“Wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbhokodo” – a popular phrase used when explaining the power and force that women carry, together.

Undoubtedly, women are very important people in our society because without them, there would not even be a society to begin with. In the words of former First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, “no country can ever fully flourish if it stifles the true potential of women and deprives itself of the contribution of half of its citizens.” For many generations, movements have been established to create awareness of the gender gap that currently exists between men and women. And for many years, women have had to stay home and look after the family and complete house chores while men were expected to be the breadwinners and to go out there and hunt for employment opportunities that will put food on the table for their families. However, the current youth continues to change that narrative over time. In fact, in predominant society, women are seen “taking up space” (in the words of current Miss Universe – Zozibini Tunzi) in career roles that were once dominated by men, in single-home households and many other positions in society. Women have encountered an awakening that calls for them to rise up and lead. August 9^th is also an opportunity for you and me, to celebrate the women in our lives and to celebrate their achievements thus far – regardless of how big or small it may be. Now, what does womanhood mean to me?

To be a woman in my eyes, means more than anything, to be yourself and to stand firm in your personal values and beliefs. The true essence of being a woman is waking up each day and defying society’s standards of “beauty” and womanhood but accepting yourself for who you are… the beauty, the flaws and everything in between because that is the true beginning of self-love. We live in a society where changing trends exist. Today, being slim and having a flat waist – which society refers to as a “snatched waist”, is deemed sexy. But tomorrow, society could one day wake up and decide that being fuller and having a belly is what makes a woman sexy. And then I begin to ask myself, how many times women will keep altering themselves to match society’s ever-changing standards of “beauty”. Women, be comfortable in your skin! So, what if you suffer from acne? So, what if you do not have a flat waist? So, what if you are 40 years old and still not married? At the end of the day, you define yourself and nobody else deserves to do that job for you. It is your journey and it does not matter how long it takes or how fast or slow you are moving, all that matters is that you are approaching the finish line, and that you are at least headed somewhere.

An inspirational woman in my life is my mother. A woman who has beat all odds and accomplished far more than she herself had imagined she would. A strong, defiant, God-fearing and selfless woman living with albinism and has studied as far as achieving a doctorate degree. She handles both work and family so gracefully – creating a balance between the two. A woman who not only looks after her own children, but after orphans and other children who are living with albinism, putting them through school, buying them essentials monthly and being a motherly figure in their lives. My prayer is that one day I will be just like her, if not better.

In closing, I would like to thank Voices Unite by IOA for this wonderful opportunity by providing the youth with a voice in society and at Voices Unite, this is one of the many ways we choose to celebrate women on Women’s day!