Inspiring Inclusion
Let us clap for women, for their resilience, courage, and the indelible mark they have left on the pages of history. International Women’s Day, celebrated every March 8, is a resounding applause for the achievements, struggles, and progress of women worldwide. The genesis of International Women’s Day can be found in the women’s suffrage movement, a time when the world first began to deliberately record a groundswell of advocacy for equality. The inaugural National Women’s Day took place in the United States on February 28, 1909, organized by the socialist movement. Building on this momentum, the International Women’s Conference proposed an international day of celebration a year later. From these humble beginnings emerged a global tradition dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of women and acknowledging the challenges they continue to face. International Women’s Day not only serves as a testament to the progress made but also as a rallying cry for the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. Historical Context Marginalized and displaced women in Africa face multifaceted challenges that demand attention and concerted efforts for sustainable solutions. Across the continent, numerous factors contribute to the vulnerability of these women, exacerbating their already complex circumstances. In conflict-ridden regions, women often find themselves disproportionately affected, becoming victims of violence, displacement, and exploitation. Displacement, whether due to conflict, natural disasters, or economic hardships, disrupts the stability of communities and forces women into precarious situations. This situation is particularly acute for marginalized groups, including ethnic minorities and indigenous communities, who may face additional layers of discrimination. Moreover, access to education and healthcare remains a persistent issue for marginalized women in many African countries, limiting their opportunities for personal and economic development. Empowering these women requires addressing systemic issues, fostering inclusivity, and creating avenues for education and skill development tailored to their needs. Women Inspiring Inclusion Wangari Maathai – Kenya: A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Wangari founded the Green Belt Movement, empowering women through environmental conservation. The movement not only contributed to sustainable development but also elevated women’s roles in community leadership. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Liberia: She made history as Africa’s first female democratically elected head of state. Her presidency in Liberia marked a significant breakthrough, inspiring a new era of leadership for women in politics. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Nigeria: She is a renowned author and feminist, who has used her literary works to challenge stereotypes and advocate for gender equality. Her impactful writings contribute to reshaping perceptions and inspiring dialogue on inclusivity. Oulimata Sarr – Senegal: Sarr, a passionate advocate, is the Regional Director for UN Women in West and Central Africa. Her work focuses on advancing gender equality, and she has been instrumental in promoting women’s rights and inclusion in the region. Malala Yousafzai – Pakistan (with African advocacy): While originally from Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai’s global advocacy for girls’ education extends to Africa. Through the Malala Fund, she has supported initiatives in countries like Nigeria and Kenya, amplifying the importance of education as a tool for inclusion. Dlamini-Zuma – South Africa: Nkosazana, former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has been a key figure in continental diplomacy. Her leadership exemplifies the increasing recognition of women in high-ranking political roles, paving the way for more inclusive governance. Afua Hirsch – Ghana/UK: She is a British-Ghanaian author and broadcaster who uses her platform to address issues of race, identity, and gender. Her advocacy contributes to a more inclusive dialogue, fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse communities. Movements Inspiring Inclusion #BringBackOurGirls – Nigeria: Originating in Nigeria, this movement gained international attention, advocating for the safe return of kidnapped school girls. It showcased the power of activism in mobilizing communities and shedding light on issues affecting women and girls. Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) – Zimbabwe: This is a movement that empowers women to address socio-economic and political challenges. Through peaceful protests, it has demonstrated the potential of collective action in fostering inclusivity and advocating for change. #TotalShutdown – South Africa: This movement, which began in South Africa, brought attention to gender-based violence and femicide. Activists organized marches and campaigns, igniting a nationwide conversation and compelling authorities to address the pressing issue. Limitations to Inspiring Inclusion: Cultural Barriers: Deep-rooted cultural norms and traditions can pose challenges to inspiring inclusion. Resistance to change within communities may impede the progress of initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting inclusivity. Limited Access to Resources: Many community movements face resource constraints, hindering their ability to scale impactful initiatives. Limited funding, technology, and educational resources can limit the reach and sustainability of inclusion efforts. Political Instability: In regions with political instability, gender equality organizations may face increased challenges. Repression, lack of governmental support, and security concerns can hamper the effectiveness of initiatives promoting gender equality. Lack of Legal Protections: In some areas, the absence or inadequacy of legal protections for women’s rights hinders progress. Insufficient laws addressing gender discrimination and violence create an environment where inclusive efforts face resistance and setbacks. Resistance to Change: Resistance from individuals, communities, or institutions unwilling to embrace inclusivity poses a significant limitation. Overcoming entrenched attitudes and fostering a mindset shift can be a prolonged and challenging process. Future Outlooks for Inspiring Inclusion: Technology as an Enabler: Continued advancements in technology offer opportunities for greater inclusion. Digital platforms can amplify diverse voices, provide educational resources, and facilitate connections that bridge geographical and cultural gaps. Intersectional Approaches: Embracing intersectionality will be crucial for a more comprehensive approach to inclusion. Recognizing the interconnected nature of various identities, including gender, race, and socio-economic factors, ensures that initiatives address the unique challenges faced by diverse groups. Youth Engagement: The active involvement of younger generations is a promising avenue for inspiring inclusion. Empowering youth through education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities can foster a more inclusive mindset that will shape the future. Social Responsibility (SR): Increasing corporate commitments to social responsibility can drive positive change. Companies adopting inclusive policies, supporting diversity in leadership, and investing in community initiatives contribute to a more equitable landscape. Policy Reforms: Ongoing advocacy for
Women Do Not Fear Getting Robbed.
Trying to stop an attackImage: Vox They fear getting raped. Play this scenario in your head. It is late at night. The streets are poorly lit. The occasional car passes by but beyond that, it is quiet. There is a slight breeze teasing the earth and flirting with the skirt of a woman walking down the road. Her steps are brisk…increasing ever so slightly as she walks to her house just around the corner. She just wants to get home and off these streets. As she turns the corner, she sees a man lurking in the shadows. What do you think her first reaction is? Let me help you. Shock. Rush of adrenaline. Crippling fear. And hope that he is a friendly face. But almost instinctively, her hands go up to protect her breasts, not her purse. If he is a friendly face, she breathes a sigh of relief and becomes thankful that there is now a man on the road with her. Nobody will try to attack her. If he is someone she knows but doesn’t have a relationship with, the fear stays. She ponders why he is out late and whether he will attack her because she doesn’t say ‘hi’. She has to make a choice; either say ‘hi’ and deflect any possible attack or continue the status quo. Either way, she has to go past him on her way to her house. When she passes him, she will keep stealing glances behind until she gets home, constantly worrying that any footfall (real or imagined) is him springing to attack her. If however, the man is not someone she knows, the fear grows. Every step she takes becomes leaden with the choking fear that she will be groped, attacked or the worst, raped. How about this? Play this same scenario again, but change one thing. There isn’t one man lurking in the shadows; there are three, maybe five men. What do you think would happen? Even if the girl woman knows all the men, she would still feel uncomfortable walking past them on her way to her apartment. But if she doesn’t know them at all, she has two choices; feign a calm that she cannot possibly hope to feel and walk past them or dash into a run to up her fighting chance. When you think about it, you see that she has another choice; go back to where she is coming from. Even if it isn’t as dark and lonely, women don’t feel secure walking down streets. It is common place to see women cross the road to the other side when a group of men are coming. Why is fear women’s instinctive response to seeing a man or a group of men on the road? For one, men constantly attack women…and most of the time, these attacks are sexual. Let me give you an example. When I was in the university, I started a routine of running in the morning for an hour; from 5am to 6am. I would jog from my house off campus to the school field, do some laps and then walk home. I always ran with a male friend and didn’t think much of my safety. A week after we started, my friend said he wasn’t running because he had an early day. So I went on my own. I had not walked two minutes when a man came out of nowhere, grabbed my right breast and squeezed hard. Before I could snap out of the paralysis that held me bound, he ran off. I was so shocked that I couldn’t be angry. Two minutes away from my house! In another instance, I was returning from work late at night – which in the real sense was about 9pm – when a guy grabbed my buttocks and attempted to grope my breasts. When I challenged him, he said I wore a short skirt and so he had a right to do so. When I attempted to fight him off and saw I would lose, I ran away, spraining my ankle in the process. My view is that, even if I was wearing a hijab and face mask, I still would have been attacked because I was alone on the road at night. Many women have reported being groped and raped while walking the streets. And when I say reported, I don’t mean to any constituted authority because many of those people make such situations worse. Another dimension to this is rape during a robbery. A lady I know was about to get married and went to stay in a hotel with a couple of her friends. In the middle of the night, their room door bust open to reveal a couple of dangerous looking men. Seeing that the people occupying the room were all women in various stages of undress, the men tried to rape them. According to them, by some sheer act of faith, and I don’t mean fate, the police arrived just before they did. Someone I know wasn’t so lucky when we were robbed way back in 1998. She was pulled out from one of the compounds around us and raped by the men whose guns stayed pointed at us as we waited for some sort of help to come our way. Women who have been robbed on the highway also tell something similar. Armed robbers would attack buses plying our roads to various states and would only think of raping women, not necessarily robbing them. Even recently, armed robbers attacked a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp in the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt and in the female hostels, it was reported that many women were raped. These men were not interested in their possessions. They were mostly interested in their vaginas and the power their guns (or whatever arsenal they have) avails them. Let us flip the scenario I described in the beginning. It is late at night. The streets are poorly lit. The occasional
Women Are So Much More!!!
Image: Pexels. I have, for months now, been staying in my lane and avoiding some issues that could easily rile me up. I have been learning to bridle my tongue to avoid dishing out words I can’t take back. But today, that will take a back seat! I’m literally going to war! I am a feminist and I am ever ready to jump on all issues relating to women. I could go on and on about women’s rights and what we deserve. So it is fitting that I go on this rant. I was in a bus heading to town when this lady in front of us tried to reverse. She reversed smoothly, albeit slowly, and went on her way. As we watched disappear into the distance, another passenger started ranting about why women shouldn’t drive. I wondered what he was about. He sounded so angry that people began to complain. The conversation in the bus was crazy! The aggrieved passenger was hell bent on proving why women shouldn’t drive. All through, I was saying, ‘Lord JESUS, help me get down ‘jejely’ without insulting anybody’. I did! When I got home, I wanted to put the incident behind me. I almost succeeded until I read a Facebook post where a guy said he hated seeing women act like bosses when, in the end, they would all end in the kitchen. He thought he was funny when he typed the hash-tag, #KitchenBoss. I went at it a bit with him and he kept going on about women picking up western cultures and not respecting men. I told him respect was earned in ALL cultures and a woman shouldn’t have to respect a man just because of his penis! At this point, I was still trying to be good and reign in my tongue. I went on to do my midday show and asked the listeners to describe a woman who was accomplished educationally, in her work and career but who couldn’t cook. Out of the over 150 respondents, more than 120 said a woman who couldn’t cook was a totally useless person and an incomplete woman, backing it up with statements like ‘It is the destiny of a woman to end up in the kitchen’. By this time, I wasn’t pretending anymore! I was pissed the fuck up! I was angry and just about ready to spew venom! I tried to put it out of my mind until my colleague, while discussing an issue, said a married woman was her husband’s ‘property’. I asked, ‘Property?!’ and he reiterated his statement. At that point, I knew I had reached my tether’s end. I just couldn’t stand it anymore! This is 2019 for crying out loud and people still have the ideology that women are the inferior members of the human species. With all the campaign about equality, with all the manifestations that women can be and do so much more, men (and some women) still think we are nothing but beautiful bodies with little brain capacities! Women are cracking codes in genetics, flying to space, becoming engineers, soldiers, doctors, prime ministers, presidents, bloggers, artists, I.C.T experts, pilots and men still think it is okay to call us properties?! We are taking charge and working in just about any field and yet, we still manage to balance family life. In spite of all these, silly arguments about what women should and shouldn’t do still abound?! I’m most disappointed that we are held to impossibly archaic standards in today’s fast changing world! There are still things women can do on a general note that men CANNOT do and yet we still get to be discriminated against?! This is appalling! Well, like I told the ‘Facebooker’, I will say this to all chauvinistic, patriarchal and misogynistic men out there. ‘There are women who will be far more important in this world than you could ever be or hope to attain. You can either join the fast moving wagon of progressives or remain in your circle of ignorance’. Either way, you WILL NOT deter us.’ And to women, don’t let NO ONE tell you that you cannot aspire for more than the kitchen. Your multi-billion-celled brain was not created to just shuffle meal timetables for the month. Women are so much more than that!
