Dear Mothers of PITA-Consumers,
Thank you for serving as THE MOST influential socio-political-economic factor in each of our lives. This mother from #Syria fed her family by selling all her jewelry http://ow.ly/kVQYj v @WFP @UN_Women #MothersDay #Unconditional #Relief
Why we are thankful year round…
Regardless of shortcomings related by The World Economic Forum, which compiles the Global Gender Gap Index, and The United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, which track the Gender Parity Index, nothing can track the true impact of motherhood on each of our individual human development. In some cases, mothers impact our professional development. No matter what indices we use, the nine-month return on investment is immeasurable.
I first learned about the concept and depth of ‘Human Development‘ from a young, caring physician–who just happened to be a mom. The Human Development Index triggered a series of mother-daughter lessons about “What does it mean for well-being of a person and for the larger society?” Is there a way to get past the cultural-relativism that often dismisses the universal needs for all human beings–regardless of cultural barriers?
The experiences shared by this woman, and the effort to show this particular “pita-consumer” at a young age what villages and other societies undergo to raise their young into productive citizens will never be forgotten. PITAPOLICY will continuously explore the linkages between infant mortality rates to mothers’ care to adult productivity. Moreover, I will try my best to remember how privileged and blessed I have been to have received so much education, time, dedication and love from one of her best “investors”.
Mentors have come and gone in my life. They have enriched me with their “social capital”. Yet, my mom continues to remind me that I’m more than an aggregate measure of health, education, and current standard of living. In the eyes of social justice and government responsibility: My well-being is no more important than the well-being of a “munchkin” in Ethiopia, Mexico, Afghanistan, or Egypt–wherever. That’s why we have mothers: to ensure that our well-being receives an “extra boost” through our moms because governments and society do not have the resources to recognize us as individuals.
The article below will highlight one measure of how society tracks the appreciation for motherhood. Middle East & North African (MENA) countries (PITA-consuming countries) did not make it into the examples because of their governmental policies’ lackluster support for maternity leave and other supportive measures. Thankfully, the people within PITA-consuming countries are defined by other aspects of societal norms and cultural practices. By no means does PITAPOLICY give a free pass to MENA governments’ absent recognition for motherhood in the workplace. PITAPOLICY PITA-consumers: please join PITAPOLIYC and demand that Mothers Day acknowledge the three-dimensional role that mothers lead in the most basic unit of measurement: households. And hug your mom. Again.
Sincerely Yours,
PITAPOLICY & Its Contributors
