Love, Kindness, Caring and Respect for Women (Valentine’s Day 2016)

“To call woman the weaker sex is libel; it is man’s injustice to woman. If by strength is meant brute strength, then, indeed, is woman less brute than man. If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man’s superior. Has she not greater intuition, is she not more self-sacrificing, has she not greater powers of endurance, has she not greater courage? Without her, man could not be. If nonviolence is the law of our being, the future is with woman. Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than woman?” Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), Leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India, through nonviolence

It’s just a few days before February 14. This is my Valentine’s Day article and it has a little story to it. There are many times during the year when I drive myself through the stretch of South Luzon Expressway and in several of those numerous occasions, I always get a chance to read a poster inside the men’s room in one of the gas stations along the highway. The poster, I suppose, is addressed to women; but maybe it was posted inside the male restroom to remind men about love, kindness, respect, and caring for women.

In the latter part of last year, I brought my camera with me and took a picture of the poster. I purposely saved the picture in my camera to serve as my guide for this year’s “Love Day” article. The poster is simple but it sends out an important impact and reminder for all of us – men, women, boys and girls. Let’s all have a fun and memorable Valentine’s Day.

EVERY WOMAN HAS THE RIGHT

1. To good and quality education.

2. To comprehensive health services, including family planning.

3. To access loans and other financial credit.

4. To join leisure, sports, and cultural activities.

5. To decide on the number of children and on the number of years between pregnancies.

6. To shared parenting responsibilities.

7. To have equal access to jobs, benefits, and social security.

8. To be paid equally based on the work she does.

9. To be free from all forms of violence: physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, mental, and economic.

10. To be free from all forms of slavery and prostitution.

11. To vote, run for election, and hold public office.

12. To represent the country internationally.

13. To acquire, change or retain nationality and citizenship.