Woman: The African Tale
On arrival into the world, her struggles start
Tutored by ancient books unwritten
Termed frail by society
Within her household schooled
Her daily tales are stories of who she is
Her reality is like drama scripted for her to play out:
At a tender age she’s taught the basic of life; how to walk, dress, sit, sleep, and talk
At age 4 to 8, showed her place in society: a wife
“She is a wife,�? they say, cease her books and show her the kitchen
At age 9 to 12, “teach her to keep her dignity�? they say, her husband wants her chaste:
She’s taught the tales of the wise virgins
At age 13 to 15, teach her to cover up, or she faces assault
If her dress is not acceptable, call her a prostitute
At age 16 to 20, ready to embrace her full nature: womanhood.
Explain womanhood to her
At age 21 to 25, full nature unleashed, and her groom can come for her:
The tales of where is your husband is sang
At age 26 to 30, she is mature and getting old,
Single: stigmatise her
Married: question how she runs her home
No child: question her upbringing
Pregnant: question how she births her child
At child delivery: question her mode of delivery
Cesarean delivery: she is weak
No male child: she has failed
Age 30 and above, she should live for her children alone.
In Africa today, womanhood is hard work.
The margin between male and female specie is clear.
The birth of a girl child is akin to a ‘curse’ than joy.
Cage her then tag her acceptable.
Render her voiceless then tag her submissive.
Is this all that is to womanhood?
Africa:
Let the female child be free to live
Let the female child have a will to live
Let her hope to stay alive
Without fear, let her find herself
