One Day A Year, Not Enough For Women’s Year Long Services

March 8, 2010, was the international Women’s Day. A female member of the French government remarked, “What about the 364 other days?” The answer permanently alive is constantly taken for granted. In this men dominated world, where are those who still appreciate the often compiling roles of spouses, mothers, housewives, teachers, nurses, factory workers, and the multitude of female professionals who must always be at their best in the kitchen and in bed, hoping to hold on their naturally gluttonous and frivolous partners?

In line with this chauvinistic mentality, it is not surprising that every time women, individually or in group, claim their right as human beings, living in the same world as their male counter parts, and with even more needs, they are considered undisciplined eccentrics, rebels, trouble makers, who must be brought to the reality of men’s dominance established since the creation of humanity. Therefore, observing a few hours, one day of the full year, to supposedly pay tribute to the mothers of that humanity is simply irrational and ridiculous.

Fortunately, through tumultuous and often dangerous claims some women in what are known as liberated civilized countries, women have imposed substantial progress toward more equal acceptance of their basic rights, while they want to maintain the advantages and charms of their femininity. Going beyond the male imposed limits, some outstanding women have, through the years, revealed themselves as successful social, economic, and political thinkers, organizers, and administrators, even surpassing men’s accomplishments, thus, proving that the claimed male superiority is an anachronistic myth.

In addition to the women poets, writers, scientists, army generals, astronauts, there have been more than 60 presidents or prime ministers in the world during the past 50 years. Some of them have received worldwide recognition: Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India; Golda Meir, prime minister of Israel; Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of Great Britain; Corazon Aquino, president of Philippines; Benazir Bhutto, prime minister of Pakistan; Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, president of Liberia; Mame Madior Boye, prime minister of Senegal. In Latin America and the Caribbean, we can name: Isabel Peron, president of Argentina; Dame Eugenia Charles, prime minister of Dominica; Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, prime minister of Nicaragua; Janet Jagan, prime minister of Guyana; Jennifer M. Smith, prime minister of Bermuda; Mireya Moscoso, president of Panama; Beatriz Merino, prime minister of Peru; Michelle Bachelet, president of Chile.

In Haiti, Ertha Pascal Trouillot, interim president in 1990; Claudette Werleigh and Michèle D. Pierre-Louis prime ministers of Haiti – 1995 and 2009 have been as competent as their predecessors and no less efficient than the males who hold the same positions after them. One point of difference is the effective and courteous touch of their too short administration.

We can make the same observation for the “Madam Sara” those supposedly illiterate Haitian women who like their namesakes flied all over the Caribbean to sell Haitian handicrafts and other products and bring back clothing’s and other useful items at a price more affordable for the less fortunate of their fellow citizens. Their business often reach over several hundred thousands of U.S. dollars. Some of them should be consulted to help Haiti come out of its chronic economic despair.

Since January 12, 2010 Haiti has lost most of its physical past, but the love, ambitious vision and dedication of its women can help shape a better future for their children and grand children. The work ahead is gigantic, but Haiti still have among its women those who can accomplish the needed social and economic sustainable effort.