International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women's Day. The school's are cancelled, workers get the day off. The School of Nursing held a parade and government officials, the Chief and the community were invited to spend the day celebrating women's advancement in education, specifically in science and technology.
I worked this morning at the hospital, preparing patients for the operating theater as scheduled operations happen Tuesdays and Thursdays. I managed to sneak away early to go watch the parade and eat nshima. I discovered that nshima is delicious when prepared with mais meal as opposed to cassava...this is handy to know as I expect to be heading to a nearby village to live for a few weeks to learn Lunda.  And as nshima is served twice a day, its good to know that I have some sort of option and a hope of surviving!
Well, the celebrations went very well, it was really encouraging to see women of all socio-economic states joining together to promote women's equality while maintaining a Christian perspective. The banners carried had references to Galatians 3:28. "There is neither Jew now Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
It was so touching to see these women rally together. They have every right to give up hope, the tragedy they've seen, the injustice of the education system toward girls. The cultural tradition that allows men to marry multiple wives, premits adultery for the man, but criminally punishes the women.
This paradox was spoken of by Mrs. Chilambe, the organizer of the day. She directed her speach to the women in the audience, knowing full well that the Chief, sitting next to her has recently taken on a third wife.
I couldn't help but to be thankful for the society in which I was raised. Not only were these battles fought and won, but they happened over 100 years ago! The fact that I have to right to a post-secondary education, or that I can expect to go through my day without being assaulted or mistreated by the males around me. Though I am not ignorant of the crimes against and struggles of western women, I can only be thankful for the life that the Lord place me in.
I hope that with the enthusiasm the women showed today, they will continue to rally together to increase the education system in this rural area, so that these women can learn even the basics like math for running a small business, or obtain credits prerequisit for entering post-secondary.
At the moment there are only 4 girls out of 60 students in the highschool, because the other girls have dropped out to raise their families. The Nursing School provides a post-secondary education, but the entry requirements don't allow for a rural education. The necessary biology and math for nursing is not being taught in the rural highschool here.
In talking with the other missionaries, we'd love to just scrap everything and start new. Unfortunately, that wouldn't solve the systemic problem.  The solution needs to come from the Zambians, from the grassroots. There are funds and government initiatives to boost rural education, although we have yet to see much of it put into place.

All in all it was an encouraging day!
Rachel