Women need equal voice

Page 4

(continued from previous issue)

In these areas I propose that constitutions be amended so that women have their own houses of parliament, separate from men, with equal power. In Islamic countries or other places where women are often discouraged from being politically exposed to unrelated males, I would propose that only women be able to vote for delegates to the women's parliament, so that female candidates are exposed only to female audience and voters.

This is the way it might work: suppose that a country already has a parliament composed of two houses, a senate and a house of representatives. The constitution would be amended to change the two house into a house of women and a house of men. Each would have equal power over all legislation.

Another option would be to have a single parliament with half being women and half being men, each half being elected according to a plan suitable to the customs of the nation.

We can be sure that if we had women's parliaments in Mexico and Central and South America the a very high percentage of the delegates would be strong Indigenous figures like Rigoberta Menchu! Perhaps we need the same thing in the United States and Canada.

In some parts of the world, male dominance has reached such a level that women are virtually excluded from public activities (except under rigid rules of segregation or when accompanied by a husband or male relative). Male spokespersons in such societies often deny that women are inferior or disrespected. They claim it is simply customary to protect women from unwanted male contact.

If, indeed, it is true that women are not regarded as inferior in such societies, then my proposal for separate women's parliaments should be greeted with enthusiasm. My plan does not require unwanted contact with unrelated males. It does insure that women and children are empowered and protected by having female wisdom given a formal, equal voice.

The rule of males has too often resulted in dictatorship, oppression, needless wars and horrible brutality. Without checks and balances, male rule has sometimes resulted in corrupt monarchies led by pampered and spoiled men and boys who possess unbelievable privileges to exploit servants and ordinary people, both male and female. I am think here of places like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, but there are many others as well.

First Nations have provided key examples of how to develop democratic and caring societies. We can serve as examples again in terms of teaching about our First Nations traditions and how they can help empower women everywhere.

We should check to see if our own band or national councils adequately represent both sexes, so as to provide examples for the entire world.

(Professor Jack D. Forbes, Powhatan-Delaware, is the author of Columbus and Other Cannibals, Africans and Native Americans and other books.)