A LETTER TO WOMEN

A LETTER TO WOMEN Dear women, For a long time now since the inception of the international women’s day, many nations of the world have been celebrating the day. But it is interesting to find out that a majority of those who celebrate this day have no knowledge of the significance of the day. To some, the day is meant for drinking, power demonstration, noise making and self allocation of power. Others use the day as an opportunity to walk on men since to them it is a singular opportunity in every 365 days. Some go to the extent of misbehaving, showing of indecent and moral characters to the consuming eyes of the public. Truly the day has been misunderstood by many and its misconceptions have driven most from its real focus. There is a big misinterpretation of the Beijing Declaration on Women. Why is that it is mostly on women’s day that some families tear apart, some wives trade their families for the day. It is no news that women just like men were born equal and that a woman is a companion to a man. It is also no news that women just like men have their rights. But is drunkenness, too much noise making and power demonstration the only way for women to portray their importance? Certainly not. The women’s day should be seen above this. In other countries, women use the day to advocate for better facilities and opportunities. They write petitions to their governments and organize events to educate younger women on important issues concerning them. Can our Cameroonian women learn from this? How many women even know the theme of this year’s women’s day? That’s a question which might receive more shameful answers. Come on women, you need to rise above the women’s day misconceptions and play your roles in making this world better. Women are very important; their role in the society is indispensable. Not even the wisest of men can deny this fact. Women play great roles in our economy and other sectors of the society. The international women’s day should therefore be used to reflect and emphasize on the indispensable role of women. Dear women, dear mothers and sisters, as you celebrate the 2016 women’s day on the theme “pledge for parity”, it is hoped that you will be smart and wise not to trade your family for bottles of beer, the women’s day fabric, and the quest for a one day power over your husbands. Happy Women’s Day. Ntui Oben Obi Buea-Cameroon