Compiled by Suharshi Perera

Slaughtering the Innocence

Lakmini Rodrigo and Suharshi Perera

LIFE AND DEATH: When a harbinger of death appears at your doorstep in the form of birth giver what would you do? A choice between life and death...But the question is whether the door will be closed forever even for a person desperately in need of compassion and care?

The use of pregnant women to carry out suicide attacks.. Does this have an impact on the rest of women in general and pregnant women in particular? Three women from different contexts share their opinions and experience.

According to Chandani Ratnayake, 31 a corporate employee expecting her second child, the story has taken a different turn.

"This is shocking... and has upset the whole set up."

She says there is a noticeable change. "I feel the change in looks. "Earlier when I boarded a bus or train those who were seated unhesitatingly offered me a seat.... May be having realised my plight. I felt the compassion and care filled in their eyes.."

She says the procedure is still the same. "But the first glance rips through me, head to feet.. the feeling in their eyes has changed from compassion to suspicion". She immediately dismisses "It can be my own imagination also because I am conscious of the fact...".

It's a dilemma

A security officer unfolded her thoughts, "being a woman, mother and at the same time a security officer, I am trapped in two ends; reason and emotion".

She believes she has to give priority to security. "We do not freeze our emotions. If a pregnant woman or a woman carrying a baby moves in she is not subject to thorough checking to avoid inconveniences caused to her and out of sympathy. But if it is exploited and endangers the security of many, then definitely we are not ready to take a chance or compromise."

However she stresses that one instance should not be generalised. "Our society needs to be changed... a change in attitudes and broad understanding of issues is highly desirable. Unless, a condition of mental torture and harassment by the society towards some, will be created".

When asked why the image of the pregnant woman is used by terrorists to carry out suicide attacks. "I think the physical structure of female body is best suited for this purpose as a bundle of explosives can be easily moulded to a shape to fit in a female body".

But it is unlikely that they use the same technique again. It is worn out. They must be looking for something different. But we have to be vigilant".

Dr. Usha Gunawardhana (Consultant Psychiatrist)

Q: How does a woman's psychological condition change with pregnancy?

A: This can vary from person to person. If she is a happily married mother, she would be anxiously awaiting the birth of her baby, because she knows her husband and family would care for her. If she is a single mother, and maintains a good relationship with the father of the baby, she still would be looking forward to the birth of the baby.

But it can be totally different if the father is someone that she doesn't care for, or someone who would not be accepted by her society. Or if she had a specific motivation in getting pregnant. In such cases she may need to get rid of the baby. That's why the abortion rate is so high in Sri Lanka.

Q: Can a woman's motherly feelings be subsided completely by her 'obligations' as in the case of the suicide bomb attack?

A: No. Undeniably mother develop some kind of a bond towards the life growing within her. But these feelings can be subsided by her will to fulfil her duty. She might not entertain these feelings and forcefully eliminate those feelings for the sake of her beliefs.

And in this specific case, she had been about five months pregnant. And that is the period when you start feeling the baby moving within you, and so you come to full realisation of the life growing within you. So in most cases it's very hard not to develop a bond with the baby.

Q: How can a woman be convinced to use her baby as a weapon and then kill that life?

A: Young girls in their teens and early twenties are very impressionable. They can start liking and adoring certain things and certain people. For example they can look up to authoritative and commanding people. This can go to an extent which they start hero-worshipping. You believe every word of this person.

This can lead them to do unimaginable things. You put away your own feelings to fulfil the wishes of a person you respect. You respond to every command of that person with no objections or second thoughts. When she becomes an obedient servant, her only intention is to obey the command given to her. So killing her own flesh and blood is no big deal.

Q: In our society mothers and motherhood is sacrosanct. What kind of an impact can incidents like this make on our society?

A: I don't think that it will make a huge negative impact on the society. The society is wise enough to differentiate the normal from abnormal. Most mothers would never dream of such a thing. They know this was an exceptional case. I don't think it will create a harmful impression about pregnant women.

Skin deep

Lakmini Rodrigo

Beauty: One of the main problems that women face these days is darkening of skin due to sunlight. When you go out in the sun, it is essential to apply a sun protection cream to protect your skin from the harmful sun rays, according to Beautician Bharata Indeewara.

When choosing a sun protection cream you should be careful to choose one that has more than 19 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and 15 percent zinc oxide. The higher the SPF is better the protection you get from sun rays and a sun protection cream that contains zinc oxide is important in enhancing the SPF.

Also you should be careful to choose a recognised brand rather than settling for cheaper ones of low quality.

Many complain that even though they use sun screens all day long, it shows no result. The reason is they wear the sun screen even when they are inside which causes darkening of the skin.

Sun protection cream should be worn only when you are exposed to sunlight and should not be left for hours if you are inside. The best thing is to wear the cream when you go out and wash your face when you get inside.

The fairness creams or day creams do not protect your skin from the sunlight. Do not wear them when you go out.

Heavy make-up with foundation and translucent powder has the ability to protect your skin from harmful sunrays as a guard.

Make sure to apply a moisturiser before putting on any make up to keep the skin moist and healthy.