Is it fair?
Did you know that Afghanistan's current election commission has promised women 25% of seats in the Parliament? To me, that is a large amount quantified for women. I was first impressed, then I thought to myself, is that fair - in the sense that though other men candidates might acquire more votes than women, the women will be given the seats. It seems kind of 'unfair' in that way.
What is the notion of fairness anyway?
I decided to do a search in Merriam Webster dictionary, and it gave me the following results:
FAIR implies an elimination of one's own feelings, prejudices, and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests (a fair decision).
JUST implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper (a just settlement of territorial claims).
EQUITABLE implies a less rigorous standard than JUST and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned (the equitable distribution of the property).
I then concluded that the issue stated might actually be 'unfair.' But though it is 'unfair' it is actually equitable. Being an Islamic country reigned by Taliban regime for many years, women do not have an equal status compared to men, and they were considered the weaker beings. Culturally, they can't even walk out in the streets alone - they have to be accompanied by a male family member in fully dressed burkha. In addition to that, Prophet Muhammad once said that a country led by women will be "doomed to failure." With such conservative settings, women will never be able to run politically on their own. Let's face it, even in the First World Country of Canada, there are quite few women representatives in the Parliament. There might be many reasons for this: less interest than that of men, less connection with the high and mighty, bias by men voters, financially incapable and many many more. Only really outspoken women leaders like Anne McClellan or super rich Magda owner Belinda Stronach would be able to gain supporters.
Therefore, it certainly is a good move to have 25% women representation in the Afghanistan Parliament as so to give them a starting point. It is only equitable. However, I do think that as a country moves forward in women's rights, and thinking, such a quota is unnecessary lest men claiming that women are infringing on their rights and stepping on their toes.
What is the notion of fairness anyway?
I decided to do a search in Merriam Webster dictionary, and it gave me the following results:
FAIR implies an elimination of one's own feelings, prejudices, and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests (a fair decision).
JUST implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper (a just settlement of territorial claims).
EQUITABLE implies a less rigorous standard than JUST and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned (the equitable distribution of the property).
I then concluded that the issue stated might actually be 'unfair.' But though it is 'unfair' it is actually equitable. Being an Islamic country reigned by Taliban regime for many years, women do not have an equal status compared to men, and they were considered the weaker beings. Culturally, they can't even walk out in the streets alone - they have to be accompanied by a male family member in fully dressed burkha. In addition to that, Prophet Muhammad once said that a country led by women will be "doomed to failure." With such conservative settings, women will never be able to run politically on their own. Let's face it, even in the First World Country of Canada, there are quite few women representatives in the Parliament. There might be many reasons for this: less interest than that of men, less connection with the high and mighty, bias by men voters, financially incapable and many many more. Only really outspoken women leaders like Anne McClellan or super rich Magda owner Belinda Stronach would be able to gain supporters.
Therefore, it certainly is a good move to have 25% women representation in the Afghanistan Parliament as so to give them a starting point. It is only equitable. However, I do think that as a country moves forward in women's rights, and thinking, such a quota is unnecessary lest men claiming that women are infringing on their rights and stepping on their toes.
posted by Grace at 9/18/2005 06:21:00 PM
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