Songsoptok
INTERVIEW
Feminism & The Cult
of Silence
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that there is a 'cult of silence'
in the country and the society you live in, especially for issues involving
women's position in society and their rights? If yes, then what are the
specific issues? Is it harmful? In What way?
MARIA
: I live in a society that doesn't know the 'cult of silence'.
Honestly, I myself had no knowledge of it until a dear friend of mine from an
Asian country explained me what it was. Well, I think it is something that
leads to a living condition of 'freedoms
denied', that induces women to act
according to rules that are poorly suited to their needs because obliged as
they are to stay silent in relation to the manifestation of their thoughts,
their own personal ambitions. I believe
that the absence of what is defined ‘cult of silence' is due to a cultural
evolution of societies.
SONGSOPTOK: In case you think there is not such a cult,
can you please explain why you think so? With some example, if possible.
MARIA
: Italy is a land where women access higher education in a greater
number than men, they can practice any kind of activity, job or profession.
Italian women are teachers, doctors, university professors, engineers, business
managers.....
One
of the best lawyers in the country is a woman who led our parliament to
consider Amendments to Legislation to further improve the female condition
inside families. This because, despite the achieved legal equality, as from the
Family Law, in some men and in all walks of life still prevails the idea that
women are not free individuals but objects to own.
SONGSOPTOK: Do you think that there has always been a cult
of silence in human societies regarding certain issues? If yes, then for what
reasons? Do you think that it is
actually a good thing to perpetuate such a practice? Please tell us.
MARIA
: It is my firm conviction that all men are equal, being their
hearts crossed by the same passions, ambitions and desires, as we can learn
from Shakespeare’s tragedies or comedies, not by chance after so many
centuries, still so much appreciated. And I also believe that men's social
evolution follows the same paths in any place even though at different times.
Until
a few decades ago, the Italian Criminal Code contemplated the 'honor
Killing' that is the homicide of a
member of the family by other members due to the belief that the victim had
brought shame or dishonor upon the
family, it was commonly believed it were not
a grossly negligent for a husband to kill his wife for having sex
outside marriage. A law still in force in many southern countries of the world.
SONGSOPTOK: Is there a feminist movement in your country? If yes, then What
are the specific objectives? In your opinion, is it necessary? If not. Which
then are the main reasons for its absence?
MARIA
: The feminist movement had its highest expression in the
seventies of the last century. There were public demonstrations, universities
were occupied, women began to dress differently and in a more extravagant way
than in the past. They demanded equal rights after years of silent acceptance
of their condition within family and society where they held minor roles than
men. They demanded to be no longer dependent on men, their freedom of choice
and the chance, at last, to plan their lives according to their needs and
aspirations. It's thanks to them, to their struggles that women today can live
better lives
SONGSOPTOK: What, in your opinion, is the position of
women in the country you live in? Do
they have equal rights in every domain as men? If not, which are the main areas
where they receive unequal treatments?
MARIA
: The country I live in is made up of women that can enjoy the
fruits, smelling of freedom and
equality, of the feminist movement thanks to the battles fought by their
mothers, and before them by their grandmothers.
SONGSOPTOK: A '
glass ceiling ' is a metaphor used to represent an invisible barrier that keeps
women from rising beyond a certain level in a hierarchy. Do you believe in this
concept? What is your personal experience in your professional life? In the
country you live in are there class ceiling in different professions?
MARIA
: Absolutely not. The social history has shown that there are no
areas in which woman cannot or has not proven to be up to any roles. A Russian
woman, Valentina Tereshkova was the
first woman who explored the space followed by many others from several
countries; in the last American presidential elections, Hillary Clintom competed
withTrump .
Undeniably,
women are actively present in any social field.
In the western countries they were able to break 'the glass ceiling'
although still steps forward have to be done.
SONGSOPTOK: What is your opinion about the feminist
movement? Do you think it is Necessary, both at a global and local level? Why?
In this context, what are the major achievements of the feminist movement, if
any?
MARIA
: The movement begun thanks to the British suffragettes and some
feminist waves in the USA, had the merit to awaken women from a state of
chronic apathy. It gave them the awareness of their human and social rights. I
firmly believe that the same rights must be granted to all the women in the world, without exception.
Equality between man and woman can only bring benefits, both culturally and
economically.
Women,
in their role of first educators of their children, will be able to offer a
broader vision of the outside world. Their work in the social area will bring
economic benefits to their families and contribute to the welfare of the societies
they live in
SONGSOPTOK: A recent study ( conducted by HuffPost/YouGov)
concluded that 20% of the Americans identify as feminists, even though a
whopping 82 % believe that 'men and women should be social political and
economic equals'. Do you find this contradictory, and if so why? What according
to you would be the result of a similar study in the country you live in? For
what reason?
MARIA
: Not at all. Feminism had as its objective the political, social
and economic equality, In the USA these
objectives have been achieved, almost completely, and since long. The remaining
20% of the Americans who identify to date, as feminist, is that part of the
movement that wants to go further, probably to overcome that invisible barrier
that still divide the male from the female world. As to me, I believe that men
and women are individuals whose skills should be measured on a personal level.
If a
survey of the same type were conducted in Italy, it would bring, more or less,
to the same results. And I
suppose this may depend on the ongoing political, economic and cultural
exchanges between the two realities.
SONGSOPTOK: One of the main areas of the feminist movement
is the sexual objectification of women all across the globe, especially on
media. What is the reality in the country you live on and or your country of
origin? What is your opinion about this? Do you think there is a cult of
silence around this issue? Why?
MARIA
: During the Fascist era,
women were evaluated according to their reproductive potential. The
children they gave birth to, if males, were greatly welcome because considered
new soldiers to send to war to defend their homeland. Today all this is behind
us, but women are still objects of sexual desire, although they got more tools
and a greater awareness than in the past.
They can choose their partners and freely break their relations if not
fit to their expectancies. The Italian woman lives in a condition of a much
greater sexual freedom. She is generally not judged according to chastity
criteria but appraised on the basis of her overall personality.
SONGSOPTOK: Finally, according to you, to what extent
feminism is relevant in today's society.
MARIA
: It was extremely relevant
in the western countries and is and will be for years to come in most of the
southern lands of the world. A
woman who has access to education, to employment is a free woman, a better mum
and wife because not forcibly subjected to a life within domestic walls, a
human being who offers her intelligence, talent and creativity to the society
she lives in, enriching it.
This is not a
question, but more like a game. You may or may not choose to this. What would be your word picture of a feminist?
A woman who wants to be an active
member of the world, who loves life and aspires to enjoy it to the full with
all the human beings around.
MARIA MIRAGLIA: I think I've
always had very clear ideas about women's rights, as well for ethnic or
religious minorities. Luckily, the feminist battles in my country had begun and
had their moments of glory before I
appeared on the social scene. However, I know that there is still much to do
and definitely I will continue to give my contribution. I also had a wise,
learned father who lived his relationship with my mother based on the concept
of a true equality and the story continues today with my husband a man of great
sensitivity and open-mindedness that, like me, has always been in favour of
women's emancipation.
We sincerely thank you
for your time and hope to have your continued support.
Aparajita Sen
(EDITOR)
Songsoptok
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