"Of all the rights of women
the greatest is to be a mother."

When I first saw this quote by Lyn Yutang (Chinese prolific writer and editor, 1895-1976), I felt swept by emotions.

At first sight this quote might mean that every woman has the right to become a mother.

But we all should know that becoming a mother isn't a right at all, but a gift.
We can't force nature to give all women the chance to become a mother, we can't even force the medical world to do so.

But the pain I feel for women who want to become a mother and can't is not the only pain I feel.

There's also the pain for women who are not allowed to be a mother for their children.

It makes me think about those who are forced by economical or social circumstances to give their children up for abortion or for adoption.
False shame and pride have brought many families in turmoil because their daughter or sister became pregnant, and it made them into people who were acting "for the best": taking the right to decide for herself from the mother by forcing her into abortion or sending her baby away.

And how about the right to be a mother for those mothers whose children are killed through enemy fire?
For those mothers whose children are disappeared for political reasons?
And how about the right to be a mother for mothers of children that are drafted and send to war, to kill the enemy and follow orders from others, like they have no right to decide between good and wrong for themselves?
Before we stand up for the right to get children we have to stand up for this:

"Of all the rights of mothers
the greatest is to be a mother."