Womens Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean

In every country in Latin America and the Caribbean, women suffer acute discrimination. Often, the discrimination women face is related to social prejudices regarding appropriate patterns of conduct for men and women. This entrenched sex inequality provides the backdrop for the pervasive and widespread human rights violations women face in the region, with little chance of justice. The most pernicious types of womens human rights abuses in the Americas occur in the areas of womens reproductive and sexual health and rights, discrimination and violence against women in the workplace, and violence against women in the home. After decades of dictatorships in some countries, democracy has not meant an end to impunity for violations of women†¦show more content†¦Latin America and the Caribbean is the region with the second highest HIV prevalence rate after sub-Saharan Africa. Women increasingly constitute the majority of those newly infected. Even so, governments have failed to in corporate respect for womens human rights into their central responses to the epidemic. In the Dominican Republic, for example, women are subjected to illegal HIV testing without informed consent when they seek employment or health care, and those who test positive are routinely fired from their jobs and sometimes denied public healthcare. In addition, public health professionals often reveal confidential HIV test results to womens families without the tested individuals knowledge or consent, exposing them to a heightened risk of violence and stigma. Other countries in the region, such as Peru, require as a matter of law that all pregnant women test for HIV without ensuring womens confidentiality or consent, and without linking HIV tests and counseling to the pervasive problem of domestic violence. Womens inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean is reflected in the discrimination they face in the workplace. Since the 1960s, the number of economically active women in the region has more than tripled. Though more than half of theseShow MoreRelatedAmerica, Mexico, The Caribbean, And South America Make Up Latin America Essay1070 Words   |  5 PagesCentral America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America make up Latin America. Approximately 640 million people reside in this region. Latin America is the largest foreign supplier of oil to the United States. It is the United States’ fastest growing trading partner, as well as its biggest supplier of illegal drugs. Latin America is also the largest source of U.S immigrants, both documented and not. The life expectancy for females is 72 years of age and the life expectancy for males is 79 yearsRead MoreGender Inequality During Latin American Countries1373 Words   |  6 Pagesinequality affected women in Latin American countries? Gender inequality has affected the women of Latin America in a multitude of ways, but it can be argued that the division of gender equality is extremely prominent when analyzing reproductive rights and health care access. Compared to countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, Latin America is far behind in terms of civil rights and reproductive rights. The lack of rights is not in question; women’s barrier to reproductiveRead MoreChild Malnutrition1718 Words   |  7 Pagesmillion children under the age of five years, nearly one-third of all children in developing countries were either underweight or stunted. Malnutrition causes a great deal of physical and emotional suffering and it is a violation of a childs human r ights. Malnutrition substantially raises the risk of infant and child deaths, and increases vulnerability to a variety of diseases in later life. In addition, malnutrition impairs cognitive ability and decreases school performance, and lowers labor productivityRead MoreHuman Rights And Social Equity757 Words   |  4 PagesHuman Rights and Social Equity Thesis and Motive Human rights are vital to achieving and sustaining development, and while world leaders acknowledged the links between human rights and development, the MDGs did not reflect this as inequities faced by populations were not considered (UN Human Rights, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR], 2015). For example, while some countries were able to achieve the MDGs, in many countries, particularly poor ones, individuals remain in extremeRead More Latin American Change Essay3051 Words   |  13 PagesOver the course of the past half-millennium, the 33 countries that now comprise Latin America and the Caribbean have gone through drastic change. Since the discovery of the New World in 1492, each country has gone through some level of colonization by a European power and transition to its current state. During this period the regions have seen political, social, religious and economic transformations of various degrees. Nevertheless, many scholars argue that regardless of the changes encounteredRead MoreFeminist Theory1248 Words   |  5 PagesFeminism refers to political, cultural, and economic movements aimed at establishing greater rights, legal protection for women, and or womens liberation. It includes some of the sociological theories and philosophies concerned with issues of gender difference. Nancy Cott defines feminism as the belief in the importance of gender equality, invalidating the idea of gender hierarchy as a socially constructed concept. Feminism has earned itself a bad reputation, but it never undermined gender differencesRead MoreInequality in Latin America Essay3137 Words   |  13 Pages Although Latin America has faced many social, political, and economic issues within the last three centuries, inequality remains one of the most important, historical, and omnipresent aspects of the region’s culture. As Europeans took over Latin America during the time of colonization, they implemented many elitist social structures that have held strong and are evident today (Harris). Income inequality is the most visible and greatest disparity that the region faces; yet inequality between genderRead MoreWomen s Suffrage During The Nineteenth Century Essay1488 Words   |  6 PagesThe women’s suffrage movements began to emerge during the first half of the nineteenth century. In the United States, a handful of Western states already granted women’s suffrage during the nineteenth century. However, in the ma jority of states the enfranchisement of women followed only after the nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted full voting rights to women in 1920. Similarly, British women gained partial suffrage through the Representation of the People Act ofRead MoreFranklin Delano Roosevelt And The New Deal1987 Words   |  8 Pages Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park on January 30, 1882. Roosevelt, at age 28, ran for New York State senate where he fought political machines. He became the thirty second president of America in the year 1933, the worst year in the Great Depression. Roosevelt became president as a democrat. He was also president during World War II. Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio in 1921 and was paralyzed in his legs. He obtained polio when he was on a vacation in Campobello Island. In 1944 RooseveltRead MoreU.s. 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Popularity, Physical Appearance, and the American Dream...

Popularity, Physical Appearance, and the American Dream in Death of a Salesman For most, the American Dream is a sure fire shot at true happiness. It represents hope for a successful, fortune-filled future. Though most agree on the meaning of the American Dream, few follow the same path to achieving it. For struggling salesman Willy Loman, achieving this dream would mean a completely fulfilled existence. Unfortunately, Willys simplistic ideas on how to accomplish his goal are what ultimately prevent him from reaching it. Out of all of Willys simplistic ideals, one major pattern we can notice is how Willy truly believes that popularity and physical appearance are what make people wealthy. We are first introduced†¦show more content†¦The boys ask their father if his business will be like their Uncle Charleys. Willy responds by saying that hell be, Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not- liked. Hes liked, but hes not- well liked. From this example, it becomes evident that Willy thinks being well liked can make you successful. The most significant example, however, is also one that takes place in one of Willys flashbacks. Again, he is speaking to his sons about becoming successful. He tells them, ...the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me...I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. Willy Loman is here! Thats all they have to know, and I go right through. From these examples, it becomes very apparent that appearance and popularity are overly important to Willy when it comes to being successful in the business world. As we can see from Willys ideas of personal attractiveness, he doesnt seem to rely on hard work very much, particularly when it comes down to achieving the American Dream. In actuality, it is the lack of hard work that attracted Willy to become a salesman in the first place. In a conversation with Howard, his boss, Willy speaks of an eighty-four year old man hed met when he wasShow MoreRelated Popularity, Physical Appearance, and the American Dream in Death of a Salesman724 Words   |  3 Pages the â€Å"American Dream† is the hope for a future filled with success and fortune.   Although many may share the idea of the American Dream, each person has a different perception of what is necessary to achieve this goal.   Willy Loman, the lead character of Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, believes that popularity and physical appearance are the keys that unlock the door to the â€Å"American Dream†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We are first introduced to the importance of popularity and physical appearance when WillyRead More Myths of the American Dream Exposed in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman828 Words   |  4 Pagesthe American Dream Exposed in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman    Willy Loman, the lead character of Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, believes in the myths of the capitalistic society(DiYanni 412). This essay will examine the impact of the capitalistic myths on Willy Lowman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Willy believes in the myth that popularity and physical appearance are the keys that unlock the door to the â€Å"American Dream†. We are first introduced to the importance of popularity and physical appearanceRead More The American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay795 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman The American Dream ~ for many, it is the unlocked door that leads to happiness.   It is the hope for a future filled with success and fortune.   Although most people have a similar idea of what the American Dream is, they may have different ideas on how to achieve it.   For Willy Loman, a struggling salesman, achieving this dream would be a major accomplishment.   Unfortunately, his unusual ideas of how this dream can be achieved preventRead MoreThe Destruction of Willy Lowmans American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman626 Words   |  3 Pages In Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman readers are introduced to Willy, an ambitious salesman who just cant seem to get a break despite his drive. Willys life is marked by failure, and an almost stubborn attachment to the idea of striking it big. Willys life is ended by his own hands, the result of a broken dream that lead to a broken spirit. In many senses Willy represents the idea of the everyman, the average working cla ss man trying to get ahead, this is reflected in his attachment toRead More Comparing Death of a Salesman and The American Dream Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesComparing Death of a Salesman and The American Dream   Ã‚  Ã‚   In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman and Edward Albee’s The American Dream, Willy Lowman and Mommy possess the trait of superficiality. Their priorities are to look good and be liked, and this contributes to their misguided paths to reach success. This attribute is one of many societal criticisms pointed out by both authors. Arthur Miller criticizes society for perceiving success as being liked and having good looks. He illustratesRead More Willy Lomans Distorted Values in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman946 Words   |  4 PagesWilly Lomans Distorted Values in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman  Ã‚      Willy Loman, the central character in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, is a man whose fall from the top of the capitalistic totem pole results in a resounding crash, both literally and metaphorically. As a man immersed in the memories of the past and controlled by his fears of the future, Willy Loman views himself as a victim of bad luck, bearing little blame for his interminable pitfalls. However, it was not an ill-fatedRead More Comparing the American Dream in Millers Death of a Salesman and Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun3400 Words   |  14 PagesComparing the Destructive American Dream in Millers Death of a Salesman and Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun America is a land of dreamers. From the time of the Spanish conquistadors coming in search of gold and everlasting youth, there has been a mystique about the land to which Amerigo Vespucci gave his name. To the Puritans who settled its northeast, it was to be the site of their â€Å"city upon a hill† (Winthrop 2). They gave their home the name New England, to signify their hope for aRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1870 Words   |  8 PagesTewari2 In Arthur Miller s play, Death of a Salesman, the major theme as well as the main source of conflict is Willy s inability to distinguish between reality and illusion. Willy has created a fantasy world for himself and his family, a world in which he and his sons are great men who have what it takes to make it in the context of business and free enterprise. In reality, none of them can achieve greatness until they confront and deal with this illusion. An illusion is some event or objectRead MoreWilly Loman : the Tragedy of the American Dream2717 Words   |  11 PagesWilly Loman : The Tragedy of the American Dream Prosperity, job security, hard work and family union are some of the concepts that involve the American Dream, generally speaking. Some people think this dream is something automatically granted; or in contrast, as in the story Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller, as something that has to be achieved in order to be successful in life. The play takes issues with those in America who place too much stress on material gain, instead ofRead More Oppression and Depression: The Effects of White Masculinity2725 Words   |  11 Pagescompletely failed, and according to society’s and their own standards, they are not worthy to be considered real men. White masculinity is the ideal design of an adult male. It is a model for every man in America from birth up until the moment of death. This ideal dictates preferences in society for both men and women. John F. Kasson claims that a man is â€Å"valued solely for his beauty, his body openly admired and aggressively pursued by [women] (as well as courted by his own sex)† (Kasson 27). Popularity, Physical Appearance, and the American Dream... For many, the â€Å"American Dream† is the hope for a future filled with success and fortune. Although many may share the idea of the American Dream, each person has a different perception of what is necessary to achieve this goal. Willy Loman, the lead character of Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, believes that popularity and physical appearance are the keys that unlock the door to the â€Å"American Dream†. We are first introduced to the importance of popularity and physical appearance when Willy is speaking to his wife, Linda, about their son Biff. â€Å"Biff Loman is lost,† says Willy. â€Å"In the greatest country in the world, a young man with such personal attractiveness gets lost.† In this quote, not only is Willy confused†¦show more content†¦The boys ask their father if his business will be like their Uncle Charley’s. Willy responds by saying that he’ll be, â€Å"Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not- liked. He’s liked, but he’s not- well liked.† From this example, it becomes evident that Willy thinks being â€Å"well liked† can make you successful. The most significant example, however, is also one that takes place in one of Willy’s flashbacks. Again, he is speaking to his sons about becoming successful. He tells them, â€Å"...the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me...I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. ‘Willy Loman is here!’ That’s all they have to know, and I go right through.† From these examples, it becomes very apparent that appearance and popularity are unusually important to Willy when it comes to being successful in the business world. As we can see from Willy’s ideas of personal attractiveness, he doesn’t seem to rely on hard work very much, particularly when it comes down to achieving the American Dream. In actuality, it is the lack of hard work that attracted Willy to become a salesman in the first place. In a conversation with Howard, his boss,Show MoreRelated Popularity, Physical Appearance, and the American Dream in Death of a Salesman823 Words   |  4 PagesPopularity, Physical Appearance, and the American Dream in Death of a Salesman For most, the American Dream is a sure fire shot at true happiness.   It represents hope for a successful, fortune-filled future.   Though most agree on the meaning of the American Dream, few follow the same path to achieving it.   For struggling salesman Willy Loman, achieving this dream would mean a completely fulfilled existence.   Unfortunately, Willys simplistic ideas on how to accomplish his goal are what ultimatelyRead More Myths of the American Dream Exposed in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman828 Words   |  4 Pagesthe American Dream Exposed in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman    Willy Loman, the lead character of Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, believes in the myths of the capitalistic society(DiYanni 412). This essay will examine the impact of the capitalistic myths on Willy Lowman.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Willy believes in the myth that popularity and physical appearance are the keys that unlock the door to the â€Å"American Dream†. We are first introduced to the importance of popularity and physical appearanceRead More The American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay795 Words   |  4 PagesThe American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman The American Dream ~ for many, it is the unlocked door that leads to happiness.   It is the hope for a future filled with success and fortune.   Although most people have a similar idea of what the American Dream is, they may have different ideas on how to achieve it.   For Willy Loman, a struggling salesman, achieving this dream would be a major accomplishment.   Unfortunately, his unusual ideas of how this dream can be achieved preventRead MoreThe Destruction of Willy Lowmans American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman626 Words   |  3 Pages In Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman readers are introduced to Willy, an ambitious salesman who just cant seem to get a break despite his drive. Willys life is marked by failure, and an almost stubborn attachment to the idea of striking it big. Willys life is ended by his own hands, the result of a broken dream that lead to a broken spirit. In many senses Willy represents the idea of the everyman, the average working cla ss man trying to get ahead, this is reflected in his attachment toRead More Comparing Death of a Salesman and The American Dream Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesComparing Death of a Salesman and The American Dream   Ã‚  Ã‚   In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman and Edward Albee’s The American Dream, Willy Lowman and Mommy possess the trait of superficiality. Their priorities are to look good and be liked, and this contributes to their misguided paths to reach success. This attribute is one of many societal criticisms pointed out by both authors. Arthur Miller criticizes society for perceiving success as being liked and having good looks. He illustratesRead More Willy Lomans Distorted Values in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman946 Words   |  4 PagesWilly Lomans Distorted Values in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman  Ã‚      Willy Loman, the central character in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, is a man whose fall from the top of the capitalistic totem pole results in a resounding crash, both literally and metaphorically. As a man immersed in the memories of the past and controlled by his fears of the future, Willy Loman views himself as a victim of bad luck, bearing little blame for his interminable pitfalls. However, it was not an ill-fatedRead More Comparing the American Dream in Millers Death of a Salesman and Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun3400 Words   |  14 PagesComparing the Destructive American Dream in Millers Death of a Salesman and Hansberrys A Raisin in the Sun America is a land of dreamers. From the time of the Spanish conquistadors coming in search of gold and everlasting youth, there has been a mystique about the land to which Amerigo Vespucci gave his name. To the Puritans who settled its northeast, it was to be the site of their â€Å"city upon a hill† (Winthrop 2). They gave their home the name New England, to signify their hope for aRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1870 Words   |  8 PagesTewari2 In Arthur Miller s play, Death of a Salesman, the major theme as well as the main source of conflict is Willy s inability to distinguish between reality and illusion. Willy has created a fantasy world for himself and his family, a world in which he and his sons are great men who have what it takes to make it in the context of business and free enterprise. In reality, none of them can achieve greatness until they confront and deal with this illusion. An illusion is some event or objectRead MoreWilly Loman : the Tragedy of the American Dream2717 Words   |  11 PagesWilly Loman : The Tragedy of the American Dream Prosperity, job security, hard work and family union are some of the concepts that involve the American Dream, generally speaking. Some people think this dream is something automatically granted; or in contrast, as in the story Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller, as something that has to be achieved in order to be successful in life. The play takes issues with those in America who place too much stress on material gain, instead ofRead More Oppression and Depression: The Effects of White Masculinity2725 Words   |  11 Pagescompletely failed, and according to society’s and their own standards, they are not worthy to be considered real men. White masculinity is the ideal design of an adult male. It is a model for every man in America from birth up until the moment of death. This ideal dictates preferences in society for both men and women. John F. Kasson claims that a man is â€Å"valued solely for his beauty, his body openly admired and aggressively pursued by [women] (as well as courted by his own sex)† (Kasson 27).

Comparison of Australian and Indonesian Economy free essay sample

Comparison of Australian and Indonesian Economy The major points of contrast between the Australian and Indonesian economies are: GDP, GDP growth, inflation, unemployment and quality of life. In this essay I will also discuss the quality of the environment in each. There is also a large contrast between the land area and population of each nation. The World Bank classifies Australia as a developed economy. It is a mixed market economy because the price mechanism works within the framework of government controls. 4% of the workforce is involved in service, 11% in manufacturing, and 10% in primary industry. In 2002, it was ranked 12th in the world in terms of per capita income. Indonesia is a developing economy. It relies heavily on primary industry and agriculture for domestic and international income, although, it is industrializing. 50% of the workforce is involved in agriculture, 35% is involved in manufacturing, and 15% is involved in services. In 2002 it was ranked 111th in the world in terms of per capita income. Australia has a much larger surface area than Indonesia, and a much smaller population. Australia has a surface area of 7692 thousand sq km, whilst Indonesia has a surface area of 1905 thousand sq km. Australia’s population in 2004 was 20. 2 million, whilst Indonesia in the same year was 223. 8 million. It is important to note that because of Indonesia’s much higher population compared to Australia; it has a much lower GDP per capita, as GDP per capita is calculated as GDP/population. In 2005, Indonesia’s GDP was US$280. 9 billion; its GDP per capita was US$1237. In 2005, Australia’s GDP was US$692. 4 billion; its GDP per capita was US$33629. This huge difference in GDP per capita is a result of the major difference in population size. From 2001-2002, Australia’s GDP increased by 3. 5%. In the same time Indonesia’s GDP increased by 3. 7%. This indicates that both economies are growing. Indonesia’s economy has been growing more than the Australian economy since 2000. According to the Australian Department of Foreign affairs and trade, the Australian economy has maintained growth at around 3% pa, whilst the Indonesian economy has been growing at 4. 5-5% pa for the last 5 years. Its growth in 2005 was 5. 7%. From 1990-2002, the average inflation for Australia has been 2. 3%. In Indonesia, however, it has been 14. 0%. This major difference is due to economic and political instability in Indonesia over the past 10 years. In 1997, there was a currency crisis in Indonesia, and this, along with the political instability of President Suharto being replaced by Dr B. J. Habibie, led to the economy collapsing and going into recession. The currency crisis caused exchange rate depreciation, which cause the heightened inflation, shown in the figures at the beginning of this paragraph. Inflation caused many industries to collapse, creating high unemployment. In 2002, Australia had an unemployment rate of 6. 3%, in the same year; Indonesia had an unemployment rate of 20%. Indonesia’s unemployment rate is a result of the previously mentioned currency crisis and political instability of 1997. The unemployment in Indonesia has been rising since this time. As Indonesia’s unemployment has been increasing, Australia’s has been decreasing from 11. 25% in 1992, to 5. 1% in 2005. There is no great difference in the proportion of women inn the workforce. In 2002, Australia’s workforce was comprised of 45% women. In 2002, Indonesia’s workforce was comprised of 40% women. Quality of life is measured by the World Bank on a Human Development Index. The Human Development Index (HDI) measure life expectancy, literacy and GDP per capita. In 2002, 177 nations were measured with this index. Out of the 177, Indonesia came 111th. This is due to the continuing effects of the fore mentioned currency crisis. Out of the 177, Australia came 3rd. The Human Development Report that the results were published in showed stark contrasts in quality of life indicators between Australia and Indonesia. In Indonesia, the prevalence of Child Malnutrition from 1992-1998, has been 34%. In the same time, Australia’s prevalence has been 0%. Indonesia’s population’s access to sanitation in 2000 was 55%. Australia’s was 100%. The Indonesian life expectancy in 2002 was 66. 6 years, while Australia’s was 79. 1 years. This study shows that there are major differences in quality of life between Australia and Indonesia The rapid industrialization of Indonesia’s economy and demographic pressure has led to significant deforestation in the nation and a decrease in the quality of the environment in general. From 1990-95, 10844 square km was forested on average each year. In comparison, Australia lost an average of 170 square km a year over the same time frame. This rapid deforestation has occurred because of the expansion of the paper and lumber exporting industries. Because over 80% of Australia’s population lives in capital cities, Australia has very good environmental quality. Australia has a much higher GDP than Indonesia; however, Indonesia’s economy is growing at a faster rate than Australia. Indonesia has a very high unemployment rate, caused by Economic and Political instability 10 years ago. These economic and political problems also caused very high inflation. Indonesia’s quality of life is significantly worse than Australia’s, particularly in relation to sanitation. Indonesia’s is a newly industrializing economy. This has caused many environmental problems as Indonesia’s paper and lumber exporting companies rapidly forest the land.

The Woman free essay sample

â€Å"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.† -Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre I am no bird but I am a woman: a woman in the 21st century where I’m supposed to be free. I am supposed to have an independent will and be free of any fear regarding my status in the society. I am a female, the other wheel of the chariot moving humanity towards a better future. In spite of having an important role in the evolution and development of the mankind, the world doubts my capabilities and talents. In this modern society, I can see examples of gender discrimination and female suppression. On one hand, I see goddesses being worshiped while on the other hand, I see a woman abused and raped. This is the irony of the world we live in. Throughout history, we have examples of great women who accomplished great things, be it in the field of politics, arts or the sciences. We will write a custom essay sample on The Woman or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page From Cleopatra to Marie Curie, from Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher to Indra Nooyi and Oprah Winfrey, we have examples of strong, self reliant women who knew their aims and aspired for greatness. They are the embodiment of the independent will which Bronte talks about. Thus it is disheartening to note that women are still considered a â€Å"piece of meat†. The plight of a woman in today’s society remains the same. Brutalization, discrimination and suppression continue to be a part of the lives of women around the world. In my country, there is news of domestic violence, sexual assaults, abductions, trafficking, feticide and dowry related disputes every day. One day a minor girl is attacked by 40 men on the streets of Guwahati, while a few months later a girl is raped by six men in Delhi. Heinous crimes are committed behind closed doors every minute. Therefore, I do not feel safe on the streets of my city. Mahatma Gandhi once said, â€Å"Of all the evils for which man has made himself responsible, none is so degrading, so shocking or so brutal as his abuse of the better half of humanity; the female sex (not the weaker sex). We are not weaker, we are equal. Mahatma Gandhi believed in equality and so do I. Therefore, the subjugation of the female sex is a step backwards in the march of humanity towards evolution. With every ten steps forward, the suppression of women takes us five steps backwards. I am a 17 year old entering the world of adults. I aspire to be the change in this society. My aim is to become an educated and self sufficient individual so that no net may ensnare me. I am willing to face every challenge that the society throws at me. I hope for a brighter future â€Å"where the mind is without fear and the head is held high†. I am a woman and I am proud to be one.