By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
Coming off a rather turbulent year in 2021, this month of March has not paled in comparison. We have seen the return of war in Europe. Local leaders have entered the fray for political victory. And we have been blessed with an alert level 1 in our city. Though, this month, our already strained pockets continue to be stretched to its limits. Gas prices continue to soar, and so will our stress levels too. Yet, these events should not distract us from an important subject, Women’s Month.
Their month was to officially start from the first day of March to the 31st. Regrettably, I did not bother to look at the important events in March resulting in Google having to remind me of this occasion in the middle of the month. But, as they say, it’s the thought that counts.
With our country so divided economically, there is nothing worse than to add another wrong by being divided morally. Especially when the election campaign continues to heat up, this country has no more need for more cracks.
From being tools for men’s lust to sitting in classrooms, women’s rights have come a long way. But there is more work to be done. A gap still exists between men and women. For there are still places in the world which equality has not visited. More and more women are not receiving decent education and an independent life. But thankfully, our generation has people willing to continue the movement for women’s equality. And the movement will no doubt reach the places still putting women under medieval standards.
As men, we should be more encouraged to take part in the fight for women’s rights. Because among these women are our mothers, from whom we drank our milk, and whose hands cradled us when we were still babes. As a sign of gratitude, the least we can do is help them attain their rights. The same privileges that we men have had the luxury of tasting since birth. For these rights were all given to men and women the moment they came into this earth. And no other human has been given the right to take it away from another person.
Not only do we owe our mothers so much, we also must give back to mother earth. For she does not discriminate when we receive the consequences of our actions. No man nor woman will be favored when natural disasters come.
Earth has been our home for as long as we have known. Generations after generations have come and gone. So, giving away an hour or two of our time will be no big deal. On the 26th, perhaps an image of unity can be seen when the city is pitch black. A united population in giving back to mother earth. At that time, people will not be associated with the color blue, pink or red. We will simply be drenched in the color of unity.**
