RSS orIndia Advances Bill Giving Women More Power
March 12, 2010
| India
One-third of seats in legislature to be set aside for them
By Rama Lakshmi, Washingon Post | March 10, 2010
NEW DELHI -- Indian lawmakers approved a historic bill Tuesday that would set aside one-third of all legislative seats for women, a move aimed at overturning six decades of male-dominated decision-making in this country.
The bill, which drew fierce opposition before its passage in the upper house of parliament, would guarantee seats for women in the national legislature and all state assemblies in the world's largest democracy, where women have been largely kept on the sidelines of the legislative process.
The bill must be approved by the lower house of parliament. It is expected to pass, although analysts say opponents could use political maneuvers to delay the bill.
"This is a momentous development in the long journey of empowering our women. Women are facing discrimination at home. There is domestic violence, unequal access to health and education. This has to end," India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, said after legislators approved the bill. The new quotas, he said, will be "living proof that the heart of Indian democracy is sound and is in the right place."
Women's representation in politics is not new to South Asia. Several nations, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, have elected women to their highest office. India elected Indira Gandhi as its only female prime minister four times between 1966 to 1984. But the region's women have lagged behind men in life expectancy, literacy and legal rights.
In its 2009 report on global gender disparities, the World Economic Forum ranked India 114th out of 134 countries. Gender bias is widely blamed for cases of female infanticide, which have worsened India's sex ratio to 933 women for every 1,000 men.
Advocates of the bill say greater female representation in Indian politics will help make women's issues a higher priority for policymakers. "Issues like female infanticide will no longer be seen as a soft subject but will become the core of the nation's political agenda," said Brinda Karat, a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), during the debate in the upper house.
The passage of the Women's Reservation Bill was not without controversy. After it was tabled Monday, some lawmakers tore up copies, flung the shreds at the chairman of the upper house and shouted their objections.
Opponents objected to the bill because they said it lacked specific quotas for women from lower castes and religious minorities. Similar objections had held up the bill on three other occasions over the past 14 years.
"We are being unfairly defamed as anti-women. All we want is that the women from real India, like those toiling in the farms and villages, are brought forward," said one opponent, Laloo Prasad Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal party.
Even some of Singh's allies opposed elements of the bill; their opposition could threaten the prime minister's coalition.
More than 55 percent of seats in the Indian parliament and state legislatures are blocked in quotas. Under the constitution, set-asides exist for lower castes and tribes. Still, many minority advocates fear that, when forced to vacate their seats, male politicians will field their wives and daughters to rule by dynastic proxy.
Female politicians have made steady gains in India. Women hold some of the country's highest offices, including that of its ceremonial president and of the speaker of the lower house of parliament. The ruling Congress Party is headed by a woman, as is the main opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party, in the lower house.
Village councils have 40 percent women's representation because of an earlier quota law.
"It is very appropriate that we are getting this law at this time because people's acceptance of women in leadership positions is better than it ever was," said Ranjana Kumari, director of the Center for Social Research, which trains women for leadership roles. "But what is more important is the big, big change in women's own expressions and aspirations in the new India."
Experts say the presence of women in parliament might not automatically lead to empowerment. An analysis of the performance of female members of the current parliament by PRS Legislative Research, an independent research group, finds that women asked fewer questions, moved fewer bills and participated in fewer debates than their male counterparts.
Nazareth Home receives “Best Practices Award”
March 11, 2010
| Nazareth Home
Nazareth Home receives “Best Practices Award” from Kentucky Initiative for Quality Nursing Home Standards
The KYIQ Best Practices Award is an annual award presented in recognition of exemplary best practices that serve as a model for other nursing homes to adopt in order to enhance the quality of care provided to all residents.
The KYIQ group is a independent advocacy group organized to promote public awareness to the need to preserve the dignity and well being of loved ones in the nursing home. They are working in partnership with the state’s Long Term Ombudsman program to provide a way for KY facilities to share their expertise with others so to achieve the KYIQ group’s stated goal of fostering collaboration among providers, families, advocates and elected officials to support a level of care for all nursing home residents. This “mentoring project” designed in 2009 creates a way for best practices and effective standards to be shared.
The award is presented to homes who demonstrate sustained success in the criteria areas of Continuity of Care, Training, Family Support, and Innovation in workplace, care and environmental practices. The CMS 5 star rating must be at a 4 with a sustained 4 in staffing.
“We are honored to receive this award and believe the criteria represent the key ingredients to quality in long term care. The process was a great way to recognize residents, families and staff at Nazareth Home and the contribution everyone makes in creating a community that is a great place to live and a great place to work.” — Mary Haynes, Administrator
For more information contact:
Mary Haynes
mhaynes@nazhome.org
502.459.2527
A Letter from the First Lady
March 10, 2010
Recently Sister Maggie Fisher wrote to the First Lady and received a letter in return …
I very much wanted to tell the President of my prayers of support and decided that a letter to Mrs. Obama was more likely to be read than to him. On a photo note card I wrote that we admire the President and pray for the family.
The response was on a sheet headed simply The White House. Michelle Obama thanked me and in a few words … what I think is characteristic of the President and herself, said, "I encourage you to find a way to strengthen the country by serving your community." Signed Michelle Obama.
Click here to read the full letter.
Dementia 101 — Going over the basics
March 8, 2010
| Nazareth Home
Community Education Series
Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and Community Support
Given that an estimated 74,000 Kentuckians currently are living with Alzheimer’s disease and this number will increase dramatically in the next 10 years due to the aging baby boomers entering the age of greatest risk, it is vital we all understand the needs of the individuals and their families who are affected by the disease.
Nazareth Home is committed to supporting the needs of our culture as we age. This series will be hosted and facilitated by a program director and psychologist who lead the dementia care program at Nazareth Home.
The titles and dates of these offerings are from 5:30PM-6:30PM on
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
“Dementia 101 — Going over the basics”
Presented by: Dr. Stephen Bliss
Come ask questions, listen, and learn about various topics relating to dementia.
The facilitators are Stephen Bliss, Psy D, clinical geriatric psychologist and the clinical director for Charity Court, the dementia care program at Nazareth Home.
And, Gretchen Houchin, Program Director of Charity Court, support group leader and Alzheimer’s educator.
This event is open to the public and is free, however reservations are requested. Please contact Gretchen Houchin at (502) 473-2396 if you would like to attend.
Nazareth Home — located in Louisville, Kentucky — is a 168 bed long-term care and Rehab center with specialty programs for short term Rehab, Memory Care and long term care.
Nazareth Home was established in 1976 as a healthcare ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
