By Alice Basarke Executive Assistant World Sikh Organization
Violence against Women including assault mutilation murder infanticide rape and cruel neglect is perhaps the most pervasive yet least recognized human rights issue in the world
-World Watch Institute
Washington 1989.
More than 90 million African women and girls are victims of female circumcision or other forms of genital mutilation (World Health Organization report).
50% of married women are regularly battered by their partners in Bangkok Thailand (World Watch Institute report).
An estimated 1000 women are burned alive each year in dowry-related incidents in the state of Gujrrat India alone (Ahmedabad Women’s Action Group report).
78,000 female fetuses were aborted after sex determination tests between 1978 and 1982 (a study of Bombay clinic).
In the United States a woman is beaten every 15 seconds (U.S. Department of Justice).
One in ten Canadian women will be abused or battered by her husband or partner (Wife Battering in Canada Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women 1980).
Eight out of ten Aboriginal women in Canada will be beaten by their partner (Breaking Free: A Proposal for Change to Aboriginal Family Violence the Ontario Native Women’s Association).
Since the beginning of time women have been abused and violated by men. Religion male oriented social structure the female’s smaller size economic dependence all have kept and continue to keep females under the thumb of the male. Then came Guru Nanak and Sikhism was born.
The Sikh Religion is the only one to my knowledge that states clearly and unequivocally that women are equal to men in every way. So why is It that Sikh women are not behaving in a manner that shows that they appreciate and understand this advantage No other women are so blessed. We are living in times when the global struggle for equality of the sexes is in full swing. Women are speaking up against violence. Women are fighting for pay equity. Women are looking for respect. Where are the Sikh women? Is there no moral fiber that calls for a leading role for Sikh women to help their more unfortunate counterparts of other denominations?
In life every privilege carries a responsibility. The danger in not recognizing this is the danger of losing that privilege It is time that Sikh women took their rightful place in society. There is much work to do in so many fields. Human Rights Politics Law Society Journalism Economics Philosophy Public Relations Education . The list is endless. Opportunities are there The need is phenomenal. Together there is nothing we cannot do. The First step is involvement. Let us get involved. Why does the World Sikh Organization not have a single woman on its executive? Do Sikh women lack interest in their community? Do Sikh women not believe in the principle of Khalistan? Do Sikh women not care enough for Canada to pay back for the many advantages and privileges they enjoy here 1991 is an election year for the WSO. Let’s get organized and participate in the WSO November Convention. Let’s vote for women delegates.
Modern technology has freed us from the tedious and time consuming work in kitchen and home. We all have more time. We have access to transportation and the free will to choose what we do with it.
I would like to see the formation of women’s chapters in every city in Canada. If you know 5 women in your town you know enough women to form a club. Let me give you an example.
In Ottawa 5 women got together in 1985 and formed the Sikh Women’s Forum. Over a period of 3 years they met once a month. Their objective was to raise the social conscience of the community. They wrote plays on so called women’s issues as well as Human Rights issues in Punjab. They wrote the plays produced and acted in them. They sold tickets and performed to audiences of 300 to 700 in Ouawa Montreal and Toronto. Money raised was used for charity. We sent money to Madu Keshwar of Manushi in India. We purchased 35 sewing machines that were used to train widows of the November riots to become seamstresses and thus gave them a means of self-support. We talked to politicians and gave presentations to anyone who would listen on Sikhism and the gross violations of Human Rights in Punjab. Five extra-ordinary women? Not Just five ordinary women who did no more than any other five women could do. I know. I was one of them. Believe me when you have a good idea all kinds of people will want to get involved when we worked on a play we involved 40 to 50 people in various ways. Indeed we had to tum some away.
If you know five women. If you want to start a ladies club Contact WSO Head Office. I can help you get started. You can join WSO or simply form a ladies club. Whichever route you take is your choice but do get involved today. Exercise your freedom. Stretch your imagination. Use
Your creativity Show the world that Sikh Women are equal (The Sword )
Article extracted from this publication >> August 9, 1991
