IWD

Today all over the world is International Women Day. It is a day taken out to recognize, appreciate and encouraged women all over the world for their selfless contributions towards the society. It is a special day for the female gender as everyone celebrates them and recognize their contributions to the society.

Women impact the society and the world in several ways through their words and actions. They are instrumental in anything possible. You can literally see their touch or effects in anything. The importance and value of a woman cannot be understated. The world will certainly not exist without them.

The theme for this year International Women Day is Breaking the Bias. It is centred on stopping any form of discrimination or bias against women and the female gender in general. It aims to sensitize people on the seen and unseen bias against women in the society. The goal is to make sure that no woman is denied any opportunity based on her gender and show she can do it just as well, even better than men.

We know that there is an already established social construct for both genders. The male is expected to be the head and the sole provider of the family. He is expected to shoulder any responsibility and lead his family. The man is generally regarded as the head in many cultures. For the female, she is expected to be the neck of the family. To support the man physically, mentally, emotionally and even financially. She is the one in charge of taking care of the family and making sure everyone is okay. She is important in any family and the home cannot function properly without her. In some sort of way she is in charge because she cares for the family and everyone meets her anytime they are in trouble.

But unfortunately this is where the society gets it wrong. The society limits women to only being housewives and supporters. It doesn't think women can and should be more than that. Women can be so much more if you give them the chance. They are caged eagles ready to soar. Women are the foundation of any society but they can also be the structure.

Women should not be limited in anyway as they have so much to give. This is where we have to come together in breaking this bias. There are many ways in which we can achieve this.

• First of all Education. This is the most important way. Education is very important in any society and we must make sure that the girl child is educated. This will make sure that academically and mentally sound women are bred so that they can impact the society in ways you can only start to imagine.

• We need to go to cities, towns and villages raising awareness on the need to involve women in the running of the society. It is only by starting little that we can achieve something big. This is one of the best ways of breaking the bias right from the root.

• Lastly we all must come together and agree on this. We must make a conscious effort to actualize this goal. It is only by doing this that we can make any progress.

To this end I congratulate every woman out there and wish them an happy International Women's Day.