Nicholas Kristoff, the co-author of “Half the Sky” about
Gender Inequity around the world recently wrote a piece about “ Women as a
Force for Change”, printed in The Oregonian on 08.02.13.
He cites the case of Marte Dalelv, a 24 year old Norwegian
woman who reported a rape in Dubai and was sentenced to 16 months in prison on
charges that included extra-marital sex. This sentence was three months longer
than the alleged rapist’s prison sentence! A worldwide outcry resulted in her
being pardoned as was her alleged rapist! Gender inequity exists in every
corner of the globe including The United States.
The U.S. military has had a poor record of defending women
service members and is only beginning to consider how women can be better
protected in the military.
Many women express frustration that they are not more
included in decisions that affect them. One leading female spokesperson said
recently “If you are not at the table then you are on the menu.”
In the recent past, 16 year old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan
was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban for advocating education for
girls. She fought her way back to health and refuses to be silenced. In
addressing the United Nations recently Malala noted that one of the best ways
for countries to increase their human capital is to educate their girls. She
recently said “We cannot all succeed if half of us are held back”.
We must continue to work to prevent the subordination and
marginalization of women and provide for girls and women an equal place in all
societies as full participants in the present and the future fortunes of
society.
Such efforts will be an important weapon in the fight
against sex trafficking and the use of girls and women as tools to gratify sex
hungry Johns who pay for play in a way that subordinates their victims.
Richard Lazere-on behalf of East Portland Rotary Sex
Trafficking task force
