Том 8

March 8th in Mongolia is a nationally recognized holiday that provides a fine excuse for girls to get flowers, various gifts from their loved ones, male co-workers and wrap the evening with out of control outings that can perhaps match American bachelorette parties. They celebrate their womanhood, independence, and recognition (or so we believe). The affirmation of womanhood by male population is largely displayed through the gifts, flowers, and etcetera. As I was sitting in my class few days ago, one male student from Poland expressed his disproval of the holiday condemning it as old Communist propaganda holiday. His remark could have been accurate if he acknowledged the link between feminism and Marxism, but he didn't. Innocent but superficial comment neglected the fact that this celerbation did not start with commies in Russia, but actually in America by suffragettes and since then regarded as International Women's Day. However, here I do not wish to repeat the old and beaten up female argument, that women are powerful and independent or that we are equally capable as any man and therefore this holiday is important to raise awarenesss internationally and then go on accusing young Polish student of being ignorant and not socially progressive. You see I cannot present this argument precisely because I, as an educated, middle class woman would always fail to assess accurately the reality. I would fall into all too familiar trap of liberal syndrome of pity for "developing" country's poor and oppressed. March 8th with acquiescent compliance from women carries silent endorsement of male affirmative stand. It is affirmative and it is quite similar to America's racial affirmative action. Precisely the quiet submission by women to this holiday and lack of critique of it, the holiday still stands as a reminder of perceived gender disequillibrum. Sadly said men can abolish March 8th anytime should they regard that gender issue is not an issue anymore.