#WhyAfricaNeedsWomenInLeadership-Tuesday Let me touch on Marriage again this morning. At some point as women, (particularly younger women) we have to embrace the notion that there are far more important things to do than getting married. In fact I argue that given our social standing as women in African society, marriage as it stands in its current form, should be way down on our priority list. Why? Because there is simply way too much work to do as far as self actualisation and full emancipation of ourselves is concerned. So that we can contribute meaningfully to all spheres of society. One can only make a full and great impact when they are fully and truly who they are. Marriage by and large or rather marriage in its current form, with all the hierarchy of men as heads and leaders of homes does not serve the cause of women emancipation. Because it pushes women to take a subordinate role, whether they are natural leaders or not. Of course there are exceptions here and there but they are exceptions. How many women who are powerful and positively influential in society at large do you know that are married? 2? 4? Maybe 10? And how many men who are powerful and positively influential in society at large do you know who are married? 100, 500, a 1000? Ndibala ntoni na? Waangari Maathai had to divorce in order for her course to reach the proportions it did. She ended up being the first African Woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, and she changed the way the WORLD views environmental and green issues. You may want to read her book Unbowed to familiarize yourself with some of this woman of the African soils struggles. Am I against relationships? No. I love relationships. Am I against marriage? Oh yes as it stands now, it its current form absolutely yes I am against it. I want it to change to accommodate those women like me who dont agree with the status quo. As bell hooks puts it: I still think it’s important for people to have a sharp, ongoing critique of marriage in patriarchal society — because once you marry within a society that remains patriarchal, no matter how alternative you want to be within your unit, there is still a culture outside you that will impose many, many values on you whether you want them to or not.”
Posted on: Tue, 20 May 2014 05:17:51 +0000
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