Women should stop being victims

IN CELEBRATION of women, ironically Jacob Zuma’s post-election speech is disrupted by four silent protesters during women’s month – reminding everyone of the rape epidemic in this country, and especially that Zuma himself was accused some years ago.

In this day and age, more than ever, women are abused, trafficked and objectified.

I think it’s time they started taking the initiative to end this, and stopped being the victims.

Daily I see women prostituting themselves in the media, at sporting events and even commercial launches. Motor GP racers are flanked by scantily clad models carrying umbrellas to keep the hero shaded, music videos are blatantly obscene with near-naked women writhing over the male singer, beauty contests are still prevalent with large money being given to winners who have to parade around in costumes.

Magazines are loaded with images of photoshopped women, who are thin and appear flawless – to sell beauty products or clothes. Often, at the launching parties of new vehicles, there are semi-naked women draping themselves over it – to get the attention of prospective buyers.

Hollywood women seem to be using the “blow-up doll” as a role model, and are so distorted with facial surgery, botox, large breasts and lips that they eventually look like burn victims in their old age! It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad! Unfortunately, physical “beauty” sells.

So, I guess the reason women do this is to get paid, get attention and sometimes to score the rich husband. Men are wired differently from women, they are more “visually” aroused and stimulated – that’s just the way it is. If you dangle a piece of meat in front of a dog – what’s he going to do? Drool, bark – snap at it …! Have a good look, at the very least. So, ladies, if you want to objectify yourself, don’t be horrified if men follow suit!

The solution is simple: a) men – please stop using the female body to sell stuff; and b) women – please start loving, respecting and accepting yourself, just as you are.

PS Please don’t take offence to the generalisations – not all men and not all women are like this! SONIA SHAW

Everton

Don’t misrepresent scientific theory

GROSS misrepresentations of science are dangerous (Rodgers and Piatter, The Mercury, August 10). I do understand the comfort many find in imaginary friends. However, when insecurity leads to demands that others pay silent tribute too, I must respond.

Most dangerous is the false equivalence between scientific theory and religious dogma. Yes, science is about theories, but, critically, it is about the humility of doubt and about breaking old theories to build broader ones.

Contrast with the reluctance of religion to embrace evidence-based change; evolution survives years of concerted effort to undo it by the very scientists you despise, whereas religion rests its authority on exceptionalism and on silencing debate.

If one is so discomfited by science, perhaps one is better suited to preparing for the rapture.

The overwhelming majority of scientists do not embrace creationism, even as they challenge theory (which is their job). Rodgers does appear to acknowledge evolution of drug-resistant bacteria.

Since even Aquinas could not go from deism to theism, why not admit that it is your own crisis of faith that demands silent validation of your special status as a “child of God’’? DR GARETH AMERY Bellair

How to avoid street muggings

IT IS sad to hear of the various incidents of not just criminals stealing but brutal attacks.

Given that very little can be expected from the authorities concerned, maybe the recent media coverage will get security conscious/higher risk individuals to avoid the Pinetown CBD Home Affairs, improve access and/or policing or in the last case choose a safer option such as Umgeni Road.

As for Pinetown, I had an experience in which my cellphone was snatched from me at the taxi rank by schoolkids.

Many years ago, wanting to walk the Johannesburg CBD, I hired two unemployed youngsters who walked with me and, having paid them a fair rate and coupled this with a fast-food meal, the expedition went off without incident.

As for those who have to visit Pinetown Home Affairs or walk in busy public areas, the following points should be noted:

Avoid wearing any jewellery, dress down, flat shoes for females, carry just a little cash and, most importantly, walk with your gardener or get some other male escort (preferably a young “street smart” fellow) to walk with you. Very often just being seen with such a person gets the bad guys to step back.

This is not guaranteed but will considerably reduce the risks of being mugged. MUHAMMAD OMAR

Durban North

Consumers are real victims of strikes

YEAR after year the citizens of SA experience strike season and this year is no different with Eskom workers on strike along with workers in the petroleum industry. These are key industries like police and teachers, and workers in these industries should be prohibited from going on strike. The irony is that it is by and large workers who earn a decent salary with good benefits who go on strike and not those poor souls who continue to labour under poor conditions and get very low wages.

I know of an instance in which the union (not necessarily labour) demanded an 18% increase, was offered 10% plus better benefits and this was refused by the union despite most of the workforce wanting to accept the offer. So once again the majority is dictated to by avaricious union bosses and shop stewards whose only interest is protecting their turf. And this is a general trend where unions demand crazy increases, force their members to strike and intimidate those who don’t and then sit back and relax in their upmarket homes until either the workers or management capitulate.

The real victims are the consumers and workers who suffer fuel, water, food and other shortages. This trend in which workers demand top wages for below-average work performance needs to stop as this is a serious handbrake on economic growth. PETER WORMAN The Bluff

Hijab halts objectification

SEEING a woman in a headscarf should be no different from seeing a woman wearing a cross. Muslim women are not oppressed by choosing to wear a hijab. The individual chooses what they wear and whether it is a tank top and shorts or a hijab, every woman is capable of deciding how she looks.

Feminism deals with issues such as how women have the right to look and dress how they want, yet so often we forget that it is also okay to cover up and be modest.

The hijab prevents the objectification of women and forces the society to value her ideas, thoughts and words for who she is, not how she looks. RAZIA KHAN Overport