When I heard the hashtag for this year’s International Women’s Day celebrations, “Be Bold for Change” I didn’t exactly get it! I mean, everybody can be bold to make a difference, right? This was until I personally reflected on the impact of women in my personal life!
I discovered my life was 87% positively impacted by women! My full-time parent I learnt most from (Mom), my teachers right from kindagarten to university (8/10 have been female), all my advocacy campaigns were 64% women dominated! My most dedicated organization and company staff 74% are women, most loyal customers too -women! My line manager at my current job, “cool manager by the way! – is a woman!” Same as former and as much as I can remember!
My entire life has been impacted by these bold women and I never stopped to think twice of them!! All we do think about is the strong men just as society and culture dictates.
Women are in every aspect of our lives, right from bottom to top! We can just keep ignoring their efforts even when they do less to seek recognition of the great works they do or we could do things differently! At work, we are blind to the injustices they go through in the hands of our colleages; the sexual harassment, reduced to blackmail of either the job or her body for sex! We converse about it in a joking manner, not knowing how oppressing it is, we don’t think of that woman being our sister or wife. We are silent when all the men are promoted yet she works selflessly and tirelessly only to see others being promoted as she is left on her desk with a claim she is a “woman” or that she is “perfect for her current job.” We condemn teen girls for becoming pregnant, yet forget the boys responsible! That’s why I pride in Hon Judith Babirye who has stood in the gap for them! Raising voices to welcome them back to society as fighters.
In our social circles, we no longer (as before) condemn women to the kitchen but our reaction when a woman says, “I don’t know how to cook” Or “I don’t know a particular house chore” is clear indication! We have just modernized how we condemn women! How we reduce them to the house hold and being wives.
Today, when a woman decides to study beyond a man, earn a higher salary than him or even get a higher promotion than him, we still get intimidated as if it is an issue!
Our media mutely speaks about the success of women! They are only evoked to do so due to international pressure, women are hired by media houses just because they either look good or have a good voice! Yet all women are beautiful! If given chance, they can they can make a huge impact and difference.
When I just started my company, my friend Ahmed told me, “Emma, don’t be afraid to work with women! They are the most dedicated, loyal, hardworking and committed people.” He was right! I had men as part of my team, they have come and gone, but the women I worked with at the start… I still work with them! Am secure they won’t disappoint me. All my female bosses, as I worked with them, they aimed at empowering me, the dreams that I have and do. I will give one example, Hajat Rehmah Kasule, “she hired me when I did not even believe in my self, no matter how many mistakes I made, she chose to look beyond that! I finished my contract a refined, empowered and experienced staff!” She made it her business to ensure I have a fall back plan! Today, I run my own company! Who does that? Not many men atleast…
Therefore, we need to amplify women voices out there, no matter how small their contribution is to society. The teachers, mothers, cooks, civil servants, employees, employers, leaders and more! Regardless of whom they are married to, background, looks and more! Women are the most vital part of our society structure and are to be celebrated. Everyday, I choose to celebrate the women in my life, past and time to come. I choose to see you as bold women who changed my life. Let’s believe in more women out there, Be Bold for Change, don’t hold back for we are all equal! Happy Women’s Day.
-EW