I do

Now don't get excited. While it is true on Wednesday, I did say "I do", while holding a flower, it was the agreement that I perform the duties of Secretary for our local Zonta club. However, since I don't have any forseeable opportunity to say those words at a wedding, I have to take the opportunity when I can. It was the induction of the new Board for the year and we all got yellow roses, a club symbol.

We also spent some time talking about local and international service projects. Last year and this year our fundraising efforts have supported Elsie's Womens Refuge . We provided computers and furniture so that women staying there have computer access and training opportunities. Its so frustrating to hear some of the stories. Beds quickly fill up, so there is never enough space for women who need it. There is some ability to put some of them up in motel rooms, but that leaves them isolated and/or trying to look after children in a limited space, making it even more likely they will return home. Other women affected are immigrants who may effectively be mail-order brides. Their partner's may maintain control the women by using threats of deportation. We're still determing the exact form our support will take, but its definitely a worthy project.

One of the members also presented on the International projects that Zonta organises. A portion of our fundraising goes to these efforts, so some people protest about not seeing the results. However, as our speaker noted "If poverty had a face, it would be female". The numbers are horrifying.
- Globally, more than 80% of women do not have sufficient knowledge about HIV/AIDS and many women do not have the power to say no to sex with an infected partner.
-Every year an estimated 4 million women and girls are bought and sold worldwide.
-Female illiteracy rates remain higher than men.
The Zonta projects, often together with CARE or the United Nations are providing programs that help women gain education, access to finance and improved health, but there is such a long way to go.

I am tutoring a mature age student, who has had lots of dealing with social aid projects. She told me a story about her work that would be funny, if it didn't have such potentially devasting consequences. She was involved with a group providing safe sex and contraception education to people in the Solomon Islands. The use of condoms was demonstrated on bananas, so many of the men would place a condom covered banana next to the bed telling their partners that it was now safe to have sex. The women were left wondering why they still got pregnant.

Yes, I know, kind of a depressing post, but its also good to know that people are still out there tyring to make changes in the world and if I can contribute in some way that will be a good thing.