Women: Bringing lasting change in our society

Women have always had roles to play in the home front, work places, communities and country as a whole. Women in today’s world are accomplishing their given roles as mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, daughters, etc.
According to a speech given by Josette S. Shiner, an editor of The Washington Times, on the ‘Role of Women in the 21st Century,’ women have accomplished so much, yet so little.
“I have found that in many ways women share a common language. No matter our culture, our background, we can understand each other. I have spoke to women leaders in America, and as these women went out to speak to young women of America, they addressed only one topic over and over again: How could women be more successfully compete with men and learn to behave more like men? These speeches were often filled with resentment and anger; they were urging women to be tougher, to learn to fight, to learn to ‘play the game’ in the world like men.
“But I find it very interesting that when I meet with other women in media or politics, many of who gave up having a family to pursue their goals, I find them asking themselves whether their career achievements really add up to the sum of a successful life. This means that achievement in a career does not mean fulfilment in life generally, there’s more to life than it being about yourself alone,” she said.
To Akinola Ajayi, legal practitioner, women have more to offer than they have the opportunity to demonstrate.
“Women are like the pillars of society. In the workplace, home, and across society, women’s contributions are enormous and deserved commendation. In every sector, we have women who have done greatly in their chosen careers, passion, and this country as a whole. We have more confident, educated, serious, hardworking women in our society, who speak out for others, who desire a change in the society, especially when it comes to addressing issues that pertain to sexual abuse of children, women, harassment in work places, etc. Not only that, they also speak out for the men folks as well, an example is Funmi Iyanda, who is a real role model indeed. These days, women are the ones that give the most to society.”
Josette also agreed with Akinola when she says no matter the background, women can make a difference. “Just as a family needs a father and a mother, so too must these qualities be available to complement each other in every aspect of society. I am convinced that women's value will not be in trying to imitate men, or in becoming more like men. Our value will be in honouring our womanhood and femininity, and offering to the world the wisdom that is held in this other vital half of humanity. At this very moment, in every single city in the world from Nigeria to Nepal a girl is being born. These young ladies will become women in the new century. They will soon be looking to us for guidance on what their hopes, dreams, and responsibilities will be in this new world; that is why we must be very serious about the example we set and the legacy we leave, because what the world needs very simply are individuals with commitment and genuineness of heart. The world is starving for this heart, and as women of commitment, we must have confidence that we can and will make a difference,” she states.
To Mercy Agbokobia, mother, and professional actress, even though women are not perfect, they still do all in their ability to secure the home and families.
“Women bear children; take care of the home, and even extended families. Many women are breadwinners in their homes, helping their husbands and children to be all they can be. Go to most churches, I don’t know about mosques because I’m not a Muslim, but you’ll discover that women are more than men! Only a woman can be a mother. In addition to bearing, nurturing, and raising our own children, women should share a united responsibility to maintain, uplift, and improve our homes, society and nation at this crucial time. All women should endeavour to be the best they can be for the sake of our children’s future and the society as a whole.
“There are pressing issues women can focus their energy on to make positive impacts. Drugs, drinking, careless sex of youths, and violence have destroyed many lives all over the world, women can spearhead campaigns to address and bring about changes in these areas. Our children are making choices that may preclude a hopeful future and in doing so, are risking the very future of our world. Women must continue to step forward to fill the moral gap, to remind our children of our culture, religion, spiritual, and moral values, which empower and protect us,” Mercy advised.
Finally, women must help in making each of their loved ones, relatives, society, and nation as a whole return to God; for Him to heal this nation and erase every trace of tribal, religious, and cultural animosities which can destroy this great nation.
Women can make that change...

Reflection of a mother’s heart

Stephanie Dawson
Friday, June 27, 1997 was a memorable day for me in so many ways. The first and most significant was the birth of my son, James.
Not only was he my miracle child, but he would be my only child. Born by emergency caesarean section, James entered this world prematurely; had convulsions, stopped breathing and was resuscitated, but not expected to survive. However, against all the speculations of the doctors and by God’s grace, he did!
Another memory of significance that day brought me was the contemplation of being a mother. Wow – I was a mother! Yes, me, a mother! A barrage of questions and thoughts ran through my mind simultaneously: Was I equipped to do this job? (After all, it was, and still is, a huge responsibility).
And was I ready for this major task and life-changing episode? Of course I was – all mothers are! We run on instinct and intuition, but we just don’t appreciate our worth and abilities at the time.
Regardless of the number of text books and instruction manuals available on being a mother, there is no knowledge or skill as important as first-hand experience. And there’s certainly no substitute for the lessons life teaches!
As I reflect on the joys and pains in giving birth to my son, I also recognise the joys and trials of my own mother.
My fondest memories of childhood are the days of innocence, which seemed carefree at the time, with no worries to weigh down. I now appreciate how I was living under the protection of a strong mother and her awesome God, little realising the hardship and pressures that actually existed.
I can also reminisce my son’s earlier years and remember times in my life, growing up, where I felt the sense of my mother’s presence at every moment – even when I knew she had gone to work or shopping.
There was no hiding place and there was no escape from the hawk-like eyes that missed nothing! And so it is with our Father in Heaven – nothing is unseen by His eyes; no prayer goes unheard by His ears and no thought unaffected by His heart.
Despite the fact we are so very different in so many aspects of our lives, I can still see so much of myself in both my mother and James, and I have learned to see them through the eyes of God our creator.
Every emotion, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude, is stirred in me when I recollect the disappointments; the tears, laughter, the tests, the heartaches, the pain, and the joy of a mother’s heart, borne from the love of God.