The F Word.

DISCLAIMER: a LOT has happened since my last blog and I am writing this from a whole new project. For an update on everything that’s happened please read Kats cracking lil blog piece xxxxx

https://katrionasyearinhonduras.wordpress.com

|

|

|

Feminism… a word that probably doesn’t exist in Honduran vocabulary. When thinking about gender equality here there is evidently a long way to go for Honduras, it isn’t an impossible goal but feels a long way away from the equality we have at home (even Britain has definitely got a lot to better itself on equality let alone Honduras.)

Honduras is a very machismo patriarchal society; gender roles are evident and men definitely rule the school. Women are expected to be subservient to men or at least are definitely considered to be lower down in the hierarchy. A very lovely little boy (from 2nd) called Jarid normally walks to and from school with us. On our way home from school we pass a group of men working in a make-shift garage, nearly every day we get cat called by these men (the cat calling consists of kissing noises, “I love you baby” and whistles). It would be easier for us to count the times this hasn’t happened rather than when it does. When passing these men, they seem to show respect to Jarid with a slight nod of the head, whilst simultaneously showing complete disrespect to us. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t respect six year olds, I just find it so shocking that a six-year-old boy gets more respect that two women who are teachers at their village school.

To objectify women is just a casual part of life here, Kat (my abso favourite human being to ever grace this earth xx) & I have actually had kissing noises and “I love you” from our own students!!! One boy from 3rd grade said, “hello baby” to me and he evidently didn’t know what he was actually saying as when I looked at him stunned he looked embarrassed and slightly confused. To talk to women like this has trickled down into the younger boys’ mind making them think it’s ok – I mean if your father/ brother/ uncle acted in a certain way it would no doubt have an affect or impact on you. I’m not justifying the younger boys’ behaviour but it is hard to change a system when the ways are so rooted into their everyday life.

There is an obvious sense of ‘girl jobs’ and ‘boy jobs’ here. In all our time in Honduras, we have never seen a woman drive a bus or taxi, but this is a similar case to Britain – I can’t lie that when I see a female bus/taxi driver at home I am pleasantly surprised and doesn’t this show an evident lack of equality even in Britain – now compare that to Honduras where girls are more likely to not finish their education because their place is considered ‘the home.’ Men are expected to be the head of the household and the main provider, for us this might seem a very old-fashioned outlook of gender roles and in reality, I don’t think we truly appreciate how lucky we are and how many opportunities women get, we have come so far from not being able to vote in the start of the 20th century (although I still emphasize we can and should do better).

Men even are given the right to make important decisions over a woman’s life, sometimes even being the deciding factor of whether or not they continue their education. Lack of education means that women rarely are in higher paid jobs than cleaners, cooks or working in pulperias (Honduran version of a corner shop). Although there only five male teachers in the school, women are the majority, the head teacher is a man. Does this not amplify the fact that men are still on top even when women are a majority?? Despite this in our previous school the two head in command were very strong, sassy women, perhaps this means the future is brighter for women of Honduras, the educated ones at least.

This is not to say that the women here aren’t the strongest, sassiest women I have met, because they most definitely are. I would never mess with a Honduran lady unless I wanted to be ridiculed. But this quality of strength and straightforwardness doesn’t drown the fact that they are also so welcoming and giving. This does also go for the men here too, so many people we meet just want to help us and are so accommodating to our needs, from our lovely neighbour that lets us use her washing machine (saving us from an endless pile of handwashing to do!), to our host, Miguel, that bought all my medicine and new pillows when I was suffering from allergies.

Education is key in tackling sexism, objectification of women and general inequality. We have to educate the next generation that this isn’t and can’t be the way men and women live. It feels as though Honduras has not yet hit the 21st century in terms of moving from their old fashion patriarchal ways to a new, fairer society where men and women are given equal opportunities from birth. The only way to enable real equality in society is that everyone is on board and wants this change, how can one move forward when many want to live in the past or aren’t ready to face the evident need for change… maybe the men aren’t quite ready for a strong and sassy future, but when it comes, Honduras (and Central America) will only be eternally grateful.

A collection of sassy ladies....

A look that could kill...

One of my very strong and aspirational students in SJP.

San Juan's spice girls.

Two of San Fran's many sassy ladies.

Eternal grace and elegance...

The cheekiest of monkeys!

Gloria (center) looks cute and adorable but trust me she has a look that could kill.

In a world of men, be the strongest in the room x

Absolute KWEENS of San Fran, beauty & brains

She may be small but she is so very mighty!!!

|

|

|

This blog is dedicated to the sassiest women to ever be a part of my life, my Mam-Gu, who sadly passed away two weeks ago, but her presence in my life continues to inspire me to be a strong, independent, daring woman. Her humour and strength will be irreplaceable. She reminds me so much of the women here and would fit right in with their fiery personalities. Mam-Gu bydde chi'n cael dy golli gan pawb, caru ti x

Hasta luego,

Ffi x