The Entropy Blog

This is the statement of the Reproductive Health Network (RHAN) for Mother’s Day 2012:

If we truly love our mothers, let us prevent their dying in pregnancy and childbirth Statement of the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) on Mothers’ Day 2012

On Sunday, the whole world celebrates Mothers’ Day in appreciation of the myriad contributions of mothers to families and society. Sadly, some 4,000 families belonging to the poorest and most disadvantaged, will be motherless this year, as thousands like them were the previous years. This sad reality is a testament to the lack of serious attention – beyond the rhetoric – given to government programs and social arrangements that would assure mothers’ surviving the critical act of giving life.

I haven’t had the chance to do a dramatic protest thingy since the Women’s Day March last year (sadly, my blood pack didn’t work properly), so I’m pretty psyched about this one later today. I will play an evil doctor. There will be no blood this time, only lots of hamminess — and socio-political awareness (I hope).

RHAN Press Release
27 March, 2012

Women’s Lament for Lent: Stop Maternal Death!

“Mother as warrior and survivor” will be the highlight of Lenten rituals organized by the Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), the largest coalition made up of women’s and other sectoral groups. The event called, “Pasyon: “Panaghoy at Pagbangon ng Kababaihan” brings women to three “stations” or tableaus reminiscent of the Pasyon. The first depicts maternal agony and death; the second depicts the institutions that prevent her from achieving full maternal health and well-being; and the third, a pledge to fight together as women and prevail over her ‘enemies’- the church hierarchy, and insensitive governance that has yet to decide whether women’s lives are worth saving.

“Women hold up half the sky.” — ancient Chinese proverb Aung San Suu Kyi. Lady Gaga. Hilary Clinton. Wangari Maathai. Emily Abrera. In case you haven’t noticed, women have become a more powerful force in the world today. More than merely influencing business, politics, science and entertainment, they’re taking the lead in their respective industries [...]

Philippine national hero Jose Rizal wrote to the women of Malolos once, expressing his admiration for their courage in standing up to authorities for their right to education. I’ve never read that letter — I suppose the nuns and priests running the Catholic schools I studied at would not have thought it A Good Thing for us to be something other than Maria Clara types — till I saw Red’s article today at the Filipino Freethinkers site which had the full text of Rizal’s letter.

An excerpt:

No longer does the Filipina stand with her head bowed nor does she spend her time on her knees, because she is quickened by hope in the future; no longer will the mother contribute to keeping her daughter in darkness and bring her up in contempt and moral annihilation…

Senate approves health care reform bill — The Senate passed a historic $871 billion health care reform bill Thursday morning, handing President Obama a Christmas Eve victory on his top domestic priority. The bill passed in a 60-39 party line vote after months of heated partisan debate. Every member of the Democratic caucus backed the [...]