The African Woman is Scarred
An African woman is conceived in the womb of a mother, the only thing different from her conception being the XX chromosome. A woman is born of a mother with nothing different about her birth. She is recognized as a female and not male because her chromosomes, genitals, and hormones are different. No other.
But then, after her birth everything becomes different. She is groomed differently and nurtured differently. But then it is all still dependent on the home, tribe, religion, and society she is born into. In many tribes, she is seen as the least. She’s to be known as the inferior child whose sole purpose in life is to become a wife or a mere object of sexual desire.
She is not spared the training of a wife material, home keeper, and child-bearer. She is taught to believe that when she is eventually married off she is to do the bidding of her husband only — be submissive always. In some tribes, she’s taught how to behave, dress, and talk to attract a mate — husband. In some tribes, the woman is empowered. She is given an opportunity to attend school and enjoy the privileges the other ‘GENDER’ enjoys except it is still believed that “a woman ends up in the kitchen.”
If she is born into a kinder religion, she may be spared the wearing of clothes that covers her entire body so as not to attract sexually predatory men. But that doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be reminded that modesty comes first when she dresses. Come rain come sunshine, be it cold or hot, she may be required to wear uncomfortable clothing. She is never allowed the freedom of choosing what she would like to wear instead it is chosen for her. In another religion, she is informally referred to as the ‘tail’ since the ‘head’ title is formally taken by the other gender. She is unequal after all as believed. And she is left limited in everything.
If she is born into a kinder home, she is spared the harsh words of correction when she falls out of line but she gets the same words in a more subtle way. If she is born into a harsh society, she is judged even before she is brought before a judge. She is rarely praised for anything except the birth of a child, a good housekeeping job, a submissive wife, and a sex object. If she is lucky to be born into a kinder society, she is pampered in a different kind of way. She is praised for meeting up to the standard set for a woman.
And for these reasons, the African woman is scarred. Scarred because her attained success is oftentimes not attributed to a man. Scarred because she is never given full respect. Scarred because society refuses to see her as more than just a female. Scarred because she is said to be unequal. Scarred because she is to be the subject of another. Scarred because she has a bright future yet ends up in the kitchen. Scarred because she is assumed to be feeble-minded. Scarred because she is deemed unfit to take a leadership position. Scarred because she endures too much than she can take. Scarred because she suffers in silence. Scarred because she is always trying to meet up.
The African woman is scarred. Scarred because if she is unable to conceive she is at fault. Scarred because she will be referred to as a ‘hoe’ if she chooses to become a polyandrist. Scared because she can be married off at any time. Scarred because when her husband cheats she is at fault. Scarred because she goes through the trauma and violence of Female Genital Mutilation because of a man. Scarred because she has no inheritance. Scarred because she has no say in her home. Scarred because her children are really not hers but his. Scarred because she takes another man's name compulsorily and not by choice.
The African woman is scarred.
In her home,
In her society,
By her tribesmen,
In her religious group.
But she is fighting back. And she is rising.
Like what you just read? Don’t be miserly with your claps.
