The global
outbreak of Ebola is an international, life threatening crisis that has overwhelmingly
evoked emotions of fear and compassion. Thankfully, other countries including
the United States believe a global response is critical to the public health;
some say it also is a potential threat to peace and security. At the United
Nations 69th General Assembly, many representatives and leaders acknowledge
that the outbreak needs awareness, initiative, and immediate action.
Feminism is
strongly present in this global call to action. As Ebola continues to take away
lives every second in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, many states are
beginning to take action or have already. President Obama said, “It’s a marathon
but we have to run it as a sprint. That’s why we all have to chip in.” Tickner
states that power is defined in more than just control of man over man; it is
also, energy, capacity, and potential. Power is also shared and not assertive.
The keyword of Obama’s quote is we.
Every nation is involved because like President Koroma of Sierra Leonne said, “This
is a fight for us.”
I would like
to bring attention to the cooperative theme thus far. Two key leaders have a
common perspective to aid the suffering countries with the idea of
international, collective efforts. The President of Guinea, the World Bank
President, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and the German Foreign
Minister are some of the many states supporting the initiative to support
prevention efforts and provide assistance. The special meeting dedicated to
stir discussion and action on the Ebola outbreak is essentially like coalition
building. Their efforts are shared with a moral obligation to care for a
country in need. Those affected by Ebola are lacking basic needs; the actions
to provide doctors, medical supplies, volunteers, and troops is a feminist approach
which has a basis of protecting national security and enhancing development.
The overall
concept of the United Nations is feminist. Concerns are brought to attention
to be discussed as a whole and to discuss their approach. It really is a team
effort with a united front. More and not really less, the power is shared and
not assertive especially in this call to action. The national interest in this
case is to organize a global response to aid the Ebola crisis. Other topics
brought to the 69th General Assembly are climate change and equal gender
rights. There is a strong focus on collective empowerment; in other words, the
United Nations philosophy could be no man is left behind. Tickner even
identified environmental damage as a threat to national security. The
association between women and nature really stresses that we live on this earth
in equilibrium rather than dominating or destroying it. Because of the constant
and consistence damage humans pose on the environment, it is now our duty to
take action to survive.
Every issue
and concern is mutually beneficial, a theme in feminism. If Ebola is cured and
maintained, national security is preserved and lives are saved. If equal gender
rights is practiced around the world, power is shared and not asserted. The
masculinity of power is degenderized, becomes dynamic, and the potential for domination
is lessened. If action is taken to restore the environment, feminism as “maternal
thinking” persists to preserve the life of the earth and the future of the
children.
Even the word assembly seems to be feminine because of
its collective definition.
I believe that you are right in saying that Ebola is a fight and is almost war-like. Something like Ebola would require a feminist approach because realists would have no interest in it. I don't know if the comparison of the UN as feminist would be a good thing because the UN, most of the time, is ineffective when in reality feminism can be effective.
ReplyDeleteI disagree in your comparison of feminism to the UN. The UN, a majority of the time (but not all of the time), is useless. They rarely get anything done, and they rarely work together. However, I do agree and like the fact that the world is putting forth great efforts and working together to get rid of this horrible virus.
ReplyDeleteSam and Shahzeb, I agree with you that UN efforts are fruitless. My argument was simply proposing that the UN is a feminist concept and in an ideal world, their efforts would amount to something.
ReplyDeleteYes, a global response is vital; a lot of people from all over the world are definitely rejoicing that the UN is acting collaboratively on this devastating virus.
Sam- I have to disagree with you about the UN being useless. I agree that the UN rarely gets anything done but the value of the organization goes beyond that. The UN unites the world and helps to establish global policy. It allows for countries to establishes alliances and helps in negotiations with disputes between countries. Without the UN more states would follow a dominantly realist philosophy.
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