PAY EQUITY IS EVERYONE’S ISSUE

Women’s Empowerment Initiative in Pakistan  

This week, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched the Initiative for Women Empowerment, which will provide approximately $40 million (Rs 10.4 billion) to efforts aimed at securing women’s rights in Pakistan. In particular, the funds will be used on issues including inheritance rights and creating opportunities in a conducive environment to empower women’s meaningful participation in society. “Look around the Muslims world and the West, the women have played their due role for the progress and prosperity of their respective nations.” He went on to say, “The women segment of our society is the driving engine for the country’s economy and serve as builders of nation.” Women in Pakistan continue to struggle with a lack of opportunity and resources. The Pakistan Population Council has reported that 48 percent of women in the country are illiterate, 79 percent are not in the workforce, and only 10 percent are able to make decisions about their own health.  

Vatican Urges for More Participation by Women  Pope Francis has ended a month-long meeting on the future of the Catholic Church with an “urgent” message on increasing the participation and responsibilities of women in the church. Three hundred bishops, nuns, and approximately seventy laypeople—including women—participated, with many having voting rights for the first time. Still, critics were disappointed that any potential decision on major issues, including allowing women to serve as deacons, was pushed until next year. The meeting also failed to make progress on issues involving the LGBTQ Catholic community, such as allowing for blessings for same-sex marriages. The assembly will reconvene next October to review the results of two commissions that will study the female diaconate before issuing recommendations for the church. Pope Francis will then issue a major papal letter, possibly making substantial changes to the church. 

Ursula Von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas Endorsed by EU Leaders

Women are on track to hold two of the top three European Union (EU) leadership positions. By a two-thirds majority, EU leaders have agreed to endorse European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a second five-year term and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the EU’s top diplomat. Antonio Costa, the former prime minister of Portugal, will lead the European Council as president. Far-right politicians, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, have been vocal critiques of the three nominations. “My aim is definitely to work for European unity, protect European interests,” said Kallas on her new role. Both Von der Leyen and Kallas will have to win the backing of the European Parliament in a secret ballot before their positions are secured. 

Happy Christmas!! This picture of Bouguereau reproduces so nicely the faces of the Virgin Mary andJesus, we all should try to serve such a nice Lady and his Son giving them our complete life!!

This book taught me to follow the real leadership of my wife, and to recognize women in general in the drivers seat, as a fascinating revolutionary and also evolutionary matter!!

Indigenous Women Save Tribe From Extinction Indigenous women in Brazil’s Amazonas state are leading efforts to save the Juma tribe from extinction. Before the last male member of the tribe—Aruka Juma—died in 2021, he urged his three daughters to assume leadership of the patriarchal society. Today, despite being on the brink of extinction, the Juma has made a comeback with the first woman chief in this part of the Amazon. One of the sisters, Mandeí Juma became the first chief, only recently stepping down so that her older sister Boreá could assume the role. “Because we were few, people didn’t recognize us, didn’t respect us,” she said. “There had never been a woman leader before, and then people came to tell me, ‘You shouldn’t have assumed it because you’re a woman.’” Since being led by women, the Juma people have challenged patrilineal traditions among Indigenous Brazilians and worked to preserve their indigenous language.  

MEXICO IS SURE TO BE RULED BY A WOMAN, A GOOD EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW...

Two Women Candidates Set to Compete for Mexico’s Presidency 

Mexico appears to be on track to elect its first woman president next year after its two leading political parties announced female candidates. Claudia Sheinbaum, a former Mexico City mayor who is close to Mexico’s current President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, will represent the ruling left-wing Morena party. She will be challenged by Xóchitl Gálvez, a sitting senator with indigenous roots who has gained the support of many working-class and young Mexicans. Mexican women did not win full voting rights until 1953, thirty-three years after the United States. But Mexico has made significant progress. Currently, it shares a fourth-place ranking with New Zealand for having such a significant level of female representation in parliament. Mexico has also appointed its first female Supreme Court chief justice, among other high-level positions. While the prospect of a female head of state is a historical first for Mexico, many are concerned that this representation will fail to resolve the challenges faced by women, including high levels of femicides and gender-based violence, forced marriages, wage disparity, and under-representation in most boardrooms. Still, Mexican women’s rights activist Maricruz Ocampo said it “is going to signify a turn in the way that we see women in politics.” 

Great for women to gain professional skills, and men to become more involved in domestic work!