Finding solutions

The Rubik’s cube is one of those puzzles that many people want to throw against the wall. It seems solution-less, until someone comes along and shows you how to do it. Have you ever faced a problem and had no idea how to solve it? One of those things you feel completely overwhelmed by and helpless against. You can consider the issue from all of the angles your mind will let you, but somehow, you find that you just can’t get over the hurdle or fix the Rubik’s cube. And then suddenly you are inspired by a thought — why don’t I ask someone else for help?

We live in a world where we are encouraged to be independent and self-sufficient which makes asking for help one of the things that most of us don’t like doing. Yet sometimes, a little perspective from someone else, or listening to their ideas about a solution can be the best thing we’ve ever done.

This week it’s the 54th session of the UN Commission of the Status of Women. A conference will be held in New York to talk about what the issues facing women around the world in 2010 are. This is a dialogue on what the problems are and possible solutions.

The Women’s Learning Partnership invited women from around the world to submit their ideas about the biggest problems facing women in their home countries. Over a hundred entries were received and they selected ten finalists. I submitted mine here to have my say about what the biggest problems facing women in South Africa are. My thoughts were that because gender-based violence is such a huge problem in SA we need an all-encompassing solution.

Other finalists were from the UAE, Turkey, Nepal, Nigeria, US, Uganda, Israel and Malaysia. The problems they found were education and networking, economic opportunities, community mobilisation, maternal mortality, economic inequality, poverty, HIV/Aids, traditions, sexual harassment, fear and sexism.

The great thing about these articles is that they explain the problem but also provide solutions. It was refreshing to write the piece and even more refreshing to read other people’s articles. By engaging in constructive dialogue, young women from around the world found solutions.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. And you up there in government, I hope you’re reading these.