I'M BEHOLDEN TO THESE WOMEN BECAUSE OF MY MOTHER

Turkana girl 

In so many times, I have been asked to explain the nexus between women and my (philosophical, intellectual...) leanings as underpinned in my opinions and writings. My observers (and critics) have boldly pointed out that I have a soft-spot for women. That I talk much of them to levels reminiscent of "sworn women defenders". 

I have, in many occasions, resorted to oral answers. This, I admit, has not been an efficient tool to use to address this pregnant question more conclusively with a view to reaching and convincing many "silent" observers out there.

It is for this reason that I write this piece in order to respond to these thought-provoking queries. To quench my observers' thirst and (to) soften that hard spot that "my women-leaning views" have caused. 

You see, this isn't about apologies. Instead, it is about setting the record straight. It is about clearing mental bushes and winning more souls, more muscles to the side of those at the periphery of our social-political-economic fences.

Women - both collectively and individually - are an integral aspect of any nation's success. They represent a silent majority that shoulders, albeit many shortcomings, the malaise of our works. As such, a critical look into their travails and all connected benefits and challenges come in handy for all to grasp the truism of women empowerment.

I'm beholden to women - more so rural, information-thirsty, disempowered ones - because of my mother. I was introduced to them through her interactions as women's leader.

Through her I came face-to-face with the realities of a rural woman loaded with visions of success but chained by lack of vital information and economic wherewithal to move mountains and let go her many challenges.

I came to discover that men are not just players ( in the realization of these visions), but true and immediate beneficiaries of bold-hearted, bellyful empowered women. 

Sincerely speaking, my father (may his soul rest in peace) would attest to this. 

Thus my point: the enemy of men is the oppressor of women. To free women is to unchain men. To achieve this, we must start from somewhere. We must lay down the first foundation stone.

Which leads us to the center of our answer. Barriers to women empowerment is premised on our entrenched "man-ness", the fear that women would stage a "soft coup" against men and more clearly, misinformation and outright fallacies being peddled around viz-a-viz women empowerment.

Opposition to women emancipation is rooted on the shallow understanding of the subject matter on the side of men and their ilk (women included).

Hence the questions: What is wrong with educating women, imparting business skills on poor, information-hungry, economically-cornered, rural and/or slum mothers, fighting life-threatening "cultural" practices that only serve to cement the perception that women are objects that can only be rated by the shape and composition of their genitalia? Is this sidelining man?

Of great concern is to seek ways of restoring hope and livelihoods of the invisible, voiceless, faceless millions wallowing in abject poverty out there. Of importance is to petition governments to recognize the rights of women to possess land. It is this that makes people who they ought to be. This is the route to a dignified life.

This, my people, is achievable. We are capable of tapping into the visions, energies, resilience and humility of our women and come out with something productive for the benefit of all.

We have the means to cut the distances covered by our rural women in search of water. 

For your information, responding to the immediate but biting needs of women is the central pillar of women empowerment. This is what we have refused to understand and practice!

It must be remembered that a conscious world - and in particular, conscious men - must root for women. The world must stand with - and for - women. The world must discover new ways of truly integrating this segment of our population. 

To remain unmoved is to negate our own existence. To support women does not mean to fight men. It is complimenting his role and place in the society. 

We must right the wrongs of the past. Let's venture into those dark corners of our neighbourhoods and reach out to these people. 

A happy emboldened woman is a blessing to all. She is the foundation of a strong global edifice.

Lemukol Ng'asike is an architect. Twitter: @mlemukol. E-mail: lemoseh89@gmail.com.