Interview

Interview:

Me: Being from another country do you feel women's rights in your country are similar to those in the United States.

Jacoba Bulah: In my country we are much more liberal and women are called on as much as men. We are expected to get things done for ourselves as I always have.

Me: Do you think that even today their are still prejudices on whether or not women have the same potential as men?

Jacoba Bulah: Definitely, I witness it all the time in our society. Women are not expected to do the dirty work, it is thought of as a man's job.

Me:  If you could change how are society looks at women what would you change?

Jacoba Bulah: I would alter the eyes of society, just because our build doesn't mean we are weak. Just because of the way we look or sometimes act doesn't mean we are incapable of achieving what men do.

Me: Have you ever been discriminated against because your a women?

Jacoba Bulah: I think everyday we are being looked at differently because of our gender, it is sad that we are thought of as the emotional character.

Me: What do you see happening in the future regarding women's equality?

Jacoba Bulah: Hopefully someday we can all be seen equally, we should be credited for our abilities.

Reflection:

What I learned is that even in the most liberal places women's equality with men is still questioned. Even though are society has come to accept women many things in it still suggestively imply men are more capable of doing things compared to women. Although we now have most of the same rights as men it is important we keep pushing and remember that is has not also been this way. We have fought as women from the beginning and will keep pushing until our ends.

The Women's Rights Movement, 1848-1920


http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/WIC/Historical-Essays/No-Lady/Womens-Rights/

How to approach women's rights for suffrage was often a questioned asked by women suffrage advocates. In many different situations they debated on whether to attack state or federal governments although their goal would not be any different. The Seneca Falls movement was the start of many other larger movements with their guidance being the declaration of sentiments created at Seneca Falls. To me efforts like these help me to understand the importance of rights to the women of this time. Being born in a time where I am considerably equal to men, able to do the same jobs, and stand in the same rank of society I do not exactly know what it is like to be deprived of my rights.

Over the centuries though, things gradual did change. In times of war when men needed aid or were not their to work the usual jobs women accepted these challenges to take these roles. It surprises me that even though women were not forced to do any level of complicated jobs they strive to do them. Because they were considered inferior to men they accepted these openings as a challenge. Many times in today's society and at my own job I witness my male coworker being asked to do more of the heavy duty stuff because he looks more able. Next time I might just take on the challenge.

A Brief History of Women's Rights Movements


http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/history-womens-rights-movements

The struggle for women's rights have been around since the founding of our country. The Women's Right Convention in Seneca Falls New York was one of the first movement to introduce a written request of women's rights and equalities equal to men. This convention set the hopes higher for following conventions emerging with some of the greatest women's rights advocates of our time such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucy Stone. Almost two centuries after these women became the ratification of the equal rights amendment to the constitution. These workshops also lead to more recent activist groups such as NOW the National Organization for Women.  I think that although it took quite awhile for women to be consider equal to men this women are the reason for our achievements today.  Although in many cases and places throughout the world women are still not looked upon as equal to men we have most definitely come a long way.

Women's Rights Division


http://www.hrw.org/topic/womens-rights

We have come a long way, from being restrained to only the household, to not holding the ability to have a say in our nations future. Many places around the world though women's rights have changed only a little. Prostitution, labor rights, positions in society, and many other roles of women have been affected and restrained by society's interpretation of what women should and shouldn't be allowed. I think it is sad that in some cases women must resort to prostitution just to be able to go on. Although it is true sometimes men are capable of having more endurance or strength than women we are still entitled to the same things. It is demoralizing how many times a day I here, "she can't do that, that's a man job". Being a women I think that we should be able to make the decision if we feel we are fit to do something or not. I know that I am capable of a lot, not matter how small, weak, or what gender I am.

Equal Rights for Women? Survey Says: Yes but...


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/world/01iht-poll.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Although today it seems as though women have earned the right to have equal rights as men many men still do not believe that is true. It is said that there are many factors making men physically and mentally more fit for society which I believe is not justified. America is one of the few lucky places though, countries such as some European countries and other third world countries provide little to know women's rights. Seeing that the home is their work haven. In some of these women are not only denied the right to participate in voting but also denied the right to education. I believe that everyone deserves equal opportunity no matter what their location is in the world. We are all living in one place, we all deserve anything it has to offer no matter our build, mentality, strength, and mind set.

On Equal Pay Day, NOW Calls For Closing of Gender Wage Gap

http://now.org/press/04-12/04-17.html 

It is ridiculous that men are often paid more than women. Don't they both deserve the same pay? Women sometimes even have more stressful jobs or jobs that are much more time consuming and still don't make as much as men do. If educated the same why not paid the same? The passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act will allow women to be more economically backed when in times of depression and to earn what they deserve. The fact that their is a 13 cent gap in pay between men and women is wrong, and overtime changes into a significant amount of money. It is only constitutional that we encourage an equal workplace, for women and women of color. It is appalling that for a women to receive the same amount of money as her husband she must acquire a much higher degree and even then if not promised to be paid equally. Shouldn't she be making more?

NOW and One Billion Rising Call Attention to Violence Against Women


http://now.org/press/02-13/02-14.html


Because women have been seen inferior for long and still today are looked upon as physically and mentally less than men women abuse and violence has been on the rise. A subject normally looked over it has finally come to public attention. Girls, looking to be an easy topic are often said to be prone to incidents involving abuse, rape, and violence but this is not right. Why is it that just because we are girls men think they can do this to us? We are people too. I think it is sad that society has come to find these incidents normal. The medical student that was gang-raped and died shortly after was never really given a chance. Were the men punished and why didn't America take a bigger stand? This is not fair and should happen to no one no matter the gender. I think the passage of the Violence Against Women Act will better protect our gender and hopefully begin to reduce the number of girls and women assaulted each year. It is time America took a stand.