Abstract
During a period of life when exploring ‘feminism’ enabled me to release my need, until that point unconscious, for male approval to validate my sense of self worth, I came across many hitherto little known teachings and writings by women and men of great wisdom. One saying in particular has come to mind as being particularly relevant to the subject of this essay: ‘The bird of the spirit of Humanity cannot fly with only one wing’. This quote from Vivekananda was referred to by Helena Roerich when she spoke of a ‘new Epoch of spiritual cognition that must manifest due respect to the Mother of the World, to the Feminine Element’. Equally it could be said that ‘The Bird of Democracy cannot fly with a broken wing’.
Whilst the title of this article accurately reflects the topic to be discussed, it gives no intimation of the passionate emotions commonly evoked when the topic of ‘gender’ is raised. I am hoping here to use both passion and intellect to explore lucidly and justly the implications that ‘gender’ has for the process we are referring to as ‘transforming democracy’.