Empowering Women

Our economy can draw a lot of economic, political, and social benefits from the empowerment of women.

First empowering women can enhance the economic status of a country. To start with, women are better at planning the family budget. Men may be the breadwinners of most families, but women are the ones who manage its budget. Besides, women invest more in the family than men do. It is no secret women dedicate their lives to the prospect of their families including its emotional and physical welfare. To put it in Hilary Clinton's words, "When women participate in the economy, everyone benefits" .

Second, empowered women make good politicians. A family is the smallest institution of society, and women play a core role in developing it. This is because they worry and care about others usually more than men. Also, they are often more responsible than them, because they are driven by a desire to build rather than win, which implies that they focus a lot on the welfare of people. All of these elements add to the idea that women are actually less corrupt than men. In Marget Thatcher's words, "“If you want anything said ask a man, if you want it done ask a woman.”

Third, Empowering women enhances the welfare of families in general. Firstly, educated women improve nutrition, health, and help stem diseases. Also,they can take care of their families in a more efficient way than uneducated ignorant ones. Besides, educated women space their pregnancies and thus have fewer but healthy kids.They know the amount of care and attention every single child needs, which contributes in the building of strong and emotionally and physically healthy families. Harriet B. Stowe was right when she said, "Women are the real architects of society."

To conclude, empowering women through education is a prerequisite in enhancing the social, economical, and political aspects of a country as well as the quality of life for women, men, and the entire family.

Aya O.

Email about the causes of homelessness.

Dear Brian,
I hope you are well and that the first semester of school is going smoothly for you. I am writing in response to your question regarding the causes of homelessness in my country.
Firstly, Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. When poor people cannot provide for their kids, these resort to living on the street. Secondly, family dysfunction -conflict, misbehavior, neglect or abuse of children- drives children onto the streets. Thirdly, lack of affordable housing is among the leading causes of homelessness and pushes children and families to live on the streets. Lastly, umemployment may cause youth homelessness because losing the job usually means losing the source of income and home.
So, the government, civil society and the private sector should all work together to find a sustainable solution to this growing phenomenon.
Yours,
Mohammed

Email about the effects of smoking.

Hello Sean,
How are you doing? Today is May 31, the No Tobacco Day, and I am writing to tell you about the effects of smoking.
First, smokers are prone to many respiratory diseases like lung cancer, bronchitis, asthma and others. Also, smokers are dirty people: they smell awful and have lousy breath and decayed bad teeth. As Larry james said,  “kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray ”. In addition, smoking costs a lot of money because cigarettes are expensive and their price keeps rising. People can save that money to go on holidays, buy clothes, pay debts, etc. Finally, smoking causes premature aging : it causes skin discoloration, wrinkles, and fine lines.
So, you need to give up smoking, begin a hobby, and take up a sports activity .
Best,
Samira

Email about the effects of not exercising.

Hi Billy,
Long time no see. I hope everything is well in your world!
I am writing to tell you about the effects of not exercising because you look overweight in the picture you posted on Instagram yesterday.　
To begin with, there is obesity: people who do not exercise get obese and this has negative health and moral consequences. Also, lack of exercising may cause may diseases like heart disease, high cholesterol , diabetes and many more. Besides , research is unequivocal that lack of activity may result in mood changes and makes people unhappy or moody. Last but not least , inactivity causes cells to get old quickly.
So, I advise you to exercise regularly and avoid junk food.
Your friend,
Ali

Email about the causes of school drop-out

Dear Jack,
Thank you for your last email in which you asked me to tell you the causes of school drop-out in my country.
First, there is poverty: when poor parents cannot afford for their children to be educated, these are left with no choice but to drop out . Second, some teachers ill-treat students which causes them to hate school and teachers and thus leave school. Third , the infrastructure - the roads, the classrooms, boarding schools and electricity - is very poor in most regions of the country and does not help students to access education. Ultimately, parents ignorance is another significant obstacle: some parents think education is a waste of time and believe it’s better for kids to help at home or in the fields.
So, the government, parents, teachers and the civil society should all cooperate to solve the problem of school drop out.
Your friend,
Souad

My Strory

Three years ago, when I was 14, my family moved here from a small village east of Khemisset. I had lived all my life with my parents and sisters in that peaceful and quiet village. My parents said it was important for my future and that of my sisters.

A few days after we had settled in Khemisset things began to change. In addition to a different new house, different people, and different school, there was a totally different father. My dad has completely changed. He has changed for the worse. He has become tense and aggressive at times towards me of all my other sisters.

His behavior confuses and hurts me. He tells me off all the time for the things he ignored before. He has become a nagging father, and very critical of whatever small and childish –typical of a child- thing I do. He complains about me all the time, and every small mistake I make is met with criticism instead of advice as before.

I know neither the reason nor the cure, but he often tells Mom that it is for my own good and that I am not a child anymore. He usually adds that it’s high time I behaved like a grown up and started to think about the future.

I am lying if I said I am not sad. However, I need to be stoical about it and keep a clear mind to face the baccalaureate exam. It is my passport to the future.

By L. C.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Boarding School

A boarding school is a school which provides living accommodation –meals and lodging- for some or all of its students. However, a Moroccan boarding school has its pros and cons.
On the one hand, a boarding school can be a great place to meet new people and make new close friends. Also, it is a great solution for people who cannot afford to rent a suitable home in big cities for their kids. Besides, living in a boarding school teaches discipline, adaptation, and academic excellence as well as the values of social adjustment, leadership, initiative, and sharing. In addition, student can learn to be independent and gain a sense of autonomy, which will help them in the long run. Last but not least, a boarding school provides students with the opportunity to engage in a variety of extra-curricular activities that they may otherwise miss out on.
On the other hand, the life of a boarder is a bit too regimented: meals, rising, and going to bed at specific hours. Also, some boarders feel homesick, lonely, and unhappy about being away from parents and loved ones. Besides, a boarding school may be a place to pick up a bad habit like smoking, drugs and other practices if the boarder gets into bad company. Ultimately, a boarding school is sometimes a breeding ground for students’ inappropriate behavior like bullying, petty theft, fighting and the like.
All in all, a boarding school has great facilities for boarders. So students should keep a positive attitude towards it and try to get the maximum benefit possible.

By M.O.

Should Women Go out to Work

The question of whether women should go out to work or not is still being asked by many people today. This indicates that the question has not been answered. For me, women should be allowed to go out to work for many social, economic, and moral reasons unless they themselves decide not to.

First, women should work because the cost of living is very high. For many families, one source of income is not enough, and they need a second pay check to make ends meet.

Also, a non-working woman is usually vulnerable and disadvantaged. She may face serious financial problems in case the husband dies or falls sick or divorces her. One breadwinner at home is a game one should not trust.

Besides, granting women the right to work is a moral imperative. Women should enjoy the right to work, make money and provide for food, shelter and for her own personal items instead of begging the husband all the time.

Moreover, women are better than men at some jobs. Women make better nurses and teachers etc. Also, some cultures and religions prefer females in some jobs. For example most Muslim women patients prefer to be examined by a female physician and feel embarrassed in the presence of men doctors.

All things considered, to work or not to work is a decision that only the spouses should reach themselves based on their religious preferences, social class, and economic position.


By S. O.