The deaths of pregnant women do not interest the press

Last Sunday, May 2, was the Spanish Mother's Day. Using this date as a reivindication, Save the Children published the eleventh report on the Global State of the Mothers. This publication has highlighted some figures, which are not covered by the media.

The purpose of this report is "to analyze the best and worst places in the world to be a mother." The indicators studied are health, education or economic conditions of both mothers and children. Some data are not always very flattering.

In fact, very alarming figures were collected: 343,000 women die each year from complications during pregnancy or childbirth; each year nearly 9 million children do not reach their fifth birthday. It is also important to note that 50 million women in developing countries give birth without the attention of minimally qualified staff.

On the other hand, it also indicates that the best country to have a child is Norway, while the worst is Afghanistan. Spain stands at number 13, after dropping two spots on the list. Given these data, it is important to analyze the treatment the media have given to the report.

Spanish headlines looms as Spain and Norway are among countries optimal for childbearing. The Público journal reports "Spain, a good place to be a mother", El País, "Norway is the best country in the world to be a mother”; and ABC, “The world's best place to be born." In the three of them the priority information is about Spain and the best places to give birth to kids.

News agencies highlight the best and worst place to have a child. The Spanish news agency EFE entitled "Norway and Australia, the best countries to be a mother, and the worst is Afghanistan”; and France's AFP: "Norway is the best country to be mother and the worst is Afghanistan." Other papers emphasize the fall in the list of Spain: El Mundo says that "Spain is worse in the ranking of countries to be a mother" or La Vanguardia, "Spain drops two places in the ranking of the best countries to be mother."

No paper opens with the headline referring to the 343,000 women that die each year from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Although, it was the headline appearing in the press release sent by Save the Children to the media. Why are we so afraid to recognize these victims? If we observe the presence of this information is in the news, we find that these data do not appear or simply is summarized in several sentences.

From Save the Children they say that they are satisfied because "most of the media carried the report data." However, they point out that "prioritizing the information that affects the western world is not going to achieve awareness in the international society on the South."

Different approaches to the information cause different views. On this occasion they have. The information published in the media does not correspond to what Save the Children has pointed out. Perhaps these media need to learn some lessons from NGOs with the aim to take the South ona higher place on the agendas of the communication.

The hijab is avoided in certain school classes

During the last two weeks the controversy of the hijab has dominated the media. Since Najwa took the decision to wear the veil, the doors of her school in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid, Spain) are closed.

Inconsistent regulations and a difficult integration. The government takes no position, every political leader of the PSOE remains a different opinion. Spanish society does not have an idea either. Some people just want to meet standards, others argue that the hijab does not have the same meaning as a cap.

While Najwa is trying to adapt to another school, the different cultures who settle in Spain evolve together. And it is that, through mutual understanding, these adaptations will be much easier.

The theme is open to dispute. A confrontation that has calmed down now, but soon another storm will re-emerge.

"Ellas crean 2010" (Girls Compose 2010) ... but boys write the music

Ellas Crean Festival (a femenine compositors festival) this year has surprised the lovers of classical music with an unusual lineup. Despite its name and what it suggests, especially against what seems to support, the songs of this year were written in the handwriting of characters as diverse as unfeminine. During the course of classical music, the audience have heard works of Franz Schubert, Antonio Vivaldi or Claudio Monteverdi, among others.

Following the lack of women composers in these concerts, whose goal is neither more nor less than that of professing equality between men and women at the time of writing on a blank score, the Association of Women in Music, with its President Mercedes Zavala to the head, sent an open letter to Zapatero on this issue.

It ensures that works are used by male composers "instead of (interpreted) to the contemporary composers, songwriters are obvious to the current and maximum generated confusion about the concept of musical authorship."

But the issue goes much further, because the artists that will be ordered to give life to the writings of these composers on stage will be foreign. Not only is this a loss of visibility of women composers, but also of the interpreters of our country.

What is the first impression of the Association of Women in Music when it knows that there will be only male composers in the Ellas Crean Festival 2010? And what does the President of this association think?
In general, there is no surprise among those who already knew the festival. Past editions ignored women composers, with the sole exception of 2008, when there was a concert dedicated to current creators from Spain. We then opened a door, but it was not either in 2009 or in 2010, where it was again reversed.

For many women, myself included, it is wrong that the authorities think that as an event dedicated to women that carry the banner of equality is all great and wonderful. We believe that if it comes to value, it is just because it shows how important our job is to do things professionally and avoids trivialization precisely. Otherwise it becomes a mere use of feminism in terms of other interests.

In the beginning this festival showed classical music in general, not only in this current side, it was basically a festival of popular and commercial music. Even today putting the focus, interestingly, musical events in which the musical authorship is weak or diluted, is limited to text, or is directly male but is hidden by highlighting the singer performer. In the music business is a common practice to hide the author, composers and other performers, etc., and emphasize only the figure on stage. To prove this you just need to see the programs of concerts, which lack any information on authorship and works to be interpreted.

A deep malaise is what we feel when the Festival expands its borders and forms including classical music, hiring foreign female performers who bring well-known repertoire of male composers of the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, rather than the composers of those corresponding centuries.

This issue, together with the amount of resources used on this occasion, and the folly of pretending that displayed female musical creation, is what broke the idea.

How is it possible that in an event of such magnitude, calling for equality, women composers could be forgotten ?
Frankly, I think it is in part due to a profound ignorance. Which is no excuse, because when you have so many public resources, and the President of the Government of Spain, along with two ministries, presents the festival and increases accountability, both to find the right people to lead the event, as appropriate assistance. They should also had to be careful with the social and cultural impact of the activities carried out, and not just its immediate popularity and political advantage.

In Spain it is commonly understood that anyone believes that music, even without training, while in other plots, such as medicine, plumbing or computer, to give three colorful examples, would be assumed that we must resort to specialists. In the case of composers, mostly from the historical, more importantly, because they are generally unaware of his existence. But something that is unknown does not mean it does not exist.

Do you think there is any interest for this to take place?
This country is under an inertia that are submerged cultural policy, which seeks to promote what commercial profitability or media and hence political, even at the cost to manipulate, steal and spoil the concept of culture. The Minister of Culture hetself continually repeated the tagline that culture is "consumed", or speaks of their "consumers." This makes it clear that the industry is concerned, not culture, the latter is acquired, transmitted, is taught or cultivated, and what should occupy a Ministry of Culture, in my opinion, is how it encourages and protects it, because otherwise existing businesses and markets, which will surely be responsible for searching for business opportunities. However it is increasingly common since the agencies supposedly devoted to the cultural are working in the wrong direction.

More than 130 people have joined her protest, is it enough?
It is never enough, but despite this, the protest has been very well received among the people who are dedicated to music, and others who are not. This issue not only affects those who live on this, but it is something that affects all of society.

We seem to be sufficient given that the chain was made in a week using our mailing only, then we have not done anything to expand it, because we wanted to be sure that was an opinion shared enough. Once we had the first companies and support e-mails stopped, because the intention was to make known to the authorities involved and make them aware of our displeasure, in case they were unaware, the barbarity that is appealing to women making music without it . We choose not to send it to the press, because as an Association we just make a constructive criticism that goes directly to the bodies that have sponsored.

What responses have been achieved?
At the moment only we have an answer, in my personal mail, from the Festival Director, Concha Hernandez, which I appreciate. In her letter it was apparent that she had not understood our protest, believing, among other things that we wanted was to be programmed ourselves, which obviously is not the issue. But at least, she gave us the opportunity to respond to her letter and clarify the arguments developed which is our point of view about fundamental flaws in the approach to the Festival.

We are also still have to talk with people from the Ministry of Equality, which have sent us their concern about this issue.

On the label ELLAS CREAN in our blog, which can be found in http://mujeresenlamusica.blogspot.com/, there is the Association's open letter, the list of accessions and my answer to the director of the Festival.

If you want to share an experience or anecdote with us, it is your moment.
The sad anecdotes consists of people who share the message of the open letter, but indicated that they do not include their name for fear of retaliation or because it was not for his dealings with the ministerial authorities. It seems sad, more in a country that has only recently gained freedom of expression, so we should not give up so easily. For my part I have been under pressure and some surprisingly anonymous people sent me messages assuming creeping dark political interests in acting, but beyond these anecdotal cases the response has been enthusiastic, both women and men, of course, which is sensible, at least I think that the preservation of culture and knowledge unites us all, and we improved.


This means, in her view, "a step backwards with regard to the 2008 edition, the year that included a concert dedicated to current Spanish composers, which was certainly a successful attendance. We consider a scheduling blunder gone by well known composers rather than to value the work of historical women composers whose repertoire is still difficult to know ".

So far, more than 130 people have signed this petition. It is easy to think that their claims are well founded and entirely logical, but despite both the Ministry of Equality and Culture went ahead with the festival's program. All this is framed as a cultural activity of cultural events prepared on the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union.

Since this statement is released by a question that has not yet had a response in the world of music: "Can you imagine a claim of "creative cinema" that shows films of male directors, promoting the action of known actresses?"

Note on Women in Music:
The Association wWomen in Music, is a Spanish national association and within the Institute for Women, has over 20 years working in the recovery of the repertoire of composers and historical care and dissemination. Its main objective is to promote, publicize and promote the role of women in music creation, especially in traditionally underserved areas. Among its members are also composers, performers, conductors, musicologists and managers, as well as music lovers, and some partners who share our interest in achieving these objectives.

Arise of the number of child soldiers in Somalia

UNICEF has warned of a growing number of child recruitments by armed groups in Somalia. Some of them have only nine years, and many are beaten or executed when captured.

The use and manipulation of life of these children that benefit gangs or armed forces should be considered, according to the United Nations Fund for Children, as a war crime. They are early taught to sow panic and have no mercy. The organization's director, Anthony Lake, said that they suffer psychological and physical damage, which sometimes leads them to become like their bosses when they grow up.

UNICEF has requested the unanimous condemnation of these acts by the international community and the demobilization of child soldiers. They call for "a childhood free of horrors" for these children, who must regain their childhood and reintegrate in their communities.

The rain forgets Sahel

Photo: C. Moreno Vazquez from IO

These are the lands Sahel, in Africa. There is a drought causing that over 10 million people are at risk of a major food crisis. Niger is the country whit the highest risk, with 8 million people in the areas affected by the lack of rain, but the threat extends to other countries in the region such as Chad, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Nigeria.

The erratic rains last year resulted in a lack of water and a significant shortfall in the pasture, resulting in poor harvests. In Niger, crops were reduced by 26% compared to last year, and in some regions, notably in Diffa in eastern and western Tillabéry, there was nothing to be harvest. In Chad, the harvest was 34% less than the year before. It is expected that the regions of Hadjer Lamis, Batha, Bahr El Ghaza, and Guera Kanem and eastern Chad are seriously affected, especially from the month of April 2010.

According to Oxfam, the grain prices are high and rising in the region. In Niger, prices of millet increased by 25% and sorghum by 50% compared to 2009. No rain is expected by June and it is expected to steadily increase prices until the next harvest in September.

Faced with this shortage and lack of resources, open pits that people share with animals become a major focus of infection and can cause epidemics.

The NGO Oxfam has enabled links to encourage donations for projects in these countries. Several other NGOs such as SOS Aldeas Infantiles also follow developments from around the famine that threatens these countries.

Mens sana ... in healthy Móstoles

A course that helps us in our day to day and also provide us with more knowledge does not have to cost money. Education goes beyond the conventional institutions and is already installed in the councils of many municipalities to provide free training to its citizens. A good example is the School Health Department of Móstoles (Madrid).

Back in 1998 was created the Municipal School of Health in Móstoles. In this town of Madrid, education activities were practiced for health but were converted guidelines and objectives according to the Jakarta Declaration on health promotion in the twenty-first century held in July 1997.

In the 2009-2010 school year, there were taught 15 courses, two workshops and a roundtable for "mostoleños" to learn to eat, sleep, interact with family members and managing stress. Each course is targeted to those population groups who need to know the objectives to be addressed. There are courses for all the general population, but there are also targeting women as the course "Women and Health" or for people over 65 years as a course of "Training of Memory." Even students in local institutes have also attended these training sessions.

Marisa Relaño is one of the health workers who provide these courses.

What type are the groups to which you give that many talks?
Most groups are made up of women over 50 years, that is the largest bulk of the population to which we are headed. As age advances, over 60 or 65 more men come here because they get retired and can better assist to classes in the morning. Then there is another group of young men of the institutes.

Marisa thinks women have always been more interested in the issues of character formation and recognize these kinds of activities, and that men can't always assist in the delivery shifts they are working. However, when these courses are taught in the partnerships, shifts later, the number of women and men is very similar.

Where do you see the interest of students in each course? Do you think you they come to be entertained, to learn more, to meet other people ...?
They mostly come to improve. The first few times they came without knowing o see what they could give, to spend a little time; but now after 10 years of existence of the School, it has run too loud. Now people come because they know that they can improve, that every person can be the protagonist of his life and improve their health. They come to learn and choose. They are no longer blind now choose because others have recommended us.

Each course is scheduled on specific dates that are shared with the brochures, but we can also find information about them on the web.

At first, those who have enrolled in a course can not return to study at another different because it would prevent other interested citizens to enjoy them. But they can ask for permission to enroll in several of the courses that are offered in the School Health. But this has led to demands of some students in some classes. Relaño says that "those who did the course Health Gaining and Positive Emotions" came later to ask for a second course to deepen the level. But we would like to limit the amount of people that we are heading because we have a privileged group and the School claims to reach as many people as possible and from there locate individual resources and the ways to deepen it to move forward. "

What is the course of prior learning?
The course of emotions, not knowing well what it was. They never start from zero level, because you always know something. Also, stress and sexuality workshops, because they came with many concepts or misconceptions. Feeding or menopause does more things to know before going through the course.

How would you explain the methodology?
What is important is that people learn from their own concepts. The first session of presentation and collection of expectations helps us to know what people expect and what they bring. We work on their own concepts, we continue to add new ideas, but we work on what people know. Then we promote the group and it is enriched. Perhaps you do not know something in theory but it is practicing, so we tried that out. It creates a very nice atmosphere in the group with a good climate of complicity and laugh a lot. In these classes we do not take notes. We deliver a dossier to students explaining what is involved in the classroom and to access and read literature. We carry a prepared script because there are things that are essential and should be taught.

Why do you recommend these courses?
Because they are super (laughs). Because people need to know how to be better or have a better health, not only having to go to the doctor is teverything we can do about our health, I can do something to improve myself and my relationships, for better meal to feed me and my family.... I can do something. That's why I recommend it wholeheartedly.

These courses do not support a large number of participants as this would hinder the delivery of these and participation with questions or experiences of the participants. The health workers of this school are just five for the various courses and the demand of citizens is growing.

What do you think the (local) Administration should improve with these workshops?
Well, they should improve the recruiting rules, to let us take at least twice as many people because the demand is great and we, the team, we are five, and no more. Then five to reach the entire population, most high schools, plus exhibitions of Móstoles, the conferences, round tables ... we should get doubled.

And what would the participants improve ?
They improve a lot but they can always be more involved. They could also take a second step which is also to become health workers, what some people actually do. In some associations, such as AFINSYFACRO (Association of fibromyalgia), we took a memory training course, sexuality and emotions workshops and has been a group of three or four people who have set up training sessions for people without this type of training. In some cases they have worked as health workers and that would be the next step.

How do the students leave after this conference?
Surprised. They are accustomed, perhaps, to receive other training. We use very plain language that everyone understands and people leave with the feeling that you can do something.

But not only the students leave with a learning, health workers also learn for free with these courses. Having known these courses and the students who come to them, Marisa Relaño's experience as an instructor leaves a good taste.

What do you like most about the work you do?
What I like is giving me the opportunity to learn from the people. We learn a lot: from what we read, study and continuing education required by the school, but we learn a lot of groups. People teaches you where to go, what to fix, what you have to put more emphasis and work with people is amazingly good.

Health form is not a question of investing large amounts of money but of their own volition and knowledge that can help find resources for it. The solution may be in our own environment.

Did someone say Nunca Mais (Never Again)?

Associated Press image provided by the United States Navy.

A controlled burn near Mexico deploys a cloud of smoke worthy of a volcano in Iceland. Meanwhile, oil from the BP plant officially stated that "the containment of the spill is out of control." BP has successfully sealed the three leaks, but still has taken out to sea some 800,000 liters of fuel more, representing about 5,000 barrels (77,000 tons Prestige let the beaches of Galicia in 2002).

But it is not so much economic loss than environmental. Action to stop this big patch of oil, silently approaching toward Louisiana, are increasingly controversial. Several environmental groups have complained about the use of chemical dispersants on the spot, which may also affect marine species and the entire ecosystem in general, maybe even more so than the actual discharge.

Thousands of volunteers are waiting for the arrival of oil on the beaches, while BP tries to repair the ecological destruction caused, by the construction of a bell to suck the oil at 1,500 meters below sea level. This action has never been tested at sea. In the coming days we will see whether in this case occurs, as they say, that the remedy is worse than the disease.