reach out to things that would benefit their families more than anything else. Consequently, these women wind up either voting for leaders who offer them sops and freebies but no future plans of empowerment, or wind up staying outside the political framework in search of a means of livelihood that could provide for their families. This is particularly true in DR Congo and Zimbabwe, and to some extent in Nigeria. Having said that, it is important to remember that the involvement of women alone will not suffice to solve conflict and restore peace. The UN however, needs to stabilize its policies. On the one hand, it cannot afford to silently allow war to burgeon- albeit through false claims of self defence (Afghanistan, Iraq) and humanitarian intervention (Libya), while on the other hand try seeking women out to foment peace. Involving women in the peace process is not easy, and is certainly not free of obstacles. A strong commitment is needed from the states themselves, to determinedly keep its women safe, and offer them a good social standing. On the part of the women, as hard as it might be, it is necessary that they put all their trust in themselves, to take a leap of faith.
Charlotte Lazarus
WHAT yOU THInK Is WORKInG AGAInsT yOU Is ACTUALLy WORKInG FOR yOU
ften we think that God is punishing us when we are placed in difficult, hurtful and hopeless situations. We are filled with anger, rage, despair and fear. We are deeply concerned of what will become of us. How will we ever overcome this pain, will we ever triumph over fear? friend of mine, whom had met the love of her life a few years ago, thought that she was going to spend her entire life with this person. She imagined a life with him full of bliss, marriage, and eventually kids down the line. She pretty much had already envisioned her destiny with this person. However, despite her good intentions and outpouring of love toward this individual, their love was not to be. After a few years of dating, he decided to break up their blissful union. She pleaded to him to take her back, to give their relationship another chance, to make things work, but he bluntly declined rejecting her plea for reconciliation and love. The breakup left her sad, lost, confused, unhappy and angry. A pool of painful emotions floated in her heart and head. She always went the extra mile for him, but all her good works did not make any difference this time around.
O A
Charlotte Lazarus
WHAT yOU THInK Is WORKInG AGAInsT yOU Is ACTUALLy WORKInG FOR yOU
Not much time had passed before he had already started dating somebody else. Not only did he find a replacement very quickly, but he spread vicious, tainting rumors about my friend. Coupled with the breakup and the false rumors, this was all too much to handle. Luckily, nothing stays the same, especially if you make a decision to grow. Time passed and my once self-sacrificial friend evolved into this exceptionally outwardly person so deep in thought inner strength and beauty. To her surprise, the guy whom once took away her supposed future called her not so long ago. He desperately wanted to meet up and know how life was going, was she seeing somebody etc . She agreed to meet. 3 years had passed since they last spoke. He wasnt the same person she had once known. Everything about him seemed different. She was not longer nervous or in awe of his presence. She had moved beyond his start status, overcome the pain he had caused her and thus was no longer a prisoner of her thoughts. Her life had changed dramatically in those three years. She has realized that her true worth was not defined by another person or dictated by society, but it was defined by her relationship with herself, loving and respecting herself first and foremost and steadily learning that happiness lies within her. To put the icing on the cake, love was possibly re-entering her life, her studies are going very well, she has met so many amazing people along her journey and equally amazing she may have a bright future in the public sphere. Her experience is just another testimony of how life may seem unwaveringly hard at times, but if we take time to reflect a bit deeper and learn to stand the test , we will understand that in due time what we think was working against us is actually working for us.
Fatemeh Mohseni
Conversion Conversion
Im in this part of the world. Im near Damavands mountain. Im sitting in the corner of my room. Im holding a pencil in my hand. And Im changing my friends sexualities in my phone book: mostafa -> farzane fardin -> fariba. Just because my father, well, he cant see me hanging out with people of his own sex, even when we are talking on the phone. Hes under lots of pressure and so is me, Mostafa and Fardin.
Daniela silva
She stared at Richards with a probing face. She definitely had questions on her mind when she came back again. Meanwhile, Richards was working his laptop. Whats the matter? he queried after she stood behind him at a length, although she was taking off her cut jacket. The woman, she made me realise how important family is. Richards continued working on his computer. Are you listening?
Eleanor bennett
Eleanor bennett
Eleanor bennett
Eleanor bennett
Tears began rolling as she spoke to herself. I dont deserve him, his trust, his honesty, his love. God how can I do such stupid things because of one persons opinions? She looked up the white ceiling as if she could see God. She was trying to constrict her tears of bliss and fading agony. It was the first time in many years she was touched by love and she understood too well, too well that all she could say to God was Thank you! I am grateful.
LEILA A. FORTIER
Woman
A Woman Does not always Know her path~ Her course Is not always understood~ she is both Moth and the flame she is drawn to~ This Is no chemical imbalance- This is her primal nature~ she wants to fall effortlessly through Each moment~ To withstand the impact of Her own making- as co-creator of her Destiny~ she does not belong to The wrath of Lilith or The naivety of Eve~ she Has yet To be Painted~ she spends Days in solitude And nights in fevers~ In sky she displays both her Fullness and eclipse~ she harvests Her experiences like unborn stars of Potentiality~ At times, she is afflicted by her very own hand~ This is how she learns to endure the wounds Of an imposing world~ Her Truth resides not in What she saysbut within Her eyes incapable Of secret~ she cares not for the Fruit of your labor~ but the essence of your song~ she discards reality in an instant for the interior world Man has yet to create~ Hereshe is already living her next life~ Where Her kiss was meant only for the lips of her God~ And her language is yet to be written
Zafar Ihsan
Unsung bravery of
Swat is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan. The river Swat runs through the length of the valley and there are lush fields and orchards on both sides of it. The hills that surround the valley have pine and oak forests. The only ski resort in Pakistan is located over here. Swat has cool summers and cold winters and is a major tourist resort for Pakistanis who want to escape from the summer heat of the plains. In late 2008 the Taliban started making inroads into Swat and taking over this peaceful valley. The newly elected civilian government tried to reach an agreement with the Taliban. The Talban after wasting time in haggling finally reached an agreement with the government. While the politicians went about patting their backs and acclaiming what a fine job they had done in saving Swat from Taliban rule; the Taliban started taking over Swat. This was their original plan. The first victim of the Taliban destruction was girls schools and colleges. The Taliban virtually took over the valley and trapped the residents in their vicious designs. The entire population went into trauma and shock. Men were executed publicly everyday in the valleys biggest city Mingora. A On a visit to one of the camps in Swabi what surprised us was that the camp was extremely well managed and a temporary school had also been setup in it. What was more surprising was that it was the educated women in the camps who had volunteered as teachers. When talking with the women in these camps, their bravery and resilience amazed us. A number of them had lost their men folk and were stuck with raising their After the army succeeded in restoring peace in Swat and flushing out the Taliban the displaced In 2009 the Pakistan army started an operation against the Taliban in Swat and their first act was to move the people of Swat into temporary camps setup in the safer areas of Mardan, Swabi and Nowshera. Some of these camps were run by the government, while the rest were setup and managed by non-government organizations and philanthropists. We immediately arranged to buy these items, which did not cost the earth and gave it to them to be distributed. In the meanwhile we talked to shop owners that sold handicrafts to buy Swati embroidery from us and contribute to a good cause, which most of them agreed to. We started shuttling between the camps and Islamabad and the women started earning their livelihood. We encouraged non-government organizations and shop owners to setup direct links with the women in the camps, which they did. major cross road known as green square was renamed as bloody square as all the executions were carried out here. Women were flogged on the slightest whim by the Taliban. The entire population of this pristine valley was subjugated into fear. Some women were forced into marrying Taliban fighters and were forced into the sordid business of prostitution. children on their own, without any source of income. Yet these women had not surrendered to beggary or selling their bodies. They asked us for nothing in terms of monetary help. Yes, what they did ask us was to help them find a respectable way to earn a living. Upon asking them what type of help they sought. They replied almost in unison, We can all do embroidery, get us needles, thread, cloth and embroidery frames and help us sell our work. Their preferred choice in color of cloth was black, red and dark green.
Zafar Ihsan
Women of swat
people returned to their homes or what was left of them. The women who have lost their men folk have continued in doing embroidery and selling their products to merchants. They must be commended for their bravery in facing the worst tragedy in their lives and yet not succumbing to it. Today the girls are back in schools and many aspire to become teachers and to continue educating the children of Swat. The women are involved in a respectable profession by doing their traditional embroidery and earning from it. Anyone who comes across a piece of Swat made embroidery anywhere in the world; please do buy it as you wont know that you may be helping a woman in a remote corner of the world raise her children and live a respectable life.
Effat Allahyari
Here Theres no encouragement for the sky Here Theres no place for a tear to fall No cry for an angels departure at all Here Everyone lives like a woman, a wife Or dies like a man in life Here Theres no wings to fly No light to let you pass by
Eleanor bennett
PHOTOGRAPHy
Eleanor Bennet Claudia Fierro Maureen Littlejohn Su Tomesen Chioma Nneji
EDITOR
Elaheh Zohrevandi Kirthi Gita Jayakumar
CRITICs
Daniela silva Maureen Littlejohn
COnTRIbUTORs
Ngoako Jay Morokolo Nichole Beard Lacey Jean Frye Maureen Littlejohn Ana Isabel Martinez Charlotte Lazarus Christina Y. Kim Effat Allahyari Elaheh Zohrevandi Kirthi Gita Jayakumar Kanika Jain Katherine Vasquez Tarazona Leila A. Fortier Marie Keith S. Epe Hadi Barazandeh Paola Brigneti Fatemeh Mohseni Zafar Ihsan Denise Falcone
CEO
Elsie Reed