This is a “Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker”. It is located in Belfast and was sculpted by Louise Walsh in 1992.
Churches rarely talk about the problem of modern patriarchy, and how that relates to issues such as reproductive justice for women today.
Misogyny has taken many malevolent forms throughout history, and religion has been slow to challenge it.
Some faith voices are speaking out though, such as Presbyterian minister Jim Rigby from Austin Texas, who writes:
TO THE UNKNOWN SISTER
As you probably know, three women have died in Texas since the Republican State Legislature imposed a ban on abortion at six weeks before many women even realize they are pregnant.
Texas Republicans then imposed the threat of 99 years in prison for any doctor whose treatment of miscarriages could be construed as an abortion. Unsurprisingly, some doctors are already choosing less effective procedures that are more dangerous to the pregnant person, but legally safer for the doctor.
Obviously, men being “Pro-Life” costs the man nothing and can cost the woman everything. I was horrified, but not surprised, to learn that the committee studying maternal mortality in Texas will not review cases from the first two years after the abortion ban. Apparently, patriarchal “Pro-Life” passion dims considerably when we consider the fate of pregnant women.
When asked about pregnancies that were a result of rape Gov. Abbott fantastically claimed he would eliminate rape in Texas. If the governor has even lifted a finger to prevent rape he has failed spectacularly. Texas still leads the nation in the number of women forcibly raped. And it is hard to believe to believe any member of the Republican Party is serious about eliminating rape if they confirm the incoming Trump cabinet nominees which is replete with men accused of rape and sexual assault.
I hope someday there will a monument to our unknown sisters who have perished under the merciless heel of patriarchy in the United States. We can look to the feminist revolution like the one in Iran for inspiration.
Golshan, a Women’s Rights Activist in Iran said:
“We don’t have one leader. The beauty and strength of our movement is that every single one of us here is a leader.”
Shahed Ezaydi, Editor for The New Arab wrote:
“The fight for women’s freedom in Iran isn’t just about the hijab but ultimately, a woman’s ability to choose.“
We no longer have to travel to other countries to experience theocracy. The Christian Taliban have arrived and are strutting through their brief reign before American women rise to take up what is theirs.
It is imperative that we honour the brave feminist and womanist souls who have struggled against gender apartheid since the founding of this nation.
I hope someday there will be a monument to “The Unknown Sister” in Washington D.C. honouring the brave mothers, sisters and daughters who died resisting patriarchy in all its evil forms.
It is a battle longer and bloodier than any in history and it is past time to celebrate those who gave their lives in the struggle against gender apartheid.
(Feed generated with FetchRSS)
