For centuries both women and girls have been
referred to as the weaker sex (gender wise) yet they are the ones most
maltreated, victimized and afflicted with the world's catastrophe's and
tragedies even with the men who are supposed to be 'stronger' sex thus their
protectors. Why aren't they protected? Why aren't they strengthened to take
better care of themselves when the need arises? Why aren't they elevated from
their problems and treated as fragile since they are known as the 'weaker sex'?
We treat newborns with utmost care and are at their beck and call because we know
they are weak and fragile. So why aren't women and girls given the same care
since they are so weak? Instead they are beaten up and battered (in cases of
domestic violence), they are raped,they are sent off to be wives at only 13yrs
of age and even made mothers at the same age approximately. How is that 13yr
old supposed to be a mother when she barely even knows how to wash herself? I
can't say cook or lay the bed because I had that bit covered myself at that age
thanks to my phenomenal mother. Who did it to empower and banish ignorance in
that dept as such is the fate of many girls I have sadly just realized. How is
a girl who herself needs guidance,constant instructions and reminders supposed
to take care of a man triple her age and an entire household? Has the man
marrying her have any knowledge on treating her any different from a grown
adult and experienced woman?! Of course not!
Personally, find early marriages abominable! But I know better
than to get into any battles physically or exchange hostile words with the
cultures that practice this. I've witnessed a couple of NGOs and individuals
fighting such battles head on and most times losing when the tribes or cultures
and even religions practicing this become even more hostile. Because whether we
like it or not this is a common practice in some cultures and more so, African
ones. For others it borders on religious beliefs and practices. Which gives
them their sense of belonging. That is one thing that to every man,woman or
child on the planet is held dear and with reverence.
It being a way of life for some cultures and religions makes it a much
harder fight because as human beings we automatically seek a sense of
belonging. We automatically seek some sort of association that sets apart from
being just any Tom, Dick and Harry. Even with you (for example) if you are
always on your computer 24/7. I won't storm into your house, hold a gun to your
head and force you to stop! I'll 'explain' to you why you shouldn't be on your
computer all day everyday.
Education is our weapon. Let us educate the old men that insist on
marrying these babies that they can wait a little longer as he's taught on how
to be with a really young girl. Let the young also learn how to take care of a
household and him from that age. Let her go to sch where she can learn many
other productive ways of even being a hostess to his visitors and relatives when
the need arises and what other place is there to learn this from than her
mother or aunties or grandmother? Who else would ever really have her best
interests at heart?!
I'm choosing to practice DIPLOMACY as my weapon and that comes with
creating an illusion of a win-win situation for both parties in this scenario.
This will only be achieved if both parties are educated thus banishing
ignorance. If I use force or rebuke and condemn like everyone else...I'll fail
because I'll be met with hostility. This stigma needs to end and clearly
'force' has failed. The men believe its their right and anyone who believes
something so strongly is usually quite dangerous when met with objection or
ridicule. Its like telling Christians their belief in Jesus is foolish. What
type of war would you have started?! Wouldn't the Christians just want to
crucify you for such blasphemy?!
Knowledge is indeed power. It eliminates ignorance and promotes
understanding which would later lead to patience for the girl to be nurtured
and educated. As much as educational institutions usually appear as money
making schemes and I as a student finds it a punishment most of the time; I
have to admit I wouldn't even be able to write this without it.
Let's give credit where its due and finally start the actual
implementation of our education universally especially where common sense is
concerned and the nutty gritty bits of life that are so often overlooked
because we are too busy being concerned with our 'ghost' slavery to
technology,power,fashion,politics,money etc.
By:
Getty
Uncensored.
very deep insight to the norms in the society today
ReplyDelete