Where is feminism in Mongolia???

The phrase “Since you are a woman…” must be one of the most over used start to a sentence to goes on to point to an issue that is not at all gender based. I say this in the context of Mongolia and the Mongolian language, however I’m sure many would be familiar with the less explicit versions of this comment in any other language around the world. And as someone whose point of reference and relativity is mostly based on life in the UK with parts of it in Ulaanbaatar, I can confidently say that people are generally terrified of saying the word 'woman' in the UK for fear of being called sexist and/or being subject to some work place disciplinary action. But in Mongolia?! Hey ho, it’s a phrase that comes out so naturally from both sexes’ mouths without anyone really going: “Hang on, would you say that to a man?” Nobody seems to question these phrases, where words have been put together to represent people's thoughts about issues that they clearly believe has strong basis in gender relations. I have never in my experience of living in Mongolia for three odd years heard a woman, or a man, raise gender issues in a non-threatening or accusatory manner that just pokes at the surface. And truthfully, I probably didn’t even realise what was happening fully, let alone become that ill placed poke. 

My impression so far is that of men and women accepting phrases such as “since you are a woman…” as a normal everyday exchange of opinions, opinions which have almost become unspoken truth.  And I also know that if I say: “Hang on, would you suggest a male colleague to furnish their office with potted plants, since you are a man??” would instantly brand me as the woman that talks about ‘gender’ and therefore must be treated with caution. Because I’ve seen very brief instances of other women attempting at the poke but being burnt by the “Don’t bring up such nonsense” look and treatment before being shut down for good. Although I was young and stupid and was not aware of such dynamics to do something about it then, I still didn’t quite get how I was supposed to think of or react to covert sexism in general. And I think many women in Mongolia still do not recognise sexism when they’re being served it, and those who do consider it as part of the day job. 

Unlike in Western societies where gender issues have been long raised and debated, and have seen their popularity rise and fall like fashion trends, feminism in Mongolia is very new. At least that’s my impression anyway, because during my time in Mongolia I have not come across one feminist writer, actor, politician that are concerned about the collective. There’s plenty of liberation of the individual, especially women who declare their independence in magazines and newspapers that are largely based on financial freedom backed by a combination of their acting, modelling and business ventures (a dark undercurrent that suggests you have to be reasonably attractive and in many cases just divorced an even wealthier man, to achieve this by the way). 

However, without going into murky waters where majority of these lifestyles are inevitably connected a male figure, I still want to ask…but where is feminism? Where is the feminist voice that says that women have choice even in the most trivial issues of everyday life? And have the right to talk about it without fear of being outcast? The verbalising of these rights is frowned upon in society and yet I’m sure we've (at least the ones who recognise it) questioned sexism without actually using the term sexism. And I’m sure plenty of us have longed for the same opportunity as a male counterpart without necessarily knowing the definition of feminism. I would like to speak to more people about this issue and hear what they have to say. Who knows, there could be plenty of feminist writers and bloggers, photographers and other creative individuals that create a bridge between women and ideas in Mongolia, which someone sitting in Coventry does not know about.

Lastly, I just want to say that I love my husband, appreciate him and realise myself to be a lucky lucky woman, not only because he’s just lovely but because he accepts that I have choices, wish to make them in due time, in due context without ever saying “since you are a woman….” He is my feminist hero. 

Synergise

The Mongolian British Chamber of Commerce is an organisation that has helped foster a better relationship between business leaders, politicians and the civil society of both the UK and Mongolia. Despite the many meetings and events organised by the MBCC in the impressive Houses of Parliament in London it feels like they're almost missing a great opportunity for parties from both countries.

In order to benefit from investment into Mongolia businesses and investors need to focus on capacity, specifically the capacity of the people. Outsourcing management from abroad enables projects to get off the ground faster but it is not a sustainable model for the long term if the project limits the scope for improving local capacity that would eventually increase the skills and social capital of Mongolia.
From my past experience of working, albeit for a short time, in an international organisation based in UB I failed to see an objective that focuses on the improvement of skills for local staff with the direct aim of promotion. If UK businesses expect and plan for continued growth of their projects it may be more productive to consider different approaches.

One approach could be putting more effort into sourcing potential management level staff who are Mongolian but possess skills and education that align with the expectations of investors and employees from the UK and beyond. This can then become a stepping stone to engage with locally employed staff to increase their capacity. Issues of cultural differences, foreign relations and conflicting interest and expectations all become resolvable. Events such as the Mongolia Development Forum is a breeding ground of young and educated Mongolians that contribute within highly specialised and skilled fields, who are ready to return home and work extremely hard (although English language website will help immensely). And yet I get the impression that the MBCC is a little dismissive of such events where there is a clear opportunity for companies, businesses and investors to meet Mongolians, exchange information and contacts, and possibly miss out on the potential to make their efforts of fostering relationships between our two nations really take off. At least it would make more interesting turnouts at both events!

Investors too tend to prefer to employ staff within projects that they can see eye to eye with, someone who wouldn't run away with the money! And in all fairness I have also witnessed things taking a bad turn for foreign businesses and investors with locals. But reaping the fruits of international investment in both countries is possible with the synergising of events like these two and unlock the potentially powerful and healthy approach to management. There are plenty of individuals, including myself, that are looking for exciting opportunities and may well in turn ensure long term stability for a UK investor, which is something that cannot be guaranteed by policies or the government of a developing country. I only have to take a look at the department managers and junior staff of any international company to see the the gaping hole that can be filled with improved strategic partnerships (used here in a non business or political term-merely for its literal meaning). A similar gap between these organisations in the UK is noticeable and I wish to see more direct efforts being made to close that too.

One advice for my son

I came across a list on my desktop stickie that contained all the things I wanted to write about, which is great because lately it felt like nothing was happening in my head other than reading academic articles on brownfield regeneration! One of the topic was to write down one advice I’d give my son with ‘once-a-month’ in brackets behind it (I can only assume that at the time of list making that I was confident that there was that many I have accumulated already!). 

So here goes, with some caution but lots of passion. One advice I’d give my son, based on what I know now (May 2013) and what I’ve learnt so far in my few years of living and much fewer months of being a mum: Travel. Cliched, I know, but there’s a twist. Travel with more understanding. Ok, not exactly a moment of enlightenment, however still rings true.

I looked over some photos of my past travels which, although not many or far, reminded me of the amazing places I have been to and the things I’ve seen. It also made me realise how I hardly remembered the locations, names, meanings of these place, despite the hundred of digital photos to prove my presence.

I’m sure the impressions that you gather and soak in from travelling isn’t always tangible and/or even understandable at the given time. I only now realise the Lama Temple my husband and I visited with my little sister in Beijing during my summer of pregnancy has had a profound effect on me. I wouldn’t have guessed at the time how much walking down the streets of New York and Chicago would in an indirect way shape my appreciation of architecture. Or how looking back on my trip to Turkey with girlfriends from school, I only now understand how important it is to just enjoy the moment and not worry about anything else. Although it never really bothered me much before (it’s all about the experience, right?!) who knows what my thoughts were at that given time? How interesting it would be to read it now? Better yet, to revisit and enjoy the different opinions and impressions the second time round.

However, in spite of not managing to be a constant writer of my thoughts and travels, I currently have a stack of notes from various trips and travels written on scraps of paper, which I never got round to writing up. So there’s always been that urge to write about travels, just not the discipline. Which brings me to my advice for my son. Travel and travel more, but more importantly understand where you’re going, why you’re going. The simplest way may be writing but a more creative and exciting thing you can do is sketching, something I only recently discovered and teaching myself to do because it will make you spend a little bit longer beside the place you're visiting, help you remember better and recall your experiences, and make a lovely souvenir book that beats any mug.

Francis D.K. Ching, introduced to me by my Urban Design module tutor-inspired me to sketch and learn how to draw again (first tip is to just draw like a child draws, with no inhibitions)

"Drawing stimulates the mind to think and can make visible those aspects which cannot be seen by the naked eye or captured on film by a camera" F.D.K. Ching

I now only wish that I had made the effort to write more about and sketch the places I visited along with why I thought it was good to visit at the time-I think it says a lot about your then state of mind. Another reason to visit a stationery shop and let the sketch books, notepads, watercolours and pencils lift the mood-and one day it'll be my sketch with a caption!