I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence would save us, but it won’t. ~Audre Lorde
Seventy percent of people living in poverty worldwide are women. That is a difficult statistic to write.
Those are difficult chains to break free from.
Women perform 66 percent of the world’s work, produce 50 percent of the food, but earn 10 percent of the income and own 1 percent of the property.
Every time I am in a major grocery store buying fresh organic fruits or vegetables, I know that statistically the odds say that a woman living in poverty helped produce it. She planted, and harvested it. Yet she can not afford to purchase it.
That faceless woman living in poverty is my sister, my daughter, my mother.
Lets get down to the brass tacks so many women live in abject poverty because women do not have a strong political voice in many countries ( including this one) and in some countries they do not matter.
I said it in a previous post and I will say it again,this year lets commit to purchasing one less “thing” and invest in one more woman. Lets commit to giving women access to financial and human capital. Once we do we will undoubtedly see family income rise. We will see children educated, health and housing will improve and communities will be transformed. Empowering women reduces poverty. Its as simple as that.
We invest resources in those things we care about and that are important to us, as individuals as well as a society. Poor women matter. Their health matters. Their education matters.
They are not “Other”.. They are “US”
Women will change the world when we feel safe speaking to, with and for the “Other”
Make no mistake, at some point in our lives we will all be the “Other”
Recognize and respect the foundation and nurturing framework women provide to family and community and the interdependence of women all over the world.
Today in honor of every woman that struggles to free her voice but can not just yet- I ask that you define yourself, name yourself, create for yourself and speak for yourself .
When our combined voices celebrate all which forms us, names, nurtures and sustains us, and teaches us uplifting ways to understand and assert our-selves in the world we will fully stand in our power.
Our voice IS our power and silence is our enemy.