The Monitor 8th March 2010

Are you a Flourishing Woman?  By Atuki Turner

Beyonce has a popular song – If I were a boy. Today on Women’s day you can sing about the things you would do if you were a man.  On this one day allocated to women, out of 365 days in the year,  why not behave today as though you were a man?
If you were a man, today when you greet other men stand up at once and address them as Sir or Jadwong. When you greet women stay seated and don’t use any title or call them Mummy!
If you were a man, today you could walk into a meeting late and take the centre seat in the front row.  You would take it upon yourself to Chair the meeting, then look around for a pretty woman to act as secretary.
If you were a man at a meeting, today you could put up your hand first to answer a question loudly and confidently even if you haven’t a clue what you are talking about.
If you were a man, today you could ask why your shirts are not ironed, your socks not paired, your trousers missing and you shoes not polished.
If you were a man, today you could complain loudly that the food is cold and unappetising and demand that your wife return to the kitchen and warm it immediately.
And if you were a man, tonight you would make the first move...
But you are a woman, and the only way you know is the woman’s way - so what will you do?
For you are the widow, with seven young children to feed, swinging your hoe over your shoulders, take long strides of the earth to your maize garden. You may never address a rally but your never ending quest for life is like the sun that rises every morning to share its warmth.

For you are the mother, patiently sitting under the shade, waiting for transport. Child resting on your chest, you may not know it, but your patience is like the silent tremor that shakes the depths of the oceans, awakening our humanity and moving us to care.  

For you are the woman teacher who talks about her students as her children and walks for miles deep in the villages to rescue the girls who have been taken out of school and forced into marriage.  You may not be honoured in the book of heroes but your fight for justice is like the earthquake that shakes our houses yet leaves it standing.
For you are the woman who bids the call to serve, who donates, participates, hosts and contributes to every community cause. You may not even be entitled to a pension but you are the invisible cement that keeps the cracks in our society from falling apart. 

You are the NGO worker fighting to end poverty, to improve health services, to improve access to health. You fight to end violence against women, to stop child abuse and to care for elderly people. You may not know it, but you are changing the world.

Today stand don’t ask “I am just a woman what can I do?”  Oh No, today stand in front of the mirror, and say it loud and clear, like sojourner Truth - AM I NOT A WOMAN?  I CAN DO. Then smile at yourself and add – I AM A FLOURISHING WOMAN! You may not know it but you are changing the world.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/874986/-/ahmkb4z/-/index.html