As long as opportunities for women improve, it doesn't matter whether the motives of those who help are based on a sense of justice, or on economic self-interest. The government is all too aware that it cannot move too far or too fast to promote gender equality. Despite such cautious behavior, we witnessed many examples of women changing the face of Eritrea over the course of our two-week visit. By owning a donkey, these women also generate income by delivering water to others. When we visited the small matrilineal Kunama ethnic group, we saw vivid proof that gender balance has ancient roots in some parts of Eritrea.
Mothers pass on to daughters ancient knowledge of plants, weaving and healing.
Clan relations and ownership of land are based primarily on the lineage of women, but both sexes share equally in maintaining Kunama cultural traditions. Whether they were nominally Christians or Muslims, most Kunamas retain belief in the old Deity, who is neither male nor female, but treats all people alike, as Kunama men and women treat each other. It seemed to me and others that women's business initiatives, such as micro-credit enterprises, were based less on acceptance of egalitarian values, and more on economic desperation felt by impoverished women. The country's only advocacy organization for women, the National Union of Eritrean Women, was struggling to maintain its focus, credibility and funding. As she stood and answered questions for the high-school girls in Keren, Gloria Steinem explained that their situation was in some ways unique, but it was also shared by women all over the world.