Women of the world, I salute you!

Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him. Matthew Henry

International Women Day - 8 March 2008.

I just finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalled Hossein, whose other book "The Kite Runner" was just made a major Hollywood film. Never have I read a book that gripped me so much. Never have I read a book that made me feel so fortunate to be in this part of the world. Never have I feel so much for the women out there who does not have the freedom that I take for granted.

Although a fictional story, most of us know its a realistic portrayal and a pitiful plight of women in some countries. Why is there even an unfairness of genders? I can't seem to contemplate the answer as the idea seemed so foreign to me, and it makes me wonder how much women had to endure in the past to allow the new generation of women to live so independently today.


I love this book. For 3 simple reasons:

One, a story that builds around a historical background of a wounded country and the raging wars they have endured. It gave me a history lesson of this country most have not heard of until after the unfortunate 9/11 event.

Two, a gripping story about women. Women in this country and others who face similar plights breaks my heart. Also a story about much women would endure and persevere so that their daughters can have a better tomorrow.

Three, Khaled Hossein brilliant story-telling. Every word evoking senses and visuals as he brings you into his world. Acutely describing a war-torn country, the romantic love of 2 lovers, the friendship of 2 women and a relationship of mother and child. I couldn't put this book down and with every spare time I had, I absorbed every page hungrily, sometimes into the wee mornings.

Meanwhile, for whatever you feel and think of Hilary Clinton and her presidential campaign, I think its takes a very brave, committed and intelligent woman to be standing out there in one of the biggest nations in the world, standing up for a role that's usually reserved for men and contesting shoulder to shoulder with the opposite sex. She gave us the voice and spirit we never thought we could have.

To all the women out there, no matter the race or religion, I salute you.

The angel of the Family is Woman. Mother, wife, or sister, Woman is the caress of life, the soothing sweetness of affection shed over its toils, a reflection for the individual of the loving providence which watches over Humanity. In her there is treasure enough of consoling tenderness to allay every pain. Moreover for every one of us she is the initiator of the future. The mother's first kiss teaches the child love; the first holy kiss of the woman he loves teaches man hope and faith in life; and love and faith create a desire for perfection and the power of reaching towards it step by step; create the future, in short, of which the living symbol is the child, link between us and the generations to come. Through her the Family, with its divine mystery of reproduction, points to Eternity.
Giuseppe Mazzini