"Suffering" - why I'm a member of World Pulse

A girl or a woman suffering, in any way, in London, Lahore, Las Vegas, or Lesotho, is a cause for concern.

Especially if it's because of something a man has - or hasn't - done.

But I must admit I was pretty naive. I joined World Pulse because I read a few articles on here which pointed out gender-bias or men discriminating against us. NOW I'm horrified by some of the things I read here, some of the heart-rending stories of females suffering BECAUSE we're females.

And that is totally unacceptable.

An earthquake, a flood, a famine - all are horrible, but we can't do anything to stop them. And they affect people regardless of gender, class, age, sexuality or income.

But a man hitting, molesting, assaulting, raping, or killing a girl or woman is something we CAN stop. BY NOT LETTING IT HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Through WorldPulse, and other organisations, we can bring news and features to the parts of the world and the people - like me - who are unaware of much of the pain our sisters are suffering.

I lash out if a male cousin criticises my driving, and I used to get REALLY annoyed when an ex-boyfriend told me off for seeing him on the toilet! Gosh - how feeble!

Those things are NOTHING in comparison with the hardships women across the world suffer everyday.

And when I read of the lack of respect for women in some Asian countries, I just weep at how those things can happen. (I knew of some suffering in Thailand and Malaysia, but that is mild in comparison.)

My only annoyance is that men - even the few civilised men that exist - aren't reading those. Unfortunately, as we're all too well aware, men have the power to do things which we don't.

We need a day every month when men are forced to read about their brothers' outrageous practices before they are permitted to drink alcohol or make love to their women.

I don't have a partner at the moment. But when I next do have, he will familiarise himself with the horrible problems women have BECAUSE of men - or he will, we'll I'd LIKE to say he'd be receiving a visit from Lorena Bobbitt.

But I suppose that suggests that I'm advocating violence against men!

(I'm not by the way - I'm being funny!)