Real Change Occurs Woman By Woman

The women have packed up and left China. The tents have been taken down. The briefcases are closed. The Fourth U.N. World Conference on Women officially ended last week; now, the hard work begins.

Women from 185 nations emerged with a 150-page plan of action which should better the lives of women worldwide. But the underlying message is that real change happens woman by woman. Women cannot wait for governments, for church leaders, for corporation executives to transform their lives. This starts at home, at school, at work.

Almost every goal that emerged from the women’s conference can be personalized into a message women can pass on to the young women in their lives. Some specifics:

Sex: The conference plan says women have the right to decide freely all matters related to their sexuality and childbearing.

In homes, this begins with telling young girls that they have a right to privacy. Their bodies are not for improper touching by others. They have the right to say no and to tell on family members or friends who touch them in the wrong ways. This right would go a long way in preventing sexual abuse of young girls.

Violence: The conference plan condemns all forms of violence against women as well as sexual harassment at work.

In families, there should be similar messages. Patterns of battering sometimes can be stopped in a family by one woman brave enough to say “stop.” Neighbors, school officials and relatives need to intervene when they suspect battering.

Young girls need to be taught that they do not have to tolerate bullies (male or female) in their classrooms, playgrounds or neighborhoods. The skills they develop standing up to bullies are the same skills they’ll need in the workplace to fend off sexual harassment.

Women in power: The conference plan urges women to become leaders in both the public and private sectors, thereby influencing policy. Young girls should be encouraged to run for school offices, to participate in sports, to join debate teams. They should work alongside boys to learn how to run things.

The family: The conference plan calls for the family unit to be strengthened, protected and supported. And women must not suffer discrimination because they are mothers.

In families, young girls need to be reminded that men are not the enemies. They are our families’ dads, brothers and sons. Outside the family, they are girls’ classmates and friends.

We are all in this together. That could be the most important message of all.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rebecca Nappi/For the editorial board