A Male Advocate for Women's Rights

      Today, in one of my favorite classes, Sociology of Human Reproduction, we had the pleasure of one of the greatest guest speakers I have heard. (It could be that earlier in the week I experienced on of the worst.)
     Mohammad Naeem is, as I've experienced and read in my life, a rarity. Not quite a unicorn. Perhaps a narwhal- we know they exist, but who sees them?
      He is an advocate for Women's Rights. He gives talks to world leaders about Women's Rights issues and gender equity. He is a 2013 graduate of Stony Brook University. He is a male. 
      Lately in the class, we have been discussing more about the male role in reproduction. Men and abortion, men and birth or pregnancy, men and gender equity. Where is the male voice?
In some of the studies we discussed, the majority of men felt like they had no voice or place politically or otherwise in abortion or the birth process. More importantly they really hadn't thought about abortion or pregnancy much before their situation now.
      An interesting study in Sweden, which consisted of older men, were the men actually had thought about it. They had found a voice. A place.
     Mohammed came to this path because of this class, yes, but also his mother. She was a victim of gender based violence. He felt powerless as an 8 year old, watching his mother be hurt by his father. He served as her council in trial at the age of 18 against his father.
He believes that women in these places, a widowed mother of six, women living on mere dollars a day, victims of violence, they don't need a handout that many try to give. He said they need hope. The oppression they have gone through have diminished their own hopes, desires, and dreams. They need them back.
      He encouraged his mom to get economic independence. She is now a chef to the Afghan ambassador at the UN here.
     Many men and women, if they have not been victims themselves know a victim of this violence. I know a few, one woman in particular I think of. I won't say her name, but her strength and optimism is inspiring. She is one of the few people I admire.

So why is it that we seem to overwhelmingly hear from the women?

Why is it that men aren't well represented in Women's Rights, gender equity, reproduction, and abortion?

I hope that the men in my life would have something to say on these issues and topics. If they don't, then they should start thinking about it. Even if it doesn't feel like you have a place, make yourself a place.
Mohammad Naeem said a very striking statement. He said "All silence, in any form, is disempowering." 
It's disempowering to everyone. Even yourself.