pp cool jay cooler as the swimming pooler

Unending Gender war?

2008-08-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I heard some people telling a story of a dental nurse that her dentist had looked up the address of her patient before deciding how much to charge her. The patient lived in a good part of town, and so the bill for the removal of her wisdom tooth was bumped up - without her knowledge, of course.
That's not fair! was my initial reaction.

But then, I suppose, the dentist would argue that she can charge whatever she likes, and, further, that by doing this sort of thing, she would not have to charge so much to her less well-heeled patients.

If the dentist charges the same to everyone, then this is a bit unfair on the poorer patients. On the other hand, if she charges the wealthier more, then this would be a bit unfair on the wealthier patients.

So, in practice, both things seem to be generally acceptable. And, on the whole, it all seems to be more a question of balance. Provided that the wealthier are not charged too much more than poorer folk because of their financial position, they do not create too much of a fuss about it.

But for any given differential between the two, a fuss, at some level, is usually made.

And the only point that I am trying to make in this article is that there is no real solution to the problem. There is no right and morally correct thing to do. It is all a question of balance.

And so there will always be a tussle between the two camps.

But 'tussle' is surely too tame a word for what is, in fact, much more like a war!

And it will probably remain so for a considerable length of time to come because there is no solution. There is no right and morally correct thing to do. There is nowhere to be found where to draw a line which will be acceptable to everyone.

It is all a question of balance, with some people leaning one way and with other people leaning the other way.

But the balance between the two sides can be very much affected by the motives that appear to be behind the policies being applied.

For example, the dentist can be portrayed as a Samaritan, helping the poor by taking some more from the rich. But, on the other hand, she can be seen as something of a Scrooge who is simply trying to squeeze as much money as possible out of each of her clients.

Should a woman who can carry one brick in her wheelbarrow be paid the same as a man who can carry two?

By and large - though there is no strict division along gender lines –me as a woman I will answer Yes to this question, and probably my husband as a man will answer No. But, just as in the previous case concerning the dentist, there is no place where to draw the line that is acceptable to everyone.

Girls versus technology

2008-08-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

Technologies should be equally accessible to male and female students. Yet, as girls enter adolescence; large numbers of them tend to lose interest in science, math, and computer science. Girls are narrowing the gender gap in science and math, but not in technology.

Overall girls' test scores and course enrollments have risen in these areas, with the exception of computer science. In order to attempt to address this issue, the cause of the discrepancies between males and females in computer use must be established.

A gender gap exists between males and females in the use of technology. Girls are still not much interested in computers as the boys. One simply needs to walk into computer clubs or computer science classes in order to see the gap between the number of boys versus girls in these clubs and classes.

It is important to note that this is not always the case nor is it necessarily intentional. Many parents, educators, and manufacturers out there are indeed very sensitive to the issues of gender. They are making great strides to create equity in all areas for males and females. On the other hand, there are those parents, educators, and manufacturers who are shocked and surprised to realize that they are unintentionally sending separate signals about expectations for girls and boys. Differential treatments by educators divert girls from science and technology.
In the same way, other influential adults in girls' lives influence the paths girls follow and the perception of girls concerning their own future and those of others.

Teachers and the educational system are believed to influence the gender gap in computer use.. Boys gravitate toward computer games and mechanical toys. Girls, on the other hand, are more likely to play with dolls or be involved in more social games. Teachers may treat boys differently than girls causing differing expectations.
For example, boys and girls are often approached differently when dealing with inappropriate physical and verbal attacks on others. Boys involved in pushing or even fist fights may be more accepted that girls involved in the same activities; "boys will be boys." Girls are expected to be better negotiators thus preventing the need for physical altercations.

In addition, girls in adolescence tend to experience weakening self perceptions . Many girls in adolescence go through changes which negatively affect self image and future choices. As a result, girls often refrain from asking questions and sharing answers. Many girls feel inferior to others or wish to mask their leadership abilities and intelligence and decline opportunities to take part in student government, clubs, or challenges that may cause failure. These issues also discourage some girls from taking part in higher track classes in math, science, and computer science. Still others point at education at the administrative level. Here, some say, is where funds are appropriated. There are views that teachers and administrators in education are responsible for the gender gap in technology.

The lack of strong female role models is believed by some experts to be yet another reason for the gender gap in technology use between males and females. It is suggested that providing children the opportunity to see guest speakers from both genders in nontraditional careers. Common sense tells us that we find possibility or lack of possibility in what we experience. Girls who see and develop communication with other females who have careers in science and technology fields, will be more likely to have these high expectations for themselves. These girls will perceive science and technology fields as plausible careers for themselves. Few female mentors are available for girls when investigating career opportunities . Just like boys, girls benefit from listening and interacting with mentors and role models.

Lee Canter said it best, "Parents are the most important, influential people in a child's life. Parental views on gender roles, belief systems regarding gender, and actions toward both sexes will inevitably influence children. Children are sent strong signals about the world around them, more specifically about men and women, from parents. Parents' actions and words send messages about the parents' beliefs. Parents should closely examine whether their actions and words are telling their children what they wish them to be telling their children. Parents should closely examine what they say with their actions and words.

If we want to see young girls more involved in computers, we must begin with parents. There are many practical and easy ways parents can encourage their girls in the use of technology. Parents can begin at home to encourage girls to use technologies. Several ideas for encouraging girls' interest in technology. First, children should be exposed to technology at an early age. Children should learn that technology is fun and helpful to use. They should see it as one of the many tools in our world that make life easier. Parents should also buy technology products of interest to their daughters. Unfortunately, a majority of the CD's for children are designed for the interests of boys. Girls rarely have interest in monsters or weapons commonly seen in computer software. Rather, they tend to want to accomplish a specific goal using the computer. As a result, it may be more challenging to find programs that will interest young girls. "Barriers are lifted when girls play with other girls and have equal access to the control devices such as the video game control pad, keyboard, joystick, or mousective of girls toward technology.

Mugabe votes is this the end of him

2008-04-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

On March 29 Robert Mugabe voted but the question is being asked was it the last time for him to vote as president. We will see.

The Zimbabwe harmornised elections

2008-04-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

March 29 was the mosgt important day for the Zimbabweans. It was a day for them to make a decision. As of now we are still not yet sure what they have decided. But I was priviledged to to be there to witness the people making the most important decision. But unconfirmed results show that Morgan Tsvangirai could have beaten the old man clean. Could this mean the Zimbabweans have spoken we will wait for the official results. lest wait you will be updated as the time goes.

International Women's Day - the fight for parity continues

2008-03-12T02:19:00.002-07:00

International Women's Day (IWD) is the story of ordinary women as makers of history. It is rooted in the centuries old struggle of women seeking to participate in society on an equal footing with men.
The idea of an IWD (March 8) first arose at the turn of the century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies.
IWD is a time to reflect on the progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women's rights.
Some people realized that women comprise more than half the world's population. And that too often they are in the front line in terms of poverty, sustaining communities and managing the earth's biodiversity and natural resources, women are also uniquely vulnerable to environment-related health issues. Despite their role and their know-how, women's contribution is often undervalued and ignored.

Until women are fully represented at senior leadership levels of public, professional and economic life, women do not have equal rights nor an equal voice. Slowly of course women are taking up decision making decisions but it is not the figures that we are happy. I guess we need to take all chances that are available.
These sisters, along with many other sisters in leadership roles, speak out on women's issues and rights. They speak out on pay equity, women's health care, violence against women, globalization, and opposition to the war in Iraq, child care, full employment, and pension entitlements. Successes have been achieved and, as women, we applaud their efforts.
However, we recognize that women are connected internationally. Sisters in Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe the Philippines, Colombia, Afghanistan and other regions of the world, including Canada's own First Nations community – have successes and challenges that resound within the hearts and souls of women through networking in an organization called Women Together as one.
Yes there are differences within the respective cultures and political landscapes, but the underlying connection is that women constantly strive for fully recognized equality with men and for basic, and improved, human rights. A trite saying that was written stated that "Women hold up half the sky" – so why is it so hard for society to treat women as equals!
In 2008, the slogan that will set the basis for ILO's International Women's Day is "Investing in Decent Work for women: Not just right, but smart", based on the overwhelming evidence that promoting equality is not only a matter of human rights, but it also makes good economic sense.

The motivation and guidance for many women who are in leadership comes from mentors — people who have influenced their personal and professional development, and passed along their skills and knowledge. The positive impact of mentors and role models is perhaps most impactful during times of challenge in women's lives— women who are escaping violence and abuse, single parents working hard to support their families and those who have rarely experienced the feeling of hope and opportunity.
Mentors and role models play critical roles in women's lives. They help women reach their personal best so they too can contribute to building a strong economy and safe communities.
On International Women's Day, I invite you to think about the role models and mentors in your life. What knowledge and skills can you now pass to a younger woman, to help open doors in her future?
This year, we can do more than celebrate our achievements — we can cultivate success for the future.

Just keeping uptodate

2008-03-12T02:19:00.001-07:00

Life is what you make please send comments and lets see how we go

Penelope is AISI GKP second prize winner

2008-01-14T01:39:00.000-08:00

Penelope Paliani-Kamanga is second prize winner of the AISI GKP awards print category for more information go to http://www.uneca.org/aisi/ma07winners.htm

How are men responding to the gender movement?

2007-09-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

Men have responded in complex and contradictory ways to the profound changes of the last decade, changes set in motion by the women's movements, changes in family organization, economic and social shifts and other forces.
Small numbers of men have responded by mobilizing in support of gender equality goals, changing their own behaviour and working with women to shift gender relations in progressive directions.
Yet other men have mobilized in opposition to the changes in gender with which it is associated, forming "men's rights" and "fathers rights" groups. Of course for Malawi it has not come to pass yet I guess the men have not plucked enough courage to talk collectively and in public about what they hate about the fight for gender equality.
But for the west an organized backlash to the fight for gender equality is now visible among men in Australia, as in most other Western capitalist countries.
Men's rights men focus on the costs and destructiveness to men of masculine roles. They dispute the feminist idea that men (or some men)gain power and privilege in society, claiming that both women and men are equally oppressed or limited or even that women oppress men.
Men are "success objects" (like women are "sex objects") and burdened as providers, violence against men (through war, work and by women) is endemic and socially tolerated, and men are discriminated against in divorce and child custody proceedings.As far as "men's rights" are concerned, these men believe that men's right to a fair negotiation in child custody settlements, to a fair trial in domestic violence cases, and to fair treatment in the media have all been lost.
Responsibility and blame for these problems is attributed to women,the women's movements and feminism.Men's rights and fathers' rights advocates identify a wide range of injustices and harms suffered by men. Males have been displaced from the labour market, schools and universities, deprived of their role as fathers, and are now regarded only as 'gene pool and cash machine.
For some men's rights men, feminism has largely achieved its goals and women have more choices, while men are still stuck in traditional masculine roles. Thus feminism was once a 'human liberation' movement that now only looks after women.
For others, it never tried to liberate men, it has even tried to keep men in their traditional roles e.g. as providers, and "feminists" are involved in a conspiracy to discriminate against men and cover up violence against them.
Men's rights men share the goal of removing the social and legal injustices faced by men, and for most the main obstacle to achieving this is men's unjust treatment at the hands of women and feminists.

As Alan Barron's "Men's Manifesto" (2001) states, "We must vigorously defend the concept that male domination/patriarchy is part of the natural order of things."The men in men's rights and fathers' rights groups are typically in their forties and fifties, often divorced or separated, and nearly always heterosexual. Participants often are very angry, bitter and hurting (with good reason, they would say), and they often have gone through deeply painful marriage breakups and custody battles.Research among divorced men finds that some respond to the stresses and turmoil of divorce by adopting a masculinity discourse: they focus on their 'rights' and their victimization, attempt to retain control over their former wives, and respond to the undermining of their paternal authority with strategies of parental and financial withdrawal. I am reminded of Grace Chinga Moffat saga. Custody of children went to the mother and I can imagine how the father must have felt about the whole thing. Can it not make hate his wife and the whole idea of feminism

Meet the guitar maestro Eric Paliani

2007-09-20T02:21:00.000-07:00

And probably the greatest producer in the making

The First Vaccine against Cervical Cancer

2007-09-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

I thought we should take another look at cervical cancer. From the look of things Malawi seems to be one of the most affected countries and it high time us women plucked up enough courage to go for a test. So as we contemplate about going for a paps smear let hear about this new vaccine.

On June 8, 2006 the FDA approved the first-ever vaccine against cancer: Gardasil. In clinical trials Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, has been 100% effective in preventing infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine is also 99% effective in preventing HPV strains 6 and 11, which together with strains 16 and 18 cause about 90% of genital wart cases. Gardasil also protects against vaginal and vulva cancers, two other gynecological cancers that also are linked to HPV, according to another study.

I hear this vaccine is a significant advance in the protection of women's health in that it strikes at the infections that are the root cause of many cervical cancers. The vaccine is expected to have a dramatic effect on women's health worldwide, where cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women; and is estimated to cause over 470,000 new cases and 233,000 deaths each year.

HPV
HPV is the slowly becoming the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country according to statistics.

Who Gets the Vaccine
As Gardasil is most effective in women who have never been exposed to HPV, it should be given to young girls before they are sexually active. The vaccine is approved for children as young as 9 and the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will determine to whom and when it should be administered. The ACIP's vaccine group is recommending girls 11 – 12 should be given the vaccine and there's some discussion about giving it to young boys, as well. While men can't get cervical cancer, HPV would be much less likely to spread if both sexes were vaccinated.

Reaction
It seems apparent that the first vaccine against cancer should be highly celebrated. And for that first vaccine to be against a cancer only women can get is pretty spectacular when you consider it is something that wouldn't have occurred just 15 years ago when women's health concerns weren't studied apart from men's. However, because the vaccine is technically for a virus that is transmitted sexually, some conservative groups oppose it. "Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful," Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council was quoted in New Scientist, "because they may see it as a license to engage in premarital sex." The logic here is about as sound as saying 16-year-olds' shouldn't be allowed to use seat belts because they might take that protection as license to drive recklessly.

Can men be the buddies of feminism or gender talk?

2007-09-20T01:27:00.000-07:00

Yes they can, because feminism is a philosophy and a movement for ending all forms of oppression, including that which is gender-based. In fact, gender-sensitive men should very much feel a part of this movement.

In this article today I will try as much to clear the misconception that feminism is an anti-marriage, anti-family, and anti-men movement imported from the West. Men can also be feminists, because feminism is a philosophy and a movement for ending all forms of oppression, including gender-based oppression. It is not against family and marriage, as much as it is about transforming these institutions to weed out their inherent injustices. Men are not excluded from feminism; in fact, gender-sensitive men should very much feel a part of the feminist movement. USA based Joan Khan has defined feminism in the African context as "an awareness of women's oppression and exploitation in society, at work and within the family, and conscious action by women and men to change this situation". Therefore, a feminist is anyone who embraces this philosophy and espouses a commitment to end gender-based oppression. I would extend this definition to include other interlocking sources of oppression, such as class, caste, ethnicity and religions. These affect men too, but not to the same degree as women.

Gender does not just denote the female gender. Men are also gendered beings, and are affected in negative ways through the social construction of masculinity. Not all men are naturally hyper masculine, aggressive, competitive, and emotionally distant. Men should be bothered about ending women's oppression because it might also be a way of ushering in an alternative masculinity, and for blurring gender boundaries. Male and female genders don't need to be diametrically opposed. In a harmonious world, the dissolution of binary genders used to describe men and women may give way to a pluralistic, many-gendered world, where many shades of masculinities and femininities thrive and are accepted.

Sounds unnatural, anarchistic? Look at it as a re-definition of what we consider biologically determined or natural. Accepting the world as multi-gendered may make it more stable, peaceful and prosperous than insisting on a rigidly bi-gendered world. It may free men and women from performing their constricted gendered roles that are dualistic, rigidly defined, and ultimately destructive. Feminism challenges the binary construction of gender. It promotes freedom from constraints imposed on men and women by their gendered roles. It is social conditioning, not the biology of being male or female that burdens men as the sole providers of women, and conditions women to be dependent on men.

Mere recognition of injustice is not enough to end it. Recognition must be accompanied by action. The oppressor is in solidarity with the oppressed when he stops regarding the oppressed as an abstract category and sees them as persons who have been unjustly dealt with — when he stops making pious, sentimental and individualistic gestures, and risks an act of love."
Acts of love are not passive; they are passionate commitments to change. It is not enough for men to say that they are not personally involved in the oppression of women. This is passivity. Each time a woman is not allowed to reach her full personhood, each time a woman is abused in any way simply because she is a woman — beaten, raped, — and well-meaning men turn the other way, they participate in the ongoing oppression of women. For silence is a form of participation. Neglect is participation. And so is indifference. Neither silence, nor indifference, nor neglect are acts of love.

Silence, neglect, and indifference are indicative of the desire for the status quo to remain unchanged. When men side-line women's oppression as a non-issue, or as a women's issue to be dealt with by women, they are advocating that such oppression should continue, because risking their own involvement in the ending of women's subordination might threaten their present privileged positions.

What could pro-feminist men do as allies to enhance women's achievement of equity? As allies of the oppressed, pro-feminist or equality men need to become (actively) politically involved. Feminists believe that politically significant change begins in the home. Let's take a fresh look at the gendered division of labour in the home. Housework is work that is unacknowledged as work, since most of it is unpaid work done by women.

A pro-feminist man can't expect women to be entirely responsible for housework and childcare. Housework is work that has to be done to keep the family functioning. It is not just women's work. Active solidarity means pro-feminist men participate fully in sharing housework. And promote the idea of doing housework as an ideal among other men. Passive sympathising would be to feel sorry for his overworked partner, or at best, to suggest that she hire a maidservant.

An ally questions how his life would have been different if he were not male? How do his male privileges shield him from injustices? How has a lack of the same privileges withheld opportunities for advancement from women? How can he align himself with women's causes? This means breaking his silent allegiance with other men. Lastly, a male pro-feminist ally knows that he is not doing women a favour. He is clear that he is an ally in the interests of building a more egalitarian world.

Let me end with a quote from writer, activist and feminist, Bell Hooks: "When women and men understand that working to eradicate patriarchal domination is a struggle rooted in the longing to make a world where everyone can live fully and freely, then we know our work to be a gesture of love. Let us draw upon that love to heighten our awareness, deepen our compassion, intensify our courage, and strengthen our commitment." It is such committed love that male allies must offer to express solidarity with feminism.

From the warm heart of Africa, Malawi to the USA.

2007-08-21T03:20:00.000-07:00

By Penelope Paliani

The day I left the warm heart of Africa Malawi for the United States of America a month ago, an old Chinese adage that says 'a journey of thousands miles begin with a single step' lingered in my heart.

Living my lifetime American dream was a journey into a thousands miles. The moment I stepped in the plane to participate an International Center for Journalism Exchange Program I knew it I was to discover a lot.

Ever since I was growing up I was meant to believe that the United States of America was place of milk and honey judging by the motion pictures depicted in the Hollywood movies.

Life full of a good fighter or a hero owning a mansion, living in the magnificent beaches of Florida, driving expensive posh cars, bathing in a Jacuzzi and fighting street gangs.

Most young Africans believe that every American is rich, full of machismo and pretty.

My visit to this rich country and coming from the world poorest continent, a remote Southern African nation of Malawi, disorganized newsroom and press is mind-boggling. It is about imaging to reinvent myself into this American dream.

Throughout my flight from Africa to Denver I dreamed about meeting one of the American movie star idolized back home and those greatest reporters.

After going through marathon daily boardroom briefings about a whole range of aspects of life here in the United States, I have come to revisit my perception of America. This is not merely the land of great opportunities, but the land of the free and the brave.

The press is free and is protected by the first amendment no one at all can create rules on how the press should operate.

I feel if the media back home had such freedom there would be chaos. I am mesmerized by the way the press here stick to ethics despite the absolute freedom.
I must say I have been dazzled by the fact that many people including some journalists here in Denver do not know where my country is located. But at the same time it has been a source of pride to me as I
Will be the first person they will always remember from that little Southern African country Malawi.

You know when you grow up in Africa: America pervades your whole being. It is in your dream and your entertainment.

We have American movies and American music. We even get donations from America and they get to dictate our politics. So you can't avoid anything
American.

Here in America people can certainly live out their lives without knowing Malawi, or even meeting anyone from that country. I have had to explain carefully about Malawi and who my neighbors are, hoping that someone will eventually recognize that part of the world.

Some do, eventually. Some don't. In some cases invoking the name of Dr Hasting Kamuzu Banda the dictator who ruled the country for 30 years has helped, but no one wants her country to be remembered by the name of a dictator ten years after his death.

I do know some reasons why an American taxpayer should feel compelled to know about Malawi. Piles of American taxpayers' cash are sent there to redeem AIDS sufferers eradicate polio, fight malaria and keep the government afloat.

There's a fully staffed, state-of-the-art American embassy there, too. And American Peace Corps volunteers are often sent to Malawi where they work teach and help with the ministry of health in hospitals.
Another taste of American life to imbue me the African journalist with an inferiority complex is how big everything is.

The roads are eight times larger than our narrow, pot-holed roads, where people must cross intersections without traffic-control lights.

In Africa, motorists have full right-of-way and do not respect pedestrians.
Allow me to point out without annoying the honorable citizens of this "big" nation, the fact that not only the malls, houses and cars are big but even the people are big too.

There are more fat people in America than in Malawi, at a ratio of 100:1 it seems to me. Americans eat more fatty foods than Malawians, who can barely afford a meal.

While Americans are fighting to lose weight, Malawians struggle to put on some weight for recognition. I noticed too that there is a whole range of choices Americans have to make in their daily lives.

From the choice of food in supermarkets to the choice of television channels, radio stations, choices of cars houses and entertainment.
In Malawi you do not have such choices you just take what is on the table.
It is surprising to note that Americans have worked and still work so hard to earn a living. They work overtime, are always on time, and are overtaxed by the federal, state, county and city governments on every dollar.

In Malawi, we take everything for granted. Malawians with government jobs work fewer hours, take more days in vacation, and have little sense of accountability and responsibility.

When I came here I could not imagine that some people in America are homeless or living on government support.

The United States still battles with ethnicity and racial tensions on the individual and social levels, something one would consider Africans.

Crime I am told is still rampant in most cities of America, as it is in Africa. Drug trafficking and gangs are major causes of insecurity amongst the African-American neighborhoods.

All said I have found the Denver Post and the city unique in other ways. Doors have swung open for me and if I press a dollar in a vending machine a drink of my choice pops out and this has been almost overwhelming. Here in Denver there is a free bus that passes through city from one block to another operated by the city you could never dream of a free
Ride in Malawi.

Above all I have learnt a lot in the newsroom and the tours both inside and around the city. I am hoping to convince my Editor-in-Chief to adopt some of the tricks I have learnt.

Things like serious morning and afternoon meetings where editors discuss a budget of proposed stories for the next issue. I love the teamwork.

I have learnt the tricks of how to write balanced stories without necessarily being biased despite the absolute freedom.

At least the journalists I have talked and chatted with so far have told me the tricks and it feels good.
I have also found more smiles and nods along the way than I encounter back home. And this is what I take away with me when I return to Africa eventually. After all, didn't someone once say that it is first impressions that last?