Over the fence?

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From 10/11/2006

Sometimes we get frustrated with our lot and complain because things are bad. I find going to Fiji reminds me of what is really important. Seeing people live in shacks with no toilets or fresh water makes funding my next IP seem somewhat less important.

So I wanted to share some facts that came into my possession today from a Christian Research organisation.

1. Women are 49.77% of the worlds population.

2. Women perform 60% of the work carried out world wide.

3. Women receive 10% of the worlds income in exchange for 60% of the work they perform.

4. Women own 1% of the worlds property.

5. 5000 women a day die in childbirth.

6. 16000 women and children are sold into slavery EVERYDAY.

Remember these facts the next time you get a flat tire or can’t find a good property to buy. What is our life really all about??

It’s interesting that this blog pops up the day after Phil’s about women HERE.

And I think he’s right, women are under represented and undervalued in many ares of life. Partly because of the facts above. Look at the workload they carry and the unequal wages they receive for example. I think also part of the reason for this is a spiritual dynamic called mysogyny. It’s defined as the “hatred of women”, and it’s something that operates in many cultures. In the west we see it primarily appear in either worship of women, movie stars/ beauty pageants etc. or in abuse like prostitution and domestic violence.

In more traditional cultures however it is devastating. In Fiji for example until this century did you know:

1. When a new chief’s hut was built a woman was usualy placed in the holes with the 4 foundation posts and buried alive to “bless’ the hut.
2. When a chief died his favourite wife/wives and female children would sit on the grave till they died of starvation.
3. It was common for a chief to serve his favourite wife as the main course for dinner when he really wanted to impress guests. As he had lots of wives he could do this more than once!!

And we worry about interest rates and the weather!