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“Re-discover the feminine aspects of your religious traditions, and show how they contribute to a culture of Encounter” – Pope Francis.

Clare of Assisi – the Power of Feminine Encounters

To me, Clare of Assisi, the founder of the order of Poor Clares, stands out as an embodiment of the Power of feminine encounters.  Her decision to reject a life of wealth and privilege in favor of a life of poverty and service is a remarkable example of her commitment to the power in femininity. At a time when women were expected to marry and produce heirs to secure family wealth and status, Clare’s refusal to be married off with a large sum of money was a radical departure from the norm. Instead, Clare chose a life of poverty and service, inspired by the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. This decision was not only a rejection of societal expectations but also a powerful assertion of her own agency and autonomy. By choosing to follow her own path, Clare was able to forge a deep sense of connection with God and with others who shared her vision of a life dedicated to service and humility. Clare’s example inspired many other women to follow in her footsteps. Her refusal to be defined by societal norms and her commitment to a life of service and humility is a testament to the power of feminine encounters, and to the ability of women to shape their own destinies and make a profound impact on the world around them.

Pushpa Joseph

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“Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate” – John F. Kennedy.

Women empowerment is the word that we have been using consistently in the month of March every year. The market is full of mugs and art pieces and T-shirts with the word women empowerment printed on it. For many organisations it is a very good tag line to showcase their brand as sensitive and forward thinking but essentially do these exercises make any difference?   According to a survey by the staffing firm Randstad in the US, sixty percent of women have never negotiated with an employer over their salary. Another survey points out that seventy seven percent of women accept their first salary with zero negotiation. Women who negotiate are perceived with disdain as demanding and controlling rather than being appreciated for their confidence. On the other hand the comparatively less educated or illiterate women who do manual labour are better at negotiating. The gender pay gap is relatively moderate among the blue collar category.

Negotiation is a key skill in business and career success. Good negotiation skills can turn a loss into a beneficial compromise. Business schools have now incorporated  street smart negotiation instruction at a very pragmatic level in their curriculum. Negotiation skills are important not only in business or professional life but also in personal life. But then why is it that women fear negotiation and are ready to split the difference. Women, irrespective of their position in the organizational hierarchy are diffident to initiate a discussion on a higher salary package. It is the lack of knowledge of their value that makes  women apprehensive about negotiating salary and other perks. The reluctance to negotiate salary will also affect a woman’s promotional possibilities, higher standard of living and peaceful retirement plan. The fear of offending or disturbing the boss deters them at work and at home the women think twice before asking the husband to share the household chores. Usually what happens in most families is arriving at compromises based on certain prejudiced ideas of gender responsibilities. Whereas a collaborative chat will give scope for negotiation rather than a one sided surrender. Decisions should be on the basis of discussions on every action like PTA meetings, birthday parties and vacations. Succumbing to the choice of action of your spouse based on his gender or the status of the “breadwinner” is not a respectful state of affairs.

Dr Delony Manuvel Ph.D.

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The month of March is a special month for women, as we celebrate International Women’s day all over the world. When we think of this global day, our head is bombarded with thoughts of gender equality, reproductive rights, violence and abuse against women, achievements and role of women, empowerment of women and more. I would like to focus on the theme – Unleash Your Power to Empower Others, a positive outlook to remember and celebrate on 8^th March, in order to bring out the power that is within us. How can we as Religious be empowered and empower other women in our mission?

When I reflect on this topic, a scene from the Brazilian serial on Moses and Ten Commandments comes to me very vividly. This is the scene: Mariam (Sister of Aaron and Moses) looking at the suffering reality of her people plans along with her parents Amram and Jochebeth to unite the people, to rescue their faith in God that was lost. She realizes the cause of suffering and raises a clamour to God along with women, men and children. The effect of this deepest outcry, they receive a liberator, who happens to be her own brother Moses along with Aaron. Indeed, she was a prophetess of her time. She is depicted in such a way that all who watch the serial will surely wonder about the way she brings out the power of God that is within her. She was a woman who raised herself above all suffering, in order to bring liberation to her family members. She also played an important role in liberating the people of Israel. She empowered herself to empower others.

Sr. Elizabeth Rani OP

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The word Empowerment is widely being used in the Development context. Empowerment of women is a much talked about concept in civil society as well as in the Church. The civil society has enacted certain laws in this regard. The Church in India too has brought out a policy titled “Gender Policy of the Catholic Church of India.” The Gender policy of the Church of India itself is an indicator to show that the Church is actively involved in empowering women. As a male I understand the contribution of the Church in empowering the rural women as follows.

1. Almost all the dioceses in India have Social Work Centres (NGOs) by different names. Similarly many religious congregations both men and women too have ‘Social Work’ Centres (NGOs) by different names and mainly it is these Centres which are empowering the rural women in India irrespective of caste and creed.
2. Economic empowerment of women occupies the centre stage in all this work of empowerment of women. Women’s Associations by different names like Mahila Sangha, Magalir Sangam, Mahila Mandal are instrumental in effecting economic development of rural women. Small savings habits are the foundation for whatever economic development is taking place in these women’s Associations. This small savings habit and activity in the associations earned the name ‘Women Self Help Group.’ The Social Work Centres facilitate these Self Help Groups to obtain thrift funds from some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Government organisations like NABARD and Banks for their economic activities.
3. The very fact of women coming together as a group gives them a great deal of self confidence and courage. Their involvement in all the activities of their associations like accumulating small savings, depositing in Banks, obtaining loans, taking up income generating activities instil leadership qualities in women.

K.John Don Bosco

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On March 8^th we celebrate the International Women’s Day. I remember and admire two great women who influenced my life, they are my mother and sister, who tirelessly worked for the family and others. The way they utilize their potentials, balanced life style, generosity in sharing, love for the poor and needy etc. At times I question myself; as a religious, have I imbibed this goodness of my mother and sister in my life.

Celebrating women’s day is an opportunity for us to become aware of our worth as women. We, women are blessed with various gifts and talents, inner strength to face  challenges, emotional strength to cope with the worst situations at times. Having experienced this goodness in us, what makes us degrade ourselves in front of others?

In 1965, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Paul VI penned an address to women, summoning them to meet the challenges of the modern world: “The hour is coming, in fact has come, when the vocation of woman is being achieved in its fullness, the hour in which woman acquires in the world an influence, an effect and a power never hitherto achieved.” Yes, the hour has come indeed and the opportunities are knocking at our door, then why are we, women religious still in slumber? What is lacking in us? Why do we hesitate to stand on our own? I think we need to look back and examine our formation.

Sr Benny D’Cunha UFS

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“Women’s empowerment” has become a buzzword in social sciences. Empowerment means making someone  more capable of something. It means making a person capable socially, economically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, politically. It is the capacity building of  persons in the fields of science, arts, music, sports and games etc.

Women can truly experience empowerment when they have the liberty to communicate and convey their thoughts, ideas, and feelings freely. The most powerful decision-making authority lies with women when it comes to determining what is suitable or unsuitable for themselves. Women have suffered through the decades because they didn’t have any rights.  In earlier centuries, they were treated as almost non-existent. As times evolved, women started realizing their power. There on began the revolution for women empowerment.

Draupadi Murmu, the first Tribal female President of India,  First Citizen, a role model, is an empowered woman in India. We salute her  having achieved the highest honour of the most prestigious status in Indian political career from the most vulnerable section of  women in the Indian society. Republic Day Parade 2023  was unique in displaying the power of  women, “NAARI SHAKTI”   in the  fields of Indian Army, Navy, Defense and so on.

Fr Alexander Virsai Ekka SJ

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This Bill Poster on Menopause is an initiative taken by a young Catholic woman Dr Delony Manuvel to help millions of families journey through the phase of midlife and menopause with grace.  Midlife is a time to simplify your life and enjoy living. It is the time to let go off an over dominant ego and contemplate the deeper significance of human existence.

This issue of Magnet, in its cover story, creates a space for listening to men and women from three different spheres on their struggles and ways of coping with midlife challenges.  Cover Story 2 focuses on the beauty and agony of the midlife phase of Menopause that women wade through.  The struggles of the journey during this period increase as a result of various cultural and social perceptions that are not holistic and call for rethinking.

Cover Story 3 presents the challenges experienced by men from rural India which often leads to a crisis in their midlife. If not dealt with perceptively, these instances can lead to depression and identity crisis.

In Cover Story 4 Sr Elizabeth shares her story of having successfully lived through the struggles of midlife and is now journeying on with renewed courage and confidence. Through her sharing she intends to instill new hope in the lives of others.

Pushpa Joseph

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“For age is an opportunity no less

Than youth itself, though in another dress

And as the evening twilight fades away

The sky is filled with stars invisible by day.”

Through these lines Henry Wadsworth Longfellow conveys that ageing is inevitable and how preferable it is to cherish and take pride in the maturity that comes along with age. Aging is a natural and gradual process and yet the physical and mental deterioration associated with aging are dreaded and very few welcome this phase with grace. Ageism is a negative attitude that regards elderly individuals as non-contributing burdens on society.  Medical advancements and other healthcare improvements have escalated the human life expectancy in the last few decades. Increasing longevity is an achievement if and only “life” is added to these bonus years. Medical science being a male dominant profession for ages failed in understanding female biology. In a gradual and subtle manner, the earlier doctors, constructed certain myths that resonated with the existing idea of the inferiority of the female body and mind. The then socially rampant gender related partisanship reflected in the medical field as less referrals for further investigations in case of a woman patient. Even today very often a women’s illness is off handedly designated as psychologically or emotionally effectuated. Women’s pain and healthcare need an outsider’s authentication to be taken seriously.

Dr Delony Manuvel Ph.D.

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In contemporary rural India, men are faced with the following challenges in their midlife.

1. Generally some men are disturbed or embarrassed when a child or an adult calls them “uncle” and when children call them “Thatha” in regional languages (grandfather), especially when young girls call them “uncle”. In this sort of situation, men become conscious to present themselves young in their public appearance. Their physical image in public domain becomes a priority. At times they struggle to keep up their image. They begin to plunge into crisis at their middle age.
2. A man who once felt was independent, now may feel dependent on his children or who was more freely deciding for his children and his own life, now will have to consider his children before any decision is taken. He begins to feel that his freedom is shrinking.
3. In rural Indian context, many in their middle age get their children married and in some occasions the middle aged couples face the wrath of their son and daughter in-law, contrary to their expectations. Prevailing social stigma would not allow them to share with others about this ill treatment meted out to them, since it would bring down the reputation of the family.  Not knowing what to do, they inevitably face a crisis.
4. Bringing up children in the Indian context, with values that the parents adhere to, is a challenge, as children these days are drawn to a variety of habits which are contrary to the values of the parents.

John Don Bosco

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When I entered my forties, I encountered many pleasant and unpleasant experiences, painful and distressing, due to the loss of my beloved parents and very close relatives to physical illnesses. At the same time, there were new opportunities like being sent on a Mission overseas, chances for higher studies (Licentiate) in a foreign land, and so on that brought a new outlook and new awakening in my life. However, amidst my own distressing moments, I had to face many challenges in the ‘New Mission’; like learning a new (Spanish) language and adjusting to a lot of things, adapting a new culture, and facing different challenges in my Mission, along with additional uncertainties and anxieties that entered during the crisis and turmoil at the time—Pandemic that hit the world. Taking care of terminally ill patients caused in me the fear of death and the very thought of death made me fear even more. Even in my dreams this fear kept manifesting.

Despite having journeyed with such pleasant and unpleasant experiences in my life, I can confidently say that the past eight years are the best years in my life, where productivity and creativity have blossomed. Somewhere deep down, I felt the presence of the ‘divine energy’ calling me to rise above all these fears especially the fear of death and the pain of losing my parents, meaninglessness and the emptiness that I had faced within me. There came an awareness that ‘I am who I am’ and encountered God who resides in me. And I realize that I am more than my name, fame, beauty, status, role and so on. And there was a realization of the ‘True Self’ emerging in me. That was the time I began giving workshops for students, teachers and parents, and sessions for junior sisters, formators classes, and retreats for novices. This brought me a sense of inner joy, happiness and fulfillment which none can take away from me.

Sr Elizabeth Rani OP

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