We, African feminists, speak for ourselves

By Imali Ngusale

The 5th of June was set aside by the African Union (AU) to observe and commemorate the Day of the African Child (within and beyond) and, to this end, there have been myriad commitments to mark this day Africa-wide. But beyond rhetorical statements and media visibility, very little remains to be desired especially among African girls and young women.

Last week, Accra hosted 50 young women and girls from 11 African countries who put to trial gender equality promises by reviewing the realities that have left them helpless. In seeking to break the silence the girls and young women outrightly stated their own experiences and convictions.

“African girls and young women have rights, our leaders must know that the involvement of women and the consideration of their specific needs are not favors but rights!” said Mariétou Sima from Mali. “African Policymakers need to listen to the opinions of girls and young women so that their policies match with their wants. It is only in this way that their policies are going to be most effective,” said Glain Nene from Kenya. “Enough is enough we need to change how we perceive ourselves in order to challenge the future,” said Oniyide Olutoni from Nigeria.

Adding to the same sentiment, Carol Boraya Kwamboka from Kenya underscored those institutions need to stop referring to girls are beneficiaries, but as stakeholders! In her view, girls are not traditional objects of inheritance but dignified humans worthy of opinions. In the same vein, Achuncho Mispa Sirri of Cameroon emphasized that “there are no traditional roles for women!” she said that “women respect men and it is time for men to respect women.”

Biruktawit Berhanu Womeso from Ethiopia stated that “meaningful engagement of girls and young women remains crucial for gender equality and gender justice”, while Adama Finda Borway of Sierra Leone said “for gender justice to be realized we must see the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill.”

“It is so shameful that- we cannot prosecute violators of Child Marriage! For how long should girls be oppressed so that decision-makers in Africa realize that it is wrong?” lamented Bolaji Margaret from Nigeria.

Mozambican representatives Raima Francisco Manjate and Wanda Sue Emanuel said that “we women in Mozambique want to be heard at all levels! We want to be respected and represented! We want to be in all spaces not just to increase our voices but out of necessity.”

At the heart of the discussion, it remained clear that gender justice in Africa is still on trial. The rhythm of the Day of the African Child was not a traditional tale but a snowballing conviction that demands procedural and substantive action for justice.

Speaking at the same event, Memory Kachambwa, the Executive Director the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), congratulated the girls and young women for their audacious stand. She mentioned that girls and women in all their diversities need to challenge gender inequalities, and injustices and crush the patriarchy. In her view, Africans needs girls and young women to stand up and speak for themselves.

While advocating for a just transition to change may take time the sentiments of the 50 young feminists did not go unnoticed. Their Accra Declaration for Africa’s Girls and young Women was published in English, French, and Portuguese and continues to mainstream their voices via social media through the hashtag #ISpeak4Myself .

Imali Ngusale is a prolific African writer passionate about amplifying Pan-African stories on Socio-Economic Justice, Climate Change, and Politics. You can access more of her publications via her her blog at http://ngusaleimali.blogspot.co.ke.