You can become quite complacent, when it comes to gender inequalities, living in a Westernized society.
As a black woman, born & raised in the UK, I can truly say, I have faced more barriers being black, than being a woman. Even so I have travelled enough, to have seen first hand how women are treated differently in various societies. How women are seen as inferior and less intelligent. I have seen how women are silenced and how their dreams die a slow death, as their reality means no one is willing to invest in them. Nurture them. Listen to them..
I see this as a huge injustice. Not only to the individual, but to the world. Because women have so much to offer the world.
I have always been surrounded by strong women. I was raised by a strong woman. Who inturn was raised by a strong woman – My grandmother – A very strong minded hardworking woman. I even had the pleasure of knowing my Great Grandmother (Aunt Tuckey) . I remember her as a strong, no nonsense woman, whose presence demanded respect from even the elder men in my family.
If I was to compare my Great grandmother to anyone, it would be Nanny of The Maroons. They look similar, & I could imagine her leading an army to wage war against the enemy..
That’s the line of women I am from. I am so grateful.. I know that’s where I get my fire from. I know I was not put on this Earth to be silenced. But to stand up for the people who feel disempowered..
I feel it is our duty as women to stand up for women & young girls who are taken advantage of, not given the right of an education, forced into child marriages. Women who are abused & are silenced, women who are being subjected to a life of degradation & suffering because they are seen as inferior & weak.
It’s important to empower women in all societies. Women are natural born leaders, Peacemakers. Passionate & courageous. We are fierce yet fair. We are fearless yet compassionate. We are educators, advisors. We are the backbones of the Nation..
We empower other women so they can find their voices. To love themselves & their minds. Not to be ashamed of things that happen or have happened to them.
Empowering women to realise they have the power to bring their visions to life. Empower women to know they are valuable members of society.. Empower women to love & respect themselves..
So as you go about your day, try to remember all the women who have overcome all kinds of inequalities, for us to be where we are today. Realise that it is our duty as women to encourage the next generation, to realise their strengths & continue to make positive changes for women world-wide so they too can feel empowered too.
Wishing you all a Happy Women’s day 2018.
Comments