Women hold an undebatable position in the society of every mankind. They are the mothers and nurturers of the next generation, ensuring the continuity of mankind. Women are also known to be advocates of peace; where women are involved, a lot of harmony and sobriety is witnessed.
The African woman's position remains unrefuted as having always been great. History proves that women have had a tremendous impact on African society. Queen Yaa Asantewaa is remembered for leading the Ghanaian army to fight the colonial British army and for her efforts to keep the Ghanaian empire intact from the threat posed by the British who wanted to take the golden stool, which was the symbol of continuity of their kingdom.
Pharaoh Hatshepsut is remembered for her great efforts in preserving Ancient Egypt when the ruler was young to rule. She is famed for her great knowledge in plant medicine and also for being the brains behind the introduction of cosmetics. Queen Nzinga is remembered for her great rule in perilous times in the Matamba and Ndogo kingdom when the Portuguese colonial threat roamed in her kingdom. She is also known for her anti-slavery stands against the Portuguese.
Presently in Africa, Titi Mohammed is remembered to be among the founders of TANU, the political party which fought for Tanganyika's regaining her independence. Ellen Johnson is known for her great ingenuity in transforming Liberia from a war-torn nation into a stable country.
Here in Kenya, women were well respected and commanded a lot of respect in their societies; Mepoho, Mekatilili wa Menza, Syokimau, and among many others. Women contributed a lot to the fight to regain independence, e.g., Field Marshal Muthoni wa Kirima. Post-independence Kenya, women have made great efforts in defending democracy, the environment, peace, fighting corruption, and advocating equality. Among many others, Wangari Maathai stands out. Presently, women are taking positions in parliament, county bosses, cabinet, and government agencies.
This shows that Africans in general hold women in high regard, and that's why women's voices remain clear in guiding society. Contrary to the wrong colonial belief that it's the colonizer who raised the status of African women in Africa, African women realized this lie, and they have been soaring greatly as they have always had. The so-called advocates of women's rights forget that their nations despised and repressed women's rights; e.g., in the USA, women were denied from voting up until 1920, while in Africa, women even made policies for the society to follow, and also, post-independent Africa, women have the same voting rights as men.
This lays my complete belief that Africa has respected women, and always women have their position, which to some extent colonization blurred. Women need not be allocated positions, but they should be encouraged to take them up by themselves.
Today, women are under the greatest threat ever under the Eurocentric view of women's rights. Why should other races define our women's rights? Are African women incapable of advocating for their rights? Let's not be lied to; our women need no one to tell them their rights; they know themselves. Currently, Euro advocacy of Lesbianism and transgenderism is a feasible threat to the thriving of women in Africa and the world. Also, there is a debate on feminism, but the men who are endangering women are not the African men but Europeanized black men.
We, the Pan African Youth Movement, would like to wish all African women good health and success as they reach out to advance Africa for the benefit of coming generations. Viva African women. Viva African progress with African women.
