Tuesday, March 8, 2011

International Women's Day

For a few years now, I've been hearing about the 8th of March's celebration of "International Women's Day" from my very Bulgarian boyfriend.  This very Socialist holiday is Valentine's Day and Mother's Day rolled into one, but I'd never heard of it from anyone besides Nikolay. Today, however, while walking in the streets of Madrid, I saw Spanish women carrying roses, and signs and banners commemorating the 100th annual Women's Day.  Turns out the Bulgars didn't make it up.

In honor of this festive and feminist occasion (and given that my sojourn in Spain doesn't give me much time to write a blog post!), I wanted to post an extremely relevant film.  It runs almost an hour, but it is well worth the time.

http://www.answers.com/topic/a-walk-to-beautiful-1


This award-winning documentary focuses on five Ethiopian women living with obstetric fistula, a devastating yet reversible injury incurred during childbirth.  If you have never heard of obstetric fistula, I am not going to describe it here - just be aware that there are complications of pregnancy far worse than going into labor in a taxi or elevator, as per sitcom convention.  

According to the UNFPA, approximately 2 million girls and women worldwide currently suffer from this condition.  Obstetric fistula almost exclusively affects women from impoverished regions who give birth before the age of 18.  Married off before puberty and impregnated through what would most tactfully be called statutory rape, the girls unlucky enough to develop a fistula endure their condition along with the disgust of their husbands and the rejection of their communities.

The documentary is poignant but not preachy, powerful, yet not overdone.  The disclaimer at the beginning of the film warns the viewer that the subject material is "mature."  Unfortunately, there are some aspects of pregnancy too unpleasant for baby shower games, and not cute enough for a TLC special.  In a nation that loves to raise its voice about choice vs. life, Roe vs. Wade, we so rarely discuss the victims who suffer most at this crossroads of culture, politics, and religion:  young, impoverished girls who have never had a "choice" about anything.
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2 comments:

  1. HilaryMarch 8, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Google's celebrating, too! http://www.google.com/logos/2011/womensday11-hp.jpg

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  2. NickDaBulgarianMarch 8, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    First time I heard about obstetric fistula I couldn't believe these women's cruel fate. I guess even after so many years of evolution the human body has not adapted to the incredible complexity of reproducing itself. yet bacause of stupid sitcoms we are used to thinking a birth is something so simple and natural you can pop one out in the bathtub.

    btw, no notable displays of celebration on dc streets. then i saw 20-30 people outside farragut west and i though "finally!"... until i realized they are carrying pro-life signs and were "praying to end abortion". oooooooo america, you make me to be angry...

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