The row about Roe
By Farah G. Decano
CONGRATULATIONS to Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, Vice Mayor Bryan “BK” Kua, and their team. There is no doubt that you can deliver to fruition the vision that Dagupeños collectively dream for our city.
* * * *
For democracy to be alive, governments must be truly representative of the population thru participatory decision-making. Leaders must confer with their constituents regularly as regards major issues that beset them. This strategy allows the electorate to have a sense of ownership over their elected officials’ vision, mission, plans, programs and projects. And in order to do this, new administrations must develop systems by which the people can keep themselves updated and track whether those voted into office are still compliant with the visions duly identified in a consultative process.
Those who exercise authority should be open to suggestions from the public. After all, there is no monopoly of ideas in a democracy. Only the true, honest and secure agents of the state desire an empowered citizenry.
* * * *
Atty. Liberato “Ope” Reyna is leading the Pangasinan People’s Council. Under his fold are a battery of concerned men and women who are willing to help their respective elected officials. They can help push for reforms that the local government units so need especially if a mayor or governor is embattled with a council that is dominated by mere obstructionists.
* * * *
The decades old Roe vs. Wade was recently overturned by the US Federal Supreme Court. It ruled that there was nothing in the US Constitution that recognized abortion as a right.
There are responsibilities that are attached to our bodies whether we like it or not. Upon a woman’s shoulders is the natural task of carrying a baby to term. Because of this duty imposed by nature, women are easily vulnerable to attacks and discrimination. Society sees women as feeble creatures who are needy and mere damsels in distress whose role is to lie in bed and bear babies.
How easy it is for the state to forget that child-bearing is not only a private role but also a societal function which allows the human race to be perpetuated. Women, therefore, should be protected by governments by providing them with incentives, legal and medical support. Rather than privileges, these measures should be considered as women’s basic human rights.
Should medical support for women go as far as abortion? At this point, I digress from popular western opinion. I cannot see or reduce zygotes as mere objects, mere appendages or mere potentials that can be truncated at will. Once an egg and a sperm unite, the resulting embryo is a separate being that has to be recognized and respected. Women, biologically, are human carriers, yes. But they are not mere fetus sanctuaries, incapable of appreciating the independence of the being inside their wombs. Unlike artificial wombs, women possess conscience, intelligence and wisdom that distinguishes her from other females of the animal kingdom.
Authorities must start appreciating women for their reproductive role so the latter won’t be forced to seek abortion as an option. There are so many unfortunate consequences of pregnancy: financial, emotional, and physical. How many employers prefer men over women because it is cheaper to employ the former who will not bear any offspring? How does our population regard women’s bodies that have given birth? Don’t we read bashing comments against those stretch marks and loose skin that come after pregnancy?
Governments should not leave the female among the population to cope with these discrimination, ignorance and unfair treatment. Rather, it should prevent the people from pitting women against their own child in the womb. Zygotes, fetuses, infants, and babies – they are part of our humanity. It is time we hold up high these women who are courageous in taking part of nature’s processes and who become mothers regardless of their circumstances.
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
