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In the early days women were seen
as wives who were intended to cook, clean and take care of the kids. They were
not allowed to vote while men took care of having jobs and paying any bills
that had to be paid. Soon enough it caught on that women should have a bigger
role than what other people thought women should have. They faced
discrimination like and other race that faced it.
Men have a tendency to leave
their wives due to the fact that they had their child and the father was not
committed enough or not ready to be a “father.” Women are faced with more
responsibility than men but also are faced with a lot more problems than men
because they look a woman as a bearer of children. It is a fact that men
shouldn’t abuse their wives and its true, but they still are. Abortion is also
another problem that women are faced with. Women are sometimes not ready to be
a mother and their husbands or boyfriends have already left them. Men usually
just walk away from the situation but women have to choose to either have the
baby or have it “aborted”.
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| Fatoumatta Tambajang |
Today women are playing important
role in all spheres of life. They are no longer confined within the four walls
of their parents’ or husbands house. They have come out of the kitchens and are
working hand in hand with men in all the development programs of the
government. By receiving higher education they are becoming pilots, presidents,
doctors, engineers, hospitality professionals, teachers, administrators etc.
They have been able to prove their worth. They not only do their household work
but also work outside of their houses. They are contributing much to the
economy of the country. Now it has come to the realization of the men that true
development of a country is not possible keeping half of the population idle at
home. So it needs no telling that women are playing a great role in the socioeconomic
development of our country.
I discovered my life was 87%
positively impacted by women. My full-time parent I learnt most from (Mom) my
teachers right from kindergarten to university (8/10 have been female) all my
advocacy campaigns were 74% women dominated. My most dedicated organization and
company staff 70% are women, most loyal customers too are women. My line
manager is a woman, “cool manager’s by the way.
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 colleagues; 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”.
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| Jaka Dukureh, FGM, Activist |
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 the chance they can make a huge impact and
difference.
When I just started working, my
friend Musa told me, “Jarjou, 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, I’m secure they won’t disappoint me. All my
female bosses as I worked with them they aimed at empowering me. I will give
one example Zainab Jallow, the Director General of Food Safety and Quality
Authority of The Gambia, “she hired me when I did not even believe in myself,
no matter how many mistakes I made, she chose to look beyond that, finished my
contract a refined, empowered and experienced staff” She made it her duty to
ensure I have a fall back plan. Today, I run my own organization who does that?
Not many men at least.
Therefore, we need to amplify
women voices out there, no matter how small their contribution is to society.
The teachers, mothers, cooks, civil servants, 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. Every day 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, and don’t hold back for we are all equal. Happy Women’s Day!
Saidina Alieu Jarjou
Political Activist
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