The International women’s Day had come and gone; however, we still have issues’ relating to this year’s theme on the front burner in several societies around the world. For many women around the world, change is something they have forever been on the lookout for; their lives have remained the same for as long as they can remember. Many do not even know what it means to live a good and unencumbered life as a woman; such women have lived in ‘servitude’ inspired by the fact of their gender and imposed by their society.
In several parts of Africa, the feminine gender suggests sexual gratis, domestic slavery and society’s downtrodden. The fact that a few women have made little progress in their endeavours makes little or no impact on the overall status of the African woman. Therefore, the need for change is really there and it is important for women in all areas of life to take to heart this need and work towards it. More than all else, women should work together to make these ideas come together for effective impact.
It is quite interesting that the psychological effect of the oppression of women has been borne by women themselves for decades. For one thing, the discriminatory educational system which disfavoured women, in the past, has continued to reverberate with negative consequences in the lives of women of today. For example, in spite of the improved level of education of women of today, many women still have the psychological feeling of being inferior to men in different areas of life. Secondly, till date, many women still endure sexual harassments in different forms at different settings, even within marriage! Yet, coming out to fight such has become an uphill task.
We can go on and on sighting several examples and pointing at different situations that perpetuate the oppression of women, even within the home. How can women change these situations? What can women do to improve their lot with a resounding success? For decades, several suggestions have been made, and many women organizations have tried different approaches to address the women issue. Still, the situation remains almost the same; more like a scratching of the surface of the ‘big bad trouble’.
So, who will inspire the change here? How will such inspiration be derived? And what kind of life will such inspiration affect? Questions like these are demanding answers. I believe one word is important here, RE-STRATEGIZE!
