Easter Kojwang is a wise woman. She recently gave the following advice to her fellow women:
As a woman, before you trivialise the efforts of those who’s shoulders you stand, remember this
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There was a time when women were not allowed to vote. I still see boardrooms filled with men, making policies about women’s reproductive health. If you cannot vote, you also cannot make collective decisions in your favour as a gender.
There’s a time when women were not allowed to run marathons or compete in any sport whatsoever. See how men have monetised sports.
There’s a time when women were not allowed to drive. Infact, in Saudi, the ban was lifted in 2018, just yesterday.
There’s a time when women were not allowed to own property. Women are still disinherited in 2024.
There’s a time that women were not allowed to study or practice medicine. Although more men die in hospitals due to their kujikaza kisabuni tendencies and their hight risk appetite, the medical industry has failed to comprehensively address the challenges surrounding female reproductive health.
When we moved to kitengela in 2002, my 11 year old self was shocked to learn that adult women amongst the Maa community were considered children, and would be counted, not as adults, but as children.
Most of the freedoms we enjoy now, were fought for, and earned by defiant women who refused to accept things as they are.
If men truly collectively loved women (I don’t mean erotic love) would women have to fight so hard to gain basic human rights such education, owning property, driving?
Think about it.