At home they are to do all sorts of household chores like cooking, washing, cleaning, harvesting etc. In the early days women were seen as wives who were intended to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. They were not allowed to vote while men took care of having jobs and paying any bills that had to be paid. Soon enough it caught on that women should have a bigger role than what other people thought they should have.
They faced discrimination. Women would voice their opinion in any way possible so that they could reach their goal and they did.
Gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. A woman is entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear. Empowering women is also an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improve prospects for the next generation.
The importance of gender equality is underscored by its inclusion as one of the eight Millennium Development Goals. Gender equality is acknowledged as being a key to achieving the other seven goals. Yet discrimination against women and girls – including gender-based violence, economic discrimination, reproductive health inequities, and harmful traditional practices – remains the most pervasive and persistent form of inequality.
Women and girls bear enormous hardship during and after humanitarian emergencies, especially armed conflicts. There have been several organizations and institutions advocating for women, promoting legal and policy reforms and gender-sensitive data collection, and supporting projects that improve women’s health and expand their choices in life.
Men have a tendency to leave their wives due to the fact that they had their child and the father was not committed enough or not ready to be a “father.” Women are faced with more responsibilities than men but also are faced with a lot more problems than men because they look at a woman as a bearer of children. It is a fact that men shouldn’t abuse their wives and its true, but they still are. Abortion is also another problem that women are faced with.
Morality is an issue with this as women are sometimes not ready to be a mother and their husbands or boyfriends have already left them. Men usually just walk away from the situation but women have to choose to either have the baby or have it “aborted”.
Today women are playing important role in all spheres of life. They are no longer confined within the four walls of their parents’ or husbands’ house.
They have come out of the kitchens and are working hand in hand with men in all the development programs of the government. By receiving higher education they are becoming pilots, doctors, engineers, hospitality professionals, teachers, administrators etc. They have been able to prove their worth.
They not only do their household work but also work outside of their houses. They are contributing much to the economy of the country.
Now it has come to the realization of the men that true development of the country is not possible keeping half of population idle at home. So it needs no telling that women are playing a great role in the socioeconomic condition of our country.
Women have made vast improvements in their lifestyles in the past few decades from holding positions in governments to simple things like getting a job and supporting themselves.
I discovered my life was 87% positively impacted by women! My full-time parent I learnt most from (Mom), my teachers right from kindergarten to university (8/10 have been female), all my advocacy campaigns were 64% women dominated! My most dedicated organization and company staff 70% are women, most loyal customers too -women! My line manager and my director at my current job, “cool manager’s by the way! – are women!” Same as former and as much as I can remember!
My entire life has been impacted by these bold women and I never stopped to think twice of them!! All we do think about is the strong men just as society and culture dictates.
Women are in every aspect of our lives, right from bottom to top! We can just keep ignoring their efforts even when they do less to seek recognition of the great works they do or we could do things differently! At work, we are blind to the injustices they go through in the hands of our colleagues; the sexual harassment, reduced to blackmail of either the job or her body for sex! We converse about it in a joking manner, not knowing how oppressing it is, we don’t think of that woman being our sister or wife.
We are silent when all the men are promoted yet she works selflessly and tirelessly only to see others being promoted as she is left on her desk with a claim she is a “woman” or that she is “perfect for her current job.
” We condemn teen girls for becoming pregnant, yet forget the boys are responsible! That’s why I pride in Hon Judith Babirye who has stood in the gap for them! Raising voices to welcome them back to society as fighters.
In our social circles, we no longer (as before) condemn women to the kitchen but our reaction when a woman says, “I don’t know how to cook” Or “I don’t know a particular house chore” is clear indication! We have just modernized how we condemn women! How we reduce them to the house hold and being wives.
Today, when a woman decides to study beyond a man, earn a higher salary than him or even get a higher promotion than him, we still get intimidated as if it is an issue!
Our media mutely speaks about the success of women! They are only evoked to do so due to international pressure, women are hired by media houses just because they either look good or have a good voice! Yet all women are beautiful! If given chance, they can make a huge impact and difference.
When I just started working, my friend Musa told me, “Jarjou, don’t be afraid to work with women! They are the most dedicated, loyal, hardworking and committed people.” He was right! I had men as part of my team; they have come and gone, but the women I worked with at the start. I still work with them! I’m secure they won’t disappoint me.
All my female bosses, as I worked with them, they aimed at empowering me, the dreams that I have and do. I will give one example, Zainab Jallow, she hired me when I did not even believe in myself, no matter how many mistakes I made, she chose to look beyond that! I finished my contract a refined, empowered and experienced staff! She made it her business to ensure I have a fall back plan! Today, I run my own organization! Who does that? Not many men at least.
Therefore, we need to amplify women’s voices out there, no matter how small their contribution is to society. The teachers, mothers, cooks, civil servants, employees, employers, leaders and more! Regardless of whom they are married to, background, looks and more! Women are the most vital part of our society and are to be celebrated. Every day, I choose to celebrate the women in my life, past and time to come.
I choose to see you as bold women who changed my life. Let’s believe in more women out there, Be Bold for Change, don’t hold back for we are all equal!
