Comments on: 16 Days - Day 15: Showtime at Zokoguhe – or, Say What? http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/ the blog of the international rescue committee Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:29:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Chris Bondante http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2346 Chris Bondante Wed, 26 Dec 2007 19:39:23 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2346 Ann's work here is amazing.... even if just one women's life has improved, even if just one man has made a realization that his behavior is wrong, it was worth it. However it was more than that...these women's lives and the lives of their children will forever be changed by this project. These women now realize that they have power in unity and conciousness raising has taken it's first step. Good luck to them. Ann’s work here is amazing…. even if just one women’s life has improved, even if just one man has made a realization that his behavior is wrong, it was worth it. However it was more than that…these women’s lives and the lives of their children will forever be changed by this project. These women now realize that they have power in unity and conciousness raising has taken it’s first step.
Good luck to them.

]]> By: Raechal http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2345 Raechal Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:10:38 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2345 What amazes me is we still see this same behavior in black young males in America today. It makes me think of Carl Jung and his theory of the collective consciousness of genetic groups. Many have changed in our country. I only pray the beautiful women of Africa do not have to wait as many generations. What amazes me is we still see this same behavior in black young males in America today. It makes me think of Carl Jung and his theory of the collective consciousness of genetic groups. Many have changed in our country. I only pray the beautiful women of Africa do not have to wait as many generations.

]]> By: Nathalie http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2360 Nathalie Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:34:04 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2360 A small step but notable nonetheless. Speaking up is always the first and most significant step. Not to be morbid, but if the young men are learning to share the chores with their wives and if the only voices of protest are coming from the elder men... well, let's just say that nobody's immortal. It's something! A small step but notable nonetheless. Speaking up is always the first and most significant step. Not to be morbid, but if the young men are learning to share the chores with their wives and if the only voices of protest are coming from the elder men… well, let’s just say that nobody’s immortal. It’s something!

]]> By: Deb Kingsland http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2359 Deb Kingsland Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:54:24 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2359 I have been profoundly affected by the words and photos of the West African women and Ann Jones. The photos of the men beating women, and above all,the photo of the man smiling while he beats his wife, are truly shocking. As racism has been recognised universally as unacceptable, I look forward to the day when there will be an end to this terrible violence. I have been profoundly affected by the words and photos of the West African women and Ann Jones.

The photos of the men beating women, and above all,the photo of the man smiling while he beats his wife, are truly shocking.

As racism has been recognised universally as unacceptable, I look forward to the day when there will be an end to this terrible violence.

]]> By: TR http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2358 TR Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:32:21 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2358 I have lived in West Africa and have an idea of what it's like for women in rural villages, and the strong paternal challenges they face, despite how hard they work. I also currently do a lot of work in the US in the movement to stop violence against women. While I was originally a little unsure how a photo project could help these village women, after reading these posts, I see what powerful idea it was. Change is always hard, and these women have a lot of obstacles ahead of them. However, this project gave them two important resources - the realization that they have a voice, and can stand up and express themselves, even if it seems like no one is listening (eventually someone will); and also the realization that they are stronger standing together and supporting each other. Yes, men can and do hold women back from achieving their full potential as human beings, but women can also do this as well by dividing themselves, and not supporting each other. I've seen many women, who while they understand what is happening to other women is wrong, will not support or help them, for fear of losing their own (precarious) position and perceived benefits. But every time a woman's human rights (or anyone's) are allowed to be infringed on, it just makes it easier for it to happen to someone else. These women demonstrated that they can take an idea like this and run with it, making it a success for themselves and future generations of girls. I hope they can continue this success. I have lived in West Africa and have an idea of what it’s like for women in rural villages, and the strong paternal challenges they face, despite how hard they work. I also currently do a lot of work in the US in the movement to stop violence against women. While I was originally a little unsure how a photo project could help these village women, after reading these posts, I see what powerful idea it was.

Change is always hard, and these women have a lot of obstacles ahead of them. However, this project gave them two important resources - the realization that they have a voice, and can stand up and express themselves, even if it seems like no one is listening (eventually someone will); and also the realization that they are stronger standing together and supporting each other. Yes, men can and do hold women back from achieving their full potential as human beings, but women can also do this as well by dividing themselves, and not supporting each other. I’ve seen many women, who while they understand what is happening to other women is wrong, will not support or help them, for fear of losing their own (precarious) position and perceived benefits. But every time a woman’s human rights (or anyone’s) are allowed to be infringed on, it just makes it easier for it to happen to someone else. These women demonstrated that they can take an idea like this and run with it, making it a success for themselves and future generations of girls. I hope they can continue this success.

]]> By: Tom Vitale http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2357 Tom Vitale Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:01:28 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2357 "The natural order of things" is unspeakably UNnatural. It is very sad but very hopeful. It is Sad because women and children are human beings and people actually have to be told that!! No matter how much I know about the way people are, it nonetheless is beyond my comprehension how people can define other people to be inferior and with a clear conscience (supposedly!) go about their business after doing harm to people they claim to love. It is Hopeful because the women in these three villages are making progress and demonstrating immense strength and courage. And some men are actually listening to their wives. Not all of the men in this world are devoid of compassion for the people who give them sexual pleasure, nurture the children, do the work, suffer at their hands. It is beyond my comprehension how men can get all of that from women and believe dirty things like "they want it; they deserve it; they need it; it is good for them; they earned it." NO WOMAN ON EARTH WANTS IT, DESERVES IT, NEEDS IT, EARNS IT. “The natural order of things” is unspeakably UNnatural.

It is very sad but very hopeful. It is Sad because women and children are human beings and people actually have to be told that!! No matter how much I know about the way people are, it nonetheless is beyond my comprehension how people can define other people to be inferior and with a clear conscience (supposedly!) go about their business after doing harm to people they claim to love.

It is Hopeful because the women in these three villages are making progress and demonstrating immense strength and courage. And some men are actually listening to their wives. Not all of the men in this world are devoid of compassion for the people who give them sexual pleasure, nurture the children, do the work, suffer at their hands.

It is beyond my comprehension how men can get all of that from women and believe dirty things like “they want it; they deserve it; they need it; it is good for them; they earned it.”
NO WOMAN ON EARTH WANTS IT, DESERVES IT, NEEDS IT, EARNS IT.

]]> By: Yasir Hassan Abd Elgader http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2356 Yasir Hassan Abd Elgader Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:02:19 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2356 I supprte any action that must be done to prevent the humanety all over the world, Even in Africa so as to protect women and childern, the photos and the stories are very amazing, Together to collect all the our efforts to stop this viollence. I supprte any action that must be done to prevent the humanety all over the world, Even in Africa so as to protect women and childern, the photos and the stories are very amazing,
Together to collect all the our efforts to stop this viollence.

]]> By: Alfiya http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2355 Alfiya Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:04:26 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2355 It is so encouraging to hear that women have been given a voice. I can only hope that the women are able to band together and fight for basic equality rights. They will be stronger together. Also if they are able to get the older women on their side, it will really help as these women may change the minds of their own sons. I commend all involved in this project. And I do pray for the safety of the local Ivory Coast women. It is so encouraging to hear that women have been given a voice. I can only hope that the women are able to band together and fight for basic equality rights. They will be stronger together. Also if they are able to get the older women on their side, it will really help as these women may change the minds of their own sons.

I commend all involved in this project. And I do pray for the safety of the local Ivory Coast women.

]]> By: Donna http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2354 Donna Sun, 09 Dec 2007 23:50:01 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2354 I gave up an alleluia for Assetou....I hope someone follows up to see that she is still safe. I gave up an alleluia for Assetou….I hope someone follows up to see that she is still safe.

]]> By: THERESA SISKIND http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2353 THERESA SISKIND Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:50:15 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/09/16-days-day-15-showtime-at-zokoguhe-%e2%80%93-or-say-what/#comment-2353 I would be very interested to hear from the children; what did they feel when their mothers spoke out? Are they even "allowed" to speak up? The photo of the little girl in the pink dress touches my heart, I can't help but wonder what the future holds for her... I would be very interested to hear from the children; what did they feel when their mothers spoke out? Are they even “allowed” to speak up? The photo of the little girl in the pink dress touches my heart, I can’t help but wonder what the future holds for her…

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