INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Today the 8th of March we celebrate women both past and present who strove and are still striving for the change required.
We remember that many of the issues remain and that the struggle continues but as women, we must determine to stand in solidarity till patriarchy is completely dismantled.
The international women’s day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, it has been observed since the early 1900s , a time of great unrest and oppression of women, sadly, we are still being oppressed and silenced , our ideas are still being shoved aside and taken as unimportant.
But women are still pushing on, even harder than before, fighting for equal pay for equal work, saying no to domestic violence, misogyny, sexism, body shaming and so on while saying yes to political appointments and seats of power and leadership in various fields and sectors.
In the words of Maya Angelou ‘every time a woman stands up or herself, without possibly knowing it, without claiming it, she stands up for all women’
every time a woman stands up for herself, without possibly knowing it, without claiming it, she stands up for all women’
We applaud our own women, Nigerian women, who have remained focused, exhibited strength and showcased that indeed if you want anything to be done, you should ask a woman.
We celebrate Funmilayo Ransome Kuti who was the first Nigerian woman to drive a car, Captain Chinyere Kalu; first female pilot in Nigeria , Chioma Ajunwa; first African woman and also first Nigerian woman to win an Olympic Gold medal in a track and field event ,late Professor Dora Akunyili; first female director general of NAFDAC , Professor Remi Sonaiya; first woman to run for president in Nigeria , Agbani Darego; first Nigerian to win miss world , Flora Nwakpa; first African woman novelist to be published in the English language, Dr Salamat Ahuoiza Aliu; first indigenously trained female neuro surgeon, Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) ; first female senior advocate of Nigeria .
Today, as we press for progress we ask what would you be the first to do?
