From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sun Sep 28 2008 - 06:53:28 EDT
Interview with Singer/Public Prosecutor Feruz Gebremeskel
September 27, 2008 02:02 ET Posted by: Saron Ghirmay
Source: NUEYS Magazine
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Feruz Gebremeskel
Note: This interview with conducted by the National Union of Eritrea Youth and Students in Asmara. http://www.eriplanet.com/seleda/4326.html
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Feruz is a model youngster. She has a first degree (LLB) in Law. She uses her time wisely and finds time for many activities. She is currently working as a public prosecutor. She is also a singer who performs on the stage. In addition to sports she studies Italian and French languages. She told us she is a frequenter of the gym.
She was born in Arareb, Sahel, in 1982. She attended the first and second grades in Sahel. Then, after independence she continued her studies in "Natsnet," "Harbegnatat," and "Sema'etat" schools Asmara. After passing in the national school leaving certificate exam (matrik), she enrolled in the university. In 2006 she graduated with LLB degree in law after five years of study. A short interview with Feruz follows.
When you were young, what did you want to become?
Feruz: - I was a science student and I liked Biology, especially. But when I joined the university in 2000, I chose to study law.
Why did you choose law? And did you like it?
Feruz: -When I joined the university I had the chance to read some law books. What's more, books on crime used to fascinate me. So I wanted to study law. I liked studying Law. The more I learned, the more I was attracted to the subject and field of Law.
What have you gained from it?
Feruz: -Studying Law mainly makes you a responsible person. Because you are taught to weigh up things legally, you become careful before doing things.
Where did you first start professional work? And where are you working now?
Feruz: - I stared work in the Central (Ma'ekel) Zone as an assistant judge. Currently I am working in the Central Prosecutor's Office as a prosecutor.
What is the percentage of youth in crime? What are the main crimes committed by them?
Feruz: - In general we can safely say that the participation of the Eritrean youth in crime is low. Here it is clear that the role of the community is very positive and supportive. But this does not mean that there are no crimes committed by the young. Most of the crimes committed in our country are done by the youth. The most common crimes are: stealing, cheating, robbery, etc.
In your view, how can this be solved?
Feruz: - Most of the youth who commit crimes have some problems. Their problems may be of economic nature or ones that arises from personal psychological stress. But these problems need to be solved in a proper manner, such as work or other means. Otherwise, if a person turns to crime to solve his/her problems he/she is getting into another bigger problem.
Another matter, there need to come a change of behavior. Most of the persons who commit crimes are not first-time offenders but repeaters. So, when they are in prison there must be a way to change, educate and rehabilitate them to become productive members of the society. This is done in some level. But this must become the main task of the prisons and it must be implemented with more dedication.
As a female prosecutor, how do you view the crimes perpetuated over women?
Feruz: - One of the crimes on women is rape. The first type of rape is: when a man forces a girl or woman to have sex with him without her consent. This may be done by forcing her physically or threatening her or by putting her in a situation where she cannot defend or manage herself. The second type is: when a man has sex with an underage girl. Here, it is irrelevant whether she consents or not. The fact that she is underage makes the man guilty by law. Her consent has no legal validity.
What should women do in order to avoid such problems of rape?
Feruz: - Most of the rape crimes are committed at night in darkness. Most of the victims are those who leave work late at night. So they must get enough protection and cooperation from their families and employers. Those who are victimized outside the factors of late work hours must be careful themselves. They ought to choose hours and places which do not put them at risk. But mainly, the people who commit such crimes must have conscience. They should remember that these are their sisters and fellow citizens.
What should a woman do if she faces the risk of rape?
Feruz: - First, she should defend or protect herself as much as possible. When she falls into the risk of rape attempt, she must search for ways to get help. For example, crying or shouting. Thus the rapist may leave her or other people may help or rescue her. Also, if the rape happens, the people who heard or/and saw her can serve as witnesses in her case.
If a woman is raped, she must immediately report to the nearest police station. This helps her to have the symptoms of rape recorded, and in the absence of witnesses these symptoms (medical or visual) can help prove the crime and punish the suspected or accused rapist. In addition the victim can find medical support to prevent pregnancy, or other (STD) diseases. But some women fail to report the rape to the police because of shame, fear or risk of alienation. This is a big mistake and can lead to bigger problems.
What are the other crimes or offenses that women face?
Feruz: - Some girls or women are tricked into having sex with men with false promises of marriage and then they get pregnant. Here, there's something that puzzles me. All creatures living in the world are beautiful. And we women are the most beautiful ones. So, being a woman is more than enough. If we add self-confidence to this we, women can achieve our goals. We can make rational decisions confidently, and lead happy and productive lives.
Many times women are fooled with men's false promises, and this, I believe, is due to low self-esteem. So I want to say this to them. In our relationship with men let's take ourselves as complimentary to them. We are not incomplete people who need to serve them or depend on them, but their equal and cooperative partners.
How do you advise young people to meet the problems they face at work?
Feruz: - First we, the youth, ought to know our basic rights. For example, an employee (worker) needs to know all the labor laws. Then when he or she feels they have been wronged, they can fight for their rights according to the law. Generally the concerned authorities must work hard to educate the public about the law.
Your views concerning harmful tradition that ought to be abolished?
Feruz: - We have many traditions that need to be abolished. One of them is FGM, (female genital mutilation). The old public or traditional rationale for this act is: circumcision controls or regulates the woman's sexual appetite. If we see this from the scientific point of view, sexual feelings arise not from the particular organs but from the mind. So in order to prevent a girl from becoming sexually wild, we need to cultivate her mind (attitude) and not cut a part of her body.
In addition, shouldn't the girl have legitimate sexual feelings? Because she has the right to enjoy sexual satisfaction in the proper time and place (in marriage.) But FGM is not only harmful to her health; it is also abuse of her natural (bodily) rights. Currently according to Eritrean laws, FGM is a crime punishable by law. So everyone should be aware.
How do you relax?
Feruz: - I watch films. I like to read especially, books on psychology and law. I also enjoy listening to music and I sing too.
When did you start singing? When was the first time you sang on stage holding a mike?
Feruz: - I enjoyed singing or repeating songs ever since I was still a young child. At home, I used to hold a spoon and pretend it was a mike. In 1998 during the Independence Day celebrations I took part in the youth mass sport (aerobics.) Then when we went to May-Habar for a picnic, I saw the "Aser" Cultural Group (under the Ministry of education) performing. At the time some of my girl friends who knew that I liked signing, encouraged me to sing. Since I liked singing very much, I asked them to allow me to sign and I sang.
What was the audience feedback then, and what happened next?
Feruz: - When people came to cheer me, I was encouraged and convinced myself that I could sing professionally. Later, in 2004, when I was studying at the University of Asmara, I started singing professionally at the "Hakose'e" (NCEW) stage, repeating English pop songs. In 2006 I sang as a back-up vocalist in the late great Eritrean artist Abraham Afewerki's latest album "Semay". I participated in four of the songs there.
When was your first public and official appearance as a singer?
Feruz: - My first public or professional appearance was in 2007, during the Independence Day celebration in the Asmara Stadium. I performed a number entitled "Werki Mosob," written by artist Habtom Yemane. After that I sang a song in the Somali language about the unity of the Somali people. I have prepared a song about FGM, and I have other works also.
What kind of songs do you enjoy?
Feruz: - Songs are the means of communicating with the people and their influence is great. So the message or theme in the songs (lyrics) needs to be constructive. Personally, I do not like songs that focus on revenge, (doing harm to those who have harmed you) or song with low self-esteem (for example those who sentimentally dwell on poverty as a weakness). Our songs should be vehicles for unity, high self-esteem; boosting morale . I like those kinds of songs. As for me I want to write songs that enhance the self-confidence of women.
Do you read newspapers and magazines" Which columns or parts do you enjoy more?
Feruz: - Yes, I do. In "Men'sey" (Youth) magazine for example, I like the part about Law and Order. In the "Hadas Eritra" newspaper, I enjoy the column "Hanti Alem" (One World.) I like other works of art dealing with the youth in general.
Where or how do you spend your free time?
Feruz: -I do not have mush free time. All the spare time I have, I spend in studying (language such as French and Italian.) In addition I am taking cooking lessons. Everyday I also exercise in the gym.
Many men do not prefer to choose educated girls/women for marriage. In your opinion, why is this is so?
Feruz: - I think this is mainly because of their lack of self-confidence. The truth should be to the contrary: men should prefer educated women for marriage. If a woman is educated she is a better partner. She can manage her family life better and she is more productive economically. (By working.) Even the children can benefit better when the woman is educated.
Your comments about HIV/AIDS?
Feruz: - As always: let us be careful, with all-sided care. In addition to avoiding unsafe promiscuous sex, we should be careful about the sharp instruments that we use in common. I feel we are often neglecting this.
In our manner of sensitization, for a long time we have only been addressing a limited section of the society. For example, our sensitization focuses on prostitutes, men who travel a lot due to their work and people who engage in sex much. But we should inform and educate people that any person can be infected with HIV. We have to take care even about those people whom we consider safe or healthy.
I also believe that we have to pass to the stage where we should take care of those people living with HIV/AIDS. Because most of the sensitization and education programs we hold are addressing the stages of pre-HIV/AIDS care.
Do you have any last comments and appreciation?
Feruz: - I want to thank my family for helping and supporting me to reach this level. I want to thank my mother Himan Tsegay, especially, who provided me with everything.
The times we are living in are very dangerous and tempting. Nevertheless, we, the young, have to challenge them. I want to say that we should work hard and patiently to realize our goals and not be fooled by temporary pleasures and enjoyments.
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