In Celebration of Women

August is the month for celebrating women in South Africa. A fine institution, and one that helps every person to focus on the role and position of women in society. If you are expecting a long story on the superficial greatness of the female of the species, quit the page and surf on. This is not about celebration, unfortunately. It is mostly about the farce of equality.
We are not equal; yes, I’ve said it. It is true, from a physical perspective, through physiological evidence, to emotional reality, we are different. We are not the same - we are different - males are not females: the art of stating the bloody obvious. Even in same sex relationships we establish role diversity. Why do we want to erase the diversity, why is it so important to eradicate the great divide? Even when the evidence is piling up against this misconception?
If it is about the atrocious suffering of women under religious dogma, if it is about the incredible and obvious discrimination against the being of the female, if it is about the vicious violence perpetrated against these beautiful beings, then let’s rave and protest. But if it is about burning of the bra - move on!
South Africa is living a lie when it comes to the rights of women. We have a Bill of Rights that insists on equality, but we do not protect women from rape. Look at our statistics (if the MAN Bheki Cele will allow us to publish it). In many companies, the contribution and critical role of women in establishing and maintaining the social fabric, is negated by policy: 5/8 positions for women with small children are not allowed, women are discriminated against at bonus time if they were on maternity leave, stupid jokes are cracked when a women needs to go for a yearly check-up, etc. We are still in the age of barbarians - or worse, we have declined beyond anything human when it comes to how we treat women in this country, despite the ANC flighting a good array of women in government. Rape is still tolerated on the grounds of ethnicity, the past , drug abuse, and (for crying in the proverbial bucket of badly made beer), poverty!!!
When you read this, think about the women in your life, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a life partner, a friend with compassion. Open your hearts and regardless of your gender or your sexual orientation, enforce a moment of silence, of reverence and promise to work towards the future of humanity by celebrating our gender differences and roles. Be smart enough to acknowledge it and then work actively to enforce equality for every human under the law, but walk away from the fallacy of sameness. We are different, and I love it. I say this as I salute the exceptional qualities of the the women I know, and those that love me for what I am. And to my life partner, best friend, mother, pioneer and lover - thanks for making me exceptional.

The image is from iStockPhoto and I have bought the rights to using it here. Do the right thing - respect the rights of artists.