For those in other countries Australia has just sworn in our first female Prime Minister, Julia Gillard (pictured).She has filled the post after the former Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd - see 2 posts ago) was flagging in the polls.
Gillard is less conservative than Rudd and is not a Christian so I think many of my fellow Australian Christians will go for the more conservative, Christian Tony Abbott. I will not.
This is for two reasons. The first is there is no benefit to me personally by voting liberal as they will no doubt cut social security (which I depend on for a living) and also cut education and health. I study and use the health system a lot for my mental illness. I can not vote for anyone who would decrease my quality of life to that extent, whether he believes in God or not.
The second reason is that, as a woman, Julia Gillard may be more open to some of the more intense issues effecting women such as domestic violence, rape and child abuse. I am not a conventional feminist but I do not believe women and children should put up with the light penalties for these crimes and the lack of education and shame surrounding them.
Also, in her words: "I will delight you. I will disappoint you. But always I will be working hard for you."
No doubt other people will have different views. I am not representing anyone else. These are just my views. I only ask if you have other views to please be respectful.
God Bless
Amber
I do not know if there is statistical evidence supporting the hope that women have been more kind to their gender when they come to power but I do hope thats the case with Julia Gillard. India had a woman prime minister who had unfettered freedom to do what she liked and in my opinion she did not significantly improve the lot of women either economically, socially or legally. Nor do I think other women prime ministers/presidents in Asia, Britain or Argentina did significantly better in this respect.
ReplyDeleteI was unaware that "domestic violence, rape and child abuse" are serious issues in Australia. Or "women and children should put up with the light penalties for these crimes and the lack of education and shame surrounding them" is something that applies to Australia as it does to countries like India.
I wd be more happy to have as a leader, man or woman, as long as he/she is competent and humanistic and selflessly works the common good of all and not for a particular lobby.
Hi Srini thank you so much for your well-informed comment.
ReplyDeleteYes definately domestic violence, rape and child abuse are real issues here and effect about 25% of the population. I am unaware of the statistics.
I hope Julia Gillard will be able to make this situation better.
I also think that she is a competent woman with a real vision for our country.
Hope this helps.
Amber
25%of women in a study of over 6000 australian women reported inappropriate sexual touching.And they're the ones who "fessed up"sexual abuse in australia is rife,particularly in younger women(aged 15-25).
ReplyDeleteI agree - it's a real problem
ReplyDeleteHi. Glad you've gotten active on your blog again. Honestly, being here in the States, where there's just constant frictions from our extreme politics, I'd lost track of Australian politics. As a Christian here, I can understand: people trt to say that we Christians should just be for the Republicans. But I just can't see it. We need more political parties here.
ReplyDelete