Comments on: 16 Days - Day 16: Solidarity http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/ the blog of the international rescue committee Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:18:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Steven Botkin http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2362 Steven Botkin Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:08:38 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2362 There are men in Africa who are understanding the great damage to women, children and men as a result of men's violence. As I'm sure we will hear in Ann's blog from Liberia, the IRC has pioneered a male involvement project that is demonstrating the great potential of engaging men as allies with women in ending violence and creating healthy families. More information is available at: http://www.mensresourcesinternational.org/ There are men in Africa who are understanding the great damage to women, children and men as a result of men’s violence. As I’m sure we will hear in Ann’s blog from Liberia, the IRC has pioneered a male involvement project that is demonstrating the great potential of engaging men as allies with women in ending violence and creating healthy families. More information is available at: http://www.mensresourcesinternational.org/

]]> By: Ann Jones http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2370 Ann Jones Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:22:32 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2370 Thanks to all you loyal readers for your interest and your great support for the women of Cote d'Ivoire. Rest assured that IRC GBV field agents continue to work in Zatta and Koupela Tenkodoko and Zokoguhe and many more villages every day. I'll be back here with updates from time to time. In the new year I'll be reporting on the Global Crescendo project in Liberia. But don't worry, GBV will still keep an eye on Assetou's husband. Thanks to all you loyal readers for your interest and your great support for the women of Cote d’Ivoire. Rest assured that IRC GBV field agents continue to work in Zatta and Koupela Tenkodoko and Zokoguhe and many more villages every day. I’ll be back here with updates from time to time. In the new year I’ll be reporting on the Global Crescendo project in Liberia. But don’t worry, GBV will still keep an eye on Assetou’s husband.

]]> By: Diane Gandee Sorbi http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2369 Diane Gandee Sorbi Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:06:47 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2369 These amazing women have made such a bold shift in a very short amount of time. Imagine where they might be a year from now with their newfound solidarity. I want to believe that with their spirit and "anouanze", they will be living much improved lives. I hope that you can visit them again and see how they are doing. Thank you Ann and Tanou for all you have done, and power to the women of Cote d'Ivoire, and women everywhere! These amazing women have made such a bold shift in a very short amount of time. Imagine where they might be a year from now with their newfound solidarity. I want to believe that with their spirit and “anouanze”, they will be living much improved lives. I hope that you can visit them again and see how they are doing. Thank you Ann and Tanou for all you have done, and power to the women of Cote d’Ivoire, and women everywhere!

]]> By: Kate Sands Adams http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2361 Kate Sands Adams Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:08:23 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2361 Thanks again, everyone, for following along and for all of your thoughtful and thought-provoking comments. Thanks also to Cristina Deptula and others who have expressed interest in camera donations. I've shared your suggestion with the team working with Ann on the the project. Becasue of logistical reasons, individual used camera donations aren't a feasible option --but if there's a practical way for readers to get involved on the camera front we'll post something here. Kate www.theIRC.org Thanks again, everyone, for following along and for all of your thoughtful and thought-provoking comments.

Thanks also to Cristina Deptula and others who have expressed interest in camera donations. I’ve shared your suggestion with the team working with Ann on the the project. Becasue of logistical reasons, individual used camera donations aren’t a feasible option –but if there’s a practical way for readers to get involved on the camera front we’ll post something here.

Kate
http://www.theIRC.org

]]> By: TR http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2363 TR Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:54:33 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2363 Again, I am impressed with the solidarity these women have shown in their support of each other and this project. I'm sure not all of these women are experiencing the same situation, yet they choose to stand together, even though it may be easier for some women to side with their male family members so as to not "rock the boat". And I'm also impressed at how these women have made this project their own, and are turning it into something that meets their needs. There is a danger of Westerners going into non-Western societies and trying to dictate what needs to be done based on their Western experiences that are not appropriate for that society's structure. But many people are more than capable of coming up with their own appropriate, innovative solutions given the chance. As for "putting ideas in [their] heads" - we certainly have to be cognizant of pushing our own values on others, but I think most people can agree that it is a human right not to expect to be beat up by family members ever, particularly not on a regular basis. Human rights are human rights, and many movements that so many of us have benefited from (women's rights, civil rights, etc.) came about because people were willing to stand up against the norm and say this is not acceptable. I hope this is the beginning of a movement for these women. Again, I am impressed with the solidarity these women have shown in their support of each other and this project. I’m sure not all of these women are experiencing the same situation, yet they choose to stand together, even though it may be easier for some women to side with their male family members so as to not “rock the boat”. And I’m also impressed at how these women have made this project their own, and are turning it into something that meets their needs. There is a danger of Westerners going into non-Western societies and trying to dictate what needs to be done based on their Western experiences that are not appropriate for that society’s structure. But many people are more than capable of coming up with their own appropriate, innovative solutions given the chance.

As for “putting ideas in [their] heads” - we certainly have to be cognizant of pushing our own values on others, but I think most people can agree that it is a human right not to expect to be beat up by family members ever, particularly not on a regular basis. Human rights are human rights, and many movements that so many of us have benefited from (women’s rights, civil rights, etc.) came about because people were willing to stand up against the norm and say this is not acceptable. I hope this is the beginning of a movement for these women.

]]> By: Tom Vitale http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2368 Tom Vitale Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:31:14 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2368 IF the forgiveness ritual were permitted to grow, eventually the violence would stop. Illusions cannot last forever and the power one feels from abusing someone, making someone feel inferior, making someone submit is indeed an illusion. And it cannot last forever in the face of humility, love,honesty, peace, perseverence, freedom... IF the forgiveness ritual were permitted to grow, eventually the violence would stop. Illusions cannot last forever and the power one feels from abusing someone, making someone feel inferior, making someone submit is indeed an illusion.
And it cannot last forever in the face of humility, love,honesty, peace, perseverence, freedom…

]]> By: Heidi Renee http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2367 Heidi Renee Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:49:32 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2367 "The camera is now in my hands" - the authority and voice you have inspired in these women is inspiring me. Thank you. “The camera is now in my hands” - the authority and voice you have inspired in these women is inspiring me. Thank you.

]]> By: Cristina Deptula http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2366 Cristina Deptula Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:38:06 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2366 Wonderful work - and this project seems to have been done very respectfully, working within the culture to strengthen women's position and appealing to their own values and traditions. I'm sure a camera manufacturer or Circuit City, Best Buy, etc would donate cameras for the project, or at least let customers purchase and designate cameras for IRC. Also people could donate older models they aren't using anymore and have them shipped over. Also I have many friends who are writers and graphic artists and we'd be happy to contribute art to an auction to raise money via Paypal for the project - just someone let me know! I'm Cristina Deptula at [e-mail address deleted by blog editor] - and have successfully managed a corporate donation program for printer cartridges for the Chabot Space and Science Museum so have experiences contacting people. Wonderful work - and this project seems to have been done very respectfully, working within the culture to strengthen women’s position and appealing to their own values and traditions.

I’m sure a camera manufacturer or Circuit City, Best Buy, etc would donate cameras for the project, or at least let customers purchase and designate cameras for IRC. Also people could donate older models they aren’t using anymore and have them shipped over. Also I have many friends who are writers and graphic artists and we’d be happy to contribute art to an auction to raise money via Paypal for the project - just someone let me know! I’m Cristina Deptula at [e-mail address deleted by blog editor] - and have successfully managed a corporate donation program for printer cartridges for the Chabot Space and Science Museum so have experiences contacting people.

]]> By: Julie http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2365 Julie Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:11:37 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2365 What a powerful affirmation~ the women's walk. Their silent strenth expressed in every stride. The humility REQUIRED for the batterer to show up, confront his guilt, face the woman he harmed... the one he claims to love, and ask for her forgiveness. How would the world change if this were permitted to grow? There is a twisted illusion of power that is threatened by honesty, humility, and peace. May we continue unafraid. In Solidarity, Julie Willis What a powerful affirmation~ the women’s walk. Their silent strenth expressed in every stride.
The humility REQUIRED for the batterer to show up, confront his guilt, face the woman he harmed… the one he claims to love, and ask for her forgiveness.
How would the world change if this were permitted to grow?
There is a twisted illusion of power that is threatened by honesty, humility, and peace. May we continue unafraid.
In Solidarity,
Julie Willis

]]> By: Tom Vitale http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2364 Tom Vitale Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:46:22 +0000 http://blog.theirc.org/2007/12/10/16-days-day-16-solidarity/#comment-2364 I think the work the IRC and And Jones did and are doing in the Global Crescendo project is great and is achieving real change in these villages in Africa. I understood that the women initiated these actions and that the IRC or Ann Jones did not put these things into the women's minds. I am grateful that these women are seeking an end to the "tradition" of violence against them. And I am grateful that they have help in the IRC and any other organization like it. If the men in Africa understood how severe is the harm done to their women and children and even to themselves, what would they do? If they understood that they are hurting the hearts and souls of their women and children as well as their own hearts and souls, what would they do? Can the forgiveness tradition be revived? Should it be revived; do the women want it to be revived? How much backlash will there be? Can teaching the men to have compassion and see how much harm they are doing prevent or lessen any backlash? I wish the cameras did not have to be taken away. Three, one for each village, may not be enough. And if it breaks and cannot be fixed and the women fake it, the men will eventually realize no pictures are coming out of them !!! I cannot afford to buy cameras. But I hope there will be someone who can !! I think the work the IRC and And Jones did and are doing in the Global Crescendo project is great and is achieving real change in these villages in Africa.
I understood that the women initiated these actions and that the IRC or Ann Jones did not put these things into the women’s minds.
I am grateful that these women are seeking an end to the “tradition” of violence against them. And I am grateful that they have help in the IRC and any other organization like it.

If the men in Africa understood how severe is the harm done to their women and children and even to themselves, what would they do?
If they understood that they are hurting the hearts and souls of their women and children as well as their own hearts and souls, what would they do?

Can the forgiveness tradition be revived? Should it be revived; do the women want it to be revived?

How much backlash will there be? Can teaching the men to have compassion and see how much harm they are doing prevent or lessen any backlash?

I wish the cameras did not have to be taken away. Three, one for each village, may not be enough. And if it breaks and cannot be fixed and the women fake it, the men will eventually realize no pictures are coming out of them !!!
I cannot afford to buy cameras. But I hope there will be someone who can !!

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