by Michelle Gates Roberts, FAUSA
The quote that haunts me…
“Why are you here?
I know you will say, ‘I have come here to learn…’
NO! You’ve come to get an assignment.”
It was later in the day when I encountered Faith Mwangi-Powell of Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage.
I had spent the morning with young women from Iran, Ukraine and the US. Their powerful stories, research and insights into the lack of justice for women and girls regardless of country of origin or residence was educational and inspired action.
Early afternoon brought a panel of sociologists doing research in the US and globally. They focused on the fight for everyday rights and seeking justice regardless of country or culture.
I had taken what I thought were copious notes.
I was so engaged.
I didn’t realize my pen had run out of ink.
Now at Scandinavia House in a packed auditorium (yes, I scored an excellent seat), listening to young women, self-described “old” women and a gentleman from Africa, Europe, South and Latin America.
And I understood my assignment for the moment.
Get a new pen.
Take copious notes.
The day’s meetings had different titles and themes.
The speakers from different countries and cultures.
They were hosted by different organizations.
But there were overlapping messages in each.
And the theme haunts me…
DON’T call it Culture
DON’T call it Tradition
DON’T call it Normal
Whether it’s child marriage, stoning women in the street, FGM, or barring girls from education...
These “decrees” and “laws” weren’t written to modulate or regulate what had happened historically or currently or culturally.
These “lawmakers” want impunity.
They want power.
They want to deter people from speaking up and speaking out.
All day, the panelists of survivors, front line workers, and experts continued to implore us.
CALL IT WHAT IT IS.
Child Marriage is state-sanctioned child s*xual a*buse.
Female G*enital Mutilation is state sanctioned-torture.
Stoning women in the street is state-sanctioned murder.
Denying a girl an education is state-sanctioned economic oppression.
If the international community continues to see these things as cultural issues, as something “those” women experience as part of the norm of the traditions in their countries,
then We won’t get involved.
“Those” women, children and men will continue to suffer.
And now, in this moment, my assignment is to share the message of the day’s speakers, my experience at the United Nations CSW70 and the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW/NY)’s experience and information.
What’s yours?
Thank you:
Yalda Bulorchi, kyana rezaian, Nina Salamatova, Caroline Joo, Chalina L. Morgan-Lopez, Noelle Smith, Dr. Wendee Wechsberg, and WomenNC
Edelweiss Murillo Lafuente; Hafza Girdap, PhD; Fatema Zohara; Özlem Altıok; Neisha Terry (Young), PhD; Gülten Gizem Fesli, Angela Ochoa, Isabella Acevedo, and Sociologists for Women in Society (SWS)
Daniela Ligiero (she/her), Shakuntala Santhiran, Honorable Mary Navicha, Honorable Hajiua Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Dr. Jannie Lilja, Florah Muchiri, Milcah Cherotich, Dr. Ramatu Bangura, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), ALL IN, Canada, Girls First Fund, UNICEF, care, Equality Now, Malala Fund, brave moment, end child marriage, Institute of Global Politics, Girls Opportunity Alliance, Panorama Global, Tides, Zonta International