The world has just celebrated and commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. We ought to truly appreciate the grandiose transformation, affirmation and reformation of the global village as pertains to gender roles and human rights. Truly, more than ever women are now nearly at par or more so than the next Tom, Dick and Harry in your local pub! They are the leaders in business, academia, sports, science, entertainment and many other reputable organizations the world over.
In Africa, we have seen brave women fighting and championing for what, ‘matters’, we have this spirit in the Late Prof Wangari Maathai who championed for the environment. She underwent humiliation and oppression from a dictatorial government even walking nude in public to show her deepest devotion to the importance of nurturing and protecting the green belt for the next generation! We have to remember and never take for granted the freedoms and opportunities available to ‘us’ because of ‘them’.
We also have to remember the influence and effect of Michelle Obama as First Lady under President Barack Obama. She fought against ignorance, education of the girl child and literally swept America’s food industry to embrace more healthier and nutritious foods. For the first time in history, the world got to experience a glimpse of leadership from a women of African American Ancestry. These examples that I have shared are just a glimpse into the scope, depth, height and weight of what women are, have and will do. The world and particularly the media will not be able to tell and paint all these good stories since it thrives in painting the world as a pessimistic, evil, dark and dreary waste where women should have their permanent place in the kitchen.
However, much as this may continue to be, I included and many of you know of the women of our lives. The women who give up on a growing career to give birth and nurture new life. The women, who sacrifice food for themselves so that their children can live another day. The women who walk, crawl thousands of kilometers in search of wood or water to sustain life.We forget the women, who are the MD’s or CEO’s of corporate organizations; but when they reach home they put down that hat and embrace a crying child, comfort and submit to a tired and hungry husband! Yes, women by and by…. rule the world as beautifully sung by one Beyonce. They don’t do this in isolation- they do it within a given framework, a city, a village, a family unit, an organization, a religion- until society is transformed here and there a little…. As men, we must support, never berate, belittle, judge or seek to compete with them. Our roles are different, in fact complementary, we need to find this synergy so that we can play this instrument in total symphony and not out of tune. Let’s learn to cloud out what doesn’t matter and focus on what does- nurturing the next leaders of intelligent, compassionate and contributing women!
