I did not see this in the new, but I just read it [in my current read, 'Pathologies of Power by Dr. Paul Farmer']. Dr. Farmer dissects the various aspects of violence facing women in developing countries in a way that left me feeling utterly helpless for her and those in her position.
"Nowhere is this clearer than in the story of Acéphie Joseph, a girl from a squatter village in Haiti’s Central Plateau. Her story is replete with examples of structural violence in the forms of economic, political, and gender inequality. The first evidence of this violence manifests itself in the “development” project sponsored by bureaucrats in Washington D.C. which impoverished her family and her entire village. Soon, entrenched poverty became the norm and began to dictate the decisions which would shape the course Acéphie’s life would take. At a young age, she was pressured to enter into a brief sexual relationship with a Haitian military officer who was known to have multiple partners. Soldiers, the only men with the assurance of a steady income in the region, were highly desirable. Shortly after and without options in her hometown, Acéphie left for Port-au-Prince for work as a domestic servant. Still poor, Acéphie again began a sexual relationship with a man with a regular income—a bus driver who traveled extensively. Three years later, she became pregnant. Acéphie returned home where she had a difficult pregnancy. After the birth of her daughter, she was diagnosed with AIDS. Sadly, Acéphie died soon after.
Not only was Acéphie a victim of AIDS, but of structural violence. In fact, it was structural violence which increased her chances of acquiring AIDS in the first place. Political inequity (in the form of the foreign “development” project), economic inequity (between her and her partners), and gender inequality (lack of viable options for women) all conspired together in a terrible way to constrain Acéphie’s agency. Her story shows how both international and intranational forces conspire to contribute to structural violence. In Acéphie’s case, these forces combined in such a way that she was tragically forced to survive day-to-day by engaging in activities which endangered her life. Her choices were not hers; they were thrust upon her by the structures of power which dictated her life. In the end, Acéphie died another quiet victim of structural violence."
Oftentimes, there are programs established in these areas to "better" their lives. However, when all is said and done, I'm not so convinced that money alone is what makes the world go round...there's got to be emphasis on education and awareness in order to break the cycle.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wow... that's terrible. I guess what surprised me most was that a foreign "development" project was implicated. I'd be curious to know what it was, and how it went so wrong? What's the expression--"the road to hell is paved with good intentions"? Or maybe the intentions weren't even so good?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I feel like these things happen all the time... even in our own country. Economics and gender dynamics are one of the reasons that teen runaways in the US are so incredibly vulnerable to becoming victims of sex trafficking. I agree that money won't do much to solve the problem if it's not well-spent. Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearings have me feeling at least a little optimistic, though: http://jezebel.com/5131415/hillary-clinton-talked-the-girl-talk-at-senate-confirmation?skyline=true&s=i
Unfortunately this is probably more common than we know or care to know. I agree that to think that a foreign development project was involved in this (or some its members) is horrific. What kind of people have to prey on our most helpless in order to feel the power and control they think they achieve by doing so. How many young women are victims of this?
ReplyDeleteI am a little dodgey on this, but I'll try to remember all the poli sci I did in undergrad. Anyway, I think the foreign development programs that Dr. Farmer refers to may be SAPs. SAPs are structural adjustment programs implemented by the IMF and the WorldBank. To really summarize up the whole notion of SAPs, the IMF/WB loans money to developing countries at lower rates upon the condition that the borrowing countries accept certain conditionalities. Usually, this includes the privatization of state-owned land, deregulation of trade policies, etc. It's the usual pattern of foreigners going into poor countries "to make it better with well-proven methods". It has failed miserably, of course.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think that this case only shows how inter-related economics, health, equality, education and many factors are. Unfortunately, in developing countries without a strong social structure, people are more vulnerable to poverty, disease and abuse. Women, sadly, are often forced to utilize their own bodies in times of desperate needs (or forced to do so).
The should indicate the need for the strengthening of social and political structures since this is not a personal or microscopic matter. When there is political upheaval or economic crisis, women (and children) are almost always the first to suffer.
How could I not agree? A very disturbing account of this young womans life.
ReplyDeleteI think what really resonates with me is how this one development program, created by a large political body, was able to affect the daily life of this woman. While perhaps formed with good intentions, the program ultimately lead to this woman's demise. To think this is only ONE story. How many more could there be throughout Haiti and the rest of the world?
I agree that the story of this young woman is tragic, and the effect of structural violence, as visited upon her by the economic policies of the "developed world" is shocking. I think it raises the question of whether or not globalization in all its many forms is the panacea we once thought.
ReplyDeleteAll of the above comments make Thao's origninal posting even more poignant. Olivia, thanks for the poli sci review. I took that course the spring of Vietnam protests, Kent State, etc. and I was at Brooklyn College. Classes were canceled so often, I don't even remember it. The potential magnitude of this is beyond belief. Kaitlin and I have a colleague whose husband is now working in Tanzania on an economic development project in Tanzania. It's sponsored by a company in Holland. I'm going to forward this at some point and see what she has observed about well meaning efforts going wrong.
ReplyDeletewell, this is terrible and distressing.. but its not that the woman was the only one victim... there may be lot many others whose stories did not turn up.. and i believe that the common man always become the victim of the globalization without reason just like what happened with the woman.
ReplyDeleteWow...what a horrible series of events. I completely agree with all of the above comments. It is truly disheartening to think that this is just one story of so many.
ReplyDeleteI think this story also emphasizes the need to perhaps re-evaluate our current approach to human rights. It seems that human rights work has primarily been viewed from a legal perspective, with an emphasis on civil and political rights. However, as this case illustrates, it is imperative to focus on social and economic rights as well.
Unfortunately, this story sounds familiar to me. My mom, who is from a poorer region of the Caribban has often spoken to me about similar situations. In these countries, men have many more opportunities for work and use this find needy women who are hoping that they will support them. Unfortunately, they usally dont and things like this happen.
ReplyDelete