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Cost of a life was worth $2.00

*This article was submitted by Sadhana Smiles, RealChange

As we approach international woman's day let's celebrate our political, social, business and economic successes and in recognition of the theme this year stop violence against women and girls. I also ask that you pause and consider for a moment women in countries who today still do not have equal rights. And that the measure of success of equal rights is not just about politics, business and economy but also about health and education.

I want to share a story of beautiful woman who died simply because she could not afford a $2 bus fare. Leba lived in Fiji where over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. She regularly had pap smears however in 2004 she could not afford $2 for a bus fare to go and collect her results. Two years later her doctor told her she had cervical cancer by which stage it was too late to treat.

Her husband died shortly after, she lost her home, could not work and had to move her family into a settlement where 8 of them lived in a home the size of an average bedroom in the western world. She could not afford pain medication or dressings and her children watched her die an undignified death. No human should have to go through this. Our trust supported her in her final days; she lost her battle to cancer on the 18th of November 2008.

She left behind 7 kids who are now orphans. Her wish was for two things, her kids stay together and they get an education. Our trust is ensuring that this occurs.

Sadly Leba's story is not unusual, she lived in a country where education on women's health is not a priority, where doctors do not conduct regular breast exams and pap smears, where once diagnosed you could be waiting for 12 months for any form of treatment, where chemotherapy is not readily available and alarmingly there is no follow up on positive results. More often by the time women find out they have breast or cervical cancer it is too late. Women are not taught how to check their breasts, or sent reminders for pap smears, many women suffer sexually transmitted diseases have which they have caught from their husbands; they cannot afford to go to a doctor or local hospital leave alone buy drugs for treatment.

As we celebrate International Women's Day pause and think about our sisters who live in countries where because you are unable to afford a bus fare it makes a difference between life and death; equal rights is not just about the vote, or equal pay, board representation, promotions. It is about basic human rights, basic health care and simply the opportunity to live your life.

Ask ourselves how can we make a difference? What can I do to make sure that these stories do not become epidemic no matter where women live. ... more

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