WITKTV — In your life what have you detected, that you can communicate as a vision and give direction to better women’s future. By so doing you can help touch the world.
NANA SPIO-GARBRAH — A very deep question you are asking here and hard to pinpoint a single attitude that I think I could communicate as instrumental, to peers wanting a better future. But one anecdote that I have taken is to never let yourself be pigeon-holed.
African society tends to try to put women in a box and assign us traditional gender roles — that of disciplined mother, quiet caregiver, gentle farm help. And western society sometimes pushes forward the other extreme, of cutthroat, aggressive, capitalistic, materialistic CEOs and prima donnas.
What I realized is that I am not an extreme. No woman is. We are nuanced. We can love babies desperately but not want to give up our careers for them. We can spend two hours deciding on a shade of lipstick at a MAC counter and then go to a gun range for practice.
We can wear a sequined gown to a cocktail dinner and make cogent political arguments about why Kagame has rescued Rwanda from itself. We do not have to choose between being damsels in distress or corporate ninjas. We can be both and/or neither, all at the same time. We should never let anyone box us in.
Woman is the key to everything and anything she sets her mind to be.
NESSA DOVE (Musician/Band) – Hey Ken, I would say that women need to take time to truly love themselves and get to know themselves. Women are natural caregivers and nurturers and sometimes neglect themselves in trying to please others. But the more you love yourself by taking care of yourself and knowing yourself, the happier you will be and your inner light will shine and overflow onto others.
http://www.facebook.com/nessadove
JEAN ANDERSON – Hi. So I have been giving this a great deal of thought. I guess it is something that every parent should be thinking about as to what they can pass on to their own child. Specific to women, I feel that I didn’t really start figuring things out until just before meeting my husband. I was then already in my thirties. All those years and mistakes ago…. I feel that maybe I’m not a good one to ask. That’s info NOT for the blog. If there was one thing I FINALLY learned, it was that I must learn to live for myself. Do things I enjoy. Make my future happen for myself, by myself and not wait around for a man to make my future bright. Funnily, when I finally figured this out… about three months later I met my, now, husband. I had just put my down payment on a brand new, under construction, condo. Funny how it can take years to figure out what seems now to be simple.
ABOAGYE “MORE VIM” ANANE (Musician) – Well, I have realised in our part of the world (Africa), women are not really given the opportunity to voice out their views and opinions about certain issues & affairs in our continent.
There is a saying that goes: ”What A Man Can Do A Woman Can Do Better” so women should take a stand in decision making, development and most important contributing in nation building
WITK – Thanks for a good input. What stopped women from taking action before?
ABOAGYE – You are always welcome. I would say due to our traditions & culture women were relegated to the kitchen whilst the men made all the decisions.
If even the decisions did not go in the favour of women, they would just take it in good faith.
WITK – How difficult is it to change traditions and culture?
ABOAGYE – To be honest it is very very difficult because these things (Culture & Tradition), are part of us as a people and a continent but due to modernization women are now empowered to compete with their male counterparts.
WITK – Empowered?
ABOAGYE – Through Women Rights Movements and some NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).
WITK – Finally, how can we know if the new culture has been accepted by the people?
ABOAGYE – Hmmm, some have accepted some have not but to cap it all I think women now have a voice today.
LINDA PANAGOULIS – To believe in yourself. The biggest obstacle women face is confidence. It is ironic how many have grown up without a two parent home and without the encouragement to go for their dreams yet they are truly capable and while they may realize it, have not truly made it because they allow others opinions to hold them back. They are afraid to leap, yet could soar if they did!!
GO for your dreams with passion you will astound yourself…..
ANDREA ELBAUNE – Hi Ken, As far as the Woman is the Key question, I have to give it some thought. I am not very savvy with grammar nor wording things properly. Maybe that is part of my answer. I think to better a women’s future (or pretty much anyone’s) is to never take the easy road. Strive to be the very best you can be.
Growing up I got good grades in school. Had a chance to go to college but took the easy way out and just went straight to work. Should have reached for the stars, instead just settled.
Now at age 53 I have no money in the bank, listening to all my co-workers who are age 22 and up going off to college and thinking of their future careers. All I can think of is how I will pay my bills and will I be homeless when I reach 60!
The word future seems so distant. Makes you feel you have all the time in the world – the future is just around the corner. Set your goals high, strive for that goal and once you reach it – see if you can even go higher!
Never settle!!
This was written September 8, 2013. I wonder what she’s doing now?
THOKOZILE RANKOE – Education is the only key for women to survive in this world. We make better leaders cos we are considerate and compassionate.
WOMAN IS KEY® 