NGOs host different events to commemorate this day. But I almost always feel the women do not take centre stage at these events; it is always certain women who give opening remarks, say a word or two or just grace the occasion and present the press with a photo op. But where are the women? Do they have names. Do they have faces? Do we even know what they look like?
This year I pay tribute to women with names and faces. Women who, in their own way, contribute towards making this world a better place for other women. These are women who make the world go round for others, as it were.
The first one that comes to mind is my "maiguru" Everjoice Win who turned 50 recently. She shaped the Women's Movement in Zimbabwe and made me wish to be gender activist all those years when I did not even understand what an activist was. But I just knew I wanted to be like her. To have the guts to point out the wrongs that I see around me and not be afraid to step on some toes. What an inspiration she has been. of course, I am nowhere my maiguru but I still look up to her. Of course, I also admire how she gracefully embraces age. None of the "get rid of wrinkles" stuff.
Another woman who is an inspiration is Fungai Machirori-a young woman. Much younger than EJ and I. But she inspires me. For some reason, I always thought older people who have seen and done it all are the ones who are supposed to inspire others. But young Fungai inspires me. maybe she is mature beyond her years? Who knows? Fungai is aloving and caring person who is certainly going places but she remains so grounded it is unbelievable at times. She started a website, HerZimbabwe to give women a voice. But it did more than that. It gave me the confidence to sit down and write something that other people could read.
My mother will always be an inspiration. She fought patriarchy and prevented my uncles from taking over our family house. That was unheard of in 1985. A woman standing up to all those men and saying "no way you are taking over this house. It is a family home and I still have a family to look after even though my husband is gone." She was such a strong, no-nonsense woman. She would say "nxa ufuna ukwenza okwakho, igedi livuliwe, phuma uhambe" (if you want to do as you please, the gate is open- you are free to leave). I hated it then but it helped me become the woman I am today.
To all the women who work day and night to put food on the table, I salute you. The women who stand or sit in the sun selling goods, I salute you. You may not be part of a boardroom but your contribution to our country's development is immeasurable. This country would not be where it is without you.
To the hairdressers (at salons or under the tree) who make sure our hair is in tip top condition, I salute you. Being a woman is hard at times but when one feels and looks good, it somehow lessens the burden.
Some of these women do not even know about International Women's Day. But I celebrate them. I pay tribute to all of them , even if it feels like there is nothing to celebrate. Let us celebrate each other this month.
To the mothers: No one gives us a certificate or a degree for raising our children. We have no control over how they turn out, but we do our best. A special mention to single mothers and the married-but-single mothers. You are doing a wonderful job without any pay or bonus. But it is by the far the most important job on the planet.
To all the women out there: Let us celebrate each other this month (and every month thereafter). Let us enjoy ourselves, even if it is for a second. We deserve it.
Happy International Women's Day to all women.