When I joined the anti-nuclear movement in Finland more than 15 years ago, the energy discussion was about a growing need for energy, about nuclear power as a means to cut the CO2 emissions, about cheap and clean energy. It was assumed that the waste problem would got a sustainable solution and that the risks for accidents could be minimized.
(509/10.why) Ulla Klötzer -Today, in the year 1999, in a country promoting itself as a high-technology forerunner, the arguments for the building of the fifth nuclear power reactor are still the same. A complete inability to reconsider arguments in the economic as well technological situation is dominating.
And as 15 years ago, there is still a deep divergence between male and female analysis regarding the use and building of nuclear power plants. Men emphasize economic growth, competition, progress that unfortunately includes human sacrifices, and they trust technology. Men usually have a more distant and rational relation to daily family life and nature. Men more easily believe in "experts" and "authorities" not by following common sense and feelings or by acting spontaneously.
Most men are afraid of getting labeled as dissidents or "softies". Finnish men are also well-known for their stubbornness and inflexible mind. Once supporting nuclear power, always supporting nuclear power. And last but not least, men are often fascinated by complicated technology and gigantic apparatuses. It is more or less a matter of potence power.
Unfortunately, there are also women who embrace all these features. Women fight for equal status in political and business life, very often leads them to adopt male ways of thinking and acting. Equality is thus no real equality but women getting into power by supporting typical male values. Emancipation is not only about equal salary for equal work and doing the dishes in turn. Real emancipation is when society is steered by an equal portion of male and female values.
Public opinion polls in many countries all around the world show that regarding environmental concern, concern for social security and concern for peace, women are in the majority. Still, governments all around the world are daily making decisions in the name of economic growth that supports environmental degradation and decisions in the name of competition that leads to cuts in social welfare. Governments support the militarization of our society by accepting the NATO enlargement and by supporting the arms race among poor countries.
What comes to opposing nuclear power in Finland, the toughest and most active and conspicuous resistance has been among women. A rather small group of women working as teachers, freelance editors, authors and in rather alternative professions. Women who perfectly well are aware of the fact that they are far too radical to be promoted for high posts within traditional parties or getting well-paying jobs in some big companies. Women who are not trying to reach equality on male values. These women have kept the resistance alive, have invited foreign speakers getting through in the mass media, have arranged post-card campaigns aiming at parliamentarians, have written inserts in daily newspapers, have collected signatures from organizations worldwide against nuclear power, etc.
If women would have been asked if nuclear power should be used for energy production or if nuclear weapons should be produced there would hardly be any nuclear power stations in the world and no nuclear weapons. Women represent half of humanity. Our voice must be heard!
Source and contact: Women Against Nuclear Power. Ulla Klötzer
PL 42, 00211 Helsinki, Finland.
Tel: +358-9-682 3422; Fax: +358-9-682 3544
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