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EPDP Editorial

March 8, 2015 is an International Women’s Day. It is a day where worldwide women’s accomplishments and voices are heard, celebrated, and reflected. It is also a day celebrated to reflect the long and persistent struggle that worldwide women waged for their equal rights, a struggle that is now over one century old. However, despite over ten decades of struggle, women in many parts of the world have not been able to accomplish much in terms equal rights and freedoms in their respective societies.

Yes, the lives of many women in western democracies have improved a bit over the last many decades, but this is not true in many developing countries, that it in the third world countries. The vast majority of women in third world countries, like in Eritrea, are far behind in the struggle for their equal rights in the spheres of social, economic, and political power.

Eritrean women are among the most marginalized part of society in the world. Denied all political, economic, social and cultural rights, Eritrean women continue to face centuries of inequalities and injustices in their own country. Certainly, the belief of equality and freedom in our society has for centuries remained deeply reflective of men’s interest and views, an oppressive culture that perpetuates inequalities, discrimination, gender violence, and oppression of Eritrean women. Such a belief, which is embedded and institutionalized in the patriarchal culture of our society, provides men the right to dominate the political, social, and economic power of the society while limiting Eritrean women to household roles where they continue to be enslaved by men. In Eritrea, patriarchal belief sets not only male domination but also defines the relation between women and men in a manner that completely denies the semblance of dignity and status of Eritrean women be it in the family or in the various Eritrean cultural and societal institutions.  

Although, Eritrean women have participated in the national liberation struggle and contributed their share unseen in the history of other liberation struggles in the world, they are still portrayed and treated as second-class citizens. This is evident by the practices and policies of the kleptocratic regime of Eritrea. It is also true the gender inequality, or the restrictive role and participation of Eritrean women in the Eritrean opposition forces are equally dismal.

However, the issue of Eritrean women goes far deeper than the mere mention of their rights. It is about empowerment, equal roles and participation in democracy; it is about recognizing the dignity and equal status of Eritrean women that makes up half of the Eritrean population.

Therefore, it is crucial to recognize that no sustainable political, social, and economic prosperity is possible in Eritrea without the full participation of Eritrean women. It is within this understanding that both Eritrean men and Eritrean society at large should recognize Eritrean women’s equal rights and freedom as an inalienable rights and a foundation to build a just and democratic society. And this is only possible after we make changes in our thinking and belief – a belief that incessantly violates the rights of Eritrean women on the one hand and justifies the domination of Eritrean male on the other hand.  

In whole, our challenges and struggles lie in understanding and challenging both the male dominated political system and the patriarchal entrenchment that undermines and belittles the dignity, status, and role of Eritrean women in our society. Eritrean People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) supports Eritrean women irrespective of their political views to organize themselves in independent associations and networks in order to empower themselves and gain their denied rights. EPDP also supports the establishment of global Eritrean women’s association that brings Eritrean women together and enables them to create a concerted movement and fight for their equal rights, justice and freedom. In a point, EPDP believes women’s equality and freedom as inalienable rights without which we cannot build any sustainable democracy in our country. Therefore, as we celebrate March 8, let us renew our commitments to support Eritrean women in their struggle for equal rights, justice, and democratic freedoms in all spheres of our society by shattering the patriarchal system entrenched in our culture that perpetuates inequality and a culture that sees women in the image of male in our society.