International women’s day
If you hold the view that women had an easier life in the historic times than they do now, you’d spark a divided conversation amongst your audience. Not because it does not hold some level of truth value, but because even in the present, the changing societal dynamics don’t make it any easier for them. From their voices not being heard, to harmful cultural practices inter alia, to having to balance between the expectations of society about being the traditional woman and adjusting to the present woman, that not only rocks in the home set up but also in the workplace, if not in matters governance.
From having to break the glass ceiling without breaking other things and institutions at stake such as the home, to having to live a purposeful and influential life while holding their societal place of a woman. From bearing the weight of gender discrimination to having to wrap themselves around balance and priority. From having to carry the burden of raising a solid society while influencing the moral & ethical compass, to fully grasping and walking into the mystery of conception (both of the generation to come and ideas that influence societal progress). Yet, there are women that withstood and still withstand all those barriers, into positively influencing the society in various aspects. Such, make the international women’s day globally worth celebration.
Ever wondered how it feels to live, survive and leave a legacy as a woman, in a male-dominated space, especially if you do not associate with the female gender? Ask Miriam Makeba of South Africa and Camilla Collett of Norway, to mention but a few.
“She is too much of a woman,” you say. No, she is just enough for her own liking. “She is not hardworking and smart enough for my fetish”- When she ups her game, she becomes too much of a woman and empowerment suddenly becomes a bitter root in the society’s river…. and more. Yet, amidst these difficult imbalances, there are women that have risen above those voices, transformed society, yet giving off the feminine aura.
International women day celebration is for women who refuse(d) to play small, play the gender inferiority card or feel inadequate to positively impact society. Women, who are comfortable in their own skin, short-comings and strengths. It is also for women that have made peace with their place in the society and find ways to navigate through what doesn’t favour them in their environment.
Guernsey was not left behind in recognizing women both within and without the island that have left their presence felt in society for the change they influenced. Guernsey celebrated women in public life by asking a few of women living in Guernsey to nominate a woman of influence from their home country, that they deem worth the celebration and recognition.
For my beautiful motherland-Kenya, I nominated Wangari Maathai, for her passion for environmental preservation: which is at the heart of most African countries, that saw her into winning the 2004 envied Nobel Peace Prize. Among other nominated Kenyan women are Mercy Cherono, for her prowess in long-distance races, and Joyce Nyairo, queen of art, research and creativity.
https://womeninpubliclife.gg/index.php/international-womens-day-icons/
Tanzania had Getrude Mongella top the nominee list for being an incredible educator, diplomat and champion for human rights. Uganda had Winnie Byanyima nominated for her all-roundedness in the leadership spectrum, known for her spot on saying, ““Without women’s equal access to positions of decision-making, power and a clear process to get there, gender equality, global security, and peace will never be realized.”
We acknowledge that the aforementioned are not the only women to be celebrated for their impact in the society. As a result, we applaud all women that have, and are doing all in their power, to leave a legacy before their curtains fall. To the women that are nurturing in themselves role models to emulate, for the younger generation, you are celebrated. To the men that enable these women to bring out the very best of themselves, we are because you are!
