How metaphors frame our understanding of COVID-19
“Nous sommes en guerre [We’re at war]”, declared French President Emmanuel Macron on 16th March 2020. He wasn’t declaring war against another country but against COVID-19. The virus had become a pandemic, and its global impact was known in less than 3 months.
It is the month of the year again where the colour purple (or fuchsia or the spectrum between pink and purple) paints our world. It is the month where women all over the world converge in spirit, if not physically, to celebrate their continued advocacy to make the world a better place for everyone regardless of their sexes.
I would like to bring the attention of readers of Simply Speaking to the significance of the month of November and December every year in the advocacy for human and women’s rights and for gender equality and justice. Since the year 1991, the dates of 25th November to 10th December, have been designated as the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women, an international campaign to eradicate violence against women and girls (VAWG) or gender-based violence (GBV).
This year Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) celebrates its 50th anniversary since its inception. This month of March, 8th March to be exact, women around the world, including in Malaysia and USM celebrate the International Women’s Day/ Month. The International Women’s Day has been celebrated worldwide since the year 1911.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is the second oldest university in Malaysia and one of the leading universities in the country.
