Summary of the Article; What You Do to Your Women, You Do to Your Nation

In this article by the New York Times, Hudson deliberates on the importance of women’s rights and welfare. She maintains the United Nations’ (UN) position that the fate of any nation is determined by the status of the female citizens. As such, the importance of women’s rights cannot be overemphasized. The article recognizes the positive steps that have been taken for women in the last two and a half decades. Such include reduced maternal mortality rates and increased enrollment of girls to primary schools. However, these are deemed insufficient. Furthermore, such achievements are overshadowed by the reintroduction of past practices such as the legalization of polygyny. To reiterate the importance of women’s status, Hudson presents the findings of a recent study. In the study, Hudson and her co-authors demonstrate that matters of national security are intertwined with the treatment of women. She proceeds to explain how nations that subordinate women are likely to experience issues of civil strife and terrorism. She sums up by candidly stating that the law of the first political order is that what you do to your women, you do to your nation (Hudson).

Author’s Question

Hudson is trying to explain why we should take the issue of women’s rights and gender equality seriously. She addresses those who may dismiss the article as yet another human-interest story. She maintains that such views are far from the truth. Instead, the article is meant as a wakeup call to all governments, institutions, and individuals. Backed by a comprehensive study, the article insists that the issue of women’s rights can no longer be downplayed.

Author’s Answer

The article proposes several measures to ensure that women’s rights and gender equality are treated with the seriousness that they deserve. The Problem, as Hudson sees it, is rooted in homes and personal lives. She proposes a complete redefinition of the relationship between men and women. These include tackling issues such as polygyny, bride price, dowry, and domestic violence. Also, divorce laws and inheritance rights that favor men must be abolished. Hudson reiterates that men must learn to view women as their equal in both the professional arena and at home. The subordination of women must be stopped. According to Hudson, men who view women as inferior are likely to engage in political violence and hostility against minorities and foreigners.

My Opinion of the Article

In my opinion, the article makes a relevant and valid point. The relationship between women’s rights and peace is evident across the globe. Countries that promote women’s welfare tend to enjoy political stability and consequently, better economic status. Countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway, and Canada enjoy great political stability. These nations share the same characteristic of upholding gender equality. For countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, women’s rights are not well safeguarded. As such, these countries regularly face political instability and civil strife. The article, therefore, can act as a wakeup call for all societies to recognize the importance of women’s rights and gender equality. However, the article fails to acknowledge the major role played by culture in this problem. Most problems that women face are deeply rooted in a culture that is passed on from one generation to the next. As such, recommendations need to be put forward on how to do away with the bad cultural practices while taking care not to dismiss all the values that a given society is built upon.

 

Work Cited

Hudson, Valerie. “What You Do Your Women, You Do to your Nation.” The New York Times, Mar. 6, 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/opinion/global-womens-rights.html