Sunday, June 14, 2020
Opinion: #COVID19 #coronavirus #CoronaIsNotAJoke - What the Pandemic Reveals About the Male Ego
By Nicholas Kristof
Why are the rates of coronavirus deaths far lower in many female-led countries?Are female leaders better at fighting a pandemic?
I compiled death rates from the coronavirus for 21 countries around the world, 13 led by men and eight by women. The male-led countries suffered an average of 214 coronavirus-related deaths per million inhabitants. Those led by women lost only one-fifth as many, 36 per million.
If the United States had the coronavirus death rate of the average female-led country, 102,000 American lives would have been saved out of the 114,000 lost.
“Countries led by women do seem to be particularly successful in fighting the coronavirus,” noted Anne W. Rimoin, an epidemiologist at U.C.L.A. “New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway have done so well perhaps due to the leadership and management styles attributed to their female leaders.”
Let’s start by acknowledging that there have been plenty of wretched female leaders over the years. Indeed, according to research I once did for a book, female leaders around the world haven’t been clearly better than male counterparts even at improving girls’ education or reducing maternal mortality.
There has been solid research that it makes a difference to have more women on boards and in grass-roots positions, but evidence that they make better presidents or prime ministers has been lacking — until Covid-19 came along.It’s not that the leaders who best managed the virus were all women. But those who bungled the response were all men, and mostly a particular type: authoritarian, vainglorious and blustering. Think of Boris Johnson in Britain, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran and Donald Trump in the United States.
Virtually every country that has experienced coronavirus mortality at a rate of more than 150 per million inhabitants is male-led.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that some of the best-run places have been run by women: New Zealand, Germany, Taiwan,” mused Susan Rice, who was national security adviser under President Barack Obama. “And where we’ve seen things go most badly wrong — the U.S., Brazil, Russia, the U.K. — it’s a lot of male ego and bluster.”
I think the divergence has a great deal to do with that ego and bluster.
“We often joke that men drivers never ask for directions,” observed Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel of the University of Pennsylvania. “I actually think there’s something to that also in terms of women’s leadership, in terms of recognizing expertise and asking experts for advice, and men sort of barreling ahead like they got it.”
He has a point. Those leaders who handled the virus best were those who humbly consulted public health experts and acted quickly, and many were women; in contrast, male authoritarians who botched the response were suspicious of experts and too full of themselves.
“I really get it,” Trump said when he visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in March. Surrounded by medical experts, he added, “Maybe I have natural ability,” and he wondered aloud if he should have become a scientist.
(Given that Trump said in January that Covid-19 was “totally under control,” he has his answer. And peer review might not have been kind to his ideas about bleach.)
While women have generally outshone men as international leaders, that does not seem true within the United States. Some female governors have done better, others worse, so there isn’t an obvious gender gap at home.
It’s also possible that this isn’t about female leaders but about the kind of country that chooses a woman to lead it.
Companies with more female executives on average perform better than those with fewer women, but analysts think that the reason isn’t just the brilliance of women leaders. Rather, companies that are culturally open to having senior women are also more willing to embrace other innovations, and it may be this innovative spirit that leads to higher profitability. Likewise, countries willing to elect female prime ministers may be those more inclined to listen to epidemiologists.
Yet I think that there’s also a difference in the leadership itself.
“Women lead often in a very different style from men,” said Margot Wallstrom, a former Swedish foreign minister, citing examples from Norway, Germany and New Zealand of women with low-key, inclusive and evidence-based leadership.
Wallstrom also noted that public health is a traditional “home turf” concern for many women leaders. Grant Miller, an expert in health economics at Stanford University, found that as states, one by one, granted the vote to women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, those states then also invested more in sanitation and public health — saving some 20,000 children’s lives a year. Boys were thus huge beneficiaries of women’s suffrage.
One trap for female politicians is that brashness can be effective for male candidates, but researchers find that male and female voters alike are turned off by women who seem self-promotional. That forces women in politics to master the art of communicating effectively in a low-key way — just what’s needed in a pandemic.
“Perhaps the skills that have led them to reach the top,” said Rimoin, the U.C.L.A. epidemiologist, “are the same skills that are currently needed to bring a country together.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/13/opinion/sunday/women-leaders-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
#Pakistan - #Budget without a plan
THE budget unveiled by the government on Friday has been crafted amid uncertainties that are unprecedented. The economy was already reeling under the sharp slowdown brought on by the macroeconomic adjustment that began last July with accession to an IMF program when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.
Today, the country faces the prospect of a second round of adjustment given the impact on the fiscal balance sheet, as well as the fallout from the Covid-19 spread and the consequent mitigation measures that might well need to intensify in the months ahead if the rate of virus transmission does not decrease. On top of that, there is a massive slump that has hit the global economy, the source of Pakistan’s remittance and export earnings.
Given the scale of the uncertainties that lie ahead, perhaps it is understandable when the government’s finance team tells us that it is impossible to plan ahead and the best strategy must be to take it as it comes.
But there are good grounds for skepticism too. For one, there is an equally plausible alternative explanation for why the government announced a budget that contains no credible revenue plan yet has a sharp hike of 27pc as the target for FBR taxes. The explanation is that the budget is only intended as a pro forma submission in the ongoing talks for the second review with the IMF, during which both sides are trying to chart a course to resurrect Pakistan’s program that was temporarily suspended in March once the lockdowns began. If it is true that the government’s finance team has hurriedly put out a document just to keep the talks going, and the real targets and revenue plan are still under discussion, then the public invocations of massive uncertainty will sound very disingenuous.
Another reason to be doubtful of the ‘massive uncertainty’ explanation (also reflected in the lack of any credible specifics in the budget) is that this is another term for massive ad hoc management. There are tools with which to measure uncertainty and risk in highly volatile situations, and map out the various scenarios facing the government.
Surely the government cannot be planning to fly blind into the coming dark clouds? It is true that revenue at a time of extreme stress is a difficult proposition, and this is why repeatedly voices of reason have advocated broadening of the tax base, to make the state’s revenue position more secure, and for the country to be better able to weather the unpredictable conditions.
At around the same time last year, the government began an aggressive drive towards this end, which ended with a whimper with the departure of its architect Mr Shabbar Zaidi. It is time to return to bold and decisive thinking, rather than seek cover behind a diminishing status quo.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1563386/budget-without-a-plan
#Balochistan - #Baloch diaspora communities protest in Germany and Greece
The Bramsh Baloch Solidarity Committee organized demonstrations Germany’s Berlin city and in Athens in Greece on Saturday, June 13.
A large number of Baloch activists including women and children gathered in Berlin the Capital of Germany under the name of ‘Bramsh [Baloch] Solidarity Committee’ to demand justice for Bramsh Baloch.
It should be noted that 4-year-old Bramsh Baloch was injured and her mother Malik Naz was killed on 26 May 2020 in Balochistan Turbat’s Dannuk area during a robbery.
Activists distributed pamphlets and spoke with bystanders to give them information about the crimes of the Pakistani army and their proxy criminal gangs operating under the patronage of the army.
Protesters held banners and placards with slogans against the brutality of death squad workers under the auspices of the occupying army in occupied Balochistan.
The speakers said that the Dannuk incident has removed the veil from the face of the state [Pakistan].
The organiser emphasised that Pakistan army has armed the most incompetent people rejected by the society and imposed them on Balochistan.
The state-backed criminals are continuously violating the sanctity of the Baloch values, code of ethics and Baloch rights.
The speakers said that the state should change its policy towards Balochistan and immediately remove the armed forces from Balochistan.
The speakers further said that state [Pakistani] ministers were misleading the people on the Dannuk tragedy.
They said that the so far the murder case of Malik Naz Baloch, Bramsh’s mother, has not been registered against the arrested criminals.
German women and other social workers also participated in Baloch protest to express their support and solidarity with the Baloch people.
Addressing the demonstration, the speakers said, “through this demonstration today, we want to urge the civilized world to break their silence on the Baloch genocide.”
The speakers said that today’s demonstration was a message of solidarity with the Bramsh by Baloch community in Germany.
The Bramsh Baloch Solidarity Committee has also appealed to the Baloch community in Germany to always unite and raise voice their voice.
Meanwhile, another demonstration was held in Athens city of Greece by Baloch Community Greece show express their solidarity with Bramsh Baloch.
Apart from member Baloch other human rights activists also participated in the demonstration.
The protesters distributed Pamphlets in Greek and English language to inform people about the tragedy.
The participants called on the European Union, the United Nations and other human rights organisations to take notice of the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan.
Participants said that after the Dannuk incident it became clear that state [Pakistan] was supporting the death squads in Balochistan.
Balochistan: Pakistani force abducted 8 Baloch youths from Khuzdar, Noshki and Panjgur
Pakistani security forces have abducted at least eight Baloch from different regions of Balochistan in the past few days.
According to details, Salem son of Kachkol Ali a resident of Washbod town in Panjgur city of Balochistan was picked up from his house on Thursday, June 13, 2020.
He was arrest without any legal procedure or court warrant and shifted him to the military Cantonment in Panjgur.
The army has refused to allow the family members to meet him as to know about his wellbeing.
In another similar offensive on June 13, the Pakistan army abducted six Baloch youths from Gresha area of Khuzdar, Balochistan.
Sources informed BalochWarna News that Pakistani forces carried out six offensive raids in different areas of Khuzdar and abducted six Baloch youths.
The victims have been named as Azum son of Daud and Zahid Nek Mohammad from Zabad are of Gresha town, Rafiq son of Ali and Sattar son of Mohammad were abducted from Kocha town and Wazir son of Murad Tariq son of Ameen was abducted from Goni town.
All these six Baloch youths have reportedly have been taken to a nearby by military camp initially.
It is important to recall that recently several other Baloch youths were also abducted from the Gresha area of Khuzdar by Pakistani forces.
Earlier on June 1, 2020, Pakistan forces abducted a Baloch student named Muawiya Jamaldini son of Obaidullah Jamaldini from Balochistan’s Noshki district.
Sources reported that plain-clothed personnel of Pakistan Intelligence Agencies abducted Mr Jamaldini from near his house in Killi Jamaldini area of Noshki Balochistan around 10 pm on 1st June.
Muawiya Jamaldini is the deputy organiser of Baloch Student Organisation – Pajjar – in Noshki. The BSO Pajjar is considered the student wing of Hasil Khan Bezinjo led National Party.
It is also pertinent to mention that enforced-disappearances in Balochistan were intensified during National Party senior leader Dr Malik’s era as Chief Minister of Balochistan.
Even though Dr Malik Baloch did speak about enforced-disappearances in Balochistan but he like his predecessors and the current CM of Balochistan failed to take any practical steps to prevent enforced-disappearances.
Now that the NP is not in government, it seems Pakistan military has started putting pressure on their student wing activists to send a message to the NP to remain silent on military crimes in Balochistan or face the consequences.
Local sources say that the intelligence agencies officials took Mr Jamaldini directly to the FC (Frontier Corps) camp in Noshki which supervised by Colonel Azhar Ali Shiraz and Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Asif.
Separately, the family of previous abducted Dr Daulat Baloch son of Wahid Bakhsh has appealed for his immediate and safe release.
According to details Daulat Baloch was on the way home in Quetta when he was intercepted by the secret agency of Pakistan on November 1st, 2018 and hurled into the vehicle by plain-clothed members of ISI.
The family of victims reportedly said they hold the Commander of Southern Command Quetta of Pakistan Army, Lt Gen Mohammed Waseem Ashraf responsible for the abduction of Dr Daulat Baloch.
Balochistan is overwhelmed by enforced-disappearances since the beginning of the current phase of the Baloch liberation struggle in the year 2000.
The pro-freedom Baloch political parties and human rights groups in Balochistan maintain that currently, more than 30,000 Baloch are in the illegal custody of the Pakistan army and other security forces.
Baloch have long been urging the UN and other international Human Rights Organisation to take action against Pakistani and Iranian state brutalities and take notice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
The international ‘rights champions’ have so far failed to take any concrete steps to prevent what Baloch call ‘the Baloch genocide’ by ‘occupying states’ Iran and Pakistan.
Robbery killing rocks Balochistan
By Miraan Baloch
Streets protests continue in all major cities of Balochistan over the death of a woman during a botched robbery.
Maliknaz, 27, had died from gunshot wounds on May 26 and her four-year-old child was wounded when she confronted two robbers who had barged into her house in Turbat.
The death seems to have revived many grievances against state machinery and people are protesting in many towns and cities of Balochistan. A similar protest was held in Karachi on June 6.
According to police, two gunmen had forced their way into Maliknaz’s house, located in Donak locality of Turbat. After locking the two male family members in another room, they had entered the room of Maliknaz, 27, who was asleep with her daughter, Brumsh, and started looking or valuables. Maliknaz woke up and tried to grab the handgun from one of the robbers. A scuffle ensued and the second robber fired several shots, wounding both the woman and daughter. Maliknaz died on the spot.
The noise alarmed the neighbours who gathered outside the house. While one of the robbers escaped, the other was caught. The child is being treated at a Karachi hospital for a gunshot wound on her arm. Her condition is stable.
Police have since then arrested two other suspects.
Following the incident, protest demonstration have been staged all over Makran and other major cities. Rights activists have demanded justice for the family.
Maliknaz’s family has so far refused to talk to the media, fearing for their lives.
The criminal gangs have been operating in the area for many years. “Nobody has stood up to them until now. A woman has shown the people finally that they can resist these criminals,” says Social activist Zareef Zardag.
Senior police officials have identified the suspect arrested from the scene of the crime as Altaf. “His accomplice has been identified as Basit. In the past, they have been part of a Baloch militant group. However, last year they surrendered to authorities and joined a group, headed by Sameer alias Sabzal,” officials said.
Rights activists say they fear that the robbers and their patrons will not be brought to justice.
During the protest demonstrations, several political leaders openly criticised the government and security agencies for their patronage of criminals.
“Those involved in the crime have already been arrested. Even the ones nominated later are now in police custody and are being interrogated. They will soon be presented in a court,” Makran Division Commissioner Tariq Qamar says.
Makran division comprises three districts all sharing a border with Iran. The law and order situation here has been tense since 2006. Several militant groups have been involved in terrorist activities in the area, including target-killings of Punjabi labourers and security personnel.
The situation had started improving 2012 following operations by security forces in which dozens of militants were killed. The militants who surrendered before the authorities had started helping security forces by providing information.
However, there have been complaints against them of criminal activities including extortion, abduction for ransom, robbery and vehicle snatching. There is great anger among the people against the government on account of these criminal activities. Opposition political parties are also vocal critics of the government.
“It is a popular reaction. People have been expressing their anger for days against the creation and maintenance of criminal gangs. These gangs are not doing any good. Instead, they are bringing a bad name to the security agencies,” says Haleem Baloch, a spokesman for All Parties Action Committee.
“It is the government’s responsibility to restore the confidence of the people, who believe that the killers will be released once the protests subside,” he says.
Social activist Zareef Zardag says that the criminal gangs have been operating in the area for many years. “Nobody has stood up to them until now. A woman has shown the people finally that they can resist these criminals,” he says.
#Pakistan #PPP MPA Surendar Valasai terms PTI’s budget as hollow ignoring Pakistan’s gravest woes
Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Surendar Valasai has said that PTI government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan has proved that it was the most incompetent and incapable in the country’s history by tabling a hollow budget, which ignores Pakistan’s key woes of coronavirus, locust attacks and healthcare sector to the level of criminal negligence.
In a statement issued here, the PPP MPA said that it was a matter of grave concern that PTI government has acted as a Martian creature by neglecting the worldwide coronavirus impacts on the international economy, locust attacks on the standing crops and a collapsing healthcare system while preparing the Federal budget.
“Instead of genuinely estimating the revenues, PTI regime has chosen to gulp the provinces’ funds with lollipop kind of projections,” he added.
Surendar Valasai further said that PTI has inflicted many wounds on this country by inflating debt, crippling economy, creating unprecendented unemployment and poverty through its stupid and U-Turn policies. He predicted that people would hold responsible Imran Khan and his selectors as the herds and hordes, he is leading today, will ultimately disperse into other political parties to start criticising him the way they are doing against their former political bosses.
https://www.ppp.org.pk/2020/06/14/ppp-mpa-surendar-valasai-terms-ptis-budget-as-hollow-ignoring-pakistans-gravest-woes/
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