The Dictator of the Future: Gender Inequality

Anisha Palasamudrum

Ms. Tompkins

World Lit Honors Period 1

3/12/15  

The Dictator of the Future: Gender Inequality

Imagine having your future set in stone. Imagine if you were not in a classroom long enough to be literate or if your only responsibility was to be an adequate spouse. You see the world growing alongside of you, but this growth is not something you are a part of. This lack of opportunity is something that a majority of the women in Africa face each day as a result of the increasing gender inequality. Six out of ten of the countries ranked as the worst places in the world for a women were nations in Africa (Sauter). In Syria, there was a 61% difference in the labor force participation between men and women. In Mauritania, a country in Africa, women are paid on average 28% of what men are paid. In Chad, 21% less women are literate than men (Sauter). These trends continue all across Africa aiding the gender disparity.

Gender inequality is partially caused by the prevalence of certain older traditions that are still apparent in these developing nations. A woman’s responsibilities used to be at home, while it was up to her husband to make her life successful. Due to an increasingly westernized society, there is more overall opportunity for everyone, but women, as one individual observed, were “deference to the opposite sex [that was] at all times a constant” and unable to experience these changes (Bwakali). The persistence of gender inequality closes opportunities for the whole nation of women, because when women do not have a chance, half of a nation’s population is left behind.

One significant impact of gender inequality is a decreasing literacy and education rate among girls and women. Africa lacks much of its needed schooling facilities, and as a result, a common scenario is a limited amount of space in a school, which then increases competition among the students. The issue with this is that boys are given the upper hand to attend school causing the girls to drop out as a result of this preferential treatment (C. R.). The number of girls in secondary school fell from 83 to 82 for every 100 male students. In tertiary levels of schooling, the number of girls for every 100 boys fell from 67 to 63. This impacts their whole society because in many countries like Mali, the literacy rate of women is 49% that of mens literacy (MacNevin). With decreasing levels of education, women also have decreasing opportunities to make a difference in their communities.

The participation of women in society is essential for economic growth, and without it, the economy is impaired. In Africa, only about 10% of the total wages generated come from women as women only hold 1% of the continent’s overall economy (Africa News Service). The Africa News Service also found that less inequality leads to higher economic growth, however Africa is not seeing economic growth because of the increasing gender disparity gap. Women have no power in the economy as, “Economic handicaps greatly restrict this decision-making leaving the economically empowered man as the decision maker” (Bwakali). The problem is a cycle of inability that these women are caught in.

The United Nations Fund for Population Activities, or UNFPA, is one of the many organizations trying to close the gender inequality gap by increasing educational and economic opportunities in Africa (UNFPA). Older traditions influence the societal role of an African women which leaves half the population in the dust. In effect, women do not receive a proper education or the ability to participate in the economy. In order to increase a woman’s opportunity in Africa, foundations like the UNFPA attempt to uproot the futures of the many women that were stuck in stone.

Works Cited

"Advancing Gender Equality." East and Southern Africa. UNFPA, n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

Bwakali, David John. "Gender Inequality in Africa." Contemporary Review 279.1630 (2001): 270.Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

"Gender Inequality Shackles Continent's Economies [column]." Africa News Service 15 Sept. 2008: n. pag.Global Issues In Context. Web. 7 Mar. 2015.

MacNevin, Suzanne. "The Ten Worst Countries for Women." The Feminist EZine. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2015.

R., C. "Making Room for Girls." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 05 Nov. 2013. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

Sauter, Michael B., Alexander E.M. Hess, and Thomas C. Frohlich. "The Most Unfair Countries For Women." 24/7 Wall St. N.p., 30 Oct. 2013. Web. 08 Mar. 2015.

Can the Media begin to Even Fathom Africa?

Max Drummond

Ms. Tompkins

WLH 2

10 March 2015

Can the Media begin to Even Fathom Africa?

    The media of today is a fast-paced, brainless beast, with attention for only the dramatic, and the ground-breaking, not the accurate details.  In such an indifferent world, the small details, the important facts, and the humanity of a situation can be entirely overlooked.  Such occurrences are all too common in a quick-changing area like Africa.  In fact, media degradation is having a serious affect on African pride, warping not only the whole world’s view of Africa, but also how Africa views itself.  

But what exactly is the main obstacle preventing politically correct publications?  Nanjala Nyabola from Al Jazeera blames an inability for correct translation, and states that when a multilingual person switches between languages, it's not just about finding the grammar or the syntax that best represents what they're trying to say. It's also about coded messages that indicate familiarity with the spoken to; that demand fraternity; that create space for all sorts of unspoken communication. It is in the informality of sheng' that tea (chai) or a soft drink (soda) becomes a bribe (Nyabola).  This means that, unfortunately, much informal spoken information may be lost in translation due to a worryingly small issue.  This issue is present in mainly small states, therefore an entire continent is an anomaly.  Simply because they have no media houses of their own in Africa that are taken seriously.

Patrick Gathara of The Guardian says that few African media houses are actually trying to cover the continent for the continent (Gathara). His reasoning coming from the fact that education is so thinly spread amongst the enormous population.  So if the West don’t understand the continent, and the continent doesn’t bother trying to cover itself, what are the issues behind Western coverage? The sheer inaccessibility of the elephantine land mass makes it incredibly hard to be anywhere in time to cover a story with an on scene reporter, forcing reporters to write from (often biased) eyewitness accounts, and sometimes from sources less reputable than that.  The continent is simply so big!  

And yet, even from the comfort of our own continent, the West often gets the affairs of Africa published in such a way that it causes outrage among activists and Africans alike.  Yurii Horton and associates believe that the media sets the tone for the morals, values, and images of our culture. Many people in this country, some of whom have never encountered black people, believe that the degrading stereotypes of blacks are based on reality and not fiction (Horton). If the media are expected to write about a people while that same media perpetuates awful stereotypes, how can they be expected to write factual articles without a hint of bias?  There is no direct culprit for this issue, be it an inability for translation, or a racist mindset belonging to the only media house writing on the problems of a continent, this issue does not just require public attention, but stands prominent among other issues, demanding, screaming for recognition, and ultimately solution.        

Works Cited:

Nyabola, Nanjala. "Why Do Western Media Get Africa Wrong?" - Al Jazeera English. - Al Jazeera English, 2 Jan. 2014. Web. 08 Mar. 2015. <http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/01/why-do-western-media-get-africa-wrong-20141152641935954.html?utm=from_old_mobile>.

Gathara, Patrick. "If Western Journalists Get Africa Wrong, Who Gets It Right?" If Western Journalists Get Africa Wrong, Who Gets It Right? The Guardian, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 8 Mar. 2015. <http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/24/africa-media-who-gets-right>.

Horton, Yurii, Raagen Price, and Eric Brown. "Portrayal of Minorities in the Film, Media and Entertainment Industries." Portrayal of Minorities in the Film, Media and Entertainment Industries. EDGE, 1 June 1999. Web. 8 Mar. 2015. <https://web.stanford.edu/class/e297c/poverty_prejudice/mediarace/portrayal.htm>.

Dollars or Diapers?

Emily Pye

Ms. Tompkins

World Lit Honors Period 1

3/12/15

Dollars or Diapers?

If 30,000 dollars just disappeared, and you found out that it was to be used to generate money for others, would you be concerned? What if it was 30,000 children that were to be used for the same thing? It is reported that 30,000 children go missing each year in South Africa due to human trafficking (IOL News), yet the majority of people do not take an interest into these disappearances.  

Roxanne Rawlins of Freedom Climb states that, “At least 30 000 children are prostituted through human trafficking annually in South Africa and 50 percent of them are under the age of 14.” (IOL News). This number is a disputed statistic as many experts on this topic seem to disagree on the exact number because of a lack of solid evidence. Someone who possesses this kind of opposing opinion is ISS researcher Chandre Gould who believes the way that these numbers are deceitfully presented is detrimental to the cause, as he suggests that, “Such overestimations, while successful in capturing public attention and generating moral outrage, do not provide a sound basis for policy-making and resource allocation” (Africa Check). Gould claims that while these huge numbers may spark public interest to the given topic, they fall short when the lack of research does nothing to help support the causes in lawful instances. Even if the exact number is controversial, there is no debate to some organizations whether or not they should become involved with this problem.

Chrisna Visser is a survivor of human trafficking in 2005 in Cape Town, she was held captive for thirteen months (Times Live). Visser recalls the period in life and explains how the traffickers kept her submissive, "I (Chrisna) was threatened that my children would be hurt if I ran away. I was rescued by an NGO (non-governmental organization)" (Times Live). The main reason that Visser escaped human trafficking is because an organization decided to step in and extract her from this business. This is becoming popular as more and more organizations are trying to crack down on the lucrative industry that is human trafficking, one of them being the Oromia Police Commission Women, Children and Youth Bureau of Ethiopia. And according to the their Deputy Head Commander Shitu Liqisa, "in 2014/15, 111 traffickers were brought to justice and sentenced to seven years imprisonment as well as fines, while 565 youth, victims of trafficking were united with their families."(Africa News Service). These perpetrators have been brought to justice by organizations that are aiming to reduce the statistic that revolves around human trafficking in Africa.  

So many people in South Africa would benefit tremendously from a gain of 30,000 dollars, but wouldn’t they benefit so much more if 30,000 children were to finally return home?

Works Cited:

Monama, Tebogo. "'30 000 Kids Prostituted in SA Annually' - Crime & Courts | IOL News." Independent Online. N.p., 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Wilkinson, Kate, and Sintha Chiumia. "Are 30,000 Children Really 'trafficked' in South Africa Every Year? The Claim Exaggerates the Problem - Africa Check." Africa Check Are 30000 Children Really Trafficked in South Africa Every Year The Claim Exaggerates the Problem Comments. Africa Check, 18 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

"Oromia Police Commission Said Gaining On the Fight Against Human Trafficking." Africa News Service 6 Mar. 2015. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Masombuka, Sipho. "30000 Kids Trafficked in SA." Times LIVE. N.p., 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Toleration to Desperation: The Ongoing Problem of Somali Piracy

Lauren Limbach

World Lit Honors

Ms. Tomkins

March 13, 2015

Toleration to Desperation: The Ongoing Problem of Somali Piracy

You are the captain of a major commercial ship, in charge of safely transporting tons of oil across the Indian Ocean. Partway through your voyage, you notice skiffs beginning to pull up alongside your ship and men beginning to board the vessel. Unfortunately for you, these men do not have a hook for a hand, and there is no flying young boy that is going to come and rescue you. For you are not in the world of Peter Pan, but rather the terrifying world of Somali piracy.

Piracy off the Somali coast has been an issue that has commanded the world’s attention since the late 20th century. With the collapse of the Somali government in 1991, it left in its wake a country with no form of central government whatsoever. Neighboring countries took advantage of this and began to fish in Somalia’s unregulated waters. The Somalis felt that this was extremely unjust, so they took to the water and began policing it themselves. It was these actions that devolved into the hijack-for-ransom piracy that is seen off the coast of Somalia today (World).

In Somalia, the main type of piracy practiced is that in which passing boats are hijacked and then held for ransom. Although in recent years the amount of successful hijackings has decreased, the overall number of attempted hijackings has risen from 145 to 183 per year (GCaptain). As the protection that is currently in place fails, and numerous ships and innocent people are taken in and held for ransom, the international community is desperately trying to find a solution to this ever-growing problem. The Somali government’s apathy for the Somali people and willingness to tolerate criminal activities within the country ultimately leads to a favorable environment for the pirates of Somalia.

First, Somali government officials uphold piracy in the country through their acceptance of bribes and other forms of extortion in return for their turning a blind eye to the actions of the pirates. Many government officials are the recipients of bribes, doled out by the pirates in return for letting them dock their hijacked boats along the Somali coast for long periods of time. (World). The fact that members of the Somali government are so blatantly accepting of the pirates’ bribes demonstrates how the greediness of the politicians themselves plays a major role in keeping the piracy industry alive. The process of keeping the political leaders in check does not come cheap for the pirates either. A large amount of the money made off of a hijacked ship, sometimes up to $300,000, will be given to politicians for the purpose of keeping them out of the way (World). This large amount of money highlights the intricate system of bribery and corruption that has been woven throughout the world of the Somali government and the Somali pirates.

Additionally, because the Somali government is doing little to reduce poverty in the country, the result is a population of people who are complacent to, and even supportive of piracy. In an article by Jay Bahadur, he points out that the poverty-level in Somalia is very conducive to the thriving piracy taking place off the Somali coast. He states, “Given the extreme poverty in Somalia, it is understandable that many young men are lured by the wealth that can be made through piracy” (Interview). With a high level of poverty, comes a high level of desperation. This desperation pushes the Somali people to take drastic actions, such as piracy. The average yearly salary for a Somali worker is $600. Given that pirates can make over $10,000 off of one boat alone, it is not surprising that much of the Somali population finds piracy to be an attractive lifestyle choice (Interveiw). If the Somali government was able to tackle poverty in a more efficient way, then the people would ultimately be less desperate, and in turn, less willing to support the piracy industry. This fact highlights yet another way that the inactions of the Somali government are resulting in the piracy for which their country is so famous.

The piracy industry in Somalia shows no sign of receding anytime soon. The strength of the pirates remains as intact as ever due to the inefficacy of the Somali government to address the problems surrounding them. Their inability to act in a strong, decisive way has far-reaching consequences that can be detrimental to not only the Somali people, but the international community as well.

Works Sited

GCaptain. "The World Is No Closer to Solving the Piracy Problem." Piracy on the High Seas. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. At Issue. Rpt. from "Protecting Ships From Somali Pirates—The Navy vs. Private Security." 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

"Interview with a Somali Pirate." Pirates Through the Ages Reference Library. Vol. 1. Detroit: U*X*L, 2011. 179-190. Global Issues In Context. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

The World Bank. "Ending Somali Piracy: Go After the System, Not Just the Pirates." 2013. Rpt. in Piracy on the High Seas. Ed. Debra A. Miller. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 8 Mar. 2015.

Albino Toddler Dismembered, How Far Will This Go?

Jaclyn Saik

Ms. Tompkins

World Literature Honors

March 12, 2015

Albino Toddler Dismembered, How Far Will This Go?

Just last month in Tanzania, one-year old Yohana Bahati was abducted by a band of men with machetes and was found dead, with his arms and legs cut off (Cowell). He was an albino child, meaning he had a genetic disease in which his body does not produce pigment in the skin, hair or eyes. His mother was hospitalized after trying to fight the band in an attempt to protect her son: she knew what these men were after.

In traditional African witchcraft, albino body parts are thought to be good luck charms in social, business and political life. Since 2000, over seventy innocent albino people have been murdered in Tanzania alone for use in witchcraft potions and serums (Gilgoff). A country-wide ban was recently placed on all witchdoctors with the incentive of preventing albino killings, but with Bahati being the second albino child murder this year, it is possible that the illegality of witchcraft practice is not enough to stop this brutal tradition.

So why are albino people being attacked with this vigor and disregard for consequences? One significant cause is ignorance of the disease. In Tanzania, belief in witchcraft is extremely widespread. According to a 2010 survey for the US-based Pew Research Centre, 93% of Tanzanians believe in witchcraft, even though most identify as either Christian or Muslim. This means almost everyone in the country is unaware of the actual causes of albinism, and instead encourages the belief that albino people are “cursed”, “ghostly”, non-human creatures (Southern). Additionally, because of this common belief, albino body parts are highly sought after; a “full set” of all four limbs, genitals, ears and eyes can sell upwards of $75,000, a high price considering the average yearly income is $600 (Ahmed). Albino people face the daily fear of being killed because Tanzanian society sees them more like a harvestable resource than as human beings.

Frankly, there is not much to prevent society from seeing them this way. Police protection of albino people has always been sub-par: According to a National Geographic Article written by Dan Gilgoff, of the six dozen albino murders in Tanzania reported by the UN, only five were followed with successful prosecutions. Illegal witchdoctors are still practicing with little to no consequences because the demand for albino “products” outweighs any efforts to protect these people. Chairman of the Tanzania Albinism Society, Ernest Kimaya, claims that members of the society are fearful that attacks will be be “even more frequent in the build-up to October elections, as some politicians turned to witch doctors to try to increase their chance of winning.” (Tanzania). Almost everyone in Tanzania has turned against the albino population, and as a result, they lack the support and protection they need to lead normal lives.

In any place in the world, people with albinism face adversity from society. But in Tanzania, where an albinism-filled gene pool, extensive belief in witchcraft and complete absence of police protection combine, these people live in the constant and unparalleled terror of being barbarically abducted and dismembered.

Works Cited

Africa News Service. "Surge in 'Stunningly Vicious Attacks' On Albino Children in East Africa, UN Rights Chief Warns." Global Issues in Context. Gale, 10 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

Ahmed, Beenish. "Superstition Fuels Spike In Murder And Mutilation Of Albinos." ThinkProgress RSS. Think Progress, 02 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

Cowell, Alan. "Fears Persist That Violence Against Albinos in Tanzania Will Grow." The New York Times. The New York Times, 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

Gilgoff, By Dan. "As Tanzania's Albino Killings Continue, Unanswered Questions Raise Fears." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Makoye, Kizito. "Kidnap of Tanzanian Albino Child Sparks Call to Enforce Witch Doctor Ban." Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Gale, 18 Feb. 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

Southern Africa's Children. "Horrific African Witchcraft Is Big Business in Tanzania." Horrific African Witchcraft Is Big Business in Tanzania. Southern Africa's Children, 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.

"Tanzania Arrests 32 Witch Doctors over Albino Murders." Today. Today, 6 Mar. 2015. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.

Struggle with HIV

Kate Carlson

Tompkins 2

World Lit. Honors

9 March, 2015

Struggle with HIV

An estimated 11% of South Africa is living with HIV or AIDS. This number represents approximately 5.6 million people living with Human Immunodeficiency Disease or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). HIV is a sexually transmitted disease that attacks the body’s immune system, and makes one incapable of fighting common diseases. AIDS is the final stage of HIV and for one to be diagnosed with it, his or her immune system has to have been attacked to the extent that it no longer functions at all. South Africa is the most heavily affected nation in the world by HIV for a multitude of factors, all of which can be attributed to other issues that are rampant in the nation. Outside nations are not trying to minimize the gravity of the situation in South Africa, but there are many challenges to solving the outbreak of HIV and AIDS. There are many measures currently in place to help, but there is much more that needs to be done.

South Africa is a poor nation that is currently struggling with many important issues, such as gender equality, education, and unemployment, all of which contribute to the spreading of HIV. Gender inequality is a huge issue, as women are frequently raped or subject to the pleasures of men. This causes a high percent of women to be infected, and to spread the disease to other men. Men are also supposed to have as many children as possible in order to display their virility to the others, and demonstrate dominance. (Preventing) This attitude makes unprotected sex common, and contributes to the spread of HIV. Also, a lack of proper education makes the spread of HIV more severe. These uneducated people are not taught about the dangers that come with unprotected intercourse, which facilitates the circulation of the disease. Lastly, unemployment is an issue that abundantly increases the prevalence of HIV in South Africa. With many women unable to find jobs, they become sex workers, a legal profession in South Africa. These women transfer the disease between different men, making it widespread in this area. With all of these issues, many solutions are multi-faceted, but there are some ideas that allow for a more promising outlook to South Africa’s future.

Even with many of the world’s leading countries looking into the issue of HIV in South Africa, there is no solution that seems to be the best. Pharmaceutical companies everywhere struggle to lend medical aid for a variety of reasons. According to journalist Ferial Haffajee, the price of the sending aid is so high, that South Africa cannot purchase the medicine even at a reduced price (Haffajee). Also, the HIV medicine requires anywhere from ten to forty pills to be taken daily in a treatment called anti-retroviral drugs, or ART drugs. This requires specific timing that many people in South Africa do not have the ability to achieve, as many of the people infected do not have any way to access a clock. This truth makes it very difficult for other companies to assist South Africa, despite their attempts. Jesse Jackson stated in a 2001 article for the Huffington Post, “treatment requires 20, 30, or 40 pills a day, and there might not be drinkable water to take them. Some of the drugs are supposed to be taken so long before or after a meal, or with milk. But sometimes there is no milk- and occasionally no meal”(Raspberry). Not only is it difficult for outside nations to help them, but the South African government struggles to help itself. The government cannot declare HIV to be a national emergency, because their constitution states that, “...a ‘national state of emergency’ can only be declared ‘when the life of a nation is threatened by war, invasion, general insurrection, disorder, natural disaster or other public emergency,’ and also only when ‘the declaration is necessary to restore peace and order.’” (Sisulu) For this reason, Africa is still struggling with the HIV epidemic, and despite finding remedies to this situation, the continent is finding it difficult to get help. Around South Africa, there are billboards attempting to educate the people and easily accessible and anonymous HIV testing in neighborhoods. These small adjustments have made huge differences in the number of people infected with HIV, as the numbers keep decreasing overtime.

HIV and AIDS are diseases that exist all over the world, but are most serious in South Africa. Economic trouble, gender inequality, and lack of education all facilitate the diffusion of HIV, without many evident solutions. There are many groups created for the sole purpose of bringing awareness to HIV, such as Avert, UNAIDS, International AIDS Society, and many others, as it is an extensive problem. There is still no one definitive solution to this huge problem that affects 35 million people globally, and 5.6 million in South Africa.

Work Cited

"AIDS in Africa." MCT Photos. N.p.: n.p., 2011. N. pag. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 6 Mar. 2015.

Haffajee, Ferial. "Crisis in Africa." AIDS in Africa. NI Global Issues, 10 Jan. 2001. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.

"Preventing AIDS in Africa." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 15 July 2005. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Raspberry, William. "Yahoo! Groups." Yahoo! Groups. Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2001. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

Sisulu, Sheila. "South Africa's Commitment Against HIV-AIDS." Global Issues in Context. Gale, 15 Apr. 2001. Web. 5 Mar. 2015.

Stephen Analysis

Stephen Character Analysis

Analysis:

Paton uses Stephen to show how painful experiences lead to fear. Stephen is forced to go out of his comfort zone when he travels to Johannesburg to help his family, but he is afraid of the big city and its uncertainties. His role in the novel is to act as a bridge between reality and the world that is present. Racism and adversity hold him back, but through tentative steps, Stephen will be able to make a difference.

Quotes:  

“I do not hurt myself, it is they who are hurting me. My own son, my own sister, my own brother. They go away and they do not write any more. Perhaps it does not seem to them that we suffer. Perhaps they do not care for it” (9).

“Black and white, it says, black and white, though it is red and green. It is too much to understand. He is silent, his headaches, he is afraid. There is this railway station to come, this great place with all its tunnels under the ground” (17).

“And now the fear is back again, the fear of the unknown… Already the knees are weak of the man who a moment since had shown his little lie… The humble man reached for his pocket for his sacred book, and began to read. It was this world alone that was certain” (14).