I have always admired your mum for her courage.She seems to be undeterred by danger and pain, not in a foolish way but with such wisdom that priorities are always respected.

She twice went to the dentist to pull out her wisdom teeth.The dental professional himself was taken aback by her stoicity when she lay back on the chair and indicated the tooth she wanted to remove on that very day: “But, Madam, this intervention requires that you take some antibiotics beforehand”. She was prescribed medication for a week and then came back with the same determination .

While the dentist was pulling the tooth out ,I could feel my own jaw aching.She was shocked too but rapidly dismissed her pain in relief ,knowing she had been freed from a culprit which made her suffer from time to time.

Fortunately enough the doctor did not make the famous remark“ca ene zom dan fam ca” as if to suggest that courage is an exclusive mark of virility.People often forget that women are capable of enduring great sufferings for the greatest loving act that can be:that of giving life!This is often referred to in the most undermining way as inbuilt maternal instinct. Why not give our ladies their due and accept they have a heart full of courage and love?

In fact courage comes from the French word coeur which means heart, an organ present in both men and women.It is therefore a unisex virtue.The only difference is that chances that a lady’s heart is fuelled by deep, genuine love are great enhancing the virtue to its true value.

Our male dominated world is often heartless and cruel. Last time, I overheard a school boy belittling his friend for his supposed lack of courage by referring to him as “fam’. Such remarks, which at first sight look innocent are reminiscent of a deeply rooted scornful attitude towards the female gender.

On a larger scale,shall we not give women even greater decisional powers with regards to our male dominated chaotic society underpinned by ruthless crimes and wars?

A heart capable of great love can courageously wage great wars against the scourge of misery. This is why I believe women must be allowed to participate more in the management and administration of our society.They would have shown more courage in pulling severely decayed teeth out while protecting others with care…

Last but not least,please kids - never call women the weak sex, though it is an acceptable term; it’s the greatest misnomer I ever came across.

<B>Alain JEANNOT</B>