By Kate
For most of the world, International Women’s Day is just like any other ordinary day. Matter of fact, some people do not even reckon that there is a special day that was commemorated for women other than mother’s day.
So what is international women’s day? Why do we celebrate it? In fact why should you celebrate it.
Well, it goes back to about a century ago, back in1909 after a group of women working as garment workers protested in New York, over the working conditions on the 8th of March, 1857 (even though researchers describe this to be a myth).
For starters most women are not rated in the same way as men when it comes to leadership. Women leaders are labelled “unfit” and “full of mistakes”.
I’ll take the example of the first female president of Malawi, madam Joyce Banda. After her two-year run, she was said to have been biased and full of favouritism towards women – according to some of the viewers I was able to have a chat with.
I am not trying to back her up for her mistakes – but try and look at it in this way; her leadership of trying to favor more females as positive discrimination.
A similar case that happened in Rwanda. Gender activists deliberately favored women in order to boost them up. Rwanda later ended up having about 30% of females in the parliament owning leadership and working progressively.
It is not only leadership in the political world, leadership in any of the sectors be it economic or social ruling, women should be given a chance to “do it” as well. Hence we can have more women achievements to celebrate.
“Despite our best intentions, as women our first instinct is often to compare ourselves with the other women around us. – their appearances, their relationships, their careers, their talents – which can evoke feelings of envy and awaken an unhealthy sense of competitiveness”
– Darling Magazine
Other than the patriarchy and culture being some of the forefront factors why equality is an issue, I personally also believe that among women ourselves we can also cause problems in lacking equality. Women should not view another woman as their enemy rather another team player. Build each other up and not pull each other down because it needs to start from within, fighting for equality needs to start among ourselves before we can take it out on “The Man”.
Luckily in a world where women are very much desiring and longing for equality in many areas, a large number of women have realized that it does not always have to be like that. And this realization makes me happy to be a woman!
I am so grateful for all the sisters who have recognized that in order to Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change: while advancing the status of all women and girls in Malawi; we do not need unhealthy competition amongst ourselves as women.
I am more than happy to be a woman because SISTERHOOD IS SACRED.
I believe that every woman is sacred, but not every woman is connected to their sacred self (mostly because of what we have been raised to believe). And it takes sisterhood for some women to acknowledge how sacred they are and how they can decide whatever to do with their life. There is so much magic in sisterhood, and only the women who value sisterhood are the ones that understand and experience this magic.
I am very happy to be a woman because I HONOR SISTERHOOD and this is for all the sisters that acknowledge that for us to achieve gender equality it begins with us. I am proud of you!
SISTER, YOU ARE SACRED!
Despite everything, you are sacred!
Despite everything, you still choose to face life and the world even though sometimes you hate your body and wonder what you are doing with your life.
Despite everything, you still choose to believe in yourself even though you are treated less than what you are worth.
Despite everything, you still choose to dream as big as you want even when they put you down under their feet.
Despite everything, you still choose to start over even after a devastating heartache.
Despite everything, you get to say when, how and what happens next for you and your life.
Despite everything, sister, you are magical and beautiful.
And Best of all, it makes me happy to be a woman because I get to be part of this amazing SISTERHOOD!
“Women are going to form a chain, a greater sisterhood than the world has ever known.”
– Nellie L. McClung
Love and light,
Mwayi and Kate x
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