Julia Sand/Winonan
Michelle Lim, panelist at the 5th annual International Women’s Day Luncheon, reminded Winona State University students what a privilege it is to be pursuing a college education— education being one of the most significant challenges for women across the world.
“You are all very lucky to be here today,” Lim said.
Three other Winona State students and one alumna were panelists for the luncheon, put on by Winona State international students and FORGE, a Winona State club, as part of the women and gender studies’ department’s 20th anniversary.
The five women, each representing their native country, shared personal stories regarding women’s experiences in their countries.
Lim, a public relations major from Malaysia, said her grandmother was married at age 14 and lived her life illiterate because she thought school was not an option. Instead, she believed her place was at home tending the family and household.
Lim’s mother, who aggressively pursued education, graduated from high school but could not afford college.
Most women in that time, Lim said, were illiterate, and never fought for their right to education.
Lim’s mother reminds her often how fortunate she is to be pursuing her dream in America, getting a college education.
“I am living [my mother’s] dream,” Lim said. “I feel very blessed for that.”
Other panelists echoed Lim’s story.
Raghavi Kharel, a 2011 Winona State alumna, represented Nepal.
Kharel said many of Nepal’s communities are patriarchal; fathers and husbands influence a woman’s life.
Since men are the decision makers, male’s education is prioritized, Kharel said.
“Many do not have the freedom to choose because as daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives it is against prescribed values,” Kharel said.
Deepika Sharma, who also represented Nepal, went school in India; however, she said women were still treated unequally while getting an education.
Women had a dress code when men did not; women were not allowed to go outside; women had to make a line in order to walk to school together; women were also not allowed to talk to the men, or else they would be questioned.
Sharma said not only did she see issues in education, but in everyday life. Women were teased about what they were wearing.
Basically, women aren’t supposed to look beautiful, Sharma said, and you also couldn’t stand up for yourself or teasing would worsen.
Even in her own family, Sharma saw discrepancy toward women. Female fetuses, she said, were aborted because families wanted boys.
Through all the stories there was a common thread of women facing struggle in everyday life; another common thread, though, was the positive change these countries have seen.
Lim said in Malaysia today most college students are women. In Nepal, Kharel said, more and more girls are getting the opportunity to go to school.
Sharma also said the progression from her grandmother’s education to her mother’s to her own shows a significant increase. Her grandmother illiterate, Sharma graduated last semester and will be working toward her PhD soon.
Connie Gores, vice president of student life and development, attended the luncheon and thought each story told was inspirational.
“When you see what they had to go through and what they had to accomplish – it’s amazing. I have so much respect for them,” Gores said.
The luncheon food, white rice, spinach and cottage cheese dip and flat bread, was homemade by panelist Kharel.
Naida FanouTosse and Dhiranjana Baniya completed the lunch with female empowerment dances from Africa and Nepal.
Contact Julia at [email protected]
