International Women's Day

Tuesday, March 8 will be International Women's Day. I am looking forward to a celebration in Mpepo similar to last year:  In the morning, I will meet with the female teachers and we will discuss gender equality in Zambia.  In the afternoon, we will join the other 300 women of Mpepo who gather in a church--this year the United Church of Zambia--where we will sing and dance and pray and give talks.  I have already been assigned to talk on HIV.  My plan is to emphasize the need to make decisions about our own health.  I am debating whether to include a female condom demonstration in church.  The men will hopefully cook for us again like last year--a VERY unusual treat.  Maybe this year they will take the time to wash the greens before cooking them, but their hearts are in the right place!