What would this world be without women? Has anybody ever thought of that?
It surely would be quieter, less stressful one might say but it would certainly be a dull place.
Shops would open late and close early (because men hate shopping).
As we celebrate Women’s Month, the significance of Women’s Day tends to dwindle over time.
Women’s Day is not all about having a day off from work or going out with friends for a jol; it is a tribute to the thousands of women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956 in protest against the extension of pass laws to women.
This historic march was a turning point in the role of women, in the struggle for freedom and society at large.
We may not be marching for change nowadays, but this day should be a constant reminder of those heroines who fought during the struggle.
Let us take a look at what women go through today.
The struggles women face may be different from those of 1956, but nevertheless some women are still chained by their struggles.
We work in male-dominated industries where women are sidelined, where women’s opinions are discarded.
We stay in families where 50/50 doesn’t exist between spouses; where a man voice is final, where it’s believed a woman belongs in the kitchen – pregnant and barefoot, where their voices are suppressed and go unheard.
Another big struggle that women face is girl-on-girl hate, where we fight with each other for petty things, bully each other and belittle each other, instead of pulling together in the same direction and striving to be the best version of ourselves.
Let us be women who help each other, who uplift each other, who teach each other, who love each other unconditionally.
This way, no man will ever belittle a woman, talk down on her or tell her she’s useless or unloved.
If we women stand together and fight all the injustices we face in our workplace, homes, and society as a whole, this world surely would be a better place.
Let us teach young girls from a tender age not to validate themselves by their partner’s opinion of them, not to conform to societal norms that define what a woman is or is not.
Let us embrace our beauty and flaws, our flabby arms and potbellies, and let us not be told by the media what beauty is or what jean size is acceptable.
Let us raise strong-willed, ambitious, goal-driven, beautiful, talented, spontaneous young girls who know that women reign supreme.
We are ‘wonder women’, and as Beyonce said, we run the world.
HAVE YOUR SAY:
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram or email us at dundee.courier@caxton.co.za. Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394.
