International Day for Women is unlike any other day set aside to mark historic events or raise consciousness
over pertinent issues, this day is unique for what it represents for humanity.
Females remain an endangered species in
many parts of the world. A combination of cultural, religious and societal
norms and practices have continued to stifle and limit the growth and
development of girls. Additionally, the inaction by several Governments and the
outright negligence of several issues concerning girls has further complicated
issues. Young girls are continuously subjected to dehumanizing conditions in
several climes and this day presents an opportunity to chart a new course.
There are several reasons why every society
must endeavour to educate, enlighten and empower the girls. The most important
reason is simply because it is the right thing to do. It is morally, logically
and politically right to do so. An educated girl is a beacon of hope and a primary
source of social stability. We must never forget the obvious fact that families
form the bedrock of societies and if the builders themselves are ill-equipped
to execute the demands of nursing and nurturing, we are headed towards a broken
system.
Failure to cater to the needs of girls is a
deliberate attempt to stagnate the progress of over half the population of any
society. Women make up about 52 % of the global population and these figures
cut across several countries. One of the major differences between developed
and developing nations is the capacity of well educated and exposed women to
contribute to the workforce and society in the former but sadly missing in the
latter. You can’t shut out a majority of the people and expect to make meaningful
progress.
An investment in females is a superb and
risk free investment. All societies that have summoned courage and put their
faith towards this noble objective are far better off. At a time when the men
and their economic policies have plunged the world into disarray, the women
have stepped up. Angela Merkel (German Chancellor) has stopped the slide in Europe and the continent is better off than it was a few
years. Christine Lagarde is leading the IMF with panache and prudence.
President Obama recently nominated Janet Yellen as Chair of the Federal Reserve
Bank. That makes her the most powerful woman in the world at least as far as
economic matters are concerned. Hillary Clinton ( Former Secretary of State),
Janet Napolitano ( Former Homeland Security Chief) and Susan Rice ( National
Security Adviser) have driven policies in a male dominated field that have made
America safer and less despised compared to when the men held sway.
In Africa ,
Presidents Banda and Sirleaf-Johnson continue to grow the economies of their
respective countries. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is an astute economist and her
credentials are impeccable. She hasn’t been as effective in her second coming
because she has practiced more politics instead of people focused economic policies.
Nevertheless, no one can question her ability to do the job.
Dilma Rousseff has continued the good legacies
of her predecessor in Brazil
and her steady leadership has ensured that her country has overtaken the United Kingdom in some economic indices and in
the process further cementing Brazil Argentina Argentina
We can all make our societies better by
ensuring we tackle the evils affecting females in our own little way. Some of
these include Genital mutilation, Child Marriage, Lack of Diligent Prosecution
of Rape cases and lack of focus on peculiar feminine issues.
Let’s all stand firm against inhumanity
against girls. No girl should be allowed to become a mother whilst she is still
a child. No man should have peace after defiling a girl and the authorities
should make special provisions for girls as they mature into womanhood. It’s a
complicated process that makes or mars a woman’s future.
Let’s celebrate the girls today and make
commitments to ensure that they grow up to become what they can be: mothers,
champions and leaders.
Follow Tony on Facebook under the name African Matter and on twitter @africanmatter
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