In a world where women still face significant barriers to equality, sisterhood has become a powerful force for change. Across Africa and the African diaspora, women are coming together to support and empower each other, breaking down the barriers that have held them back for so long.
One of the most striking examples of this phenomenon can be found in Rwanda, where women have taken on leadership roles in the aftermath of the country’s devastating 1994 genocide. In the wake of the massacre, which saw the deaths of an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu, the majority of the population was left without male leaders. In this vacuum, women stepped up to rebuild the country, taking on roles in government, business, and civil society. Today, more than 60% of parliamentarians in Rwanda are women, the highest proportion in the world. Women have also played a key role in the country’s economic recovery, with businesses owned by women accounting for more than 40% of the country’s GDP.
Another example of African women supporting each other can be found in the realm of education. In Nigeria, a group of women known as the “Empowerment for Rural Women and Youths Initiative” (ERWYI) have come together to provide educational opportunities for girls in rural areas. ERWYI focuses on providing education for girls in primary and secondary schools, as well as vocational training for those who are unable to continue their education. They also provide mentorship and counseling services to young girls to help them navigate the challenges they face.
Similarly, in South Africa, the “The Women’s Development Business” (WDB) is an organization that provides financial and business development services to women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises. WDB provides loans, training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to women entrepreneurs, helping them to grow their businesses and become financially independent.
In the African diaspora, black women are also coming together to support and empower each other. One notable example is the “Black Women’s Blueprint,” an organization based in the United States that focuses on the rights and struggles of black women. The organization works to address issues such as police brutality, reproductive justice, and violence against women.
The power of sisterhood can also be found in the realm of the arts and culture. In the United Kingdom, the “Black Women’s Network” (BWN) is an organization that focuses on the development of black women in the creative industries. BWN provides training, networking, and mentoring opportunities to black women in the creative arts, helping them to develop their skills and gain visibility in the industry.
These examples demonstrate the power of sisterhood in action. By coming together and supporting each other, women are breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for themselves and others. They are proving that when women are given the chance to lead, they can change the world for the better.
The theme of Sisterhood is gaining momentum globally, women of all backgrounds are coming together, supporting and empowering each other in various fields, this is particularly true in the African and Black Women community. The efforts of the Rwandan women, Nigerian Women, South African Women, Black Women’s Network, and many others like them, demonstrate that when women come together, they can break down barriers, create opportunities and change the world for the better.
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Joseph Omoniyi
