Women and Men: Culture of Equality and Mutual Respect
Written by: Brigitte Wada
To mark International Women's Day, the Women's Federation for World Peace France in partnership with the International Association for Economic and Social Development - Africa / France (AIDES/A.F) organized an event on Saturday, March 11, 2023 in Paris, France on the theme, "Women and Men: Culture of Equality and Mutual Respect."
After words of welcome by Brigitte Wada and Faiza Chaker, the organizers of the event, the four speakers spoke, each introduced by the moderator, Félicia Massey.
Soraya Ayouch is a psychologist at the Judicial Protection of Youth. She said that by celebrating Women's Day, it is also celebrating life. The theme of equality and respect invites all of us to talk about life, women, couples and peace. Working with children in difficult situations, she found that their actions often challenge parents and society in their desire for love. Her conclusion was that united women can bring a message of peace and hope despite the obstacles and difficulties that the world is going through today.
Marie Christine Odent, marriage and family counselor and Vice President of WFWP France, asked the question, “How does the digital world enable or hinder equality and respect between men and women?” She explained that the digital world is a tool that broadens the scope of our actions and multiplies our efforts. It can be used in the best or worst ways. For example, pornography, once confined to certain specialized media, is now accessible to everyone and to all ages. In this new digital context, it is up to women to create and transmit the best values: altruism, mutual respect, love, equality between women and men. And thus contribute to creating a healthier environment for the future generation. Her presentation ended with the words of the co-founder of WFWP, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, "I believe that the time has come for us women to boldly go forward, to welcome new opportunities and to promote the highest values.”
Rime Abdennadher is a UNESCO consultant and therapist. She spoke about the relationship between men and women, mainly within the couple. During a visit to the United States in 1997, she told of being invited to an event on gender equality in Islam. She was surprised by a verse in the Qur'an, "Oh you humans! We created you from a man and a woman, and We created from you nations and tribes, that you may know each other. The noblest of you, in the sight of God, is the most pious, faithful, devoted." That day she realized that God had created man and woman equal. For her, they were created to love, support and respect each other. It is in this loving relationship that they find equality even though they are different in nature. There is no need for them to confront each other but rather to help each other in moments of joy, weakness and success. She lamented that the couple today lacks commitment, dialogue, emotional connection and true love that can resolve their differences.
Ye-Bonne Maldonado, a research engineer in aerodynamics, gave a different perspective on gender equality in the digital world. According to her, too few women work in the field of IT (15% of her team are women) and yet this technology can make people's lives easier and provide cleaner energy. According to an article by Thomas Breda in 2014, "How come there are so few women working in science," it is not because of discrimination, at least in France. There may be another obstacle: the thought that girls are less talented in science than boys. However, a study in experimental psychology shows that this is not the case. Men and women have different cognitive abilities. Men are better at imagining the world in three dimensions, whereas women are more visual and can express their ideas more fluently. There is no reason why girls who want to work in IT should not do so.
Following these presentations, the audience in turn spoke, enriching everyone with many comments. The event ended with a delicious and diverse intercultural snack.
