Dear Editor,
According to a BBC report, the President of Paraguay has fired the head of Indigenous People’s Affairs after he allegedly kicked an indigenous woman in the chest during a protest rally. Even though the official claimed that he raised his knee in self defence against the protester, it was not enough for him to be spared being fired from his job.
No amount of provocation can be too much for someone, particularly men, to inflict violence against women. Women are often described as the weaker sex, which in itself is a misnomer since I know of several women who can do a better job than their male counterparts even in traditional male dominated tasks. Hitting a woman is an act of cowardice and must be condemned and harshly dealt with by those in authority.
For too long our women have been at the receiving end from their male counterparts who behave as though they have a natural right to inflict punishment on their wives or spouses.
The action taken by the Paraguayan President is therefore commendable and should be emulated by all.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
