Shared stories condemn violence against women

Shared stories condemn violence against women

By Vanessa Hershberger and Godswill Muzarabani

time at the United Nations when the U.N. Economic and Social Council holds the meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women. The CSW evaluates advancement on gender equality, identifies current challenges, sets global standards and formulates policies to promote gender equality and empowerment.

This year’s theme, “Elimination and Prevention of All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls,” brought 6,000 women from nongovernmental organizations around the world. They passionately shared their stories, experiences and tireless efforts to end violence against women.

Doug,Vanessa,Godswill

                                                        

Some spoke from experience with horrific forms of violence such as rape, female genital mutilation and sexual exploitation. Others spoke for those whose voices have been silenced.

MCC works with many partner organizations around the world that provide services to vulnerable women and children. So this year’s CSW was of particular interest. The MCC U.N. Office was able to work with other faith-based NGOs to lead worship services on the empowerment of women, and attend or co-sponsor some of the supplemental side events of CSW.

Work at the U.N. can be challenging when the politics of powerful nations do not mesh with MCC’s values. However, the CSW seemed to represent the U.N. at its best, providing a platform for grassroots input in policymaking.

We participated in several of the side events where women shared strategies for combating violence against women. We learned that in Tanzania women judges are leading the way in combating sexual exploitation by providing capacity building for members of the judicial branch and supporting economic empowerment for women and education for young children.

Though most events focused on the work women are doing, several groups discussed the importance of male involvement. A male presenter from South Africa, Bafana Khumalo of the Sonke Gender Justice Network, spoke of the need for attitude changes toward women — changes that are possible only when men show all women the same respect they show their mothers.

After two weeks of work, CSW member states came up with a list of “agreed conclusions.” The list included condemnation of violence against women as a weapon of war; recommendations to decrease the stigmatization of women who have experienced sexual violence; a call for all states to take responsibility for eliminating violence and not invoking any custom, tradition or religious belief to avoid this obligation; calls for an end to impunity of perpetrators of violence against women; and the importance of including men in the solutions.

Our task, as a world community and as followers of Christ, is to heed the words of Terri Robl, U.S. deputy representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, who stated, “We must all now continue the vital work — here at the United Nations, in our capitals and in our schools, hospitals, courts and homes — to ensure that women and girls around the world have the safety and dignity they deserve.”

Godswill Muzarabani and Vanessa Hershberger serve with Mennonite Central Committee at their U.N. office in New York City. Godswill, the MCC/Mennonite World Conference intern, is a member at Entumbane Brethren in Christ Church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Vanessa, program associate, is a member at Benton Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind.

United Nations

"I am learning a lot professionally. The organizational structure and functions of the United Nations have changed my views towardA few thoughtful words from IVEPer Godswill Muzarabani. Godswill is from Zimbabwe and is working at the MCC UN office in New York City. " Report done prepared by MCC, Mennonite Central Commitee , East Coast USA.

s a lot of things. Within the MCC office I have learned how to do more of office administration and a lot of research work on various issues (resolutions, laws, advocacy). I am learning how to use the power of media , articles and the Internet to effectively advocate and push for effective change towards peace and development. I have also learned that Christians are not the only ones advocating for peace , that there are many other religions that also share the same goal. Due to the nature of my placement, I do not feel a responsibility to my country alone, but I owe it to the world and the whole of humanity. Hence my life's mission is now centered on working for positive international change. I have noticed that the world has a lot of problems and they are not unique to my country alone. I definitely will be involved in a lot of development work in Zimbabwe and will not only share my expertise but will apply what I have learned. I am more interested in inter governmental , international agencies that share a vision of peace and sustainable development .This experience marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life where I have seized to think of my self and my country man as Zimbabweans struggling alone , but as citizens of a global world."

The American dream

Whats the American Dream all about???????????

I still don't get it? What is the American Dream? Its been seven months living in New York, the excitement is long gone and reality is settling down in its Place. Though the city does not necessarily strike me as the best place to spend the rest of my life in, it also does have a lot of aspects that make it Unique. It has amazing ethnic diversity, I have lost count of the number of languages I hear on a daily bases. The numbers of inter racial couples; families and children are over whelming. They have achieved the highest bar of accepting each other’s differences. Staring into the streets of Manhattan gives me the same thrill I often have whenever I see the rainbow. Its different colors, beauty and radiance at the end of a rainfall. I often find myself taking walks in Union Square as i enjoy the amazing representation of all of the worlds citizens.

New York may not be USA’s average city but in this case I decided to use it, in my mini thesis in order to define the Dream, “ The American Dream, can only be in New York”.

These are some of my observations

1. 24 Hour service from all sorts of Retail shops.

The highly competitive commercial city, has unbelievable retail service hours. As early as 2am you still can go to a decent grocery shop and be able to do your shopping without any hustles. Fashion/ clothing shops are open till 1am.Plus you can still get food to be delivered at any time.

2. Public Transportation Efficiency

New York has one of the best public transportation systems. The city has well over 8million people .For that number of people you would think that transportation would be terrible, yet it seems to be the opposite. Everything is set on a time schedule that is at least 95% efficient. With the exception of instances when there are Hurricanes, storms or some sort of state emergencies.

3.Entertainment

There are countless things that one could do to keep him occupied during their spare time. Broadway, Movies, Musical Shows, Parades, Crazy festivals, Hippies (just their presence is enough), museums and so much more.

4.Food

New York has the widest variety of food. African, European, Asian, Latin American Restaurants.

City Cabs : Time Square

Every Dream has a Nightmare

Sadly, not all dreams are good there has to be a “Nightmare”, New York has its nightmares too. Just like any other place in the world. These have been the nightmares I have seen.

1.Food Wastage

It has taken me a long time to process the food consumption habits in this part of the world .The huge restaurant portions and the remnant portions that are thrown away. I often wonder whether it can be controlled or not. Hence it has become even harder for me to eat in Restaurants however prefer cooking and consuming what I can manage.

2.Noise

The Metropolitan city is arguably one of the noisiest places I have ever been too. When I first started my term of service, it took me a while to adjust to the noise .I had to adjust to the city‘s rhythm, a continuous irritating soundtrack from millions of pedestrians conversing on their cell phones or with each other simultaneously, with the complementary band of city cabs, cars and loud sirens. That really takes a lot to get used to.

3.Weather

At times the weather is really unpredictable, despite the predictions from the weather channels.

I guess this will give you a rough Idea of the American dream. Through it all God still guides and protects me. Thanks to Him.

Young Artists

Teaching in Laos has proven to be a challenging experience. I must admit the students have given me all sorts of tests. They have tried my patience, challenged my teaching skills, and forced me to think creatively. Try putting yourself in my shoes: imagine teaching Asian students English using an African accent. I would say the task is challenging. I have been teaching for five months and it has been an experience of a lifetime. (Mostly having to get the students to understand my odd Lao and English accents.) However, all efforts have not been in vain: in the past months my students and I have built a great relationship. That on its own is yet another tale. Today I want you to help me judge who the best artist is. The school has few resources and if they are there, they are usually not enough to share with all the students (30-60 people per class). I often call them up to the board so they draw certain illustrations and drawings related to the English lesson of the day.

 Secondary 4A

Secondary 3B

Secondary 2C

Secondary 4B

The students enjoy being called up to the blackboard to exhibit their unique talents.

One of my favorite moments of the day is when I have to respond to the students' welcoming chorus: "Good morning, Teacher," even though the good morning part is said at any time of the day. However, getting all of  them to pay attention is hard especially if you are competing against their fancy cell phone games. Each class roughly has 30-50 students. And they all have different levels of English comprehension!

The camera got their attention pretty quickly.

The use of games and various activities has been of great use, and they are beginning to pay attention. Some are turning out to be good students. Since they have a communal culture, getting some students to pay attention means that their friends will be easily influenced to likewise pay attention.  Their respect and attention to the teacher is based on their social relationship; the closer the friendship is between student and teacher, the better the response/respect is in class. 

Since I am halfway through the term, I have the insight to see that my relationship with the students is now increasing exponentially rather than a steady slope. They now tell me about their own lives and feel free to ask me any sort of question, English-related or not. I am really looking forward to teaching them more and discovering more about them. 

lao transport..

Laos has great cities, the likes of Luang Prabang, Pakse, and Vientiane. The people who reside in these cities and the country as a whole are kind and peaceful. Laos also has brilliant building, historical landmarks and probably is one of the world's wealthiest when it comes to Buddhists heritage. However apart from all the aforementioned titles and recognitions, I would like to point out one thing that most "tour guide books", do not mention, (at least from the ones I've read). I believe Laos has some of the finest- if not the best- motorbikers. They are capable of balancing or ferrying almost anything on their popular Honda-Wave/Kolao motorbikes (100-133cc, 100kgs-130kgs dry weight).

Do not be fooled by the size of the motorbike; as many would say "do not judge a book by its cover." In the past weeks, I have been taking pictures of the country's finest motorists and  hope you will appreciate them the way I do. 

Top five motorbikers (Jan. 2012)

                                                                       

                                                                     #Number 5

Children can be easily distracted , hence it would be very difficult to carry one on any motorbike,the younger they are the more difficult it is.Most parents in Laos have at one point carried their children on their motorbikes , the same applies to the children they too will do the same for their parents ,when one day they are incapable of riding.

#Number 4

Most people in Laos begin learning how to ride motorbikes at a very young age most teenagers are fairly experienced, and are really daring .It is very common to see three-four students on one motorbike.How ever though the law does not permit it, if they are caught ,they  risk losing their license and in some instances their motorbikes.The photo that i have shared shows how a young teenager manages to carry two friends,(the other is most likely his sister )with the other actually sitting in front of him.Lao people are very communal and share every thing hence one would prefer  carrying both friends or all his friends, rather than him /her riding his/her bike alone.

#Number 3

I must admit, i had a hard  time trying to get a good shot of this loving father.Though i am not sure whether he is the Father of the two children .I thought he was fairly good,in the first picture you can clearly see that he is holding his son's leg, balancing his daughter and steering the motorbike at the same time.I am pretty sure they made it back home safely.

# Number 2

These gentlemen ,by my standards should have been the best,they managed to balance four boxes of plumbing material(5kg plus).After the traffic lights had turned red , i was amazed to see the two of them struggling ,as they tried to balance the five boxed .They had not attempted to tie them up and seemed to be confident ,though they occasionally giggled, and so did everyone else  who witnessed the  incident.I quickly searched for my camera and took a pic before they disappeared.

#Number 1

This family takes the trophy,they had two huge bags plus their son ,and the motor bike basket was also full,I do not have any further comments..Well if you thought you where the best, try visiting Lao and you will certainly get your answer.

"the never ending new year festivals"

The date is  "van tisam sip duanneung" (30 January 2012) and I still think it’s a few days after New Year’s Eve.It has been strange having to attend a different type of New Year’s party once or twice every week particularly in the past five weeks. If one were to ask me what my hobby was I would probably say that it is attending New Year festivities.The nation of Laos has many ethnic groups: these include the Lao Hmong , Lao Lum, Lao Tung, Khmu and some Vietnamese too.However, they all have their New Year’s festivals at different times. I must admit being one of the few “damfallangs” (black foreigner), has also come with a couple of responsibilities .These include representing my scarce race at parties as well as having to answer many questions about my hair and my "piudam" (black skin).I thought by this time I would be tired of answering the questions about Africa. Surprisingly I am not and seem to be going strong;the questions are becoming more interesting and one question seems to lead to another.

I have never celebrated the dawn of a New Year this much. In counting I have attended the Lao Hmong celebrations,Lao Tung, Vietnamese, Chinese, and I am still yet to attend one more festivity.  

Lao Hmong

This  celebration is probably one of the most popular;apparently  villages take turns hosting the annual  event. The festive season lasts for the whole of December .The Lao Hmong are the second largest ethnic group in Laos. Over the past years they have preserved their cultural norms, beliefs and way of life, and hence such an event is significant and widely celebrated within the group.I had a chance to attend the main festivity in a village near Vientiane city. Hundreds of Hmong people and other Lao people attended the three day celebration.My church friends dressed me up in a traditional suit before we began parading around the village grounds and the area where various exhibitions and games were hosted.

Hmong Festival

                           

We slept in one of my friend’s grandmother’s house. On the next morning we watched the bull fights before we headed back home. It was certainly a memorable weekend.

Lao tung (Thai Dam),Vietnamese, and Chinese festivals

These festivals coincide and are celebrated simultaneously.However I attended three different functions,each of the three held by different ethnic groups (Thai Dam , Vietnamese and Chinese).Their celebrations are similar.The festival is done annually, it is based on the lunar calendar  and is popularly known as the lunar new year ,they prepare a  dish known as "khao thom"  ( Boiled rice and pork wrapped in a Banana leaf) .the delicacy takes several hours to prepare whilst the guests chart and drink beer as they wait for the special meal. My host family is Vietnamese and so is 70% of my neighborhood/village.The neighbors ensured that everyone noticed that it was their new years eve. At midnight (January 21st) different types of fireworks were launched to mark the beginning of "yet another" new year'.To me it seems as though these are just preparations for the main event.My host brother has recently been informing me about the official Lao national  new year(held in April) , he says its  bigger, exciting  and special.Well!  I cant wait, am so impatient, I guess till then the new year hasn't began.