Multiple Perspectives & "Persepolis"

Although Ethiopian women are most affected by the education they do or do not receive, the lives of those around them, such as Ethiopian men, are also notably affected. Ethiopian women traditionally fulfill roles defined by society, “Traditionally men are responsible for providing for the family and for dealing with family contact outside the home whereas women are responsible for domestic work and looking after the children” (“Ethiopian Treasures” 1). As the shift for more women and girls to be educated is made, these well-worn roles of tradition are brought into question. The education men receive grants them power and opportunity. With men being the only ones to receive an education, they are able to retain power and control. If men remain educated and women do not, then it is the men who make the policies and decide the choices for their families, with their wealthier supply of knowledge. This control of power is similar to the way that leaders in the novel, Persepolis, made decisions for those around them, without taking into account the views of those for whom the decisions were being made. Knowledge empowers women, and men are reluctant to relinquish their power and to women to unlock their full potential. By prohibiting women from receiving an education the cycle continues; policies will not change because there will not be any educated women to change them. Women’s lack of education inhibits their ability to excel in the world outside of the home. If women are not provided easily accessible education, then the traditional views that, “men neither cook nor do shopping because housework tends to be women's job”, will remain the same (“Ethiopian Treasures” 1). The close-minded thought process insinuates gender inferiority from a young age, so if a man were to cook or do housework, then he would be considered inferior.  Ethiopian women will remain powerless to stop the cycle. The society that has been around will be altered; “Education helps girls and women to know their rights and to gain confidence to claim them” (“Empowering Women” 1). Depriving women of these gifts also deprives her of a freedom and opportunity. The male control of the situation, both in policies and culturally seeks to prevent women from receiving an education, so that they will not be able to rise to a standard equal to men.

• "Empowering Women through Education: Promoting Gender Equality: UNFPA." UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <http://www.unfpa.org/gender/empowerment2.htm>.
• "Ethiopian Culture - Traditional Costume, Food and Drink." Ethiopian Treasures - History, Culture, Language, Religion - Ethiopia. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/
• Picture Source: http://www.iie.org/~/media/Images/Programs/HER/SH-HER-003.ashx?mh=235&mw=300