Tomorrow the world celebrates women?s day, a tribute to half the world?s population, which unfortunately is still in some respects subject to discrimination and exploitation. Women, though, bear the fruit of humanity. Want it or not, we are all born to a woman and we must recognize that it is no easy task to bear and rear a child.

Even more so, working mums wrestle themselves between parenting and their regular jobs and we all take it for granted as much as we undervalue the great contribution of those women who choose to stay home and take full-time charge of the family. They are either called ?housewives? as if their status was dependent upon their husband, or else referred to as having ?no calling?.

Yet these ladies are in all humility servicing the labour force on the one hand and taking even closer care of the basic cell of society on the other. To them, we ought to bow down low and give them their precious due. Why not, for instance, provide more interesting TV programmes during the day or some financial incentive to the so-called housewives. It?s not because their job is not remunerated that it is does not weigh its worth.

There are a growing numbers of women who choose to join the regular workforce. While they do so, back home, they still fulfil household tasks. This also is taken for granted, the law of nature, such as maternal instinct, being evoked as justification.

These mothers also need to be recognized as courageous and resourceful. Husbands and children should nurture a grateful and respectful attitude towards them. Moreover, incentives should be given to assist working mothers and allow them to look after their families, flexi time being an example.

Women in general do not climb on mountain tops to claim recognition. They are definitely different ?brooms?, the worthier maybe, we should by all means allow them to clean the right rooms in peace and respect.

Alain JEANNOT