Eritrean Independence

Bordering the red sea in the horn of Africa sits a small country shaped like a key. The country goes by the name of Eritrea and has an even tinier population of almost six million. Relatively new, Eritrea gained independence from its occupier Ethiopia on May 24, 1991. This was a vital day in this country’s history since it was the end result of a thirty-year long war for Eritrean independence. Eritrea has been passed around from country to country, such as the Italians and the British for a lengthy duration of time. For this reason, independence was crucial because the long-awaited day had arrived where Eritreans were finally free to govern themselves, thanks to the EPLF (Eritrean People’s Liberation Front). Unfortunately, this victory was …show more content…
Her husband began working towards establishing a government and eventually landing a job at the Ministry of Education. Despite being expected not to work after giving birth, Feruza started working by selling tickets at the Asmara airport. While the topic of working mothers was an issue that caused many couples marital strains, Feruza’s husband didn’t mind that she worked. When enjoying an evening out with friends in bars at night, it was other on-lookers that judged her and questioned why a mother was out with a bunch of single women, rather than her husband. Many people held the mentality that Feruza’s husband needed to keep her at home instead of letting her out to enjoy drinks with friends. Feruza ignored these people and continued as she pleased, which largely due to the fact she had a maid at home that took care of her daughter. From this, one can draw the assumption that class contributed to an immense difference in the liberties a woman enjoyed. When the maid was not working, Feruza and her husband both took care of the child equally and Feruza also made household decisions. She never thought of her husband as the head of the household and led a very independent lifestyle despite being married. These were traits she carried from observing her mother while growing up. When asked if she faced sexual harassment at her work or if there was inequality in treatment of colleagues, Feruza said that her male co-workers were respectful and she felt safe at work because she even had a female boss. Even the matter of having only child was controversial in Asmara. When Feruza had only one daughter, she says she felt pressure to have more children, despite not wanting to at the time. Feruza also says that she had a voice in her reproductive rights and her decision to have more children was