Tuesday, June 9, 2009

THE MEDIA’S INFLUENCE ON SOCIETAL MORALS

The significance of the media is basically to inform, educate, and entertain. As a result the society depends on the media for same. In the entire media syndrome the electronic media, particularly the television has more of an upper hand with regards to its audio and visual properties. To this end, many people are more attached to television broadcast and this from my perception has had both negative and positive influence on the morals of our today’s society, considering the fact that what we see have more impact or impression on our being than just what we hear.

Apparently for one to appear on television it is considered a big deal and the one is regarded to be important and people have this tendency to copy or act accordingly from what they have watched especially from those considered Stars, Celebrities regular on TV SHOWS.

Our children for instance with the busy nature of most parents in our modern society are more glued and totally dependent on the TV screen; this however occupies them and their parents are equally chance to carryout a certain chores or get some rest. Some of these children are so immune to the TV so much so that they don’t have time or interest for any thing else or hurry up in what ever they do or are not steady when they are trying to have their shower or having their meals because they are so eager to be in front of the screen. Some even no longer concentrate on their school work, it is this bad.
I’m definitely in the know about modern techniques of parental discretion to be able to control what our children watch, but surprisingly I have had the privilege to hear children use certain words which are sometimes abusive and immoral especially those that have not started school then I wonder how they came about such words and to my surprise watching some of their programs and animated shows inclusive I realised those words like ‘YOU STINK’ ‘MAMA’S BUTT’, ‘STUPID’, ‘ASSHOLE’ are actually used.

We hear news of youths even as young as four years using real guns and killing, I for one wondered initially on how they had access to the gun in the first place and how they got the skills to operate it. I guess the answer is not farfetched- because of toy guns and programs they watch on television.

Some months back I read an internet report of a teenager who shot his parents because they seized his video game which his father a Clergy thought it was not appropriate for him. He went in to their room and asked them to close their eyes for he had a surprise and ignorant of their predicament they did what their lovely son demanded and he shot at them both on the head. The mom died instantly and the father was badly injured. The boy fled the scene with just the video game he had dug and discovered where it was hidden.

Even so, there are many programs aired and I ponder about the focus or intended outcome of such programs even those rated for adults. Adults can also be influenced negatively after watching some of these mean and outrageous programs.I am quite aware the Television has many programs and one has the free will or mind to watch what he or she chooses but again naturally bad stuff have more popularity than good stuff thereby attracting and tempting more audience view.

My point therefore is that, if Producers of programs can bare in mind some of these negative aspects and air just programs with positive and proper information, education and entertainment, then I strongly uphold our fallen social moral rectitude could be revived making our society and world a better place- one free from abusive children, drug abuse and the inclination of unhealthy habits like cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Honestly speaking, if our children are groomed in a more responsible and civil manner then we are sure of a more prospective and decent future in the generations to come.

DRESSING FOR PROTECTION AND AS PREVENTIVE MEASURES


It should be known that from history humans walked about naked, then they started using leaves and skin of animals as a cover and to protect their bodies. Today humans have evolved to a more sophisticated mode of dressing and fashion in its entirety is one of the most lucrative economic activities today. Although there are still some interior parts in the world where indigenous people still move about with very little clothing, they just have what they can cover their midsection both women and men. Besides looking beautiful, eloquent, the most essential need for clothing is to protect us from harsh weather conditions; the reason why our mode of dressing differ from season to season, activity to activity and from area to area considering our varied climatic conditions.


I am not a medical expert but from my observation many particularly females dress today more preoccupied to look sexy even in unfavourable climatic conditions as such they dress up in more revealing outfits. I even noticed that in real and deep cold winter weather some people dress so light with just a sleeveless top or shorts while others have on thick clothing and still do not seem to overcome the cold temperature, and then I wonder what those moving about clad in light clothes are made of.


Medical reports hold that exposure to the cold does affect the number of winter deaths‚ but it is very unusual for the cold to kill people directly. In the main these deaths are from respiratory or cardio-vascular ailments. Overall deaths are from heart attacks‚ strokes‚ bronchial and other conditions‚ and may often occur several days after exposure to the cold.


Children and old people are particularly vulnerable or susceptible and there are many cold related illnesses like - common cold, influenza, asthma exacerbation, bronchiolitis, croup, pneumonia, allergic rhinitis, postnasal drip, sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis. I will however leave the medical details to Experts, but will love to share my notion about dressing and outcomes.


Even in Cameroon some areas can be really cold especially in the North West and Western part of Cameroon. I lived in Buea town by the foot of mount Fako or Cameroon rising to 4,040 metres (13,255 ft) above the coast of west Cameroon, known as the South West Region today. Many people understand Africa generally is very hot and so did these Volunteers for my sister’s NGO from the US. In fact the lady was really surprised when she developed a cold and stayed in bed all day; my mom had to provide her with a sweater and she took some medications.


For my interaction with some people, I noticed they have a misconception about outfits. For instance, some people associate all long sleeves clothing as only what we can dress up with in cold weather only but that should not be so. The material is more the determinant aspect here. Light materials like cotton, polyester, silk are suitable for hot weathers whether long or short sleeves while heavy linens like wool, leather short or long sleeve are more convenient for cold temperatures. Colours of linens equally are an important factor to consider as part of our dressing. Darker colours like black, grey are known to activate intensive body heat during very hot weather because they absorb and retain a lot of heat, the reason why it is advisable to dress in lighter and brighter colours during hot temperatures.


It is important to note that normal human body temperature, also known as normothermia or euthermia, is a concept that depends upon the place in the body at which the measurement is made, and the time of day and level of activity of the body hence, the human body temperature vary with age, level of activity, size or weight, and fluctuates with the time of the day with the lowest levels around 4 a.m. and the highest in the late afternoon, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m. Temperature is increased after eating, and psychological factors also influence body temperature.


Even so, women approaching menopause also experience hot flushes and night sweats characterised by feelings of heat that spread to the chest, neck, face or even the whole body and may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, heart palpitations, and flushed skin. Being around such people they will always have the tendency to turn the cooling temperature higher than normal. What is important is that we should understand our bodies and protect it accordingly, we should not copy from others by trying to avoid keeping warm when we are indeed cold because we see others having lighter garments on. As a matter of fact, when we travel or migrate to colder places than where we resided originally, it is advisable for us not to try to dress up like the people because the inhabitants are accustomed to their climatic condition and we are bound to suffer immensely from the impact of this climate change particularly if we are not conscious.


Children for instance develop higher temperatures with activities like playing, but this is not fever because their set-point is normal. Elderly patients may have a decreased ability to generate body heat during a fever, so even a low-grade fever can have serious underlying causes in geriatrics. Normal body temperature may differ as much as 1.0 °F between individuals or from day to day. With this in mind, we should not dress our children especially babies with very little or very light clothing because we as adults experience higher temperature levels. This has led many children to suffer constantly from common colds like cough which is usually accompanied by running nostrils. Medically, Cough is regarded as a bothersome symptom many children with upper respiratory tract infections (URI) experience. It is also a troubling symptom because it adversely affects sleep for both the child and the parents. Parents often have anxiety about their child's cough; concerns range from fear of the child dying, it is therefore necessary to always keep our children warm.


Reading about ozone layer depletion, I also got to understand the dangers of Ultra Violet Rays known as UVs. Actually the sun is a flaming star full of burning hot gases. Its heat makes life on earth possible but along with its warmth are deathly UVs which harm all life on our planet- people, animals and plants thus we must protect ourselves from the dangers of UVs.


Summer is fast approaching and I guess we are all eager and excited to enjoy as much sunshine as we can but please we should protect our skin with clothes which cover our arms and legs especially those whose jobs exposes them to direct sunlight. We should wear hats to cover our heads and sunglasses to protect our eyes. This is due to the fact that UVs may not only burn but also wrinkle our skin causing one to look old. They also cause cataract in eyes which can lead to blindness, weaken ones body resistance to diseases causing one to get sick easily. Children are in particular danger because UVs damage could result to cancer later. We should therefore always avoid the sun when it is high up in the sky by staying in the shade and use sunscreen lotions if we can afford it.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Challenge for Africa: A Conversation With Wangari Maathai


Wangari Maathai, Founder, Green Belt Movement; Recipient, Nobel Peace Prize (2004)
“Almost every conflict in Africa you can point at has something to do with competition over resources in an environment which has bad governance,” said Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement and recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, at an April 13, 2009, event co-sponsored by the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program and Africa Program and the International Gateway at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center. Maathai discussed her new book, The Challenge for Africa, with Environmental Change and Security Program Director Geoff Dabelko.

“This is why I wrote this book: Because I really was challenging us as Africans to think outside the box and to begin to see why when we seem to move forward, we make two steps forward, and we make one step backward, and so we look like we are not moving,” said Maathai. “Some of these issues are complex, they are difficult—but they have a lot to do with the way we have decided to manage our resources and to manage our politics and economics.”
The Three Legs of Stability

Maathai used the traditional African three-legged stool as a metaphor for what she views as the three essential components of a stable society: sustainable environmental management, democratic governance, and a culture of peace. “Those legs are chiseled by a craftsman…[who] chisels all the three legs at the same time, in order to create a balance,” she said. “If we don’t have these three legs, no matter who comes, and with whatever [loans or aid], we shall never develop.”

Land, Politics, and Ethnicity: An Explosive Combination
Maathai explained that in the absence of democratic governance and sustainable environmental management, natural resources have repeatedly ignited conflict in her native Kenya. For instance, the advent of private land ownership during colonialism pitted Maasai herders, who need large tracts of land to graze their cattle, against Kikuyu farmers, who for the first time obtained deeds to their land and began to erect fences to mark the boundaries.
In addition, Maathai noted that politicians often use Kenya’s ethnic divisions and land scarcity to whip up animosity toward internal migrants and bolster their own re-election prospects. “If you don’t, then, therefore, ensure that the resources within the country are equitably distributed, and you encourage these prejudgments that communities have against each other, you’re going to have conflict,” she said.

Holistic Approach Is Key to Successful Development
The Green Belt Movement began as a small, grassroots project that envisioned tree-planting as a way to address rural women’s needs, including firewood, food, clean water, and soil erosion. “Even though that’s how we started, it very quickly became clear to me that these are symptoms, and therefore we needed to get to the causes. And it is in search of the causes that eventually led me into understanding how interconnected these issues were,” said Maathai, who urged governments, development agencies, and nonprofits to adopt an integrated approach to development.

“Unless you deal with the cause, you are wasting your time. You can use all the money you want for all the years you want; you will not solve the problem, because you are dealing with a symptom. So we need to go outside that box and deal with development in a holistic way.”
“I can’t say, ‘Let us deal with governance this time, and don’t worry about the resources.’ Or, ‘Don’t worry about peace today, or conflicts that are going on; let us worry about management of resources.’ I saw that it was very, very important to use the tree-planting as an entry point,” explained Maathai.

“Even though it is the women who provide the drive for planting trees—partly because it is they who suffer when the environment is destroyed, it is also they who work in the field—once we are in the community, we will have to deal with the women, deal with the men, deal with the children, deal with the livestock, deal with everything,” said Maathai.
Climate Change, Forests, and Environmental Justice

According to Maathai, 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are due to deforestation and forest degradation—more than the percentage due to transportation. She is working with Avoided Deforestation Partners to make avoiding deforestation part of the Copenhagen agreements—a step that would not only slow global climate change, but also help those who are directly dependent on natural resources like forests for their livelihoods, and therefore most vulnerable to climate change. “This is the one issue which really comes to tell us that indeed, the planet is a small village, and all of us are in this little village together.”


By Rachel Weisshaar

WE NEED DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES









The two Camroonian Presidents - Ahijo former (left) and Paul Biya the present


Cameroon like some other African countries gained independence in 1960 but Cameroon still has much to reckon with as far as developmental progress is concern. Even some of the relics left behind by our colonial masters can be seen today usually in a pathetic dilapidated state.

Unlike other countries like our neighbours Nigeria who has had fourteen leaders, Cameroon has had just two Presidents to rule since its independence. Ahmadou Ahidjo became a dominant figure in independence, unified Cameroon. He was elected five times from 1960 and 1980, and he maintained political and economic stability in Cameroon for twenty-two years. The price of stability, however, was government censorship of newspapers and curtailment of free speech.

In November 1982, Ahijo resigned in the middle of his fifth presidential term and chose his Prime Minister Paul Biya to succeed him. After completing his predecessor’s term Mr Biya was elected to a full term as President in January 1984, and he decided to change the country’s name from the United Republic of Cameroon to the Republic of Cameroon. He equally changed from Ahijo’s policies and installed several new cabinets. Before we used to study the names of the different Ministers in primary schools but today due to the constant cabinet reshuffle, it is no longer worth while.

Ahijo’s regime was greatly criticised by English- Speaking Cameroonians who due to their minority status felt they were disadvantage within the United States and suffered from marginalisation, oppression and suppression from La Republic Du Cameroon. Many hoped for a change with President Biya coming in to the scene with his slogan of rigour and moralization and as a Christian Southerner after being ruled by a Northerner and Muslim.

Opposition is still strong till date, particularly from The Southern Cameroon National Council (SCNC) a secessionist organization that seeks to restore Anglophones sovereignty and independence. It is a non-violent organisation, and its motto is "The force of argument, not the argument of force.

As they say, it is better to compare two things. Some hold President Ahijo was eating using a fork, so some remnants can be enjoyed by citizens down there, but now President Paul Biya uses a spoon to eat, so the people have no access to remnants, thus making livelihood more difficult.
Apparently, some Veterans say, life in those days in Cameroon was blooming and glossy. Today, the economic crisis is having a great impact on the society. Formally, those who attended Public Professional schools and graduated were offered jobs. Students who excelled in general exams like the Advance Level, General Certificate Exam (GCE A’Ls) were granted scholarships to study abroad, all these positive actions are no longer applicable.

Cameroon had ten provinces, the President once again on November 12, 2008 decided to make a change by signing a Presidential decree creating ten regions from the ten provinces. What is the essence? This has again stirred many negative comments. Some think it is the most stupid decision he has ever made and attribute it to the fact that the President is either going nuts, confuse or age is playing a trick on him.

Some question the decision of regions if there are still ten same like the provinces, suggesting it would have been a better idea to combine the three Northern Provinces and call it the Northern region, the South, East and Center Provinces as South- East Region, and the Littoral, West and South West Provinces as West, concluding he ought to be ashamed for using a new name ‘Region’ for his segregation policies rendering the country helpless.

The change of statues should come with development. But how can we attain development when there are constant reports of Directors and Ministers being accused and charged for embezzling gross sums of money from the national coffers.From my point of view, there are inherent aspects that has hindered or deprived developmental growth and changes in Cameroon.

Economically we have a regressive taxing system. As a result of high taxes levied, many economic activities or plans had been foiled thus ignoring the fact that setting up a business requires physical resources, and it also create employment opportunities, therefore the business operator needs to be given some time to kick off before the government can start taxing. If this can be adhered to, it would pave the way for economic stability and growth.

Even the small and medium size entrepreneurships are not encouraged because of numerous tax demands from different services and most of all the different tax collectors have fraudulent means to extort money from them, made possible due to the fact that there is no specific or adequately defined taxing system.

Bribery and corruption is the chief aspect. Funds budgeted or allocated for certain projects are either not carried out or it is misappropriated, because part of the money has been siphoned and the difference is not enough to carryout the project accurately. Civil Servants make demands to render their services.

Usually there is always a call for tender when there is a contract to be carried out. As I have noted, most Directors or Service Heads own their own businesses hence, many other business concerns would apply and bribe their way through just to win the contract at the end, the Director would accord the contract to his personal business enterprise usually registered in a family member’s name or to someone he has negotiated to have a considerable amount as the Directors own cut of the deal.

Nepotism is also an issue. When people are appointed to high positions, they turn to employ mostly their family members, tribesmen or close friends, even if they are not qualified for the post. Under Ahijo’s reign it is observed he maintained control through shrewd political appointments by appointing people from many areas of the country and from many different ethnic groups to serve as governmental officials, even political opponents were given prestigious jobs but then, this system of political job placement also created a large, inefficient, and often corrupt bureaucracy.

Paul Biya on his part appoints mostly Officials who are loyal to him to important government post, especially after the April 1984 attempt to overthrow Biya’s government by members of the Presidential guard mostly disgruntled Northerners. In 1990 he introduced a policy of legalized new political parties.

Amidst all these discrepancies, the talkative and social watchdogs known as the press and media are hushed and persecuted, for those who try to uphold their media law and ethics to provide substantial and objective reports and in effect expose these malpractices. This has spurred Human Rights abuses and violations.

The peak of oppositions provoked a nation wide riot. Prof. Calson Anyangwe, President of British Cameroon on exile referred to the last nationwide riot as the ‘February 2008 Massacre of Anglophones in Cameroon by the Biya regime’. Even so, The International Media Monitoring groups have accused the government of Cameroon of censoring the media and beating and intimidating journalist as well as confiscating their equipments.

A report by Harry Yemti Ndienla on MyNews.in of October 11, 2008 stated that “One unmistaken way in which you know how concern a leader is about the welfare of his people is how he reacts to a national emergency. Even on relatively minor but important matters good leaders do have the good taste of solidarity with their people. But President Biya seems far from this. He has been faulted by many Cameroonians for having lost interest in his job and also for not willing to do it well”.

In my candid opinion, if all these complexity and variances are not addressed, whether we change from Province to Region or States, the socio-economic crisis and situation we face shall worsen as the years go by. Salaries are low while some experience payments delay.

Unemployment is alarming, while the prices of basic commodities increase by the day. From 1982 till date, how long are we to wait or expect changes? With the President now getting frail considering his age, what new developmental strategies, policies or transformation can he achieve now that he had not derived for all these years? Why can’t some of our leaders strive to rule and bring about progress and developmental growth in their honour, will that not be awesome?

Thursday, April 23, 2009

THE EFFECT OF HIV/AIDS ON HUMAN RESOURCES

In economics, population is an important economic indicator, first as labour – human efforts, both physical and mental and secondly, the people who take part in production are themselves consumers and so constitute a market.

From reports on Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate of 94% declared by UN’s humanitarian arm. Zimbabwe is suffering from a severe lack of human resources, in many cases this problem is a direct result of the HIV epidemic, as workers are either caring for family members with AIDS or suffering from it.

In the healthcare sector, the deficiency of workers has hindered efforts to treat and care for people living with HIV. Zimbabwean Human Rights Doctors say there is now one doctor for every 12,000 people as such Health professionals are working under intense pressure and stress with too much to do yet receive poor pay, and critical lack of supplies, while large numbers of health personnel migrate to other countries once they are trained, and many of those remaining are affected by HIV.

As the economy deteriorates and farming communities struggle to recover from President Mugabe’s land reforms, food shortages have escalated. Queues for food can be seen outside a supermarket in Zimbabwe. Sickness and death from AIDS has caused a reduction in agricultural output especially since women who form the bulk of agricultural labour are vulnerable to HIV infection. Women equally are expected to care for relatives infected with AIDS, forcing many to abandon their agricultural work.

The degenerated workforce in Zimbabwe has resulted to food shortages, increasing the number of deaths from AIDS. Malnutrition has caused people living with HIV to develop AIDS faster, and is likely to have decreased the effectiveness of ARVs for those who fortunately can receive this treatment.

Even though, most people feel the Zimbabwean Government’s response to the AIDS crisis has been relatively good in comparison with their performance in other areas, prevention and treatment initiatives have been scaled up and the national HIV prevalence seems to have declined. Yet in the context of such a fragmented political and economic background, the fight against AIDS has been unable to make substantial progress.

The collapse of the economy- which is perhaps the most prominent of Zimbabwe’s interrelated problems – has been a direct result of the Government’s disastrous land reforms policy, as farming output has declined and the unethical nature of the campaign has led to international sanctions and the withdrawal of aid.

Eventually, there is only so much that can be done with such low levels of funding, human resources and international support. Zimbabwe following report issued by the United Nations has the lowest life expectancies in the world at just 37 years for men and 34 years for women – due chiefly to the AIDS epidemic. Women’s life expectancy over the last two years dropped by two years according to WHO.
Mugabe now 85 years old, many hold a change of government is long overdue and necessary if an effective response to the epidemic is to be formed.

HIV/AIDS VICTIMS STILL HAVE A CHANCE- MAKE THE BEST OF LIFE!

It is really sad to absorb the state of affairs in Zimbabwe; for a country which used to be one of the richest in Africa. A decade ago the economy was almost twice as big as it is today hence poverty and unemployment rate are both endemic in Zimbabwe driven by the shrinking economy and hyper-inflation. Experts attribute Zimbabwe’s situation is due to two main factors – the deteriorating economy without sign of improvement and HIV/AIDS. In effect, the motto- Unity, Freedom and Work is a gimmick.

There is certainly no doubt that HIV/AIDS has had massive impact on the world’s population in general and the Sub- Saharan region in particular. However, it is equally a known fact that the prevalence of water and sanitation - related diseases in Africa has resulted to a greater mortality vis-à-vis HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is just another ill health condition just like any other but with its own peculiarities. Scientist profess that no disease is so widely misunderstood or as controversial as AIDS and has captured attention due to its abrupt apocalyptic appearance and it’s almost certain fatal outcome.

AIDS is simple in neither cause nor effect. Basically, it is a life-treating disruption of the immune system by HIV. This virus progressively weakens the body’s ability to fight off diseases, opening it to severe infections with both common and exotic organisms, as well as various forms of cancer.

Apparently HIV is particularly dangerous because it can lie hidden for years thus; someone infected by HIV may not yet have AIDS nor experience any symptoms. As symptoms related to the viral infection begin to appear, the term AIDS - Related Complex – ARC is often used to describe the situation, only when the immune system nears total collapse is a patient said to have AIDS. Victims who are on antiretroviral treatment and strive to live a normal life can actually live for several years.

HIV has sparked tremendous fear and controversy, not only because of whom it attacks and the way it is transmitted, but because of its hidden nature and lethal results. Nonetheless, ignoring all odds victims should not be despair and give up on life; instead it would be worthwhile for them to make the best of life.

Certainly victims experience stigmatization but they are equally encouraged to live a normal and good life. Some victims as noted becomes repugnant and dubious thereby embarking in a contamination binge holding they never bought the disease neither did they commit any mortal sin to be afflicted by such nightmare. This is wrong, I beseech victims to be selfless and endeavour to limit the spread of the disease by advising others and utilsing preventive measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Many victims are now HIV/AIDS Advocates and Counselors and some from their life demises are now open to better opportunities through the help of philanthropic organizations, they are trained to sensitise and educate others. HIV/AIDS victims should please join in this fight rather than aggravating the situation.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE; ITS ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS


Garden Of Eden Institute Of Natural Medicine(GAENAMED-CAM) Buea- Cameroon

The decision to observe an African Traditional Medicine Day follows an adoption in 2000 of a resolution on promoting the role of traditional medicine in health systems, a strategy for the African regions Health Ministers requesting the institution of a day in the WHO calendar for observance by member states.
Hence, ‘Traditional Medicine; Its Role In The Fight Against HIV/AIDS’ was the theme of the 3rd edition of African Traditional Medicine Day commemorated August 31st 2005 as declared by WHO.

The impact of HIV/AIDS has provoked those in the medical field to seek possible solutions to combat the disease. While Researchers, Orthodox Medical Practitioners have been doing their part and till date they still profess they have gotten no head way with regards to the cure, African Traditional Medical Practitioners have also been concern.

One of such Tradi- Medical Practitioner who has carried out extensive research with regards to the cure of HIV/AIDS is Dr Fru Richard, an Advocate of African Traditional Medicine in Cameroon practicing for over twelve years. He has attended AIDS conferences in Cameroon and abroad, won three awards and participated in media health programs. According to his view on HIV/AIDS, he affirms that HIV/AIDS has been a major cause for concern in the world today and its tentacles have caused a lot of havoc.

Traditional medicine over the years has proven ideal in treating viral infections such as small pox, chicken pox, measles, herpes etc, and today WHY NOT HIV? We all know that the best fight for viral infections in the body is the immune system thus, only medications that can detoxify the system, repair damaged cells and tissues and boost the body immunity both naturally and supernaturally are best for tackling HIV/AIDS. The credit goes to traditional medicine, which has all the above mentioned qualities; therefore any drug that would hunt the virus directly would hardly succeed.

He further stated that, we should be aware that, viruses usually invade the system once the immune system is compromised through a number of factors such as; legal or illegal drug intake, excess alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, constant sleep deprivation, pollution, radiation, negative emotional states, low spiritual profile and many other personal health care products.

The most appropriate cure for HIV/AIDS require a reversal of all the health conditions that might have lead to the vulnerability of the individual to the virus, and also respecting all laws of nature by consuming only organic products while avoiding anything acidic.

He then pointed out that, despite the effectiveness of some herbal remedies in the fight against HIV/AIDS many especially the authorities in place still find it difficult to belief in the outcome of our research. I therefore seize this opportunity to solicit for collaboration with Health Organizations and Conventional Medical Practitioners to seek the reality of what we propagate, rather than criticizing and condemning our worth. I hold if this issue can be amended, then the fight against the monster HIV/AIDS plaguing our society would be put under control.

OVERALL SITUATION OF CHILDREN’S VULNERABILITY


UNGASS targeted 2005 to implement policies, strategies to strengthen capacities to provide a supportive environment for AIDS orphans and children, ensuring them access to education and health services on equal basis with other children.

The overall situation of children’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS is complex and needs to be analysed within specific country and local contexts. Analysis of household surveys in 36 countries found that in many countries children who are orphaned are worse off than other children in relation to certain indicators of child development – nutritional status, school attendance, sex debut – but in other countries they are equally well or better off. Some of this inconsistency can be explained by the situational context. In countries with high levels of overall school attendance nearly the same percentage of both orphans and non- orphans attended school, but in countries with lower levels of school attendance many more countries showed large disparities between orphans and non- orphans.

In 18 countries where household surveys were conducted between 2005 and 2007, the proportion of orphans and vulnerable children whose household received basic external support ranged between 1 percent in Sierra Leone and 41 percent in Swaziland, with a median value of 12 percent. Such support included education assistance, medical care, clothing, financial support and psychosocial services. The goal of Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS is to reach 80 percent of children in need with services by 2010.

The shift towards inclusive programming to help all vulnerable children, including those directly affected by AIDS, is having an impact. The growing call for a broader, more inclusive definition of vulnerability is reflected in many countries’ National Plans of Action ( NPAs) in Eastern Africa. In Zimbabwe, a new programme of support to the National Plan of Action for Orphans and other vulnerable children accepts a wide definition of vulnerability beyond orphanhood and due to AIDS.

National – level responses for orphans and their vulnerable children have been increasing since the 1990s, and nearly 50 countries globally are developing some type of AIDS- sensitive response. 32 countries have been estimated to developed or finalized NPAs with benefits for orphans and vulnerable children. Countries of Eastern and Southern Africa have generally made the most progress in developing and implementing national responses, while programming for orphans and vulnerable children is relatively new in West and Central Africa. East Asia and Pacific Regions are in the process of drafting national plans. In South Asia, India was the first country to establish a national response to children affected by HIV/AIDS.

However, the process of developing NPAs has generally been slow, and implementation at scale is lacking. The often limited capacity of governments and implementing partners and lengthy periods for plan development- three to seven years or more – are major challenges. Insufficient resources for implementing NPAs are reflected in levels of social assistance provided to vulnerable households. Efforts and investments should be directed towards increasing access to basic services, ensuring appropriate alternative care, and providing social support and protection from abuse and neglect.

STIGMATISATION, GENDER EQUALITY AND HIV/AIDS

In spite of different modes to contract HIV, like for instance through blood transfusion, many still relate the disease only to someone’s sexual life as such hold a negative view against victims of the disease.

Despites high awareness levels, HIV/AIDS remain highly stigmatized in Zimbabwe. Victims of HIV are often perceived as having done something wrong, and discrimination is frequently directed at both them and their relatives. Many are scared to carryout HIV test for fear of being socially disoriented, losing their partners or jobs. Those who have not checked their statues do not profess it publicly, since it would seem they do not have access to sufficient care and support.

There is an inclination that the stigma surrounding HIV is gradually diminishing in Zimbabwe, although it remains a significant problem. Various attempts have been made to improve the situation hence the 2005 “Don’t Be Negative about Being Positive’ campaign. Organised by PSI-Zimbabwe, this campaign encourages people to reveal their HIV- positive status and to share their stories.

In Zimbabwe, there are large social and economic gaps between women and men, and this inequality have played a central role in the spread of HIV. Constructive attitudes towards female sexuality contrast with tolerant ones towards the sexual activity of men. As a result, men often have multiple partners while the women have little or no say to instigate the use of condom and sexual abuse, rape and coerced sex are all prevalent

Campaigns on preventive measure that accentuate safe sex by the use of condoms, fidelity for couples and abstinence before marriage; often fail because people do not take into account such realities thus ignore them. This tendency is more applicable to the lives of men folks than those of women. There is also a likelihood of women to be poorer and less educated then their male counterpart, making them susceptible to HIV infection and equally defers their chances to access treatment, care and information.

A report on ‘Women and HIV in Zimbabwe’ by Bassett MT and Mhloyi M from the Department of Community Medicine, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe, stated that, ‘the intersection of traditional culture with the colonial legacy and present-day political economy has influenced family structure and sexual relation, and particularly the social position of women…

From Zimbabwe’s historical experience land expropriation, rural impoverishment, and the forcible introduction of male migrant labour fostered new sexual relations pattern, characterized by multiple partners. Traditional patriarchal values reinterpreted in European law resulted in further female subjugation of women with even their limited rights to ownership withdrawn. For many women, sexual relations with men, either within marriage – for the majority or outside, becomes inextricably linked to economic and social survival…

In Zinbabwe, patriarchy and colonialism appear to be the most significant social legacies responsible for the family structure and sexual behaviour associated with HIV infection. The social context of AIDS in Zimbabwe features a migrant labour system, rapid urbanization, constant war with high level of military mobilization, landlessness, poverty, and the subordination of women...’

WOMEN THAT MAKE THE NEWS 2009


“VENTURING INTO THE OLD BOY’S CLUB”





The media is one of those male dominated professions, some women refer to it as the – ‘old boys club’.
For decades, women have been relegated to the background and considered inapt for certain professions. However, some women have brace these challenges and exhibited their worth and prowess especially in the media.
Across the world, women in leadership positions and certain professions are hampered by numerous obstacles including pervasive and often subtle attitudes and beliefs that women are unequal to men at home, work and in government.

Feminist argues that regardless of race, class and ethnicity, women are consistently defined as ‘political outsiders’ whose participation in public life is conditional upon their maternal roles. Many cultures view the raising of children as a feminine duty, thus the men are not expected to have domestic roles.

In countries where male chauvinism and female subordination exist, women who venture into powerful positions are faced with multiple roles – to manage her household and family and also performing their professional task. This often leaves women at a disadvantage in relation to their male counterpart.

Cultural and traditional practices have subjected women to male dominance and these have also hindered women’s progress in achieving gender equality. Even so, women face barriers such as conflict intimidation, negative attitudes, stereotype by society and lack of support by electorates.

Activists have also noted that because women are often viewed as out of place in professional environments they are subjected to more scrutiny at work than are men of the same rank, which slows down women advancement to management positions.

As Ms Inonge Mbikusita Lewanika, Zambian Ambassador to the US told Africa Renewal – ‘getting into and staying in positions of power is difficult because of the roles traditional expected of women therefore, to gain positions of authority women frequently have to be over qualified just to be noticed and this is a direct reflection of how societies view women – as – not as good as men. And when women get appointed people say – ‘she is just like a man’, in other words they relate to you as a man if you are an achiever.

In spite of all these obstacles and challenges plus the mass awareness of women empowerment and gender equality, there have been considerably a continuous influx of women in these so call male dominated fields like the media and the representation of women in decision – making positions.

In Cameroon there are veterans like Mary Camara and Becky Ndive both from the English Speaking part of Cameroon. There challenges was not only limited to their sex but also their ethnicity. Cameroon is made up of ten provinces and the people from the East are known as Francophones occupying eight provinces while the Southern part where the population has an English origin occupies just two. The Anglophones as a result of their minority faces discrimination, domination and prejudice.

During the 2008 Women, Action and the Media conference in Massachusetts, Boston, I was privileged to meet two outstanding women - Helen Thomas and Haifa Zangana both presented a keynote address at the conference. Helen Thomas story is quite an extraordinary one in the media realm.

Helen Thomas has been a pioneer throughout her career in Journalism. She began her career as a copy girl on the old Washington Daily News to White house Correspondent. She was among the Washington News Women who worked to open the doors of Press Organizations closed to them.

As an ardent journalist, it was quite captivating, inspiring and encouraging to listen to Helen’s account of her experiences and views. One cannot help but notice and admire her as a woman of valor and courage. According to her, women filled the gap in professions like journalism, teaching and others when the men went to war.

Apparently, women who embraced the media profession faced tough times and still do; nonetheless women need to muster the courage which she recommends and stress for women in the media to uphold to enable them meet challenges and make an impression.

Haifa Zangana is a fierce witness to her native war-torn country and the only Iraqi woman in the West writing about the situation. Joining in the arm struggle against Saddam Hussein she was captured, imprisoned and tortured as a young woman and finally released from Abu Ghraib prison after six months of detention, she was force to live in exile.

In Rhode Island, U S A during my visit to the Westerly Innovation Network Team an NGO I collaborate with to create awareness on electronic waste pollution, I was also opportune to meet another veteran female journalist who came to cover our meeting.

Gloria Marion Smith Russell a true journalism ‘pioneer’ then at age 81 years was still so vibrant and passionate about her profession. She was The Westerly Suns first- ever female news reporter, covering the town of Westerly in the 1960s.

By the words of Raymond J. Lamont, Editor/Vice President of The Sun, Gloria established from the start her commitment to getting as close as possible to the news – sometimes riding with local firefighters on the backs of the truck to cover a fire. And I can honestly say she has never lost that commitment in more than forty years since.

Named to the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame in 2003 and Rhode Island’s Outstanding Older Worker in 2006, Gloria is seen as a model for older workers; she is especially an inspiration for female journalist. She not only bucked the trend when journalism was a male- dominated field more than forty years ago, but continues to actively practice her craft at the highest level today.

According to Gloria in her days because of her sex she was limited to cover only those simple or regular news like modeling considered feminine but she craved for more action, something more daring and challenging like broking a murder – suicide and bank robbery story. She was always determined no matter all the odds and bottlenecks she faces as a woman in her attempt to investigate and gather facts for her story.

Today some media women find the job boring and less enthusiastic since they are not usually assigned out where there is action; they are only glued to their seats.
Again media women are also vulnerable and susceptible to sexual abuse and harassment especially from their Supervisors, Male Colleagues and Interviewee. The profession especially as a TV and radio Reporter exposes the women to the public and some female journalists have lost their marriage and relationship simply because their husbands and fiancés are not in accord with their popularity or withstand her constant absence when she has to travel for professional task.

I equally acknowledge CNN’s Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpur whose impressive career makes her one of those media women who have broken the glass ceiling through her bravery; daring to report in those areas reserved for the media men folk. In her brilliant career for more than eighteen years Amanpur has reported on all the major crises from the world’s many hotspots ending her so many awards and recognition.

Frene Ginwala a South African Speaker of South African Speaker Parliament holds that the main responsibility falls on the women themselves ‘ in any society and situation is those most affected who must bring about change’ and ‘those who are privileged benefit from a system that marginalize others, it is therefore up to us the women.

To concur with this mind searching statement, I will like to note that the media is regarded as the watch dog of the society and has the duty to propagate, motivate and ensure progress through constructive and objective reporting. Hence, the media success stories lies on their impact and the changes they can effect. As a result, without women’s active and prominent representation in the media, the gender fight and crisis – marginalization, discrimination, domestic violence, subordination and all other forms of human rights abuses and violation women and girls encounter cannot be addressed adequately.

Only women themselves can advocate for their own rights, progress and development, in this wise, it is the role of the media to create awareness, sensitize and educate on the societal ills and irregularities pertaining to gender issues; by exposing the problems and examine the efforts and policies towards gender equality.
Gender equality calls for mutual respect to exist between the man and the woman and this can only be derived when both sexes correlate and collaborate for the betterment of the society.

CHILD DISCIPLINE, MOTHERLY LOVE AND CARE


Mothers, be happy and proud of your children
Shower them with love.
Don't strain the bond


As a woman with or without a child I still consider myself a mother and holds all children requires love, care and discipline.This might not be predominant in the Western world as a result of their lifestyle but in most African setting the issue of child discipline has brought about a lot of antagonism amongst women. A child might act naughty or bad and another woman a neighbour perhaps with good faith- why good faith because some also act out of wickedness. But as I was about saying another woman with good faith who witnessed this child’s bad behaviour and decides to either caution the child or impose punishing like smacking the child in case the child’s deed or offence was really cruel. The child then run off home and does not really give the exact account of what really or actually happened.Worst of all if this woman who disciplined this child has no child of her own, then be sure she is in for all kinds of insult and labeled or branded all sort of names like witch, wicked and evil by the other woman.

The child’s mother will instantly go and meet the lady who just disciplined the child, instead of asking for her own version, she begins a quarrel. Some women also have the tendency to shield their children even when they know their children are guilty of what they are accused of. Personally I don’t consider such perception by some mothers as motherly love but the mother is jeopardizing her child’s future by misleading the child.

I know of a story since my childhood I can’t exactly say if it is for real or it was just a story of moralization. Well according to the story, this woman had her son and never questioned his deeds. And will support him at all times, to the extent that he started bring home stolen goods but his mother never bothered to find out where he got those items from knowing fully he is unemployed. One day as they say ninety-nine days for the thief, and one day for the owner, he was finally caught and had to be executed.

So when they asked him what his last wish was, he said he wished to have a word with his mom. They then summoned his mom to come, he asked his mom to come closer for he did not want others to listen to what he was about to tell her. So she brought her ears closer to his mouth and he bit off his mothers’ ear. When asked why he acted in that manner he said, if his mom had warned, directed and showed him the right path then his life wouldn’t have ended in this shameful and tragic manner. So after his death, the ear the mother has lost will always remind her of her negligence in carrying out her duty as a mom.

If I see a child trying to cross the road I will help out, if I see a child crying on the street I will inquire what’s amiss. Like a day I met this lad of about six years old, sprawling and crying on the road, he was even on the middle of a bend where he could have been knocked by a car. I rushed to him to find out if he had lost something and he said he was hungry, he had left for school that morning without food and he had just gone home for break to eat and there was still no food. I took him to a woman selling food and bought him a plate of rice.

The fact is, a woman by nature should have motherly love whether she has children of her own or not and please mothers we should not overreact when some one else try to correct our children in the right manner or inform us of our children’s misdeeds. More over, we should not shelve and conspire with our children’s wrong deeds. If we do, we might just be nurturing and bring up criminals and malicious individuals and this will have a negative impact in our community and our children’s future.

INHERENT FACTS ABOUT BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS



The human rights syndrome is a global phenomenon, for every one happens to talk about or refer to their so call human rights while even indulging in negative tendencies in the guise and pretext of seeking and exercising their rights. Apparently, some are ignorant of their fundamental human rights. It is with such exigencies that I am spurred to pen down those aspects that are inherent in our quest for our basic human rights.

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other statue. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by law, in forms of treaties, customary international law, general principles and other sources of international law.International human rights law lays down obligations of governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals and groups.

The principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international human rights law. This principle, as first emphasized in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948, has been reiterated in numerous international human rights conventions, declarations, and resolutions. The 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, for examples, noted that it is the duty of States to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems.

All States have ratified at least one, and 80 percent of States have ratified four or more, of the core human rights treaties, reflecting consent of States which creates legal obligations for them and giving concrete expression to universality, some fundamental human rights norms enjoy universal protection by customary international law across all boundaries and civilizations.
Human rights are inalienable. They should not be taken away, except in specific situations and according to due process. For example, the right to liberty may be restricted if a person is found guilty of a crime by a court of law.

Furthermore, all human rights are indivisible, whether they are civil and political rights, such as the right to life, equality before the law and freedom of expression, economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to work, social security and education, or collective rights, such as the rights to development and self determination, are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. The improvement of one right facilitates advancement of the others. Likewise, the deprivation of one right adversely affects the others.

Non-discrimination is a cross-cutting principle in international human rights law. The principle is present in all the major human rights treaties and provides the central theme of some of international human rights conventions such as the International Convention on the elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

The principles applies to everyone in relation to all human rights and freedoms and it prohibits discrimination on the basis of a list of non-exhaustive categories such as sex, race, colour and so on. The principles of non-discrimination is complemented by the principles of equality, as stated in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,”

Human rights entail both rights and obligations. States assume obligation and duties under international law to respect, to protect and to fulfill human rights. The obligation to respect means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights. The obligation to protect requires States to protect individuals and groups against human rights abuses. The obligation to fulfill means that States must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. At the individual level, while we are entitled to our human rights, we should also respect the human rights of others.

Examining all these facts especially that the ‘State must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights’ actually denotes all humans are no longer slaves so should actually live in peace and freedom but does this rights empower us to act or do just what ever?

Even in Christianity, we have been exposed to what is right and wrong. We are encouraged to abide in good deeds, morals and precepts but we are not compelled to act right; but then we are informed of the consequences of choosing the negative side of life. Remember the’ law of Karma’ – or retribution of justice in its execution or outcome. So, as a line in a song titled ‘PEACE’ by my mother goes – ‘we may bend the law but don’t break it.’

Thursday, April 2, 2009

REASONS WHY THEY ARE GOOD
















REASONS TO LOVE A WOMAN

You can feel her CARE in form of a sister…

You can feel her WARMTH in form of a friend…

You can feel her PASSION in form of a beloved…

You can feel her DEDICATION in form of a wife…

You can feel her DIVINITY in form of a mother…

You can feel her BLESSING in form of a grandmother…

Yet she is TOUGH too…

Her heart is so TENDER…

So NAUGHTY…

So CHARMING…

So SHARING…

So MELODIOUS…

She is a WOMAN

She is LIFE…. Respect her

The instruction says forward this to as many women as possible… they’ll love you for it!
Forward this to as many men, as you can so that they’ll know why women are so SPECIAL.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

SOME LIFE CHALLENGES - BRACE IT!

Life is full of challenges perhaps I should coin it this way – ‘ups and downs’. But our approach in confronting these life challenges depicts who we really are and scrutinize our temperaments.
At times we are faced with certain negative disposition in life judging from the rudiments of life’s journey which is hardly smooth. As such, we encounter hardship, obstacles and difficulties for which when we lose our grip and wit we could be force to plunge into waywardness thereby indulging in criminal intents and outrageous acts just to have a breakthrough.

In my humble opinion as I have noticed, such negative path might initially seem pleasant and successful but in the long run nemesis set in. Apparently, no matter the circumstances, it would be wise for us to always endeavor to maintain positivism, uprightness above all if you are a Christian and belief in the only Supreme God and strive to acquire a certain spiritual standard then challenges in life is a test to examine our prowess in overcoming difficulties and temptations. This can be derived through faith, honesty, dedication, diligence and consistent and persistent prayers. The books of book – the Holy Bible informs us our Father in heaven will never withhold that which is good for his children. From such a promise we are endowed with self confidence and trust.

No matter our background, whether poor or lowly, sex, ethnicity, race, we should have the determination to excel. We should not relent in our efforts and aspirations to strive for progress. More so, it is a known fact that with education the marginalized can seek equity. Hence, education formal or informal is necessary for developmental purposes and growth.

I personally hold no one should be considered an illiterate, for I acknowledge literacy transcends just reading and writing for cultural literacy is the condition or quality of being knowledgeable in a particular field or subject; which of course unless otherwise, everyone must be equipped by nature with certain abilities. There are aspects or deeds which certain people who cannot read and write perform accurately with expertise but those who are literate are not in the know neither do they have the competence or aptitude.

As they say,’ manners maketh a man’ this statement illuminates and justifies that in spite of our level of education our comportment counts or matters. As such, we lose our self respect, dignity when we embark on self exaltation disregarding, minimizing and intimidating others because we happen to be more educated or affluent and healthy than they are.

By the legend of life, no one has it all. There is something someone’s got that another might need. This per se indicates that some people have abundant wealth yet lack happiness. Even so, some women have children they can’t even cater or provide for yet another who has all the means is not blessed with the fruit of the womb. These are the complexity of life we all have to reckon with.

Friday, March 13, 2009

HARMFUL SOCIAL PRACTICES


EFFORTS TO FIGHT BREAST IRONING

I received some comments about breast ironing and some people wished to know efforts being taken to tackle it. Actually the first article was introducing breast ironing and its effects but did not delve much on the steps taken to fight it. The strange thing about this practice is that it is not cultural per se, although it has existed for a long time no one can tell how it originated. It is being practice mostly in the urban areas than in villages and Cameroonian men just recently became aware of it due to the growth of recent campaigns against it.


However, in Cameroon organizations such as Réseau National des Associations de Tantines (RENATA), translated in English as - the National Network of the Association of Aunties, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family, and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit, GTZ) are leading the campaign to educate mothers and daughters about the dangers involved, and the better ways to prevent teen pregnancy.

The National Network of the Association of Aunties- RENATA, is made up of members who have undergone the practice, and they are trying to stop breast ironing by drawing public attention to its dangers in radio and television spots and by disseminating leaflets.Their next mission is to make breast ironing illegal and eradicate the practice.

The UN says that 3.8 million West and Central African girls are at risk of this painful form of body mutilation.In Cameroon where the practice is most widespread, 50% of adolescent girls in cities and a quarter of all girls nationwide have their breasts 'ironed,' often by their mothers. While some reports proclaim One-quarter of all Cameroonian women are said to have been victims of this painful "breast-ironing".

Ironically, the tradition was a mystery to many in the West African nation until a recent campaign to stop the potentially dangerous practice, aimed at delaying a young girl's natural development was launched.

Nevertheless breast ironing is widespread and interestingly, the high prevalence in cities attributed to the effects of urbanization.

Flavien Ndonko, an anthropologist with GTZ's German-Cameroon HIV/AIDS health programme, noted that this painful form of mutilation could not only have negative health consequences for the girls, but was also a futile form of sex education.

"Many of the RENATA girls, who are young mothers, say they were subjected to 'ironing', and this clearly proves that it does not work ‘as pregnancy prevention’ and that it is a futile and traumatic experience imposed on them,".

Young people make up most of the 5.5 percent of the population living with HIV, and teenage pregnancy is a growing concern. One-third of the 20 to 30 percent of girls with unwanted pregnancies are between 13 and 25 years of age, with more than half of them having fallen pregnant after their first sexual encounter, according to GTZ.

Addressing the general lack of information about sex in the family ran counter to acceptable social norms, GTZ and RENATA pointed out.
"For the parents, it is very difficult to talk of sexuality due to modesty or for cultural reasons, so they prefer to get rid of the bodily signs of sexuality in this way," Ndonko commented. "However, the onset of adolescence is exactly the right time to start this discussion."
Because the topic of sex was taboo, young girls remained ignorant of how to protect themselves from HIV infection and were even more vulnerable to the virus, said Bessem Arrey Ebanga Bisong, Executive secretary of RENATA.

Nonetheless, support for the opposition to the tradition remains evenly balanced. According to a survey 39 percent of women opposed it while 41 percent expressed support and 26 percent were indifferent.

For Ndonko, the campaign is a battle to respect the physical intergrity of young girls, with broader implications for human rights. “If nothing was done today, tomorrow the very parents may even resolve to slice off the nose, the mouth or any other part of the girl which they think is making her attractive to men.”

Despite the campaigns some women still hold fast to it that their mothers did it to them as such they will do it to their own children.

Watch a video about Breast Ironing in Cameroon presented by Nina Garthwaite at - http://current.com/items/88852332/breast_ironing.htm

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY


INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN CAMEROON

Today March 8th is the International Women’s Day and I guess almost every aspect now has a day to commemorate. However, Cameroonian women are not left out in the global ambience and they are always so colourfully dressed looking gay and exquisite; unfortunately some of them have a negative perception of this day.

In Cameroon there is an international women’s day cloth or material, which women use to sew different outfits some – pants/trousers, skirts long or short and tops or blouses, dresses, a traditional free wear design known as ‘Kaba’ and a traditional mode to tie a plain loin cloth from waist downwards to the ankle known as ‘wrapper’ or call it a wrap accompanied by a top known as ‘buba’. And it is an issue or a big deal if some men do not purchase this cloth for their wives, girlfriends or concubines. But those women who are employed in public or private services the office usually purchases the materials for their female staff. However, cultural groups and social groups usually have their uniforms which they dress up with as an identification of that particular group.

Before the day proper, there are various activities ranging from sports competitions, Arts and craft exhibitions, gastronomy exhibitions featuring the rich cultural meals of the different ethnic groups in Cameroon and also portraying the byproducts of some of our food crops and also as a means to demonstrating methods of conservation and preservation and an agricultural show for rural women.

Agric shows and other activities are also organised during World Rural Women’s Day – October 15, The World Food Day – October 16 and African Women’s day - July 31. Since the World Food Day is a Day after World Rural Women’s Day; they have decided to conjoin the celebration of these two days in Cameroon since the same officials are to preside - the Agriculture and Women Empower and Family Services.
There are also choral, cultural dance and drama presentations. The day proper comprises of speeches from officials and women representatives, marched pass of various cultural, official and social groups and presentation of prizes to individuals and groups who won in the various competitions.

In Cameroon as I observed most women have misconstrued the whole idea and concept of Women’s day. I have tried to get diverse views and opinions from both men and women about women’s day.

Some women would endeavour to put their houses in order and provide for her family during her absence like preparing the meal for the day; if there is no big child or house help to perform the task. But some women who are perverse are so excited about the day and claim that it is their day so they are the man of the house as such the man is to do all the house chores. They leave their homes in the morning to assembly at the celebration grounds. Each town has their own grounds where such festivities are carried out. After marched pass and the entire celebrations there is what we call in Cameroon ‘Item 11’ – reception; each women’s group assemble in their own arranged spot to eat, drink and dance.

Women who are cautious go back home on time meanwhile some even married women get themselves too drunk by consuming to much alcohol, they misbehave by talking and acting unruly and put up recalcitrant attitudes like dancing indecently. There are always stories of women who do not even spend that March 8 night at home and for some women, they never go back to their marital homes. From such attitudes and misconduct by some women during International Women’s Day celebrations most men now harbour adverse feelings. Some uphold women use the day to spite and disrespect men as a result commemorating the day have no positive impact or prospect. Some men even complain some women are insolent for when women gather in bars or beer parlours they ask the men to leave because today is the day for women.

Despite lots of sensitization some women only know that Women’s Day is a day billed for women to enjoy and feel free. I feel anguish when I see and hear how women exhibit negative tendencies, I then question if they are suppose to act by being contumacious or women are instead to demonstrate a better example. We know off course two wrongs don’t make a right.

I pray and hope more women should be educated and sensitized about the real need and essence of the International Women Day instead of them to abuse the precept, ideals and principles of an International Day for Women.

Personally, I hold no keen interest on any day for women. I belief everyday is my day and only those who are in bondage or rather have allowed themselves to be in bondage seek liberation and for me the need for advocating for women’s rights consist of a matter for everyday. Please, don’t misunderstand my point for I am also in the know that situations cause some women to undergo a lot and these needs to be address. But in my opinion if all the women should know and understand their rights and also stand up and stick to it then I guess we must have attained gender equality. Unfortunately some women are still naïve and stick to the patriarchal African society where men rule, hence they refuse to denounce or go against their man no matter the abuse or violence they face from their men. Perhaps their intention is to evince true love, submissiveness and gender humility.

HARMFUL TRADITIONAL PRACTICES


ABOUT BREAST IRONING

When I just got in to secondary school that was in the early eighties I heard some few girls talking about using objects like a wooden spatula, placed over hot flames to massage their breast to prevent them from growing big. I never took them seriously; I guess I considered it a faux pas, not until recently that the prevalence of breast ironing in Cameroon has become a lime- light issue due to the fact that it is a harmful ritual imposed on the nation’s pre-pubescent women. Local non- governmental Organisations are trying to call attention to this practice and stop it.

Breast ironing, known as a form of mutilation is another weird practiced whereby pubescent girls breasts are flatten. This involves pounding and massaging the developing breasts of young girls from about eight years with hot objects to try to make them disappear.

The objects used are wooden tools like pestles and spatulas, grinding stone, oranges, banana, coconut shells and belts. These heated objects and breast band are used to press or beat down the forming breasts.

The practice performed usually by mothers chiefly in urban areas than villages is believed to be an efficient means of delaying pregnancy; by “removing” signs of puberty, these girls are thought to no-longer appear sexually attractive to men. Hence, it helps prevent rape, early marriage and some mothers are equally worried that their daughters’ budding breast would expose them to the risk of sexual harassment.

While there is little research on the health effects of the practice, it is considered that the practice can cause tissue damage in addition to the pain of the ironing process. Other possible side effects include breast infections, malformed breast and the possible complete eradication of one or two breast. Even so, the practice can inhibit or prevent successful breast feeding.

According to a BBC report of June 23, 2006 titled – Cameroon Girls Battle ‘Breast Ironing’ by Randy Joe Sa’ah, statistic show that 26% of Cameroonian girls at puberty undergo it, as many mothers believe it protects their daughters from the sexual advances of boys and men who think children are ripe for sex once their breasts begin to grow. The most widely used instrument to flatten the breast is a wooden pestle, used for pounding tubers in the kitchen. Heated bananas and coconut shells are also used.


Many mothers have no regrets about ironing their daughter's breasts. "Breast ironing is not a new thing. Some women hold they are happy they protected their daughters. To them they could not stand the thought of boys spoiling her with sex before she completed school," one woman explained. "Unfortunately, television is encouraging all sorts of sexual immorality in our children."


Another report by CRIN – Children’s Right Information Network of July 13, 2006 captioned – Millions of Cameroonian Girls Suffer ‘breast ironing’ - “Breast ironing” – the use of hard or heated objects or other substances to try to stunt breast growth in girls – is a traditional practice in West Africa, expert say. A new survey has revealed it is shockingly widespread in Cameroon, where one in four teenagers is subjected to the traumatic process relatives, often hoping to lessen their sexual attractiveness.


Breast ironing is an age-old practice in Cameroon, as well as in many other countries in West and Central Africa, including Chad, Togo, Benin, Guinea – Conakry, just to name a few, “ said Flavien Ndonko, an Anthropologist and local representative of German Development Agency GTZ, which sponsored the survey.


“If society has been silent about it up to now is because, like other harmful practices done to women such as female genital mutilation, it was thought to be good for the girl” said Ndonko. “Even the victims themselves thought it was good for them.”


However, the practice has many side effects, including severe pain and abscesses, infections, breast cancer, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
The survey of more than 5,000 girls and women aged between 10 and 82 from throughout Cameroon, published last month, estimated that 4 million women in the central African country have suffered the process.


Another report captioned - Women in Africa Bear a Painful Tradition by Roxy Varza, Assistant Editor states that the practice, which was initially thought to improve a mother’s breast-milk, is now inflicted upon 24% of all Cameroonian women as young as the age of nine. While the practice is commonly performed by family members, 58% of the time by the mother, these young and naïve girls buy into its reasoning and often continue inflicting the practice upon their own bodies.
Aside from breast ironing being extremely painful, there are a serious number of physical and mental health complications that can ensue: the most serious include an elevated cancer risk, the inability to produce breast-milk, and psychological problems; many girls grow so fearful of their families that they flee their homes. If pounding is involved, related heart problems can also ensue. Despite the 42% of women touched by this practice who believe their breasts to have developed normally, a good 18% believe their breasts to have become prematurely “saggy” or deformed. Others suffer from infections, cysts, or lesions, which often lead to cancer as early as the age of 25.


Breast ironing affects women in all 10 of Cameroon’s provinces, crossing ethnic and religious boundaries. The practice is most prevalent in the Littoral province (53%), which houses Cameroon’s largest city of Douala; numbers are generally higher in urban areas, where sexual advances are more common. Possibly due to the differences in attire, breast ironing is less common in the nation’s north (7%), where the population is primarily Muslim. However, regardless of location, religion, or ethnicity, the risk of undergoing breast ironing doubles amongst girls who show signs of puberty before the age of nine.


Unlike other many other African nations, Cameroon enjoys general political stability, has a high-ranking educational system and one of the highest literacy rates in Africa (79% as of 2003). While teen pregnancy rates have declined since 1996, with 60% of all teens experiencing one or more pregnancies, to 20% in 2003, numbers are still high and have obviously not been reduced by the breast ironing. The rationale behind breast ironing, which is to protect young girls from sexual advances, conflicts with the reality that these girls can still become pregnant. The 5,661 women between the ages of 9 and 82, who were touched by breast ironing in 2005, sheds light upon a desperate need for sex education in a country where the topic is still very taboo.


Despite the problems with breast ironing, it has not yet been banned by authorities. While victims do have protection under law, very few cases are taken to court. If it is concluded that damage has been done to the victim, the responsible party can face up to 3 years in prison. Victims, however, are often too young and very unlikely to report their family members.

Monday, March 2, 2009

GENDER ISSUES

WOMEN AS BREADWINNERS

Most women go through thick and thin to be able to feed and provide for their household and equally see their children through their education. This might not seem strange but the line of businesses some of these women undertake to be able to meet up with their engagements is what matters and the end they wear off looking older than their husbands who where several years ahead before they were married to them.
As I observed in my county Cameroon, in as mush as most men uphold powers and authority as a man, they neglect and avoid those duties and responsibilities a man is suppose to perform as the head of the family.

This is common with those men who migrate from rural settings to township and are able to secure clerical and cleaning jobs which usually not sum up to a comfortable pay check. In effect these men when they decide to marry go back to their villages to get a wife, usually lass. The village fathers knowing he is from the city and judging from his conservative dressing which most of them put on to show off they are from the city and to portray they are financially okay, fathers readily propose and offer their young daughters.
When these women eventually join their husbands, they realize the condition of the man is not as blissful.

They are given money to purchase food and house needs at the market, the money is never enough and if they dare complain the respond from the man is “Manage, this is not the village where you have food in abundance from your farms, here we buy everything.” Situation gets worst when they start making children then the reality of taking the upper hand strokes - they are to be the breadwinner of their household.

To therefore act as breadwinners, especially those women who are determined that, their offspring should have better opportunities than they ever had these women are compelled to engage in tedious and risky businesses like going to the bush market to buy food stuff and retail at town markets. Such women are referred to in Cameroon as ‘Buyyam Sellam’ just from the mere sense that they buy and sell. These women sell foodstuff like plantains, yams, cocoyam, cassava, vegetables, fruits etc.

In Cameroon towns have particular days known as market days, usually twice or thrice a week, or some towns having more than one market have varied days within the week as such that town can have about five market days within the week. Some of the markets operate daily but on market days traders come from around and afar as such commodities and items are cheaper to acquire than in ordinary days.

The bush markets are rural markets where these women buy directly from farmers mostly women too, who till and toil under the sun and rain from dawn to dusk and at the same caring for their babies and toddlers they couldn’t leave behind. If the farm is far they spend some days in the farm house. The ‘Buyyam Sellam’ women leave their homes sometimes as early as 3am depending on which bush market they are going and their line of business from the aforementioned different kinds of foodstuff they deal in. To get to these bush markets some board trucks and others smaller vehicles.

Trucks with single cabins instead of two, three women sit in the front seats and trucks with double cabins instead of 3 women to sit at the back seats about 5 to 6 women cram in while others take their places behind the truck. Even when the truck is loaded, these women can be seen sitting on their goods no matter the distance or the condition of the road.
Those who go by smaller vehicles from my own assessment faces greater risk for, the drivers are usually overzealous as such they careless about the comfort of passengers but how much they could make. In front, the driver share his own seat with a passenger and two others share a seat bring the total to four in front. Then behind instead of 3 there are five or six passengers. That’s not all some people sit on the roof or bonnet of the car and mark you their loads are included. And they are plying on usually curvy, bumpy roads that have not been tarred and these women endure all this to make ends meet.

These women have a target day to get their goods to the market, but things turn sour when the wagon heavy laden with their goods breakdown. If the fault is such that a part need to be replaced the driver will now wait for any available vehicle heading town wards to purchase the part. As such these women will then spend two, three or four days sleeping on the road depending on their distance from town.
The women are compelled to stay and wait around the truck so that their goods would not been stolen. Each of them has special marks on their bags or bunches of plantain to be able to differentiate their goods. If there is no stream around then they stay without having any shower for those number of days. If it is plantains, vegetables or fruit, they stand the risk of working on a deficit, because the vegetables or fruits might get bad or the plantains get over ripe for sale. Some of them go through all these with a child strapped on their back. Before they leave their homes if they don’t have bigger children, then they must have prepared and kept enough food in the house for their husbands and children.

Those who are not into foodstuff business cook and sell food. Again they get up in the early hours of the morning so that by 7, 8, 9 am latest they should be at their selling point. Others who roast fish or fry puff-puff (balls), or ripe plantains (dodo) and cooked beans or pap at night by the road side start by 6 or 7pm latest till the early hours of morning depending oh how lucrative business was on that particular day. Sometimes their children stay with them to help out.

Women without selling points go about from place to place like bars, construction sites, parks carrying their basin on their heads. Such women sell scotch eggs, boiled eggs; cow skin (canda) fried with tomatoes and sometimes prepared also with liver, pancreases (fop-fop) and large intestine also tripes (towel).
Cow skin locally known as ‘canda’ is like a delicacy for those from the English part of Cameroon. Cameroon is a bilingual country and officially speaks French and English. Eight of the ten provinces speak French known as Francophones while the remaining two are known as Anglophones.

There are women who trade on this cow skin only. If they are in small towns where they don’t kill many cows, they travel to bigger towns to buy the skin. When they get back to their homes, they make large fire to burn the hair off the skin. While it is burning they are scraping. Then they will steep it in water for a couple of days. They later clean it until it obtains a yellowish brown colour before they take to the market. Some other women also roast plantain, cocoyam and corn by the roadside usually during the day.

These women undergo all this just to keep life going for their families meanwhile most of their men use their earnings to indulge in drinking sprees, womanizing and socializing. As such, the women assume responsibilities as a mother and father for children whom they have no say to decide on how many they are to give birth too.

Polygamy is also a cultural practice as a result some men marry up to six women or even more. Each woman has the responsibility to provide their offspring and at the same time have specific days to put food on their husbands table. He is less concern on how they manage and go about it after all he is the man of the house- ‘he who must be obeyed’.

By Cecile Enie

Thursday, February 19, 2009

COHABITATION

THE BOOMERANG OF COHABITING IN CAMEROON

A couple not married to each other is considered to be cohabiting when they are living together emotionally and or physically intimate relationship.
If you are in an opposite-sex relationship, your rights as a partner may depend on whether you are married or living together. Generally speaking, you will have fewer rights if you are living together than if you are married. Although there is no legal definition of living together, it generally means to live together as a couple without being married.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can formalise aspects of your status with a partner by drawing up a legal agreement called a cohabitation contract or living together agreement. A living together agreement outlines the rights and obligations of each partner towards each other. It is not clear whether living together agreements are legally enforceable but they can be useful to remind a couple of their original intentions. In practice, instead of a living together agreement, it is possible to make a series of legally enforceable agreements on specific matters, for example, how a jointly-owned house is shared. If you want to do this, you will need legal advice.

Although rarely enforced, cohabitation is considered illegal in seven states in the United States - Florida, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia. Some couples prefer cohabitation because it does not legally commit them for an extended period, and because it is easier to establish and dissolve without the legal costs often associated with a divorce. In some jurisdictions cohabitation can be viewed legally as common-law marriage, either after the duration of a specified period, or the birth of the couple's child, or if the couple consider and behave accordingly as husband and wife. This helps to provide the surviving partner a legal basis for inheriting the deceased's belongings in the event of the death of their cohabiting partner.

Common-law marriage sometimes called de facto marriage, informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute is a form of interpersonal status which is legally recognized in some jurisdictions as a marriage even though no legally recognized marriage ceremony is performed or civil marriage contract is entered into or the marriage registered in a civil registry. A common law marriage is legally binding in some jurisdictions but has no legal consequence in others. In some jurisdictions without true common law marriages like Hungary, the term "common law marriage" is used as a synonym for non-marital relationships such as domestic partnership or reciprocal beneficiaries’ relationship.

Today, cohabitation is a common pattern among people in the Western world, especially those who desire marriage but whose financial situation temporarily precludes it, or who wish to prepare for what married life will be like before actually getting married, or because they see no benefit or value offered by marriage. More and more couples choose to have long-term relationships without marriage, and cohabit as a permanent arrangement.

Research shows that most couples who live together would like to get married someday, and within five years, slightly more than half of them do. People may live together for a number of reasons. - They are in love, and they want to spend more time together. They want to make sure they are compatible before they make a lifetime commitment to each other. They are engaged to be married, and decide to move in together before the wedding. They are perhaps saving money for a wedding, and figure they'll live together in the meantime. They are spending most nights together anyway and don't want to pay two rents. They don’t want to get married or cannot marry. They know their partner isn't a good match for a long-term relationship, but want to stick with this person for now. They would lose significant financial benefits if they were to marry. This predicament is especially common among senior citizens - who would sometimes lose a pension from a deceased spouse if they married and disabled people. It may also be because they are unable to legally marry, because for example same-sex, interracial or interreligious marriages are not legal or permitted. Other reasons include living with someone before marriage as a way for polygamist or polyamorists to avoid breaking the law, a way to avoid the higher income taxes paid by some two-income married couples in the United States.

In Cameroon there are some cases of females who have lost their lives as a result of cohabiting. On June 14, 2007 in the economic capital, Douala in the Littoral Province of Cameroon, a fourth year student of the faculty of Economic Science, University of Douala, Amandine Azebaze, age twenty- three was strangled to death in their home by her boy friend Blaise Deffo a barber by profession.

Blaise and Amandine were cohabiting; locally called in pidgin (CWS) “COME WE STAY”. After the act Blaise attempted suicide by stabbing himself. A neighbor broke in and Blaise was rushed to the hospital while Amandine’s corpse was transported to the mortuary. It is alleged that the reason for Blaise actions was because Amandine wanted to end the relationship after they have been living together for sometime. To this, her friends question if love is by force.

Apparently the students of the University of Douala especially her course mates with whom she attended lectures that morning took to the streets with banners in hand, marching from their campus to the hospital. Their aim was to notify the administration, public and the media that every human being has fundamental human rights, which includes the right to live. Therefore no body has the right to exterminate another person’s life. As such, justice should take its course.

Years back in Yaounde the capital city of Cameroon a similar incident had taken place. In this case, the man was a Tailor and was sponsoring the girl in the University of Yaounde. The girl in her final year decides she wanted to call off the relationship, to this the guy locked up and sent the house ablaze; killing them both.

In another cohabiting story, this time in Buea in the South West Province of Cameroon, Eleanor now a graduate in Public Administration and Mbella a graduate in Law had been cohabiting for seven years as students and have two daughters, three and four years respectively.

Although Eleanor lived with Mbella, her family was still in charge of her education. She had to care for her home, kids and study at the same time. Eleanor in her twenties has constantly been battered by Mbella who is about thirty years old. According to Eleanor the children are traumatized, as a result, they get frantic and start crying each time their dad starts yelling; since they know their mom would eventually be mal- handled.

In one of Mbella’s battering flings, he beat Eleanor up and she ended up admitted in hospital. Besides one of his sisters, neither him nor any of his family member showed up at the hospital. When Eleanor was discharged she went to live with her family, Mbella accosted her later giving her an ultimatum to return to his house.

She did not. He saw her again asking for forgiveness and that if she had actually forgiven him then she should accompany him to a party. She refused stating she is still recovering. Mbella insisted he needed just her company even if she would not dance. At the party a guy approached Eleanor for a dance even though she declined, Mbella was enraged and this ensues in to a fight.

Eleanor thence took the decision never to return to live with him again. A few months after Eleanor now living in another town helping in her father’s palm oil mill came around to visit her children who where now living with their paternal grandmother and aunts. Mbella came in, started scolding and asked her to leave. Amidst their exchange of words Mbella punched her neck to further defend herself, she got hold of an ovaltine bottle and crashed on his head.

Eleanor later was not proud of her action and even tried to seek a truce but this fell on deaf ears. However, Eleanor cannot get to see her kids. With her motherly love for her children she decided to visit them at school. To her total dismay the children upon seeing her fled crying. The school authorities tried to find out what was going on; since Eleanor was their mom and usually dropped and pick them from school as such they were surprised with the children’s reaction towards their mother. The children informed them that their dad told them to not get close to Eleanor because she was not their mom. Eleanor stunned and in a melancholic state went immediately to the State Counsel Office and was later referred to the Social Welfare service to seek legal redress. She was given convocation to serve Mbella.

What amazes Eleanor is that, about two weeks back when she visited the kids whom she had not seen for about three months they happily rushed to her, now just within two weeks after the last incident with Mbella the children are running away from her. She is tortured about the thought of loosing her children and what worries her more is that Mbella’s mother is not educated and his sister’s are nonchalant, as a result the children would have a set back in their education, morals and personal hygiene- especially when she sees them with unkempt hair. Sometimes she has to sneak to an opposite neighbours house not to be noticed by Mbellas’ family just to watch her children playing outside.

There have been other cases of domestic violence that has caused the death of many women - like a case of a man who battered the pregnant wife and she eventually died with her unborn twin. Actually the government of Cameroon is trying to discourage cohabiting. Most couples from a survey by the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family, claim they would love to legalise their relationship but this is hindered due to the cost involve.

The Ministry discovered that girls and women in this kind of relationship are not secured since they have no legal document backing them as a result; they are subjected to domestic violence, abuse of their rights and abandonment.

To ameliorate this situation, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family together with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization have now introduced Mass Marriages with no charges at the Municipal Councils. All that is expected by the couples is for them to come along with a portrait in which their heads are joint together and their rings. We are still to appreciate the effectiveness of this merger, since it is a common phenomenon in Cameroon that certain decrees are more of theory than practical.

By Cecile Enie