ASSOCIATION OF BAHÁ’Í WOMEN ANNUAL CONFERENCE, DUBLIN 31 MARCH 2001
Over the past number of years I have attended many conferences, Bahá’í and not Bahá’í, where the focus has been on equality issues but, for me, the annual conference of the Association of Bahá’í Women held in Dublin on 31st March was undoubtedly the most memorable. The success lay in the choice of speakers each of whom was outstanding in her own right but whose topics merged to give a stimulating, integrated and thought provoking whole.
The first speaker was Grainne Healey, Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland and Vice-chair of the European Women’s Lobby. I worked with Grainne when I was the UK’s representative on the EWL and was always impressed by her sincere and total commitment to promoting the equality of women. She gave an overview of how far women have come in Ireland and the background to the Council which is the Irish equivalent of the Women’s National Commission in the UK. The facts, which Grainne quoted for Ireland, are virtually the same for Britain and the rest of Europe:
1. Despite employment legislation, on average women still earn 20% less than men
2. Although the marriage bar was removed in the Civil service over 30 years ago, only 1% of senior civil service positions are held by women. Fewer than 3% of any top management posts are held by women,.
3. In the Republic of Ireland fewer than 15% of women are in government and throughout the island of Ireland there are several local authorities composed entirely of men.
4. Violence against women is a major issue where at least one woman in four is or will become a victim.
5. Poverty afflicts women to a greater extent either as single parents or as elderly women living on reduced pensions or simply because they are in lower paid jobs.
The vision of the Council is for a society where women will have social justice as a right and not a favour. Grainne created the link to the next speaker when she highlighted the recent blight of racism that has emerged in Ireland due to increased numbers of immigrants and asylum seekers. “The ethnic minority woman suffers double discrimination – as a woman and because she is of another race. Racism has no one face, no one sign but is pervasive and poisonous, invisible to all those who suffer,” she concluded.
The keynote speaker was Dr.Wilma Ellis, Member of the Board of Counsellors in the United States. Of African-American background she was Vice president of the New York City Coalition of 100 Black Women from 1981-1983 and in 1996 she was appointed by the US Secretary of State to the Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad. In 1989 she received the Woman of conscience Award from the National Council of Women in the United States in recognition of her work for the advancement of women. Dr.Ellis’s topic was “The Challenge of Race Unity”.
“Racism is one of the greatest problems bedevilling humanity,” were her introductory words. Dr. Ellis then went on to give an enthralling, informed history of racism since the time that it was considered an American problem to the present situation where countries such as Ireland who had previously believed themselves exempt from this form of prejudice are having to deal with the issues of immigrants, asylum seekers and even Irish people returning to take up jobs in Ireland. Her knowledge of the history, culture and socio-economic conditions of Ireland was truly impressive.
She told us that we must expect that ever-increasing numbers will seek refuge in Ireland because people want to survive. Over the next few years 9% of the population will not be Irish. “Never again,” she warned, “will Ireland be described as white, Catholic and provincial but the Celtic Tiger must be matched with social development and the integration of the immigrant labour force. The stability and prosperity of the country will depend upon its capacity to accommodate and absorb minorities.”
Dr.Ellis said that the root cause of prejudice is blind imitation of the past. During her talk she quoted extensively from Mary McAleese’s recently published book and from her conversation with the President. “The logic of purity” says President McAleese, “is become like us, surrender your identity and the problem is solved.” Picking up on that point Dr Ellis spoke of the example, “If you are a ‘good’ coloured boy we will let you work or live in our neighbourhood.” This mentality denies human beings respect for their roots, culture and identity.
So what are the practical solutions that will lead to racial harmony? Dr.Ellis suggested:
Stop imitating the past and look for new ways
Look within ourselves. Can we improve personal relations with people different from ourselves?
Economic and social strength comes with integration
If Ireland can make that effort it will become an even brighter light in the European Community
Interracial marriages – we must overcome the fear of what the neighbours will think
The media has a vitally important role to play
Be aware that the highest station is service to humanity
Regard unity in diversity as a worthwhile principle by which to live
Money alone does not bring happiness
Fifteen hundred years ago a young foreigner brought a new religion to Ireland. His greatest wish for Ireland was that we love one another. The challenge of racial unity is great. Ireland must meet that challenge. “Will you buy into the concept of change?” Dr.Ellis asked her audience of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. “Ireland must be known for its love.”
The third speaker was Caroline Smith, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. Her subject “The Women’s Movement – What Next” was a stimulating analysis of the root causes of the continuing inequality of women. Despite the introduction of anti-discrimination legislation and raised awareness of equality issues, sexual abuse of and violence against women and girls continues. Even in Dublin rape and sexual abuse is as bad as ever and the women’s movement has made no dent in reducing the incidences. Women are the victims of the cosmetics and dieting industries. Gross pornography is available on the shelves of the corner shops, not to mention the horrendous problem of internet pornography. Pornography cannot be controlled because it is a major business.
“I say that this is a failure on the part of the women’s movement, but I do not imply that there is any blame,” said Caroline. She then went on to illustrate, brilliantly I might say, that the reason the women’s movement has not achieved progress is that it has concentrated almost exclusively on political and economic equality. The true function to carry forward a society in continual evolution has been side-lined. “The true mark of a civilisation is the care that it takes of its weakest citizens but because they do not earn or produce they are neglected.”
“It is time to ask for equality in spiritual and philosophical ways. The equality of women and men cannot be recognised until we stop looking only at the material aspects. Equality of worth is based on the human soul – the recognition of the essential spiritual nature of each person. How can it be measured? For Bahá’í women it is when a woman can walk from one end of the world to the other wearing fine clothing and jewelry without being molested.”
In conclusion Caroline emphasised that there is nothing more important for humanity than how we bring up our children. It is for them that we must demand morality on the part of politicians and the business world – the argument that private and public life are separate is not valid.