Viva to the African woman

Mmegi Editor | Friday August 7, 2015 15:19

How true! This is a message that is so relevant today as we observe the month of August, the 30 days dedicated to the emancipation of women of Africa. This is the time set aside to recognise women of all walks of life, and remember and honour their contribution towards economic growth, democracy, development, peace and being the backbone of our livelihood.

It is befitting to do so, simply because women are the backbone of our families, societies and the nation. Many have single-handedly brought up and nurtured rulers of today – kings, queens, presidents, lawyers, engineers, doctors, and sports stars just to mention a few.

We take this moment to remember the women who sacrificed their lives fighting for equality, justice and dignity for all. The world over we had the likes of Rosa Parks, Princess Diana, Benazir Bhutto, Aung San Suu Kyi, Malala Yousafzai, Fatima Meyer, Mother Teresa, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Ruth Mompati, Hellen Suzman, Miriam Makeba, Winnie Mandela, Graca Machel, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Lawrence Stegomena-Tax; and locally Dr Gaositwe Chiepe, Margaret Nasha, Tebogo Dingake, Linah Mohohlo, Clara Olsen, Kathleen Letshabo, Pretty Molefe, Amantle Montsho, Sanji Monageng, Masekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Maria Machailo-Ellis, Margaret Mosojane, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko, to name a few.The list is endless.

We also have to dedicate this month to single mothers who despite difficult circumstances contribute to community development in far off places such as Tshesebe, Lentswelemoriti, Sehithwa, Motokwe, Streizendam, Kachikau, Mohembo,Karakubis, Motopi, Kalamare and Moiyabana.

These women are the breadwinners, healthcare providers, and livestock herders for their families. Some have found themselves providing the services of a midwife for the young mothers of their families, with very little training and experience in the field, but having to do it because of circumstances beyond their control.

We also bow to women in war zones such as South Sudan, Burundi, Central African Republic, and Lesotho. It is the women and children who feel the effects of these wars for the simple reason that they remain at home to take care of the sick and wounded. In the process they are attacked, raped and killed as they often defenseless.

We celebrate this month at a time when Botswana Parliament is debating the National Gender Policy, which has attracted a lot of criticism from our legislators. 

The policy was meant to address inequalities between men and women and it is our hope that it shall achieve its objectives after it has been scrutinised by our elected representatives.

Words will ever be enough to explain the enormous contribution of the women of this world. All we can do as wordsmiths is thank you women of Botswana, thank you African women for being the backbone of our lives.

 

Today’s thought

 

“I raise up my voice - not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”

 

 - Malala Yousafzai