Even though it may not be considered fashionable these days, I have to confess that I am a feminist. Originating from the suffragettes who chain-linked themselves to lampposts and the bra-burning hippies from the seventies, feminism is now considered slightly ridiculous and outdated. The young women of today either think that women have equal rights or that the good old days of being a housewife were not that bad after all.
For me, feminism simply means that a woman has the same rights as a man, has equal access to health services and education and can function as a responsible, leading person in her community. Those minimal rights are still a utopia for millions of women and girls today. We, as Soroptimist, must empower women and girls to become equal partners in their communities and show our solidarity to the women all over the world by celebrating March 8, International Women’s Day
Education is the key to a better life; literacy enables women to know and defend their rights and opens the road to self-improvement. To be educated and to go to school, girls must have the time and be in good health. Freeing them of water-fetching chores gives them time. Having access to clean water and adequate sanitation helps preserve their health.
That is why World Water Day on March 22nd is so important and must remind us of the 2.5 billion people who lack these basic services. Soroptimist can help by supporting and implementing water and sanitation projects.
In most communities, women are responsible for providing and managing the water supplies. By setting up practical and sustainable water projects and teaching the women to manage them, we empower the local women to be responsible and respected members of their community.
Women’s emancipation and access to safe water and sanitation are both basic human rights that SI/E has pledged to sustain.
So, with all this in mind, I encourage you to be an old-fashioned feminist like me: stand up for women and their rights (no handcuffs or bra-burning needed) and campaign for access to safe water and sanitation for all – but especially for women and girls. If you need inspiration, please go to our water website www.soroptimistsgoforwater.nl or go to the SI/E web site www.soroptimisteurope.org and learn about the latest projects and events .
In friendship,
Eliane Lagasse
SI/E President 2009-2011
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