Editor, I take issues with some of your metaphors in Friday’s article which you captioned: “Give women a break! This is not of our own making.” Let me start by stating that I am an advocate for Human Rights and I subscribe to ‘affirmative action’ geared towards emancipating the minority in any state, with particular reference to women and children. Your attempt to liken ‘the flow of River Red’ which most fertile women experience monthly to a simple act of urine which all humans exert (women inclusive) didn’t go down well with me. I read your article at the point of keenest interest hoping, I would find a line to use in inciting a robust global campaign in favor of women being exonerated from duty-performance once a few hours every month, but I was unfortunately, disappointed that you rumbled over this and rather turned a didactic journalistic piece into a catalyst of laughter. I would sanction or countenance your piece with all the seriousness if you compared the ‘Red Flag’ to the cradle of human existence since we all need fertile women to bear children and or society to grow. This is not to say that men are not important in the child birth process, but they don’t pay as much attention to the children or possess such complex mechanisms as women in this venture. I am quite disappointed though, that you compared the ‘Red Flag’ to a mere article which competes for space in a handbag with chocolates which ladies receive from their boyfriends and mates. I think an issue of consideration which you should take forward though, is the necessity for the provision of toilet facilities which cater for such important woman needs. Charles Nyuykonge School of Social Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand nyuykonge@gmail.com
