Orville Taylor

In 1999, the United Nations' General Assembly designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. However, it has been unofficially so recognised since 1981 by women's advocacy groups. With the U.N.'s stamp, the mandate is to raise awareness of this repugnant travesty.

The official designation from a still male-dominated U.N. was actually late, given that the genesis of this day being special goes back to 1960 when three sisters, Patria, Minerva and Antonia Mirabal were abducted and brutally murdered. These political activists were fierce opponents of Dictator President Rafael Trujillo, who had a stranglehold on power in the Dominican Republic for more than 30 years.

It is commendable that we place the issue squarely on the national 'agender' because it is unacceptable that we can have these horrendous acts perpetrated against our mothers, daughters and sisters. Indeed, the present trend is worrisome as violence - including rape - against women and girls is increasing, even as other grievous crimes are on the decline.

Gender Relations

Clearly, something is wrong with gender relations in our society and we need to get to the bottom of it. Is it that we hate women inasmuch as it is "woman time now?"

At a recent event, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller lamented the inequality in society and the disturbing pattern of physical abuse. At the same event, other gender advocates observed that although women are advancing more rapidly than their male counterparts, they are still subject to discrimination in the labour market and society at large.

There is some truth to this. At all levels of the educational system, females are overrepresented. Most glaring is in the tertiary institutions, where it can be three females to one male at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and in some teachers' colleges it is as bad as 10 to one and even less.

As a result, the growth of females in the professional category has outstripped men. Therefore, Errol Miller's argument that men are at risk is solid, because more women are occupying the ranks of the senior professions than men.

Yet, despite these inroads in tertiary education, women do not occupy the highest offices in industry, commerce and political life. Some might even suggest that even at the highest political level, the female leader is absent. Where equivalently-qualified women and men occupy similar positions, research has shown that women earn around three quarters of their male colleagues' salaries for doing the same work.

This inequity in the labour market is possible despite wage discrimination being illegal. In fact, there is no distinction in salaries between male and female public officers. However, in the private sector, wage disparities exist because the Employment (Equal Pay for Men and Women) Act of 1975 does not cover discrimination for work of equal value. Even so, there are more top males than females.

Nonetheless, there is a direct link between the increasing empowerment of women and the acts of violence against them. Truthfully, we have not made up our minds as to whether women are men's equals or their dependents and protectorates. This lack of clarity exists at the highest level, including the political. Women now claim equality but are expected to be treated specially. Thus, it is not unusual for a female colleague to visit the staff room or the Senior Common Room on campus and suddenly expect the men to rise and avoid colourful language, "because a woman is present".

Women's increasing independence has trampled on the fragile egos of many a male, who now feel, "no woman fi talk to mi so!" Much of the crime against women is due to marginalised males, who may or may not be known or related to the female victims.

There is a direct correlation between the increase in crimes against women and the underachievement of males. Interviews with rapists as well as their victims often reveal that the act was one of showing his manhood or getting a woman whom he feels he can never hope to have, due to the present economic reality.

Many feminists speak of the 'wutliss' man who refuses to take control of his own life and those of his children. Yet, it is the same set of people who fail to recognise that despite the lauded reduction of the unemployment rate to around 12 per cent, male unemployment in the post-high school-university age group is four times the national average. Speak all the pro-woman talk you want, but most young men don't have recourse to a sugar daddy (well some do) to back them up economically. For all the progress of young women, it is young men who are at risk.

Stop Playing The Sex Card

While it is definitely alarming to see the rise in attacks on women, it should be recalled that the great majority of persons who are murdered are young men, not women. The reason why the death of three women sparked an international movement is because society takes the view that women need special privileges and protection. Before the triple murder, Trujillo had assassinated scores of his male political opponents without any outrage. So strong was the objection that it eventually led to his murder six months later.

Such is the case in Jamaica. There is constant reference to the femaleness of the Prime Minister who pretends to want equality but never speaks in gender neutral tones. We seek equality, not special treatment because one is female. The feminist apologists need to stop playing the sex card when it is unnecessary. Her comparisons with Michael Manley are appropriate. However, the key difference was that in his 120 days, men and women knew he was in charge.

Dr. Orville Taylor is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies, Mona.