Women and the preservation of life
About two months to their wedding, robbers broke into the girl’s house and raped her. The girl got pregnant. The boy’s parents therefore discouraged him from marring the girl because they refused to believe that the girl was raped. Moreover, they could not imagine their son getting married to a woman who was carrying another […]
About two months to their wedding, robbers broke into the girl’s house and raped her. The girl got pregnant. The boy’s parents therefore discouraged him from marring the girl because they refused to believe that the girl was raped. Moreover, they could not imagine their son getting married to a woman who was carrying another man’s pregnancy. The young man gave the girl an option of terminating the pregnancy as the only condition to continue with the marriage. The girl refused and preferred to have the baby.
Now, the professor asked, “if you were the girl what would you have done with the pregnancy?” There were so many reactions which may be similar to what you may be thinking even as you read this story. The Professor told the class, “I am the product of that incident. If the girl in question (my mother) did away with the unborn or the baby through whatever means, I would not be here teaching you. Moreover, this generation would have missed the knowledge that I am now imparting. I love my mother with passion. She raised me and make me what I am today without the assistance of a father.
Often, it is the woman who suffers when the man is unwilling to accept responsibility for the sin he commits with the woman? Today, the issue of abortion calls for a deeper reflection on the dignity of parenthood which is clearly explicated in the Apostolic letter, “Mulieris Dignitatem” that even though parenthood belongs to both the man and the woman, it is realized much more fully in the woman, especially in the prenatal period. Pregnancy literally absorbs the energies of her body and soul. It therefore look unreasonable for a man to claim ownership of a child in cases of divorce. It is commonly thought that women are more capable than men when it comes to paying attention to children. Motherhood develops the predisposition of caring for the other. The man even with all his sharing in parenthood remains outside the process of pregnancy and the baby’s birth; in many ways he has to learn his own fatherhood from the mother.
One can say that this is part of the normal human dimension of parenthood, including the stages that follow the birth of the baby, especially the initial period. The child’s upbringing, taken as a whole, should include the contribution of both parents: the maternal and paternal contribution but in any event, the mother’s contribution is decisive in laying the foundation for a new human person. The moral and spiritual strength of a woman is joined to her awareness that the ‘Supreme Being’ entrusts the human being to her in a special way. Of course, God entrusts every human person to each and every other human being. But this entrusting concerns the woman in a special way precisely by the reason of her femininity. This, in a particular way determines her vocation. This awareness and this fundamental vocation speak to women of the dignity which they receive from God. This should strengthen their vocation such that a perfect woman becomes an irreplaceable support and source of spiritual strength for other people.
Today, the success of science and technology makes it possible to attain a certain material well-being that is not completely known given that this cannot take the place of the imperativeness of nature. This one-sided progress can lead to a gradual loss of sensitivity for humanity. In this sense our time in particular awaits the manifestation of that genius which belongs only to women, and which ensures sensitivity for human beings in every circumstance. Women collaborate and build the society, they appreciate their typical ‘feminine genius, the woman is found at the center of human salvation and this is made possible because the Holy Spirit overshadowed her by her willingness to be overshadowed.
The Church is qualified in feminine categories such as the ‘Bride of Christ’, “Holy mother Church” etc. Motherhood concerns the whole person, not simply the bodies of the mother and the child. The woman is termed ‘the helper’ not in the sense of a mate but because she is a ‘helper fit for her person, fit for her vocation with peculiar powers that are so natural to assist the other, the society and the Church to grow in strength and holiness. The woman must not therefore look for extra powers outside her proper dignity which she must cherish and respect. Scientific and Anthropological analysis fully confirm that the very physical constitution of women is naturally disposed to motherhood, conception, pregnancy, and the power to give birth.
At the same time, this also corresponds to the psycho-physical structure of a woman. Motherhood involves a special communion with the mystery of life. The Mother is filled with wonder at this mystery hence, from the beginning she accepts and loves as a person the child in her womb. The history of every human being passes through the doorstep of a woman’s motherhood and this is connected with the love which she gives in return. A mother welcomes and carries in her another human being, enabling it to grow inside her, giving it room, loving and respecting it. Women first learn and teach others that human relations are authentic if they are open to accepting the other person, a person who is recognized and loved because of the dignity which comes from being a person and not from other considerations.
In our society, we see women who, as a result of various pressures, even on the part of the guilty man, very often get rid of the child before it is born. If the woman is endowed with natural powers to preserve life, it is then deemed out of place for her to terminate a pregnancy for flimsy reasons. This is a fundamental fact which humanity expect from women for they are endowed with a particular capacity to accept the human being in a concrete form. This singular feature which prepares her for motherhood, not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually, is inherent in the plan of the Supreme Being who entrusted the human being to her in a special way.
In 1980, Cardinal Dominic Ekandem, addressed the Diocesan Laity Council and National Lay Apostolic Associations in Nigeria: “I am sure you have observed in the Press, radio and television how the Governments both Federal and State, are being pressured to legalize abortion, our governments are being asked to participate in the crime of murder by legalizing abortion. I call upon you to do all you can to save the nation from such iniquity.
According to our culture and tradition, life is something sacred. The violation of life, even of babies and the unborn is always regarded as an abomination in our culture” (Fr. Cosmas Nwosuh 238). In supporting life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive. It depends on the women to promote a new feminism which will reject the temptation of imitating models of male domination. They must get a balanced feminism devoid of every prejudice in order to acknowledge and affirm the true genius of women in every aspect of life and overcome all discrimination, violence, and exploitation. May every woman discover her dignity and powers! Above all, may she discover her true nature!
Sr. Dr. Stella Bassey Esirah HHCJ is a lecturer and Head of Department of Philosophy at St. Joseph Catholic Major Seminary, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State ([email protected]).