Women’s Lib! Not here

The drafters of Micronesia’s constitution face a formidable modern-day problem that threatens to permanently disrupt the islands’ male-oriented society.

The question is: Should the new government of Micronesia allow discrimination against women?

The Micronesian Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) is nearing the completion of its 90-day session. The $1 million convention is charged with the task of writing a constitution for the island dis tricts of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

Among the most controversial social issues being considered is women’s rights. Opening up the society to all Micronesians, regard less of sex, threatens the basis of island traditional customs and laws, which maintain that women are inferior to men.

Carl Heine, chairman of the Con-Con s committee on civil liberties, believes that it is time for Micronesia to accept “sweep ing changes” in some of its prac tices. “This is the 20th century.

It is only proper and fair to give equal rights to all citizens of Micronesia.”

Heine maintains that the new government of Micronesia must “eliminate all forms of slavery and servitude in Micronesian society”.

Although the Micronesian society is matrilineal and some women hold titles and great power,

the males are the active and visible members of the society. Micro nesian women are supposed to be submissive. As a reminder, throughout Micronesia, it is a custom for the female to show respect to men and elders by assuming a lower position—either bowing or, if necessary, crawling to be lower than a man who is seated on the floor.

But, things are changing. After 28 years under US influence, the islands of Micronesia are Ameri canised. While Women’s Lib hasn’t swept the islands, Micronesian women have readily adopted western ways.

In the Marshalls, for instance, women have entered politics. The district elected the first female representative to the House of Representatives of the Congress of Micronesia last year. Another Marshallese woman is the only female delegate to the Con-Con.

Ironically, the Marshall Islands are known for their “love uni versity” on the island of Arno.

There, women once trained in the art of lovemaking. Upon gradua tion, the legend says, the women were given grass sleeping mats.

It is not likely that an equal rights clause in the new Micro nesian constitution will have much of an immediate impact. What the addition of such a clause does do is recognise that a modern con stitution for a modern nation must include equal rights for women.