Women's Work

I've heard occasional grumbles from men who feel that the women's
health group and child growth monitoring discriminates against men.
Men like to complain whenever they are not included, even though the
reverse is often true (men are able to do things that women are not
included in and you don't hear the women complaining). I usually
explain that women are typically the caregivers, so it's important for
them to know how to take care of themselves and in turn, take care of
their children. Men wanting to learn about health are welcome too, I
always stress. But other than two men who bring their babies to be
weighed, no one has taken me up on it yet.

The reality is that family health is seen as "women's work."

But women already have work.

They already grow most of the developing world's food, market most of
its crops, fetch most of its water, collect most of its fuel, feed
most of its animals, weed most of its fields.

And when their work outside the home is done, they light the third
world's fires, cook its meals, clean its compounds, wash its clothes,
shop for its needs, and look after its old and its ill.

And they bear and care for its children.

The multiple burdens of womanhood are too much.
(from: Facts for Life, UN)

So am I being unfair in not targeting the men? No, that's not what's
unfair about this situation. What's unfair is that women are doing
everything, yet don't have a voice.

--
Thea Neal
Peace Corps Volunteer
Caprivi Region, Namibia
Cell: 081-364-2891