16But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. — Exodus 9:16
If you want something to be said, tell a man; if you want something to be done, tell a woman – Dame Margaret Thatcher, first and former British Prime Minister
The rhetorical question “where would the world be without women?” is often followed by numerous diverse both light and deep, serious and humorous, and sometimes downright obvious. This week however two statements lead me to unpack hyperboles to drive home the need for some opinionators to fall back on the stereotyping of women as well as the underappreciation of their achievements. In the just finished celebration of Women’s History Month among the numerous global events that took place are Tanzania lost a president and a woman ascended to the position, and two Malawian women (former state President Dr. Joyce Banda and UK-based research scientist Dr. Alice Mbewe) were awardees of the Future focus Female Icon 2021 awards.
While the elevation of President Samia Suhuru brought much joy around the world seeing another woman rise to this seat, a media outlet thought it wise to point out that although President Suhuru had risen to the post of first citizen, she still humbles herself and bows to her husband, and that she still stayed with him and carried him to state house.
The commentary went on to commend the new president and straight turned to and poured hit coals of fire on Malawian women because when they rise to power or high positions, the stopped bowing to their husbands, and that you cannot go near Malawi women with high education. The second onslaught to women came from a colleague who upon reading the banner announcing Dr. Banda and Dr. Mbewe’s award nominations, he complained and asked what have they achieved? The banner only had the titles.
Turning to the issue of the submissive Tanzanian female president and the lack of it in Malawi, my response is an emphatic long fire hose fight all the while shouting: total lies from the pit of a wounded male spouse! For starters, Malawi had its first female President Dr. Joyce Banda and there are countless others that humble themselves to their husbands. There is Chief Justice Anastasia Msosa, former MEC Chair Dr. Jane Ansah and others that are the opposite of the picture painted in the media post.
By the way, submission is not meant for show to outsiders but within one’s home. How did the opinionator see President Suhuru bowing to her husband?
Every time one mentions the name Dr. Joyce Banda, a myriad of images flow through the mind, among them that in her first year in office she met and was in audience with the crème de la crème of global leaders like Queen Elizabeth, the Pope, the first UA African American President Barrack Obama, 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and President of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi.
During the same year, Dr. Banda, unlike her predecessor whizzed through Africa and rounded up support in cash and kind that included cows from Botswana. To date Dr. Banda has received 50 international awards.
As for Dr. Mbewe, although a little less known, her work in the medical field in the UK is laudable. Both spoke exuberantly with vivaciousness and great conviction in the work they have chosen to exert their energies.
In accepting her award, Dr. Banda paused to congratulate and celebrate President Suhuru and also commend and congratulate the appointment of a female foreign minister, Ambassador Liberata Mulmula.
Dr. Banda then turned to the pandemic and made a statement that was replete with facts and figures. She cited that there are 39 million children that are out of school in Africa; that sadly dur to the COVID pandemic, 9 million children had dropped out of school. Without mincing words, the former Malawi leader informed the participants tot eh hour long virtual meeting that there was 1 percent of the world’s rich people that have become richer because of the pandemic; Dr. Banda said the west and other areas have a moral obligation to own the recovery process of this global pandemic.
To the women, especially the young women, Dr. Banda said she has spent her entire adult life trying to uplift the lives of women in the areas of education, HIV, maternal health, violence against women, and human rights. She paid tribute to them. To the young women, she outlined seven points for them to remember. These are:
1. Quoting former first lady Zenele Mbeki, dr. Banda advised the young leaders that when they climb the ladder of success, don’t drop it, but leave it there for others to climb up after them;
2. Keep on aiming for elected offices, citing there shall be nothing done about us without us;
3. Champion the economic empowerment of women;
4. Money is important in empowering others;
5. Associate with winners, not losers;
6. A 2016 research finding highlighted the common thread of successful women: their relationship with their fathers; fathers paly a critical role in the future success of their daughters;
7. Asked her fellow leaders to support young female leaders, and that they must not make the young women suffer the way she and others before had to endure.
She ended up by saying that leadership is a love affair where the leader falls in-love with the people and the people fall in love with the leader.
On her part Dr. Alice Mbewe encouraged young female leaders to understand their purpose in this life. She underscored that understanding one’s purpose enables one to navigate through. Without knowing one’s purpose leads to going round and round in meaningless life.
Among the other awardees were Trinidad and Tobago HE President Paula-May Weeks, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, former President of UN Women, Minister Penelope Beckles, Commissioner of Jurors in NY state Dr, Betty Campbell, and Onika Mars, President of Woman of Substance.
The Global Female Icon Awards 2K21 was hosted by Crystal Camejo, the Founder and chief visionary of Future Focus Empowerment Institute International. The ceremony was very empowering and uplifting; it was a great round up of the month-long celebration of what women are doing. As Dr. Joyce Banda told the gathering: “Women, we are doing fine; one woman at a time!”
