Lip-service
There are many things I wish I had been able to do before getting to Burkina. Getting a hold on the French language is certainly at the top of the list, but as I get deeper into my sector, Girls Education and Empowerment, I really wish I had more historical knowledge on civil/women/human rights movements around the world. The thing about living and learning in another culture with TWO languages necessary to learn, is that EVERYTHING takes time. For example, It was only two weeks ago that I learned that the oldest brother in my old host family has two wives. This is after living with the family for three months, being best friends with his brother AND helping his (second) wife with her child.
So I guess it is not too shocking that it has taken me 5 months to realize the FULL extent of my counterpart’s sexism. Sitting around drinking tea with 5 French speaking men (all except one is either a nurse or a teacher), the conversation turned to the role of women. However, I made a terrible mistake by asking what exactly was the reason history brought women to this point? Why was it not US who suppressed men? BIG MISTAKE!! All 5 men took turns explaining how and why women are less than, weaker, and put on this earth to serve men. I was talking with Christians, Muslims and animists, all who referred to their GOD or creator or nature to explain my inferior place. What killed me was that there was no hesitation to speak such sexism.
As I was preparing for International Women’s Day celebrations with 3eme girls, the wheels in my (less than intelligent?) brain started turning and things started to click. Again, I wish I had more knowledge on how women’s rights movements have started. I know that in England and the US, women started fighting for equality AFTER fighting side by side men to end slavery. Did any movement ever start because a more powerful, richer force demanded the inequality be addressed? Was any movement lead by ‘non-believers’? To my knowledge, the KKK attempted to oppress civil rights and certainly was not part of helping African-Americans gain equal standing. So, why does anyone think sexist, powerful men are going to liberate Burkina Faso’s women? Does anyone else see the problem with a sexist man working for Girls Education and Empowerment?
The International community and the West often have good intentions. Certainly women’s rights and girls’ education is necessary, a fundamental right and needs to be addressed. Burkina Faso is one of the world’s worst offenders on women’s rights, with the lowest women’s literacy rights and at a time, one of the lowest school enrollment rates for girls. The amount of women involved in the formal economy is disgustingly low. BUT what I have sensed out the past 8 months is that GEE is an international incentive that is making funds available to anyone in countries such as Burkina who is working to help improve gender equality. This is all wonderful and good BUT who has access to getting international funding in a country such as Burkina? MEN!! Men are getting rich and important in the name of WOMEN and GIRLS. Hmm…
As an outsider, I am bringing the idea of GEE, question gender roles and promote equality in a country that is not mine. Is that how civil/human rights movements work?? Because really, honestly, I feel that it takes a rebel who is part of the culture to lead a movement. Is this just a way for sexist men and the few women to get rich off the international community? Are Burkina’s women ready to stand up and fight? Is this outside initiative going to do more harm to women here?
Now, these are questions, not statements. I do not know. I do recognize that the sexist, rich man who runs an organization is building schools so more girls are getting educated. I do recognize that some of the money, some of the rights talk will do good and improve lives. But I am seeing and hearing lip service, certainly not a women’s movement. How is this empowering? A man built a school that was funded by the West? What message does that send? Where are the women of Burkina who are going to challenge this society? They are here. They are getting victimized because they dare to talk about sexual abuse. They are here but are they getting more suppressed by ‘good-doers’ such as myself, who may be allowing the inherent sexist organization and mentality to continue even in the name of gender rights?
And seriously, does anyone else have a problem that women, half of this world’s population, are granted ONE day (March 8th)?