Treasure
Kristof and WuDunn report, “A big, bearded Afghan named Sedanshan once told us that his wife and son were sick. He wanted both to survive, he said, but his priorities were clear: A son is an indispensable treasure, while a wife is replaceable. He had purchased medication for the boy alone.’ She’s always sick…so it’s not worth buying medicine for her.” A male is considered to be more valuable than a female based on Sedanshan’s resolution not to prioritize his wife’s wellbeing. Women’s role is majorly to bare sons for their husbands. For Sedanshan, his wife is not valuable because he could easily remarry should she die. Gender inequality persists due to the divergent values which are ascribed to females and males.
“Female Flesh”
Kristof and WuDunn elucidate, “sex slavery has actually worsened. One reason for that is the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and Indochina. In Romania and other countries, the immediate result was economic distress and everywhere criminal gangs arose and filled the power vacuum. Capitalism created new markets for rice and potatoes, but also for female flesh.” The female flesh alludes to the females’ sexual organs which have been commoditized to generate revenue. Such sexuality is regarded as a conventional commodity which can be sold to men.
