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CAUCUSES

The holding of women and men caucuses is a regular part of WSCF A-P programmes. It was the first time to include this process in the joint CCA-WSCF programme.

The separate caucuses were meant to provide time and space for women and men, respectively, to be themselves; to share their experiences, sentiments and thoughts of women's oppression; to raise awareness about women's situation; and to encourage deeper reflection and critical analysis of women's issues in the light of all human struggles.

Two separate caucuses were held, each followed by a joint session where the two groups shared and exchanged what transpired in their own groups. Following is the summary of what was shared in the caucuses and the joint sessions.

Women's Caucuses

The women's caucuses proceeded with each one highlighting one or two issues affecting women in their respective countries:

Burma: Women's clothes are hung lower than men's clothes.

Bangladesh: A woman has to struggle more than a man in order to achieve something; women are hired last and fired (laid off) first.

India: The dowry system continues; this institutional dowry system gives rise to other social evils such as bride-burning and female infanticide.

Fiji: Women are lugged with the housework; rural women are also forced to work in the farms on top of their housework.

Malaysia: Being a multi-racial and religious society, arranged marriages are still being practised in some communities.

Philippines: Women are mother, wife, financial partner and home manager all in one to their husbands. A woman gets the blame for a husband who goes astray, for her broken home, for her drug addicted son or for her daughter who is pregnant out of wedlock. Subconsciously women feel guilty when something goes wrong in their lives even when they marry "idle bums" who cannot support the family.

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Indonesia: Women don't get enough education.

Taiwan: Men don't want to work in companies whose managers are women. They label any successful woman as "tiger woman." They do not respect her competence.

Thailand: Man is the considered leader of the family. Hence if a Thai woman marries a foreigner, her children cannot be recognized as Thai citizens whereas if a Thai man marries a foreigner his children automatically become Thai citizens.

The women participants came up with some affirmations as well as suggestions for realizing women-men partnership:

* Women and men are equal based on their common rights as human beings.

* There is a need to re-educate women so that they can build up their confidence and overcome their inferiority.

* Women still need to be aware of their situation and problems, of being oppressed because of class, race, social norm or religion.

* Women must affirm and assert their rights; they must raise questions and challenge the society to be aware of their plight.

* Educate men on women's issues – e.g. housework is not only women's responsibility.

* Women do not know what men really think of women's issues as they don't speak up. If they can only share their thoughts more openly, then we can hope to move on towards women-men partnership.

* In other conversations, men tend to talk more than women. Men should try to be more sensitive to women's feelings.

* Women and men should re-read the Bible with new and critical perspective.

* Why do men always think of big issues – e.g. the economic, political issues and stuff that are not really close to their personal life?

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Men's Caucuses

The first men's caucus proceeded with each participant sharing personal thoughts about women's issues, women's oppression, women's situation. It must be noted that this process is still 'new' to most men. In fact at certain points, the discussion became difficult as the men held different views and were at different levels of awareness about women's issues. Below is just a summary of thoughts shared by different members.

* Men still feel uncomfortable to talk about women's issues may be because of their early socialization – that men and women are different and hence are treated differently.

* Women's liberation connotes such Western acts as bra burning and lesbianism.

* Men generally do not want to lose power of domination over society; thus, they do not want women to challenge them – they would prefer women to sit in the home and perform duties of housewives that social norms require. Men have dominated society for a long time; so it is not good for them to share power with women as it may cause them to lose their identity. Thus, even in the leadership of the SCM which advocates women-men partnership, there are actually very few women compared to men.

* One reason why it seems difficult for men to share about women's issues may be that they do not know and are not suffering or experiencing the oppression women are going through. Men need to recognize that it is they who cause the oppression and so if change is to be desired, men's attitudes must be reformed.

* Women's issues cannot just be pinned down to the clamor for equality which is nothing but a number game. Ensuring equal number of women and men in organizations or positions does not necessarily lead to a change of women's situation (especially if sexual harassment, violence against women and commercialization of women's bodies continue).

* The struggle for equality between women and men also connotes power struggle. And often times, to try to level up to positions usually held by men (e.g. president or prime minister), women have to double themselves up to the "men's standards" hence affirming a system and values which have been established through patriarchy.

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* Taking women's issues in the light of Christ's teachings, it seems the main thrust is that of women-men partnership. And this is not to recover female integrity, dignity and sovereignty at the expense of men. Both women and men are in fact oppressed by the social norms. They therefore need to join hands.

* Women's issues are usually approached from the socio-cultural perspective. Because it is part of the whole national issue, there is a need to analyze it from the economic-political angle as well. On the whole, women's issues are part of the national issue. Women's rights can only be realized if the national struggle for genuine democracy is won.

* Using the economic-political analysis, we find that the women of the lower class are also being oppressed by women of the upper class. This analysis however only underscores the fact that women of the lower class are doubly oppressed – by the men (of all classes) and the women of the upper class.

* Women's issues have also posed a challenge to fundamentalist interpretation of biblical teachings and the languages used in the Christian faith.

The second men's caucus developed on the first whereby issues were highlighted from the first caucus for further discussion. Following is a summary of the discussion:

(a) On the issue of prostitution and commercialization of women's bodies. On the surface, prostitution and sexist advertisements seem to be acceptable – with both parties, the buyer and seller, seemingly satisfied with the exchange of money with pleasure. But does this make the relationship right? Is this the way men and women should relate? Women find this form of relationship disgusting and offensive. The use of other people for personal pleasure is not the kind of relationship Jesus taught. This issue can be seen as both economic (poverty) and moral.

(b) On the issue of inclusive language. This issue is always talked about in ecumenical meetings like this. It is like discussing the same issue, only in different groups. We need to "firm" the ground for discussion by expressing our solidarity with women by making something like a declaration of solidarity. We also need to change our language – even that used in our prayers – e.g. from "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" to "Creator, Saviour and Sustainer" or "Maker, Christ and Holy Spirit" or even come up with a new version of the Lord's Prayer which should be used in SCM/CCA.

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(c) On the Issue of sexual harassment. Is our response, as men, to sexual harassment simply to refrain from acts which offend women? But what constitutes sexual harassment? Who should and how do we define sexual harassment? We should know what the root cause of sexual harassment is. In some places laws are being enacted to protect men and women, and to prevent sexual harassment. More than that, however, educating people will not only reduce the effect but even the cause.

(d) On the issue of education. We need to educate ourselves on the question of equal partnership in all aspects. Education can change the thinking of men, bring new values, and bring about awareness which can help to break down the building blocks of patriarchy.

(e) On the issue of partnership. When women share their stories, they share a common story of suffering and oppression, of being downtrodden. It is important for men to hear these stories of women and to realize that we ourselves are related to the sufferings of women, if not the cause. We should examine ourselves to see in what way we have contributed directly and indirectly to the misery of women. For true partnership to occur, we must repent – be de-programmed of the patriarchal system and be re-educated with new values. Discussions on men-women partnership must also make practical and concrete suggestions for follow-up action.

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The joint session started off with the report of the previous men's caucus. After this the women presented their brief report and then posed a question to the men: "How do you personally feel on the issue of women"?

Some of the men spoke very openly and sincerely and wanted to change their attitude towards women. They also wanted to know how they can contribute to the process of change. They realize that women are being oppressed and that they are part of the system which perpetuates this oppression. They are aware of the fact that they often hurt women unconsciously and overlook their needs and would like to be reminded when they do so.

However, one male participant expressed that "he had lost all conviction" and felt that women are wanting more than they deserve. He even said that he found the women's movement "irrational".

After the sharing session by the men, many women reacted and responded to the various statements. Some men made references to the creation episode in the Bible. The women responded by saying they are dissatisfied with the present interpretation and understanding of the Bible, since it was written by men living in a patriarchal system.

A general sentiment was that the women's issues have often been discussed in ecumenical programmes but there has been very little effort to build a common base from which we could start. It was felt more and more concrete steps should be taken in this matter.

To achieve partnership between men and women requires balance. Women should not always point an accusing finger at men as "sinners". Men should not wait for women to point out their faults – they should try to realize their own faults.

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It was mentioned that men and women when dealing with such issues find themselves in difficulty conflict and pain. The underlying tensions and emotions that were seen at the caucus are a product of previous experiences. We often talk about liberation, struggle and oppression but these social issues are not merely at the national and international level but even in our midst it is a painful realization. But we must integrate these issues with the new socio-political vision.