TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER IN-LAW

“God has a purpose to our heartache. The savior always knows what’s best. We learn so many precious lessons in every sorrow, trial and test”- (JARVIS)


I cannot even begin to express how truly blessed I feel to have had him as a father-in-law. I loved and respected him immeasurably and he did same.

Although a man of few words, strong, and a disciplinarian, my father-in-law was one of the kindest and “gentlest” men I have ever known in my entire life. In a world defined by greed and chaos, he lived his life simply and honorably. Nothing gave him more pleasure in this world than his God, his family and his work.

Daddy, I vividly recall times we spent together discussing social issues and football. Discussing about your work and travel, you talked about your travel to thirty-two countries worldwide. You had more to share but I had to go. If only I knew there wouldn’t be a time to continue that conversation, I would have waited to hear it all.

Daddy, I also recall the last moment your daughter (my wife) and I spent with you five days before your sudden departure. It was a cool late afternoon bible discussion. We discussed God’s love even in punishment. You concluded the session saying though God gave us conventional wisdom to use, yet it could only take us some far. When it comes to the things of God, we can only understand and accept but by faith because then, our conventional wisdom becomes limited. Little did I know that this wonderful father- children fellowship was your way of preparing us to receive by faith the news of your sad departure to your maker. Indeed, it makes sense to me now that I cannot understand your call back home but to accept it by faith, as you rightly said.

Sadly, moments to your death were filled with pain. Although you could hear us, you could hardly communicate with us or move. Yet, the only stimuli that you ever aggressively wanted to react to was the soothing voice of your wife each time she came by your bed side. It was the last act of a dying man. You used every remaining ounce of strength in your dying body. It was one of the most beautiful and touching moments I've ever witnessed in my entire life and I will never forget it for as long as I live. Just writing about it here brings me to tears.

You again stressed on the three key elements that is central to man’s life; reverence for God, love and respect for wife and family and dedication to work. Thank you! I will miss your traditional new year family get-togethers. They were not really get-togethers; they were events… wonderful memories.

Though I am tormented by grief and saddened by your departure, I know you're finally at peace and with your maker. I look forward to seeing you again someday on the other side- I am smiling in between my tears.

I love you but Jesus loves you best!

Daddy, fare thee well!

WHY IS GIRLS' EDUCATION IMPORTANT.

There are several compelling benefits associated with girls’ education, which include the reduction of child and maternal mortality, improvement of child nutrition and health, lower fertility rates, enhancement of women’s domestic role and their political participation, improvement of the economic productivity and growth, and protection of girls from HIV/AIDS, abuse and exploitation. Girls’ education yields some of the highest returns of all development investments, yielding both private and social benefits that accrue to individuals, families, and society at large by

Reducing women’s fertility rates. Women with formal education are much more likely to use reliable family planning methods, delay marriage and childbearing, and have fewer and healthier babies than women with no formal education. It is estimated that one year of female schooling reduces fertility by 10 percent. The effect is particularly pronounced for secondary schooling.

Lowering infant and child mortality rates. Women with some formal education are more likely to seek medical care, ensure their children are immunized, be better informed about their children's nutritional requirements, and adopt improved sanitation practices. As a result, their infants and children have higher survival rates and tend to be healthier and better nourished.

Lowering maternal mortality rates. Women with formal education tend to have better knowledge about health care practices, are less likely to become pregnant at a very young age, tend to have fewer, better-spaced pregnancies, and seek pre- and post-natal care. It is estimated that an additional year of schooling for 1,000 women helps prevent two maternal deaths.

Protecting against HIV/AIDS infection. Girls’ education ranks among the most powerful tools for reducing girls’ vulnerability. It slows and reduces the spread of HIV/AIDS by contributing to female economic independence, delayed marriage, family planning, and work outside the home, as well as conveying greater information about the disease and how to prevent it.

Increasing women’s labor force participation rates and earnings. Education has been proven to increase income for wage earners and increase productivity for employers, yielding benefits for the community and society.

Creating intergenerational education benefits. Mothers’ education is a significant variable affecting children’s education attainment and opportunities. A mother with a few years of formal education is considerably more likely to send her children to school. In many countries each additional year of formal education completed by a mother translates into her children remaining in school for an additional one-third to one-half year.
Girls’ education and the promotion of gender equality in education are vital to development, and policies and actions that do not address gender disparities miss critical development opportunities. 

Credit:  SAY NO TO SEXUAL & GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

KEY FACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

KEY FACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

* Violence against women is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights.
* A lack of access to education and opportunity, and low social status in communities are linked to violence against women.
* Violence by an intimate partner is one of the most common forms of violence against women.
* A wide range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive, and maternal health problems can result from violence against women.
* Many women do not seek help or report their experiences when violence occurs.

The United Nations defines violence against women as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

There are many forms of violence against women, including sexual, physical, or emotional abuse by an intimate partner; physical or sexual abuse by family members or others; sexual harassment and abuse by authority figures (such as teachers, police officers or employers); trafficking for forced labour or sex; and such traditional practices as forced or child marriages, dowry-related violence; and honour killings, when women are murdered in the name of family honour. Systematic sexual abuse in conflict situations is another form of violence against women.

Health effects

Health consequences can result directly from violent acts or from the long-term effects of violence.

* Injuries: Physical and sexual abuse by a partner is closely associated with injuries. Violence by an intimate partner is the leading cause of non-fatal injuries to women in the USA.
* Death: Deaths from violence against women includes honour killings (by families for cultural reasons); suicide; female infanticide (murder of infant girls); and maternal death from unsafe abortion.
* Sexual and reproductive health: Violence against women is associated with sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancies, gynaecological problems, induced abortions, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, low birth weight and fetal death.
* Risky behaviours: Sexual abuse as a child is associated with higher rates of sexual risk-taking (such as first sex at an early age, multiple partners and unprotected sex), substance use, and additional victimization. Each of these behaviours increases risks of health problems.
* Mental health: Violence and abuse increase risk of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep difficulties, eating disorders and emotional distress.
* Physical health: Abuse can result in many health problems, including headaches, back pain, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disorders, limited mobility, and poor overall health status.

Social and economic costs

The social and economic costs of violence against women are enormous and have ripple effects throughout society. Women may suffer isolation, inability to work, loss of wages, lack of participation in regular activities, and limited ability to care for themselves and their children.
Who is at risk?

Though risk factors vary, some characteristics seem to increase the likelihood of violence. The potential risk factors can be grouped into the following subsets.

* Individual: Personal attributes associated with higher risk of violence include: a young age, lower socio-economic status, limited education, a history of abuse and substance use, and, for partner violence, the choice of partner. Partner traits that put women at risk include alcohol or drug use, low educational level, negative attitudes about women, and witnessing domestic violence against women or being abused as a child.
* Family and relationship: Within families, risk of violence increases with marital conflicts, male dominance, economic stress and poor family functioning.
* Community: Within communities, the risk is higher where there is gender inequality, and a lack of community cohesion or resources.
* Societal: On a broader level, higher risk is found in societies with traditional gender norms or a lack of autonomy for women, and where there are restrictive laws on divorce and ownership and inheritance of property, or when there is social breakdown due to conflicts or disasters.

Prevention and response

More evaluation is needed to assess the effectiveness of violence prevention measures. Interventions with promising results include increasing education and opportunities for women and girls, improving their self-esteem and negotiating skills, and reducing gender inequities in communities.

Other efforts with positive success include: work with teenagers to reduce dating violence; supportive programmes for children who have witnessed intimate partner violence; mass public education campaigns; and work with men and boys to change attitudes about gender inequities and the acceptability of violence.

Advocacy for victims, better awareness of violence and its consequences among health workers, and wider knowledge of available resources for abused women (including legal assistance, housing and child care), can lessen the consequences of violence.

Credit: SAY NO TO SEXUAL & GENDER BASED VIOLENCE.